Fixtures Announced For Junior Leagues

The gears are slowly beginning to turn in Junior clubs around the country, with hundreds of players across Munster gearing themselves up for pre-season, looking forward to seeing what 2017-18 has in store.

Certainly the bright sunny days are a long way from the cold winter afternoons that will determine the course of their season, but clubs can already begin to plan as the coming season’s fixtures have been released.

Plenty to look out for, opening day games, local rivalries, key clashes with sides around those tables, and some teams – for good or for worse – will have a whole range of new venues which to visit this season.

Reigning Division 1 champions Clonmel face a trip to Skibbereen in their first game of the season, while Junior Cup champions Bandon face off against Cobh Pirates, the side they defeated to capture the County Cup late last year.

Newly promoted Waterpark face a tough trip in their first game in Division 1, they have the assignment of last year’s Senior club Kanturk in their first game, in what will undoubtedly be a fascinating battle between the two. Fellow promotied outfit Youghal also have a tough task, hosting Junior Clubs Challenge Cup winners Kilfeacle & District.

Old Christians and Muskerry both begin life in Division 2 in Cork; the Rathcooney outfit host newly promoted Mitchelstown – who they also drew in the Clubs Challenge Cup – while Muskerry travel to Crosshaven. St Mary’s, who just missed out on promotion last season, travel to Ballincollig, looking to get this year’s campaign off to a good start.

Bantry Bay will be looking to launch their bid to return to Division 2 with a win against fellow promotion-chasers Killorglin, and Douglas-Carrigaline are aiming to do the same when they travel east to Dungarvan. Elsewhere Tralee host Fermoy, Corca Dhuibhne head to Fethard & District, while Charleville head up the N20 to Ennis.

You can keep up-to-date with all fixtures assignments and changes in our ‘Fixtures & Results’ section.