Weekend Preview | Junior Rugby

All Ireland Junior Cup semi-finalists Crosshaven and Kilfeacle get the show on the road in Division One of the Munster Junior League as they go head to head at Kilfeacle on Saturday evening.

The West Tipperary side opened up a four-point gap at the top of the table following their narrow 22-21 away win over Newcastle West. The Seasiders are fifth, following their 16-8 home win over Clonakilty last time out.

Second-placed Newcastle West are away to Richmond and the West Limerick side will have their work cut out as they aim to bounce back from their narrow home defeat by Kilfeacle. Richmond go into the tie on the back of a 24-7 away win over bottom side St Senan’s.

Mallow, who are third, should prove too strong for Galbally in North Cork as Mallow defeated Skibbereen 24-7 at the Carbery Showgrounds last time out, following successive defeats by Crosshaven and Newcastle West. The County Limerick side are two places above the drop zone on nine points, with a game in hand.

Fourth-placed Thomond will be looking to claim all point on offer following their 17-10 defeat by Abbeyfeale in West Limerick as they welcome bottom side St Senan’s to Liam Fitzgerald Park.

Bandon, who claimed a losing bonus point from their 13-10 away defeat by Clanwilliam, face a tricky task as they entertain Abbeyfeale, who recorded a 17-10 home win over Thomond.

Clanwilliam have climbed out of the drop zone following their 13-10 home win over Bandon and they welcome Waterpark to Tipperary Town, with the Suirsiders going into the tie on the back of a 12-9 home win over Galbally.

Clonakilty are at home to West Cork neighbours Skibbereen with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats by Crosshaven and Mallow respectively. Clonakilty will be looking to claim all points on offer as Skibbereen have slipped into the drop zone.

There are two Cork derbies in Division Two.

Unbeaten leaders Old Christians should prove too strong for Fermoy at the Showgrounds as the Rathcooney side go into the tie on the back of a 14-9 home win over Kanturk. Fermoy were defeated 22-7 by Kinsale in South Cork last time out.

Second-placed Dungarvan travel to the Premier County to take on Thurles with both sides going into the tie on the back of comprehensive home wins over Kerry opposition. Thurles defeated Tralee in their last game and Dungarvan claimed maximum points from their meeting with Castleisland.

Kanturk, who are joint third with Muskerry, will be looking to bounce back from their 14-9 defeat by Old Christians at Rathcooney as they welcome struggling Cobh Pirates to Duhallow. The Pirates are still without a win following their 15-10 home defeat by St Mary’s from which they claimed a losing bonus point.

Muskerry will be looking to build on their Mid Cork derby win over Ballincollig as they entrain struggling Tralee, who are two places above the drop zone.

Kinsale travel to the Kingdom to take on bottom side Castleisland, whose only points came from a draw with Cobh Pirates. Castleisland go into the tie on the back of a heavy defeat by Dungarvan, while the South Cork side recorded a 22-7 bonus point home win over Fermoy.

Charleville should prove too strong for Fethard at Smith’s Road as the North Cork side put up 34 points without reply against Tralee in the Kingdom in their last game. The South Tipperary side are still seeking their first win and they are hovering above the drop zone on four points.

St Mary’s welcome Ballincollig to Grove Island with the Limerick side looking to build on their recent away win over struggling Cobh Pirates, while the Mid Cork side go into the tie on the back of a 21-0 home defeat by near neighbours Muskerry.

Division Three leaders Killorglin will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run as they travel to Leeside to take on Douglas-Carrigaline, who are propping up the table on zero points.

Ennis, who are also unbeaten with a game in hand, will be looking to claim all points on offer from their home meeting with Mitchelstown, who are fourth.

Third-paced Waterford City should prove too strong for Dunmanway in West Cork as the Suirsiders ran out 12-5 away winners over Chorca Dhuibhne last time out. The West Cork side go into the tie on the back of their heavy defeat by Ennis in the Banner County.

In other games, Killarney welcome Youghal to the Kingdom and Scariff travel to West Kerry to take on Chorca Dhuibhne.