ODM Senior Cup Gets Underway.

Cashel play Sunday’s Well this Friday evening in the only First round tie in this season’s ODM Munster Senior Cup.

Newly promoted Cashel boosted by their great win over Cork Constitution in the Charity Cup will be quietly confident of advancing to the Second Round of the ODM Munster Senior Cup when they face Sunday’s Well under lights at Cashel.
These sides also met in the 2005/06 season in this competition and it was the Tipperary side who advanced 29-20. Cashel went on to reach the semi finals of the Cup that season before losing to Dolphin. The ‘Well go into this tie after a disappointing performance against Highfield and it is difficult to see them halting Cashel’s recent good run.

The two semi finals in the Limerick Charity Cup will be played on Friday evening. Holders Young Munster after their 24-0 win over Bruff will fancy their chances of reaching the final with a home win over Thomond.

The other semi final sees U.L. Bohemian hosting Shannon at Annacotty. U.L. Bohes had a narrow 14-13 win over Garryowen last week while Shannon were far from impressive in their away win over Nenagh Ormond. It should be a close contest with little between the sides at the finish.

Midleton play Highfield in the Cork Charity Cup semi final at Towns Park. Highfield boosted by that impressive performance last week will be looking to push the home side all the way.

The other semi final tie between Dolphin and Cashel has been postponed as a result of Cashel’s involvement in the ODM Munster Senior Cup.

Munster women’s Inter Provincial side begin their defence of the title with a trip to Galway to face Connacht. They are aiming for a sixth successive championship victory and should start with a win.

There are six ties listed in the opening round of the Junior Clubs Challenge Cup. The game of the round should be the meeting of Old Christians and Richmond at Rathcooney. Richmond who were Cashel’s main challengers for honours last season will again be seen as amongst the top sides for honours this season. Old Christians with Tommy Crowe coaching could be the dark horses this season and could cause an upset with a home victory.

All Ireland Junior Cup holders Crosshaven face a tricky encounter when they travel to Waterpark. Crosshaven have been badly hit by emigration and have lost some prominent members of last season’s successful squad. Waterpark are turning to their successful Under 21 and Underage players and with last season’s experience behind them they should be good enough to book a quarter final place.

Newly promoted Galbally begin their campaign with a trip to Cobh Pirates and after an impressive 24- 3 home win over Clanwilliam last week will be quietly confident of continuing from last season’s successful run.

The other promoted club Kanturk travel to Tralee and the Kerry side shocked at their 13-12 defeat by Corca Dhuibhne last week in the McElligott Cup will not want to lose for a second successive week and should advance.

Clanwilliam host Clonmel and both sides had contrasting performances last week in the Mansergh Cup. Clonmel beat Thurles 20-13 and Clanwilliam will want to show a big improvement on last week’s outing at Galbally.

St. Senan’s make the long journey to Skibbereen and home advantage should see the west Cork side advance.

Both North and South Munster Seconds League also start this weekend. There are two games in the South with Dolphin facing Midleton at Musgrave Park and U.C.C. play Highfield at Curaheen Road and both are scheduled for Sunday evening.

All four ties in North Munster have been moved to Monday evening. Young Munster play Garryowen at Clifford Park with a 6.30 kick off and the other three ties will all kick off at 7.30. Bruff v Old Crescent, Shannon v Nenagh Ormond and U.L. Bohemian against Thomond.

Castleisland host Killarney in the second semi final in the McElligott Cup with Corca Dhuibhne awaiting the winners in the final.

Bantry Bay are at home to Shandon in the Cork County Cup and Bantry will fancy their chances of starting the season with a victory.

The Dennehy Cup also gets under way with eight ties down for decision.

The fixtures for the coming week are –

THURSDAY 1st SEPTEMBER
Junior Friendly: Waterford City v Dungarvan, Waterford, 7.30;

FRIDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER
ODM Munster Senior Cup: Cashel v Sunday's Well, Cashel, 7.30;

Limerick Charity Cup Semi Finals: U.L Bohemian v Shannon, Annacotty, 7.00;
Young Munster v Thomond, Clifford Park, 6.45;

SATURDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER
RaboDirect Pro 12: Munster v Newport Dragons, Musgrave Park, 7.45;

Women's Inter Pro: Connacht v Munster, Corinthian Park, 2.30;

Cork Charity Cup Semi Final: Midleton v Highfield, Towns Park, 2.30;

Junior Friendly: Old Crescent v Tullamore, Rosbrien, 5.30;

Under 21 Friendly: Shannon v U.L. Bohemian, Coonagh, 1.00;

SUNDAY 4th SEPTEMBER
Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup: Clanwilliam v Clonmel, Clanwilliam Park, 1.00;
Cobh Pirates v Galbally, Cobh, 2.30;
Old Christians v Richmond, Rathcooney, 2.30;
Skibbereen v St. Senan's, Skibbereen, 2.30;
Tralee v Kanturk, Tralee, 2.30;
Waterpark v Crosshaven, Ballinakill, 2.30;

Munster Seconds League South: Dolphin v Midleton, Musgrave Park, 2.30;
U.C.C. v Highfield, Curaheen Road, 2.30;

McElligott Cup Semi Final; Castleisland v Killarney, Castleisland, 2.30;

Dennehy Cup: Bandon v Cork Constitution, Bandon, 12.00;
Cobh Pirates v Clonakilty, Cobh, 12.00;
Dolphin v Highfield, Musgrave Park, 12.00;
Douglas v Ballincollig, Moneygourney, 12.00;
Kinsale v Carrigaline, Kinsale, 12.00;
Mallow v Cork Transport, Mallow,12.30;
Muskerry v Youghal, Ballyanly, 12.00;
Sunday's Well v Old Christians, Musgrave Park, 12.00;

Junior Friendly: Ballincollig v Fermoy, Tanner Park, 3.00;
Mallow v Kinsale, Mallow, 3.00;

West Clare J2 Cup: Kilrush v Garryowen, Kilrush, 3.00;

MONDAY 5th SEPTEMBER
Munster Seconds League North: Bruff v Old Crescent, Bruff, 7.30;
Shannon v Nenagh Ormond, Coonagh, 7.30;
U.L. Bohemian v Thomond, Annacotty, 7.30;
Young Munster v Garryowen, Clifford Park, 6.30;

WEDNESDAY 7th SEPTEMBER
Schools Under 18 Inter Provincial: Leinster v Munster, Donnybrook, 2.30;