Look Ahead to Weekends Games

The Munster Junior Cup takes centre stage this weekend as most Senior clubs take a break from league action.

Two Cork clubs will be in action in the AIB All Ireland League this weekend. Highfield travel to Ballynahinch for the second time in three weeks. Diarmuid O’Sullivan’s first try in the league gave the ‘Field a 5-0 lead at half time when the game was abandoned. The Co. Down side will be all out to win this tie to keep their promotion hopes on track and Highfield will have it all to do to pick up anything from this encounter.

Queens University travel to Musgrave Park to face Sunday’s Well in the Third Division. The points are crucial to both sides for different reasons. Queens lost top spot because of last week’s postponement and will want to pick up maximum points against a struggling ‘Well side. The Well are now eight points adrift of safety and have to get something from this tie to bridge the gap.

There are seven ties in the Munster Junior Cup with the meeting of Kilfeacle and Dolphin at the Tipperary venue being one of the top ties. Dolphin despite having good squads in recent years, have yet to make an impression in this competition. They had to battle hard to see off the challenge of Scariff and Kinsale in the previous rounds and this will be a big challenge for them.

Kilfeacle who are Cashel’s only challengers for the league title are unlikely to catch the holders and will see this competition as their main aim. The tag of underdogs will suit them and they are sure to give the AIL side a run for their money and could cause an upset.

Garryowen having needed two attempts to see off the challenge of Shannon in the previous round will fancy their chances at home to Clonmel. The Tipperary side will look forward to this tie and if they play to their ability they could put it up to the Light Blues, but it would be a shock if Garryowen failed to advance.

Holder’s Cork Constitution will be expected to get the better of Highfield at Temple Hill. They struggled to overcome Abbeyfeale in the previous round but when it comes to the Munster Junior Cup they always produce the goods. Highfield were lucky to get a draw with Castleisland in the last round, but were deserving winners in the replay. If they can produce a similar performance they will make it tough for the holder’s.

U.C.C. one of the favourites for the trophy should prove too strong for Mallow at the Mardyke. Mallow have not been getting the results this season but were impressive in beating Sunday’s Well last time out and they will hope to give the students a competitive game.

Richmond play hosts to Young Munster in their replay. The Junior side came from 16-0 down the last day and boosted by that performance will fancy their chances of going one better this time.

Nenagh Ormond entertain Midleton and this could be a close affair with the Tipperary side slight favourites to advance to the last eight.

Ennis lost home advantage to Newport but despite this disadvantage the Clare side could cause an upset.

There are some vital Junior League games down for decision. In the First Division leader’s Cashel have a home tie with Old Christians and while the points are vital for both sides, the holders should take a big step towards retaining their crown with a victory.

Cobh Pirates take on Tralee on their home turf and will be anxious to make amends for their recent Cup exit at the hands of the Kerry side and also avoid being sucked into the relegation battle. Tralee have moved steadily up the table in recent weeks and another victory will strengthen their chances of a top four finish.

Ballincollig can go back to the top of the Second Division if they can overcome the challenge of Charleville at the North Cork venue.

In Division Three Section B, Carrick-on-Suir can end Waterford City’s hopes of promotion with a victory at Kilbarry.

There are nine Junior Plate games listed with Clanwilliam’s visit to Skibbereen being the top game. The home side are going through a lean spell at the moment and if they are not up for this tie, than there could be an upset.

Defending champions St. Senan’s face Galbally and their strength up front should see them through.

Castleisland take on Kanturk and with home advantage the Kerry outfit will be hoping to cause an upset against an injury hit Kanturk side.

Both West Limerick clubs Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West will fancy their chances of causing an upset when they entertain Clonakilty and Bandon respectively.

Thomond who have gone off the boil in recent weeks will have it all to do away to Bruff, while St. Mary’s should prove too strong for Scariff.

Killarney should continue their recent good run with a home win over neighbours Killorglin, while there should be little between Douglas and Sunday’s Well who meet at Moneygourney.

FIXTURES

SATURDAY 7th FEBRUARY
Six Nations:Ireland v France,Croke Park,5.00;

AIB League Division 2:Ballynahinch v Highfield,Ballymacarn Park,2.30;

Division 3:Sunday’s Well v Queens University,Musgrave Park,2.30;

Gleeson League Play Off:Old Crescent v Shannon,Coonagh,2.00;

McInerney Cup:Bruff v St. Senan’s,Bruff,2.30;
Garryowen v St. Mary’s,Dooradoyle,2.00;

Junior 2 Friendly:U.L. Bohemian v Young Munster,Annacotty,1.30;

Under 20 South Western Conference Division 1:Bruff v Corinthians,Killballyowen Park,2.30;
Buccaneers v Young Munster,Dubarry Park,2.30;
Garryowen v U.C.C.,Dooradoyle,2.30;
Shannon v Galwegians,Coonagh,2.30;
U.L. Bohemian v Cork Constitution,Annacotty,2.30;

Division 2 North:Cashel v Clonmel,Cashel,2.30;
Clanwilliam v Richmond,Clanwilliam Park,2.00;
Nenagh Ormond v Old Crescent,Nenagh,2.30;

Division 2 South:Dolphin v Waterpark,Musgrave Park,2.30;

South Under 18 Semi Final:Highfield v Muskerry,Woodleigh Park,12.15;

South Under 16 League Section A:Clonakilty v Bandon,The Vale,12.00;

Section B:Cork Constitution v Fermoy,Temple Hill,11.00;
Youghal v Kanturk,Youghal,11.30;

South Under 14 League Section A:Clonakilty v C.B.C.,The Vale,11.00;
Highfield v Kinsale,Woodleigh Park,10.30;
Sunday’s Well v Cork Constitution,Cois Laoi,12.15;

Section B:Muskerry v Cobh Pirates,Muskerry,11.15;
Youghal v Kanturk,Youghal,11.30:

Under 16 Friendly:Mallow v Sunday’s Well,Mallow,11.30;

Under 13 Friendly:Shannon v Reading Abbey,Coonagh,11.00;

Girls Under 14:Fermoy v Crosshaven,Fermoy,1.00;

SUNDAY 8th FEBRUARY
Munster Junior Cup:Cork Constitution v Highfield,Temple Hill,2.30;
Garryowen v Clonmel,Dooradoyle,2.30;
Kilfeacle v Dolphin,Kilfeacle,2.30;
Nenagh Ormond v Midleton,Nenagh,2.30;
Newport v Ennis,Newport,2.30;
Richmond v Young Munster,Richmond Park,2.00;
U.C.C. v Mallow,Mardyke,2.30;

Munster Junior Plate:Abbeyfeale v Clonakilty,Abbeyfeale,2.30;
Bruff v Thomond,Bruff,2.30;
Castleisland v Kanturk,Castleisland,2.30;
Douglas v Sunday’s Well,Moneygourney,2.30;
Killarney v Killorglin,Killarney,2.30;
Newcastle West v Bandon,Newcastle West,2.30;
Skibbereen v Clanwilliam,Skibbereen,2.30;
St. Mary’s v Scariff,Corbally,2.30;
St. Senan’s v Galbally,Jim Slattery Park,2.30;

Munster Junior League Division 1:Cashel v Old Christians,Cashel,2.30;
Cobh Pirates v Tralee,Cobh,2.30;

Division 2:Charleville v Ballincollig,Charleville,2.30;

Division 3:Waterford City v Carrick-on-Suir,Waterford,2.30;

Junior 2 League South Section A:Cork Constitution v Sunday’s Well,Temple Hill,12.00;

Section B:Cobh Pirates v U.C.C.,Cobh,12.00;

Mick Barry Cup:Muskerry v Bantry Bay,Muskerry,2.30;
Tralee v Crosshaven,Tralee,2.30;

Section B:Old Christians v Skibbereen,Rathcooney,2.30;

George O’Connell Cup:Carrigaline v Kanturk,Moneygourney,12.00;
Highfield v Castleisland,Woodleigh Park,2.30;

Junior 3 Play Offs:Bandon v Kinsale,Bandon,2.30;

Junior 4 League:Mallow v U.C.C.,Mallow,12.00;

Kelly Cup:Shandon v Dunmanway,Whitechurch,2.30:

Junior Friendly:Crosshaven v Kinsale,Crosshaven,2.30;

Junior 2 Friendly:Ballincollig v Bandon,Tanner Park,12.00;
Carrick-on-Suir v Waterpark,Carrick-on-Suir,2.00;
Thurles v Kilfeacle,Thurles,12.00;

Junior 3 Friendly:Ballincollig v Cork Transport,Tanner Park,2.30;

East Under 18 Section A:Clonmel v Kilfeacle,Clonmel,11.00;
Cashel v Waterpark,Cashel,11.00;
Fethard v Nenagh Ormond,Fethard,11.00;

Section B:Waterford City v Galbally,Waterford,11.30;

East Under 16 Section A:Fethard v Clonmel,Fethard,11.00;
Kilfeacle v Thurles,Kilfeacle,11.00;
Nenagh Ormond v Waterpark,Nenagh,11.30;
Dungarvan v Cashel,Dungarvan,11.00;

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

East Under 14 Section A:Carrick-on-Suir v Thurles,Carrick-on-Suir,11.00;
Kilfeacle v Clanwilliam,Kilfeacle,11.00;
Waterpark v Fethard,Ballinakill,11.00;

Section B:Clonmel v Nenagh Ormond,Clonmel,11.00;
Galbally v Cashel,Galbally,11.00;
Roscrea v Dungarvan,Roscrea,11.00;

North Under 18 League:Kilrush v Ennis,Kilrush,11.30;
Newcastle West v Richmond,Newcastle West,11.30;
St. Mary’s v Bruff,Corbally,12.00;
St. Senan’s v Young Munster,Jim Slattery Park,11.30;

North Under 16 League:Bruff v U.L. Bohemian,Bruff,11.30;
Garryowen v Reading Abbey,Dooradoyle,12.00;
Kilrush v Ennis,Kilrush,11.00;
St. Mary’s v Bruff,Corbally,11.00;
Young Munster v Thomond,Derryknockane,12.00;

North Under 14 League:Ballina- Killaloe v U.L. Bohemian,Scariff,11.30;
Ennis v Kilrush,Lees Road,12.30;
Garryowen v Reading Abbey,Dooradoyle,10.30;
Newcastle West v Richmond,Newcastle West,11.30;

North Under 13 League:Ennis v Scariff,Lees Road,11.30;
Young Munster v Old Crescent,Derryknockane,11.00;

Under 18 Friendly:Old Crescent v Thomond,Rosbrien,11.30;

Under 13 Friendly:Garryowen v Reading Abbey,Dooradoyle,12.00;

Women’s All Ireland Cups:Clonmel v Clanwilliam,Clonmel,1.00;
Waterpark v Young Munster,Ballinakill,2.00;
Youghal v Kinsale,Youghal,1.00;
Nenagh Ormond v Shannon,Nenagh,12.00;