Junior Rugby Preview Week Ending 11th October

A big weekend for the Junior clubs in Munster as the opening games in the Junior League get underway.

For the winners of the First Division their will be automatic promotion to the All Ireland League next season and this means that only one club will be relegated from Division 1 and 2.

As in previous seasons two clubs will be promoted from Division 2 and 3 and the sides finishing second to fifth in Division 1 will automatically qualify for the All Ireland Junior Cup next season.

This season sees 14 clubs in both Division 1 and 2 with 13 taking part in the Third Division.

In Division 1 six clubs will be amongst the favourites to win the title with about four more expected to be in the hunt for honours.

Cashel are already the team that everyone feels are the side to beat. The Tipperary outfit begin their campaign with a trip to Ballincollig. They have been very impressive so far this season and several of their former players have returned to their ranks after a few seasons in the All Ireland League. They will be confident that a third title will be third time lucky in their quest to become the second senior club in the Premier County.

Ballincollig promoted last season surprised everyone and were no push over. They could make things difficult for the visitors but are unlikely to stop them collecting the points.

Defending champions Richmond travel to Cork to face newly promoted Old Christians and with a strong panel to pick from the Limerick side will not relinquish their title easy. Old Christians will hope to build on last season’s promotion by consolidating their place in the top flight but may have to wait awhile before picking up their first points.

A large crowd will be expected at “The Hill” in Kilfeacle when near neighbours Clanwilliam make the short trip. Kilfeacle are going through a rebuilding process but are never easy to beat. Clanwilliam delighted to be back in the top flight will raise their game as a win in this derby tie will give them the bragging rights.

Clonmel entertain Skibbereen and both these sides will be expected to be in the final shake up for honours. Clonmel have suffered two defeats in Cup competitions in the last two weeks and will be anxious to get back to winning ways. Skibbereen have not had a good start to the season and could find the home side picking up the points.

The extension to Division One proved a blessing to Crosshaven who finished in the bottom two last season and were facing relegation. However they are unbeaten this season and a big plus has been the return of Merle O’Connell. They begin their campaign with an away trip to Thurles and should pick up the points.

The other team that faced relegation last season were St. Senan’s and they also avoided the drop because of the extension to the leagues. They travel to Tralee and will have their work cut out to get something from this tie.

The other game in this Division has Cobh Pirates at home to Waterpark. Both these sides have embarked on a youth policy and Waterpark will be expected to take the spoils.

In Division Two both Galbally and Kinsale will start as favourites to win promotion.

Galbally begin their campaign with a home tie against Muskerry and should pick up maximum points.

Kinsale are also at home as they entertain St. Mary’s and Kinsale will also be expected to clam a bonus point victory.

Bandon and Newport meet at Old Chapel and both will be anxious to put in a challenge for promotion and will be eager to start with a win.

Mallow are at home to newly promoted Castleisland and the home side may not have things their own way.

Killarney also making their debut in this Division could cause a surprise when they visit Charleville.

Kanturk at home to Newcastle West will be eager to start with a home victory if they are to put in a serious challenge.

The other game sees Youghal at home to Ennis and the East Cork side should collect the points.

The Third Division has gone back to one section of thirteen sides. Waterford City after their disappointing performance last week in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup should get back to winning ways with a home win over Kilrush.

Carrick-on-Suir should also make it a home win when they entertain Scariff.

Bantry Bay who have moved up to junior ranks start with a home tie against Dungarvan but the West Waterford side have been showing signs of a revival and could start with a victory.

The big game in this Division could be the meeting of Douglas and Abbeyfeale at Moneygourney. These sides met in the Cup earlier in the season with Abbeyfeale getting the verdict on the first try rule. It should be a close contest with little between them at the finish.

Fermoy make the journey to Killorglin and should start with a win while Corca Dhuibhne could make their trip to Whitechurch a winning won when they face Shandon.

FIXTURES:

SATURDAY 9th OCTOBER

Gleeson League Division 1:Bruff v Garryowen,Kilballyowen Park,12.30;

Richmondv Old Crescent,Richmond Park,2.30;

St. Mary's v UL Bohemian,Annacotty,2.30;

Thomond v Shannon,Fitzgerald Park,1.00;

Young Munster v St. Senan's,Derryknockane,12.00;

Division 2:Clanwilliam v Clonmel,Clanwilliam Park,3.00;

Waterpark v Thurles,Ballinakill,2.30;

Junior 2 League South Section D:Dungarvan v Carrick-on-Suir,Dungarvan,2.30;

Youghal v Waterford City,Youghal,3.00;

Under 21 South Western Conference Division 1 Section A:Dolphin v Corinthians,Musgrave Park,2.30; OFF

Garryowen v N.U.I.G..Dooradoyle,2.30;

Old Crescent v Highfield.Rosbrien,2.30;

Young Munster v U.C.C..Clifford Park,2.30;

Section B:CorkConstitution v Bruff,Temple Hill,2.30; OFF

Shannonv Buccaneers,Coonagh,2.30;

Sunday's Well v Waterpark,Musgrave Park,2.30;

U.L. Bohemian v Galwegians,Annacotty,2.30;

Schools Senior Friendly:C.B.C. v Rockwell,Lansdowne,11.00;

P.B.C. v St. Michael's College,Wilton,12.00;

P.B.C. B v St. Michael's College B,Wilton,12.00;

Schools Junior Friendly:C.B.C. v Rockwell,Lansdowne,11.00;

P.B.C. v St. Munchin's College,Wilton,11.00;

P.B.C. B v St. Munchin's College B,Wilton,11.00;

Avonmore Milk Munster Under 19 League Section D:Castleisland v Killarney,Castleisland,12.00;

Crosshaven v Tralee,Crosshaven,3.30;

Section E:Bandon v Old Christians,Bandon,11.30;

Clonakilty v Dunmanway,The Vale,11.00;

Dolphin v Kinsale,Musgrave Park,11.00;

Section F:Douglasv Midleton,Moneygourney,12.00;

Fermoy v Cobh Pirates,Fermoy,TBC;

Mallow v Muskerry,Mallow,11.00;

South Under 17 League Section 1:Ballincollig v C.B.C.,Tanner Park,12.00;

Clonakilty v Bandon,The Vale,5.00;

Kinsale v Skibbereen,Kinsale,12.00;

Section 2:Cobh Pirates v Midleton,Cobh,12.30;

Mallow v Kanturk,Mallow,12.30;

Section 3:Crosshaven v Muskerry,Crosshaven,12.00;

Section 4:Highfield v Cork Constitution,Woodleigh Park,10.45;

Sunday's Well v Youghal,Musgrave Park,12.30;

West Under 17 League:Corca Dhuibhne v Castleisland,Ballydavid,12.00;

Iveragh v Tralee,Cahirciveen,12.00;

Killorglin v Abbeyfeale,Killorglin,12.00;

Listowel v Killarney,Listowel,12.00;

West Under 13 League:Corca Dhuibhne v Castleisland,Ballydavid,12.00;

Iveragh v Tralee,Cahirciveen,12.00;

Killorglin v Abbeyfeale,Killorglin,12.00;

Listowel v Killarney,Listowel,12.00;

Under 15 Friendly:Kinsale v Sunday's Well,Kinsale,11.00;

Under 14 Friendly:Highfield v Clonakilty,Woodleigh Park,11.00;

SUNDAY 10th OCTOBER

MunsterJunior League Division 1:Ballincollig v Cashel,Tanner Park,2.30;

Clonmel. v Skibbereen,Clonmel,2.30;

Cobh Pirates v Waterpark,Cobh,2.30;

Kilfeacle v Clanwilliam,Kilfeacle,2.30;

Old Christians v Richmond,Rathcooney,2.30;

Thurles v Crosshaven,Thurles,2.30;

Tralee v St. Senan's,Tralee,2.30;

Division 2:Bandon v Newport,Bandon,2.30;

Charleville v Killarney,Charleville,2.30;

Galbally v Muskerry,Galbally,2.30;

Kanturk v Newcastle West,Kanturk,2.30;

Kinsale v St. Mary's,Kinsale,2.30;

Mallow v Castleisland,Mallow,2.30;

Youghal v Ennis,Youghal,2.30;

Division 3:BantryBayv Dungarvan,Bantry,2.30;

Carrick-on-Suir v Scariff,Carrick-on-Suir,2.30;

Douglasv Abbeyfeale,Moneygourney,2.30;

Killorglin v Fermoy,Killorglin,2.30;

Shandon v Corca Dhuibhne,Whitechurch,2.30;

WaterfordCity v Kilrush,Waterford,2.30;

MunsterSeconds League North:Nenagh Ormond v UL Bohemian,Nenagh,12.00;

Shannonv Old Crescent,Coonagh,2.30;

Thomond v Bruff,Fitzgerald Park,2.30;

South:Clonakilty v Dolphin,The Vale,2.30;

Cork Constitution v Midleton,Temple Hill,2.30;

Sunday's Well v U.C.C.,Ballinakill,2.30;

Gleeson League Division 2:Fethard v Newcastle West,Fethard,2.30;

Galbally v Kilfeacle,Galbally,12.00;

Junior 2 League South Section A:Iveragh v Castleisland,Cahirciveen,2.30;

Listowel v Kenmare,Listowel,2.30;

Tralee v Killarney,Tralee,2.30;

Section B:Skibbereen v Dunmanway,Skibbereen,2.30;

Section C:Ballincollig v Muskerry,Tanner Park,12.00;

Kanturk v Mallow,Kanturk,12.00;

Section D:Dungarvan v Carrick-on-Suir,Dungarvan,2.30;

Youghal v Waterford City,Youghal,3.00;

Section E:Carrigaline v Crosshaven,Moneygourney,12.00;

Dolphin v Kinsale,Musgrave Park,12.00;

Section F:Old Christians v Cobh Pirates,Rathcooney,12.00;

U.C.C. v Highfield,Curaheen Road,12.00;

Junior 3 League South Section A:Ballincollig v Bandon,Tanner Park,2.30;

BantryBayv U.C.C.,Bantry,12.30;

Section B:Fermoy v Cork Transport,Fermoy,2.30;

Mitchelstown v Shandon,Whitechurch,12.00;

Avonmore Milk Munster Under 19 LeagueSection B:Ennis v St. Senan's,Lees Road,12.15;

Nenagh Ormond v Scariff,Nenagh,12.00;

Section C:Cashel v Thurles,Cashel,11.00;

Clanwilliam v Waterpark,Clanwilliam Park,11.00;

Kilfeacle v Galbally,Kilfeacle,11.00;

East MunsterUnder 17 League Section A:Dungarvan v Clonmel,Dungarvan,11.00;

Fethard v Nenagh Ormond,Fethard,11.00;

Section B:Carrick-on Suir v Cashel,Carrick-on-Suir,11.00;

Thurles v Clanwilliam,Thurles,11.00;

Kilfeacle v Galbally,Kilfeacle,11.00;

East MunsterUnder 15 League Section A:Fethard v Dungarvan,Fethard,11.00;

Waterpark B v Waterpark,Ballinakill,11.00;

WaterfordCity v Clonmel,Waterford,11.00;

Section B:Clanwilliam v Galbally,Clanwilliam Park,11.00;

Kilfeacle v Cashel,Kilfeacle,11.00;

Thurles v Nenagh Ormond,Thurles,11.00;

North Under 17 League:Kilrush v Ennis,Kilrush,12.00;

Newcastle West v Garryowen,Newcastle West,11.30;

Scariff v Bruff,Scariff,11.30;

St. Senan's v Young Munster,Jim Slattery Park,12.00;

North Under 14 League:Garryowen v Richmond,Dooradoyle,11.30;

Newcastle West v Ennis,Lees Road,11.30;

Presentation v Scariff,Rathuard,11.00;

Shannonv Old Crescent,Coonagh,11.30;

U.L. Bohemian v Estuary,Annacotty,11.00;

Young Munster v Bruff,Derryknockane,11.00;

Under 19 Friendly:Sunday's Well v C.B.C.,Musgrave Park,10.30;

Under 13 Blitz,Clanwilliam,11.00;

Under 13 Blitz,Ballinakill,11.00;

Under 13 Blitz,Dungarvan,11.00;

Under 13 Blitz,Thurles,11.00;

Womens AIL Division 1:Clonmel v Blackrock,Clonmel,1.00;

U.L. Bohemian v Highfield,Annacotty,1.00;

MONDAY 11th OCTOBER

MunsterSeconds League:Garryowen v Young Munster,Doodadoyle,2.30;

Under 21 Friendly:LIT v Thomond,LIT,7.30;

TUESDAY 12th OCTOBER

O'Brien Cup:Colaiste Muire Askeaton v St. Mary's (Newport),Newcastle West,2.00;

Mungret Shield:CBS Sexton Stv DLS Waterford,Garryowen Green,1.00;

WEDNESDAY 13th OCTOBER

Bowen Shield:Bandon Grammar v Rockwell,Bandon,2.30;

P.B.C. v Glenstal Abbey,Wilton,2.30;

St.Munchin's v Crescent Comp.,Corbally,2.30;

McCarthy Cup:Bandon Grammar v Rockwell,Bandon,2.30;

P.B.C. v Glenstal Abbey,Wilton,2.30;

St.Munchin's v Crescent Comp.,Corbally,2.30

O'Brien Cup:St. Nessan's v Roscrea C.S.,St. Nessan's,1.00;

Schools Senior Friendly:MidletonCollege v Newtown School,Midleton,2.30;

P.B.C. v Bandon Grammar,Wilton,2.30;

Schools Junior Friendly:Crescent Comp. v Castleknock College,Dooradoyle,2.30;

Crescent Comp. B v Castleknock College B,Dooradoyle,2.30;

MidletonCollege v Newtown School,Midleton,2.30;