Junior Fixtures 2015-2016 Announced

The fixtures for the Munster Junior League and the three divisional knock out competitions – the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup, Shield and Martin O’Sullivan Cup have been released.

Action gets underway in Division 1 and Division 2 of the Munster Junior League on Sunday, September 27 as holders Clonmel begin the defence of their title with a home tie against Galbally.

Last season's early pacesetters and runners-up Newcastle West, who will be expected to mount another title challenge, open their account as they travel to take on St Mary’s at Grove Island.

The two promoted sides begin life back in the top flight with home ties as Bandon, who are back in the top flight after a considerable absence, entertain Skibbereen in a West Cork derby at Old Chapel and Clanwilliam host Waterpark in Tipperary Town.

Richmond begin life back in Junior ranks following their relegation from the All-Ireland League with a home tie against Muskerry.

Clonakilty travel to the Premier County to take on Kilfeacle and Old Christians welcome St Senan’s to Rathcooney.

Two sides that were relegated from the top flight begin life in Division 2 with away ties as Tralee take on Ballincollig at Tanner Park and Kinsale travel to West Waterford to take on Division 3 winners Dungarvan.

Cobh Pirates, who were also relegated, face a tricky task in their opener as they entertain Thurles, with the Tipperary side again expected to mount a challenge for promotion having been pipped by Premier County neighbours Clanwilliam.

Mallow, who will also be aiming to return to the top flight at the second time of asking, begin their campaign against Presentation at Rathuard.

Promoted Charleville welcome Ennis to Smith’s Road and Castleisland take on near neighbours Abbeyfeale at the Kerry venue.

Division 3 gets underway on Sunday, October 4 with Carrick-on-Suir and Corca Dhuibhne back after absences of one and two years respectively. Another change is the merger of Douglas and Carrigaline.

These clubs get the show on the road against the three sides that were relegated form Division 2 as Chorca Dhuibhne host Kingdom neighbours Killarney, Carrick-on-Suir travel to south Cork to take on Crosshaven and Douglas-Carrigaline entertain Youghal at Moneygourney.

Fermoy, who missed out on promotion, make the long trip to west Cork to take on Bantry Bay who will also be expected to push for promotion as their panel will consist of members of the past season’s U-18 squad that won the Noel O’Sullivan South Munster U-18 Cup.

Scariff host Fethard at the east Clare venue and Killorglin open their account against Douglas-Carrigaline on Sunday, October 18 at the mid Kerry venue.

Proceedings get underway in each of the three divisional knock out competitions on Sunday, October 10, with the semi-finals completed before Christmas and the deciders not taking place until March.

New names will be inscribed on the Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield and the Martin O’Sullivan Cup as their respective winners Bandon and Charleville have been promoted.

Holders Clonmel begin their defence of the Junior Clubs Challenge Cup title with a home tie against Old Christians and they will be expected to advance to an away tie in the quarter-finals with Newcastle West, who are at home to St Mary’s in their opener.

Skibbereen begin their campaign with a home tie against Muskerry in a Cork derby and the winners will have a home quarter-final with Galbally or Waterpark who go head to head at the County Limerick venue.

Bandon welcome St Senan’s to Old Chapel and the winners will be away to Clanwilliam, who got a bye into the quarter finals.

Richmond entertain Clonakilty and the winners will have a home quarter-final against Kilfeacle.

Last season’s finalists Mallow have a bye into the quarter-finals of the Munster Junior Clubs Shield, where they await the winners between Ennis and Ballincollig who go head to head at the Clare venue.

Presentation host Tralee at Rathuard and the winners will have a home quarter-final with Dungarvan or Cobh Pirates who lock horns in west Waterford.

Abbeyfeale host Newport and the winners will be at home against the winners of the Cork derby between Charleville and Kinsale, which takes place in north Cork.

Thurles are at home to Waterford City with the winners due to take on Castleisland in the Kingdom.

Killarney make the long trip to south Tipperary to take on Carrick-on-Suir in the opening round of the Martin O’Sullivan Cup, with the winners away to Chorca Dhuibhne in the quarter-finals.

Killorglin travel to east Clare to play Scariff in their opener and the winners will have an away tie against Youghal.

Fermoy will be expected to see of the challenge of Fethard at the Showgrounds and set up a home quarter-final meeting with Douglas-Carrigaline.

All quarter-finals are down for decision on Sunday, October 31 and one paring already known is the meeting of Bantry Bay and Crosshaven at the west Cork venue, where the home side will be expected to prevail.

All the fixtures can be seen on the Munster Website –
https://www.munsterrugby.ie/domestic/competitions/index.php