Munster Domestic Rugby Season So Far

The AIL Division 1 resumes on the 2nd January 2016 when Young Munster, positioned fifth in the table travel to Crowley Park to take on Galwegians.

Garryowen lead the way for the Munster clubs in fourth position behind Dublin trio UCD, Clontarf and Old Belvedere while Cork Constitution sit third from the bottom.

In Division 1B Shannon lie in fifth position, with UL Bohemian and Dolphin, both on 14 points are placed in the bottom three. Dolphin will hope to improve their position tomorrow when they host Blackrock College at Irish Independent Park.

With four Munster clubs competing in Division 2A, Cashel lead the way for the province at third position behind Banbridge and Malone. UCC and Nenagh Ormond are mid of the table while Thomond are at the bottom two, just ahead of Galway Corinthians. The Galway side host Cashel tomorrow at Corinthian Park while UCC and Thomond battle it out at the Mardyke, Cork with both matches kicking off at 2.30pm.

Cork Clubs Highfield and Sundays Well are Munster’s representatives in Division 2B and are currently placed in third and fourth respectively. With two games in hand, Highfield will set out to claim Greystone’s second spot when they travel to Parsonstown on 2nd January to face bottom placed MU Barnhall.

Old Crescent top the table in Division 2C, with Bruff third. Fifth placed Midleton travel to Kanturk on Saturday 2nd January in the division’s opening game of the New Year. The home side will be hoping to secure a win to improve their current position in the bottom three.

The Bank Of Ireland Munster Senior Cup is now at the quarter-final stage and there is a Limerick derby fixture tonight at Clifford Park (ko 7.30pm) between Limerick clubs Young Munster and UL Bohemian. There will be a repeat of last year’s final on Saturday when reigning champions Cork Constitution host Garryowen at Temple Hill, as the Cork side bid for their fourth title in a row. The remaining two quarter finals continue in the New Year – UCC host Old Crescent next January and Nenagh are at home to Dolphin.

Cork Constitution claimed the Cork Charity Cup this year while Young Munster and Old Crescent will battle it out for the Limerick Charity Cup title on St. Stephen’s Day at Tom Clifford Park, ko 5pm.

Clonmel currently lead Division 1 of the Munster Junior League. The division finishes up for the year this Sunday when Cork side Muskerry host Waterpark at Ellis Park. Abbeyfeale take top place in Division 2 by a margin of three points with Cobh a close second. Division 3 will resume in the New Year as table toppers Youghal set out to retain their position.

Following their Interprovincial title win in September, five of the Munster Women’s Squad were part of the UL Bohemian outfit that finished up top of the league table. The Limerick women took on reigning AIL champions Old Belvedere last Saturday at Donnybrook in the play-offs, but the Dubliners denied table toppers Bohs their 12th title by a 19-17 margin.

In a successful Interprovincial series for Munster, the Under 20 and Under U19 provincial sides joined the Munster Women in championship success when both sides claimed their respective interprovincial titles in Galway last September. Outhalf Bill Johnston, who was part of the triumphant Munster Under 20 squad was selected on the Munster Rugby Greencore Academy and represented his province at senior level in three pre season fixtures against Grenoble, Connacht and London Irish.

The Bank Of Ireland Munster Under 18 and Munster Under 16 Clubs are currently competing in Phase 1 of Munster Under 16 and Under 18 age grade Cup competition which started in the end of September. There are six conferences in each age group which sees the top three teams within qualify for the Cup. Newcastle West will set out to defend their Under 18 Cup title while Waterpark hope to reclaim the Under 16 trophy.

Two of the Munster Schools competitions have been completed – Presentation Brothers College retain the McCarthy Cup and fellow Cork school Christian Brothers College lifted the Bowen Shield in a tightly contested final against Bandon Grammar School at Irish Independent Park.

The Munster Schools Senior and Junior Cup kicks off on Tuesday 19th January 2016 between Crescent College Comprehensive and Christian Brothers College at Thomond Park Stadium.

This year saw a new look format with the one draw corresponding to both Senior and Junior Cup fixtures.

On Wednesday, 20th January Glenstal Abbey School entertain Castletroy College at Dooradoyle while St. Clements take on PBC at Rosbrien.

In an all Limerick first round Ard Scoil Rís, who have been Senior Cup finalists on the last two occasions, host St. Munchin's College at Tom Clifford Park on Thursday, 21st January.

Munster Schools Senior Cup champions Rockwell College are at home to Bandon Grammar School on Thursday, 21st January in Clanwilliam Park.

Munster Schools Junior Cup holders CBC will travel to Limerick to defend their title against Crescent College Comprehensive on the same day their senior side also set to face the Dooradoyle school at Thomond Park Stadium.

The Munster Schools Senior Cup final has been fixed for Tuesday, 8th March while the Schools Junior Cup final has been scheduled to take place on Sunday, 13th March.

To finish off the year the Munster Development Squad take on Ireland Under 20’s in a challenge game on Monday, 28th December at 1pm in Irish Independent Park. This fixture promises to be a great opportunity for Munster fans to see the province’s starts of tomorrow!