Weekend Preview 10th October

It is the second series of games in the AIB All Ireland League with crucial games for some clubs after last weeks results.

There is only one Munster derby this weekend in Division 1A when Cork Constitution play U.L. Bohemian at Temple Hill. Both sides lost on the opening day but both picked up losing bonus points. Bohes have lost there last three games and will be anxious to get back to winning ways. While Con’ disappointed at losing to Dolphin last week will be confident of picking up the points.

Garryowen after their opening win against Shannon last Friday night travel to Dublin to face Blackrock College. This is a game the Dooradoyle side must win if they are to be considered serious contenders, but the home side will be no push over after last week’s win against U.L. Bohemian.

Dolphin boosted by that win over Cork Con’ last week are also in the capital when they face Clontarf. The Castle Avenue side are still smarting from that defeat by St Mary’s last week and could make things difficult for the Cork side.

The other game in this section sees Shannon entertaining St. Mary’s College at Thomond Park. Disappointed with losing out to neighbours Garryowen last week, the holders cannot afford a second defeat so early in the campaign.

In Division 1B Young Munster make the long journey to Dungannon and will be confident of getting something from this encounter after some fine performances recently, while U.C.C. will want to get something from their home game against the other Ulster side in their section when Ballymena visit the Mardyke.

The two early pace setters in the Second Division Bruff and Lansdowne go head to head at Kilballyowen Park. Both had big wins on the opening day and this will give a good indication if Bruff are to be serious challengers for promotion.

Thomond after their big win over Greystones last week will be confident of picking up another four points when they play Trinity at Fitzgerald Park.

Old Crescent are on the road for the third successive week and after last week’s defeat by Belfast Harlequins, they face a difficult assignment away to Bective Rangers at Donnybrook.

Both Cork sides after heavy defeats last week will hope for a change of fortune. Clonakilty play Belfast Harlequins at The Vale, while Highfield face Old Wesley at Woodleigh Park.

Nenagh Ormond face Portadown for the second time in three weeks, but this time the Tipperary side must travel and boosted by two big wins in the their last two games Nenagh will be confident of picking up the points and maintaining their early challenge in the Third Division.

The two Cork sides in this Division will be anxious to follow up last week’s victories on the road with home wins this weekend, Midleton play Queen’s University at the Towns Park and Sunday’s Well face a stiff challenge from Wanderers at Musgrave Park.

On Sunday the semi finals of the Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup will be decided as well as the opening games in the Second and Third Division of the Munster Junior League.

The four teams that qualified last week for the AIB All Ireland Junior Cup will battle it out for a place in the final of the Junior Clubs Cup. Waterpark delighted to have recorded a win last week over Cobh Pirates will face a difficult challenge when they face Clonmel in Dungarvan.

Clonmel have made a great start to the season with victory in the Garryowen Cup and so far they have brushed aside the challenges of St. Senan’s and Skibbereen. This will be a big test for Waterpark but the odds must be on Clonmel to advance by a narrow margin.

The other semi final is an all Tipperary affair with Kilfeacle and Cashel meeting in Thurles. Defending champions Cashel looked like they would be in trouble with the absence of several of last season’s squad but they have battled back in recent weeks to show that they will be hard to dislodge from their top spot. They have already recorded away wins over Tralee and Richmond and despite Kilfeacle’s away win over Crosshaven last week, the holders must fancy their chances of another appearance in the final.

Old Christians will be among the favourites to gain promotion from the Second Division after last season’s relegation. They open their campaign with an away trip to St. Mary’s and having already played their opponents at the Corbally ground two weeks ago where they recorded a 29-21 victory, the Rathcooney side will be confident of getting their campaign off to a winning start.

Another of the relegated sides Newport travel to Galbally. The Third Division winners have already booked their place in the semi final of the Junior Clubs Challenge Shield and know they are as good as any of the other sides on their day. Newport disappointed with losing their First Division status will be anxious to get off to a win and there should be little between these sides at the finish.

The other relegated side Bandon have failed to impress in any of their outings this season and they face a difficult test away to Kanturk. The Duhallow side have reached the last four of the Shield beating Kinsale on the try count last week after the sides finished level 23-23. With home advantage Kanturk will fancy their chances of collecting the points.

Kinsale and Youghal meet for the second time in three weeks after Kinsale recorded a 22-5 win in the Cork County Cup. The east Cork side have bounced back from that defeat with an impressive 41-22 victory over Ennis last week and while a difficult test awaits the visitors feel they could return home with the spoils.

Muskerry begin their campaign with a home tie against Ennis and the Clare side know they will have to show a big improvement on last week’s performance and could make things difficult for the home side.

The other tie sees Clanwilliam host Newcastle West and it would be no surprise if the west Limerick outfit made it a wining start.

The Third Division is split into two sections with two new clubs making their debut in this competition.

In Section A there are two local Kerry derbies. Newcomers Corca Dhuibhne have a home tie against Killarney. The visitors finished very strongly last season and look like they could be the dark horses this time out.

The other derby tie sees Killorglin at home to Castleisland and the visitors will feel confident of coming away with the points.

Abbeyfeale will hope to make their stay in this Division a short one, when they begin their campaign at home to Kilrush and in the other tie Scariff entertain Presentation with the Limerick side expected to come out on top.

Shandon the other side making their debut at this level face a very difficult encounter when they travel to Waterford City. Despite Waterford losing to Carrick-on-Suir last week, the Suirsiders will be confident of picking up the points.

Relegated Mallow start their campaign with a trip to Carrick-on-Suir. These sides are due to meet at the end of the month in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup Final and many feel these are the sides that could finish in the top two places. It should be close but Mallow’s experience could give them the edge.

Fermoy have home advantage when they entertain Charleville. Both sides have failed to show consistency so far and which ever side is fired up for this encounter could come out on top.

Douglas have a home tie against a Dungarvan side that has propped up the table for the last few seasons and it is unlikely that the visitors will return home with the spoils.

The Under 21 South Western Conference gets underway with the competition split into two sections.

It starts tonight Friday with Bruff playing Cork Constitution under lights at the County Limerick venue, while Galway Corinthians have given U.C.C. a walk over as the Connacht side are unable to field a side.

FIXTURES:
FRIDAY 9th OCTOBER
Under 21 South Western Conference Division 1 Section B:Bruff v Cork Constitution,Kilballyowen Park,7.30;

O’Brien Cup:St. Brogan’s v Douglas C.S.,Bandon,2.00;

Under 16 Friendly:Abbey School v Patrician Acadamy,Tipperary,2.30;

SATURDAY 10th OCTOBER
Heineken Cup:Northampton Saints v Munster,Franklin’s Gardens,6.00;

AIB League Division 1A: Blackrock College v Garryowen,Stradbrook,2.30;
Clontarf v Dolphin,Castle Avenue,2.30;
Cork Constitution v U.L. Bohemian,Temple Hill,2.30;
Shannon v St. Mary’s College,Thomond Park,2.30;

Division 1B:Ballynahinch v Galwegians,Ballymacarn Park,2.30;
Buccaneers v Old Belvedere,Dubarry Park,2.30;
Dungannon v Young Munster,Stevenson Park,2.30;
U.C.C. v Ballymena,Mardyke,2.30;

Division 2:Bective Rangers v Old Crescent,Donnybrook,2.30;
Bruff v Lansdowne,Kilballyowen Park,2.30;
Clonakilty v Belfast Harlequins,The Vale,2.30;
D.L.S.P. v Malone,Kirwan Park,2.30;
Greystones v U.C.D.,Dr Hickey Park,2.30;
Highfield v Old Wesley,Woodleigh Park,2.30;
Terenure College v Corinthians,Lakelands,2.30;
Thomond v Dublin University,Fitzgerald Park,2.30;

Division 3:Banbridge v Instonians,Rifle Park,2.30;
Barnhall v Rainey Old Boys,Parsonstown,2.30;
Connemara v Ards,Monastary Field,2.30;
Midleton v Queens University,Towns Park,2.30;
Navan v Naas,Navan,2.30;
Portadown v Nenagh Ormond,Chambers Park,2.30;
Sunday’s Well v Wanderers,Musgrave Park,2.30;
Suttonians v Co. Carlow,J.J. McDowell Memorial Grounds,2.30;

Evans League:Nenagh Ormond v Cashel,Nenagh,2.30;

Under 21 South Western Conference Division 1 Section A:Dolphin v N.U.I.G.,Musgrave Park,2.30;
Garryowen v Highfield,Dooradoyle,2.30;
U.C.C. v Corinthians,Curaheen Road,2.30;OFF
Young Munster v Richmond,Clifford Park,2.30;

Section B:Buccaneers v Shannon,Dubarry Park,2.30;
Galwegians v U.L. Bohemian,Crowley Park,2.30;
Waterpark v Sunday’s Well,Ballinakill,2.30;

Division 2 North:Clanwilliam v Kilfeacle,Clanwilliam Park,2.30;
Newcastle West v Old Crescent,Abbeyfeale,2.30;

Junior 2 Friendly:Fethard v Carrick-on-Suir,Fethard,2.30;
Old Crescent v Garryowen,Rosbrien,2.00;
Richmond v Shannon,Richmond Park,12.30;
St. Senan’s v Thomond,Jim Slattery Park,12.30;
U.L. Bohemian v Young Munster,Annacotty,12.00;

South Under 19 League:Crosshaven v Mallow,Crosshaven,12.00;
Midleton v Cobh Pirates,Towns Park,12.00;
Old Christians v Sundays Well,Rathcooney,12.00;
U.C.C. v Fermoy,Curaheen Road,tbc;

South Under 17 League Section A:Bandon v Clonakilty,Bandon,11.30;
Dunmanway v Bantry Bay,Dunmanway,tbc;
Skibbereen v Kinsale,Skibbereen,11.00;

Section B:Charleville v Fermoy,Charleville,12.00;
Kanturk v Mallow,Kanturk,11.00;
Midleton v Cobh,Towns Park,tbc;

Section C:Highfield B v Carriagline,Woodleigh Park,11.00;
Muskerry v Crosshaven,Ballyanly,11.30;
Old Christians v PBC,Rathcooney,tbc;

Section D:Cork Constitution v Highfield,Temple Hill,11.00;
Dolphin v Douglas,Musgrave Park,10.30;

West Under 17 League:Abbeyfeale v Kenmare,Abbeyfeale,12.00;
Castleisland v Killarney,Castleisland,12.00;
Tralee v Corca Dhuibhne,Tralee,12.00;

West Under 13 League:Castleisland v Killarney,Castleisland,12.00;
Killorglin v Listowel,Killorglin,1.00;
Tralee v Corca Dhuibhne,Tralee,12.00;

Schools Senior Friendly:Crescent Comp v Roscrea,Dooradoyle,2.30;
Crescent Comp B v Roscrea B,Dooradoyle,2.30;
P.B.C. v St Michael’s College,Wilton,11.30;
P.B.C. B v St Michael’s College B,Wilton,11.30;
Rockwell v C.B.C.,Rockwell,11.00;

Schools Junior Friendly:Ard Scoil Ris v Roscrea,Ard Scoil Ris,2.30;
Rockwell v C.B.C.,Rockwell,11.00;
St. Munchin’s v P.B.C.,Corbally,12.00;
St. Munchin’s B v P.B.C. B,Corbally,12.00;

Under 19 Friendly:Ballincollig v Fermoy,Tanner Park,12.00;
Dunmanway v Clonakilty,Dunmanway,11.30;
Kinsale v Douglas,Kinsale,12.30;

Under 15 Friendly:Sunday’s Well v Highfield,Musgrave Park,11.00;

Munster Girls Under 19 League:Clanwilliam v Clonmel,College Lands,2.00;
Shannon v St. Mary’s,Coonagh,12.00;

Munster Girls Under 15 League:Shannon v St. Mary’s,Coonagh,11.00;

Girls Under 15 Blitz,Fermoy,2.30;

SUNDAY 11th OCTOBER
Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup Semi Finals:Kilfeacle v Cashel,Thurles,2.30;
Waterpark v Clonmel,Dungarvan,2.30;

Munster Junior League Division 2:Clanwilliam v Newcastle West,Clanwilliam Park,2.30;
Galbally v Newport,Galbally,2.30;
Kanturk v Bandon,Kanturk,2.30;
Kinsale v Youghal,Kinsale,2.30;
Muskerry v Ennis,Ballyanly,2.30;
St Mary’s v Old Christians,Corbally,2.30;

Division 3 Section A:Abbeyfeale v Kilrush,Abbeyfeale,2.30;
Corca Dhuibhne v Killarney,Ballydavid,2.30;
Killorglin v Castleisland,Killorglin,2.30;
Scariff v Presentation,Scariff,2.30;

Section B:Carrick-on-Suir v Mallow,Carrick-on-Suir,2.30;
Douglas v Dungarvan,Moneygouney,2.30;
Fermoy v Charleville,Fermoy,2.30;
Waterford City v Shandon,Waterford,2.30;

Munster Seconds League North:Bruff v Thomond,Bruff,2.30;
Garryowen v Old Crescent,Dooradoyle,2.30;
U.L. Bohemian v Nenagh Ormond,Annacotty,1.00;
Young Munster v Shannon,Clifford Park,2.30;

Munster Seconds League South:Cork Constitution v Midleton,Temple Hill,2.30;
Highfield v U.C.C.,Woodleigh Park,2.30;
Sunday’s Well v Dolphin,Musgrave Park,2.30;

Junior 2 League South Section A:Killarney v Tralee,Killarney,3.00;
Listowel v Kanturk,Listowel,3.00;

Section B:Bantry Bay v Dunmanway,Bantry,3.00;
Clonakilty v Bandon,The Vale,12.00;
Skibbereen v Kinsale,Skibbereen,12.30;

Section C:Highfield v Muskerry,Woodleigh Park,12.00;
Old Christians v Ballincollig,Rathcooney,12.00;
U.C.C. v Sunday’s Well,Curaheen Road,12.00;

Section D:Cobh Pirates v Cork Constitution,Cobh,12.00;
Dolphin v Crosshaven,Musgrave Park,12.00;

Junior 3 League South Section A:Ballincollig v Bandon,Tanner Park,3.00;
Carrigaline v Shandon,Moneygourney,3.00;
U.C.C. v Cork Transport,Curaheen Road,12.00;

Section B:Charleville v Mallow,Charleville,12.00;
Midleton v Fermoy,Towns Park,12.00
Youghal v Dolphin,Youghal,2.30;

Evans League:
Section A:Newport v Kilfeacle,Newport,12.00;

Section B:Clonmel v Waterpark,Clonmel,12.00;
Galbally v Waterford City,Galbally,12.00;

Junior Friendly:Cobh Pirates v Skibbereen,Cobh,3.00;
Crosshaven v Tralee,Crosshaven,2.30;

East Under 19 League Section A:Clonmel v Waterford City,Clonmel,12.00;
Dungarvan v Nenagh Ormond,Dungarvan,11.00;
Waterpark v Fethard,Ballinakill,11.00;

Section B:Clanwilliam v Galbally,Clanwilliam Park,11.00;
Kilfeacle v Carrick-on-Suir,Kilfeacle,11.00;
Thurles v Cashel,Thurles,11.00;

East Under 17 League Section A:Dungarvan v Nenagh Ormond,Dungarvan,11.00;
Waterpark v Fethard,Ballinakill,11.00;

Section B:Clanwilliam v Galbally,Clanwilliam Park,11.00;
Kilfeacle v Carrick-on-Suir,Kilfeacle,11.00;
Thurles v Cashel,Thurles,11.00;

East Under 15 League Section A:Carrick-on-Suir v Waterpark,Carrick-on-Suir,12.15;
Clonmel v Fethard,Clonmel,11.00;

Section B:Cashel v Kilfeacle,Cashel,12.15;
Galbally v Thurles,Galbally,11.00;
Nenagh Ormond v Clanwilliam,Nenagh,11.00;

East Under 13 Blitzs:
Carrick-on-Suir, Waterford Cty and Waterpark;Waterford,11.00;

Clonmel Dungarvan and Fethard;Clonmel,11.00;

Cashel, Galbally, Nenagh Ormond and Roscrea;Galbally,11.00;l

North Under 19 League Section A:St. Mary’s v Shannon,Corbally,12.00;

Section B:Bruff v St. Senan’s,Bruff,11.30;
Young Munster v Newcastle West,Derryknockane,12.00;

North Under 17 League Section A:Garryowen v St. Mary’s,Dooradoyle,12.15;
Scariff v Shannon,Scariff,11.30;

Section B:Bruff v Richmond,Bruff,11.30;
Ennis v Old Crescent,Lees Road,12.00;
Thomond v Young Munster,Fitzgerald Park,12.00;

North Under 14 League Section A:Garryowen v Bruff,Dooradoyle,11.30;
St. Senan’s v Old Crescent,Jimmy Slattery Park,11.30;
U.L. Bohemian Hawks v Estuary,Annacotty,11.00;

Section B:Newcastle West v Ennis,Newcastle West,11.30;
U.L. Bohemian Eagles v Kilrush,Annacotty,12.00;
Young Munster v Shannon,Derryknockane,11.00;

North Under 13 League:Ennis v Thomond,Ennis,11.00;
Garryowen v Richmond,Dooradoyle,11.00;
Newcastle West v Newport,Newcastle West,11.30;
Old Crescent v Bruff,Rosbrien,11.30;
U.L. Bohemian Eagles v Shannon,Annacotty,10.30;

South Under 19 League:Kanturk v Highfield,Kanturk,12.00;

South Under 17 League:Youghal v Sunday’s Well,Youghal,11.00;

West Under 15 League:Abbeyfeale v Tralee,12.00;;

West Under 13 League:Abbeyfeale v Kenmare,Abbeyfeale,12.00;

Under 15 Friendly:Shannon v Old Crescent,LIT,11.30;

Womens AIL Division 1:Blackrock v Ballincollig,Stradbrook,1.00;
Clonmel v Cooke,Clonmel,1.00;
Navan v Galwegians,Navan,1.00;
St. Mary’s v U.L. Bohemian,Templeville Road,1.00;

Division 2 South:Clanwilliam v Shannon,College Lands,1.00;
Tralee v Galbally,Tralee,1.00;
Young Munster v Thurles,Clifford Park,1.00;

Women’s Friendly:Youghal v Highfield,Youghal,2.00;

WEDNESDAY 14th OCTOBER
Bowen Shield:Bandon Grammar v Glenstal Abbey,Bandon,2.00;
Crescent Comp. v C.B.C.,Dooradoyle,2.30;
P.B.C. v Ard Scoil Ris,Wilton,2.30;
Rockwell v St. Munchin’s,Rockwell,2.30;

McCarthy Cup:Bandon Grammar v Glenstal Abbey,Bandon,2.00;
Crescent Comp. v C.B.C.,Dooradoyle,2.30;
P.B.C. v Ard Scoil Ris,Wilton,2.30;
Rockwell v St. Munchin’s,Rockwell,2.30;

O’Brien Cup:Carrigaline C.S. v Popalscoil na Trionoide,Carrigaline,2.00;

Schools Senior Friendly:P.B.C. v Ard Scoil Ris,Wilton,2.30;

Schools Junior Friendly:P.B.C. v Ard Scoil Ris,Wilton,2.30;

FRIDAY 16th OCTOBER
A Interprovincial:Munster v Leinster,Clonmel,7.00;

Mungret Shield:Patrician Academy v Intermediate School,Mallow,2.00;