Weekend Preview

With the Men’s All Ireland League on a three-week break, the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup semi-finals are down for decision this weekend.

There is also a full program of games in the Munster Junior League, with one game in Section A also doubling up as a Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup quarter-final.

There is also action across national and local Women’s competitions.

In the semi-finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup, Nenagh Ormond and Highfield go head to head at the North Tipperary venue. Nenagh Ormond will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to become the first side from the Premier County to play in a Munster Senior Challenge Cup final. Highfield’s last appearance in a final was in 2007 and they last won the trophy in 1968.

Holders Young Munster lock horns with Cork Constitution at Tom Clifford Park. The Limerick side, who retained the trophy for the first time last season, defeated Shannon and Garryowen in each of the last two deciders. The Lilywhites are looking to qualify for a first decider since 2019. In their last appearance in a final, Cork Constitution defeated Young Munster at Musgrave Park.

On Saturday the Women’s AIL Cup series continues.

UL Bohemian face a tricky task as they entertain Cooke, with both sides having claimed maximum points from their respective openers against Galweigans and Ballincollig.

Ballincollig and Suttonians go head to head at Tanner Park, with both sides seeking their first points. The Mid Cork side were defeated 29-10 by Cooke in Belfast, while Suttonians lost their opener, 31-5 against Blackrock College at Stradbrook.

Junior Rugby

Castleisland and Kinsale get proceedings underway in Section C of the Munster Junior League on Saturday evening in the Kingdom. The Kerry side go into the tie on the back of two successive defeats by Charleville and Tralee and will be looking to finish their League campaign on a winning note. Kinsale should prove too strong as they recorded a 55-7 maximum point home win over Ballincollig last time out.

On Sunday, the game of the day in Section A is the meeting of Richmond and Bandon at Canal Bank. Richmond, who opened a six-point gap at the top of the table following their maximum point 38-28 win over Skibbereen, will be looking to take another step closer to the title. Bandon go into the tie on the back of a 7-0 home win over Old Christians.

Clonakilty, whose recent good run has seen them climb up to seventh place on 25 points, following their 21-17 away win over Newcastle West, lock horns with Kilfeacle at the Vale. The Tipperary side were defeated 39-31 by Thomond at Kilfeacle last time out, but claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries. This game also doubles up as a Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup quarter final. The winners will be rewarded with a home semi-final tie against Richmond.

Holders Newcastle West, who have slipped to third following their 21-17 home defeat by Clonakilty, where they finished with a losing bonus point, entertain bottom side Abbeyfeale in a West Limerick derby. Both sides have a game in hand each, and Abbeyfeale were defeated 17-13 at home by Thurles, which also saw them finish with a losing bonus point.

Crosshaven, who are second from bottom following their 10-0 away defeat by Skibbereen, will have their work cut out as they welcome Clanwilliam to Myrtleville Cross. The Tipperary Town side are tied on 24 points in mid-table with Thomond, following their 22-17 away win over Old Christians.

Thurles, who are third from bottom, will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they entertain Skibbereen in a bid to take another step closer to safety following their 17-13 away win over Abbeyfeale. The Tipperary side also have a game in hand. The West Cork side are sixth on 27 points following their 38-28 defeat by Richmond in Limerick. They returned to West Cork with a bonus point as they scored four tries.

Mallow who are two points adrift of a top-four finish on 34 points, take on St Mary’s, who are fourth from bottom. The North Cork side recorded a maximum point 29-20 victory over Waterpark last time out, while St Mary’s were defeated 22-14 by Old Christians at Grove Island.

Muskerry go head to head with Waterpark at Ballyanly. The Sky Blues defeated Thomond 27-21 at Liam Fitzgerald Park last time out and they will be looking to take another step closer to securing Division 1 rugby for next season. The Suirsiders will also be looking to secure their place in Division 1 following successive defeats by Mallow and Newcastle West.

Old Christians, who are in the relegation zone, face a tough assignment as they welcome Thomond to Rathcooney. The home side will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to remain in the top flight next season following their 22-17 defeat by Clanwilliam from which they claimed a losing bonus point. Thomond defeated Kilfeacle 39-31 last week to come away from Kilfeacle with maximum points.

In Section B, second-placed Fermoy make the relatively short trip to Galbally to take on Galbally-Mitchelstown, who are fourth. Fermoy go into the tie on the back of a narrow 19-17 home win over St Senan’s, while Galbally-Mitchelstown recorded an 18-13 away win over Carrick-on-Suir.

There is a Clare derby at Jimmy Slattery Park between St Senan’s and Scariff. St Senan’s are third, while Scariff are fourth from bottom and tied on 15 points with Ennis and Waterford City. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats by Fermoy and Ennis respectively, from which they both claimed a losing bonus point each.

Youghal, who are third from bottom and have five games in hand, are at home to Waterford City, following their comprehensive 52-10 home win over Scariff. Waterford City are just above Youghal, tied on 15 points with Scariff and Ennis, following their 18-7 home defeat by Fethard.

Ennis welcome fifth-placed Cobh Pirates to the Banner County, with both sides going into the tie on the back of away defeats by Scariff and Fethard respectively. Ennis claimed a losing bonus point from their game which they lost on an 11-7 scoreline, while the Pirates were defeated 26-11 in South Tipperary.

Dungarvan lock horns with Carrick-on-Suir in a basement clash. Carrick-on-Suir’s only win of the campaign was their opener where they defeated Fermoy 21-16 at Tybroughney. They were defeated 18-13 at home by Galbally-Mitchelstown last time out, while this is the West Waterford side’s first game of 2023. Dungarvan recorded a 21-17 home win over St Senan’s in mid December.

Ballincollig, who were defeated 55-7 by Kinsale last time out face a tough assignment as they welcome Kanturk, who are the only unbeaten side in the League, to Tanner Park. Kanturk will be looking to complete their program with eight wins from eight following their 26-10 home win over Killarney last time out.

Killorglin who defeated Douglas 15-10 at Castletreasure last time out, face a tricky task, as they entertain Tralee, who ran out 25-15 away winners over Castleisland.

Killarney will be looking to finish their campaign on a winning note as they entertain Douglas. Killarney were defeated 26-10 by Kanturk in Duhallow last time out, while Douglas picked up a losing bonus point from their 15-10 home defeat by Killorglin.

In Conference A of the Women’s Munster League, Skibbereen and Kerry go head to head at the Carbery Showgrounds. Skibbereen will be looking to make the most of home advantage in a bid to avenge October’s 37-27 defeat in Tralee, where Kerry claimed maximum points, while Skibbereen returned with a bonus point as they scored five tries.

The Women’s Munster Divisional Cup continues as Shannon-LIT welcome Dolphin to Coonagh and Waterpark entertain UL Bohemian at Ballinakill.

In the Women’s Munster Divisional Bowl, Bantry Bay lock horns with Ballincollig in West Cork and Midleton entertain Thurles at the Towns Park.