Weekend Preview

Over a relatively quiet weekend as the season winds down, the Junior Interprovincials continue together with the AIL Promotion playoff finals.

Locally the second semi-final of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup is down for decision, together with the Munster Women’s Division Cup decider.

Following their victory over Connacht at Tuam last time out, Munster make the long trip north to Carndonagh, Co Donegal to take on Ulster at the home of Inishowen RFC and will be hoping to record another victory in their bid to retain the trophy.

The AIL Division 1A Promotion playoff between Shannon and Highfield at Thomond Park on Saturday next is a repeat of last year’s decider, which the Limerick side won 25-19 at Woodleigh Park.

Last season, Highfield failed to defeat Shannon in the group phase of the AIL campaign, as the Limerick side put up nine points without reply at Thomond Park in December 2021. This brought to an end Highfield’s juggernaut start to the season, which yielded eight successive wins. When these sides met at Woodleigh Park a month later, they played out a 9-9 draw.

Skerries and Bruff lock horns in the Division 2B Promotion playoff final at Holmpatrick. Skerries won the two League meetings with Bruff as they ran out 15-7 winners when these sides met at the County Limerick venue. Skerries claimed maximum points when these sides met in North County Dublin in March, as they defeated Bruff 30-17. Bruff will be boosted by their 24-12 away win over Galwegians in the semi-final.

The Munster Women’s Division Cup final sees Kerry taking on UL Bohemian at O’Dowd Park in Tralee.

Kilfeacle and Richmond go head to head in the second semi-final of the Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup at the Tipperary venue. The winners will meet holders Newcastle West in the decider.