Weekend Club Preview

The quarter finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup are down for decision this weekend with local action across various early season competitions in all parts of the province.

See the full fixture list here.

On Friday evening, UCC and Highfield get proceedings underway as they go head to head in the quarter-finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup at the Mardyke. The winners will be a way to the winners of Saturday’s Limerick derby between Garryowen and Old Crescent, which takes place at Dooradoyle.

Cork Constitution begin their defence of the trophy as they travel to Limerick to take on Young Munster at Tom Clifford Park. This is a repeat paring of last year’s decider, which the Lilywhites won 24-17 at Irish Independent Park shortly before Christmas. The winners will be away to Shannon or UL Bohemian, who lock horns at Coonagh.

The second semi-final of the Cork Charity Shield between Midleton and Sunday’s Well at Towns Park is a repeat of last season’s final, which the East Cork side won on a 20-12 scoreline at the same venue. Dolphin await the winners in the decider.

In the quarter finals of the County Cup, Kanturk welcome Crosshaven to Duhallow and the winners will be rewarded with home advantage in the semi-finals against Old Christians or Bandon, who meet at Rathcooney.

Mallow and Muskerry go head to head under lights in Fermoy on Thursday evening and the winners will be at home to Clonakilty or Skibbereen, who meet at the Vale.

The opening quarter final of the O’Neill Cup sees Cobh Pirates taking on Ballincollig at the Paddocks on Saturday evening. The winners will have a home tie in the semi-finals against Dunmanway or Kinsale, who go head to head in West Cork.

Fermoy and Charleville lock horns in a North Cork derby at the Showgrounds. The winners will be at home to Mitchelstown or Youghal in the other semi-final. Youghal booked their place in the last eight with a narrow 15-14 home win over Douglas where Kevin Yellop scored two tries and Alan Sterling one for the east Cork side.

In the semi-finals of the Muskerry (O’Sullivan) Cup, Muskerry take on holders Clonakilty at Ballyanly and Sunday’s Well entertain Kinsale at Irish Independent Park.

There are two Transfield Cup ties down for decision in North Munster.

The first semi-final sees Thomond taking on UL Bohemian at Liam Fitzgerald Park.

Newcastle West, following their 28-7 home win over holders and near neighbours Abbeyfeale, are at home to Ennis. The winners will be at home to Richmond in the second semi-final.

In the McElligott Cup, holders Killorglin make the relatively short trip to east Kerry to take on Killarney, with both sides going into the tie on the back of victories over Tralee and Castleisland respectively.

Gary O’Keeffe, Shane O’Neill and James O’Leary were Killorglin’s try scorers over Tralee.

Chorca Dhuibhne will be looking to make the most of home advantage in a bid to make it two wins from two as they welcome Tralee to the West Kerry Gaeltacht.

Listowel and Castleisland meet in North Kerry with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats by Chorca Dhuibhne and Killarney respectively.