Weekend Preview

The Munster Junior League continues this weekend with a full programme of games across all three divisions.

Action also continues in Division 2 of the Munster Women’s League and the Mark Andrews Trophy.

Sunday’s Well, who are third in Division 1, get the show on the road as they entertain second-placed Mallow at Virgin Media Park on Saturday. The North Cork side, who are unbeaten, have moved to within two points of leaders Thomond, who are also unbeaten, following their maximum point 31-6 home win over Clanwilliam.

Sunday’s Well go into the tie on the back of successive defeats by Thomond and Richmond in Limerick. Their last win was when they defeated Clanwilliam 28-12 in Tipperary Town and claimed all points on offer.

Two former AIL sides go head to head at Liam Fitzgerald Park on Sunday, as Thomond lock horns with Kanturk. Thomond ran out 33-5 bonus point away winners over Sunday’s Well last time out. The Duhallow side are hovering above the relegation zone, five points clear of Clanwilliam, who they defeated 27-24 in Tipperary Town in their last game and claimed a bonus point.

Newcastle West, who are in fifth place travel to Tipperary Town to take on Clanwilliam. The West Limerick side ran out 26-12 away winners over Kilfeacle and claimed a bonus point last time out, while Clanwilliam were defeated 31-6 by Mallow in North Cork.

Thurles who are in fourth place travel to West Cork to take on Skibbereen at the Carbery Showgrounds. The Premier County side go into the tie on the back of a 31-17 defeat by Bandon at Old Chapel, while Skibbereen claimed a losing bonus point from their 15-10 home defeat by Mallow.

Kilfeacle who are in sixth place but level on points with Clonakilty, who are seventh, go head to head at the West Tipperary venue. Both sides lost their last games to Newcastle West and Muskerry respectively, with the West Cork side claiming a losing bonus point from their 32-25 defeat by Muskerry at Ballyanly.

Muskerry welcome defending champions Richmond to Ballyanly. The Sky Blues recorded a 32-25 home win over Clonakilty last time out, while the Limerick side took another step closer to safety with a narrow 14-12 away win over Charleville last week.

Tenth-placed Bandon, following their bonus point 31-17 home win over Thurles, welcome Charleville, who are propping up the table to Old Chapel. The North Cork side are still without a win but claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 14-12 home defeat by Richmond.

In Division 2, unbeaten leaders St Mary’s, who narrowly defeated Kinsale 19-12 in South Cork, welcome Abbeyfeale to Grove Island. The West Limerick side are six points clear of the relegation places and they claimed a bonus point from their narrow 8-7 home defeat by Fethard in early December.

Second-placed Kinsale will be looking to get back to winning ways, following their 19-12 home defeat by unbeaten leaders St Mary’s, as they welcome seventh-placed Waterpark to the South Cork venue. Kinsale claimed a losing point against St Mary’s while the Suirsiders claimed two bonus points from their 29-24 defeat by Fethard in South Tipperary, as they scored four tries.

Third-placed Crosshaven face a tricky task, as they travel to South Tipperary, to take on Fethard, who are sixth. Crosshaven are two points adrift of second-placed Kinsale and they claimed all points on offer from their 24-17 maximum point away win over Old Christians. Fethard recorded a 29-24 maximum point home win over Watrerpark.

Tralee and St Senan’s lock horns in the Kingdom. The Kerry side returned from their 33-33 draw against Old Christians at Rathcooney with three points as they scored four tries. St Senan’s claimed all points on offer from their 36-20 away win over Youghal.

Old Christians entertain near neighbours Cobh Pirates at Rathcooney. Old Christians claimed three points from their 33-33 draw with Tralee, as they scored four tries. The Pirates took another step closer to safety as they ran out 26-19 maximum point home winners over Galbally-Mitchelstown at the Paddocks.

Ballincollig and Fermoy, who are both hovering above the drop zone, go head to head at Tanner Park. Ballincollig are one point adrift of safety, with a game in hand, following their heavy 43-5 defeat by St Mary’s in Limerick in December. Fermoy claimed a losing bonus point from their 24-18 defeat by Tralee in the Kingdom.

Bottom side Youghal host Galbally-Mitchelstown in a basement clash in East Cork. Youghal were defeated 36-20 by St Senan’s at the East Cork venue last time out. Galbally-Mitchelstown moved off the foot of the table with a bonus point claimed from their 26-19 away defeat by Cobh Pirates.

Unbeaten leaders in Division 3 Ennis, travel to the Kingdom to take on fifth-placed Killorglin. The Banner County side recorded a comprehensive 55-7 home win over bottom side Douglas last time out, while Killorglin were 24-13 home winners over Carrick-on-Suir.

Ardscoil Old Boys, who are second, are away to Carrick-on-Suir, who are sixth. Ardscoil Old Boys recorded a 26-24 bonus point away win over Killarney, while Carrick-on-Suir defeated Chorca Dhuibhne 16-14 at Castletreasure.

Third-placed Scariff entertain fourth-placed Castleisland in East Clare. Scariff recorded a 21-11 home win over Waterford City last time out, while Castleisland recorded 24-7 away win over Chorca Dhuibhne in the West Kerry Gaeltacht in early December.

Killarney who claimed a losing bonus pint from their 26-24 defeat by Ardscoil Old Boys in Limerick, are at home to Waterford City, who were defeated 21-11 by Scariff in the Banner County.

Bottom side Douglas welcome Chorca Dhuibhne to Castletreasure, with both sides seeking their first win of the campaign. Douglas go into the tie on the back of a heavy 55-7 away defeat by Ennis in the Banner County, while Chorca Dhuibhne claimed a bonus point from their narrow 16-14 defeat by Carrick-on-Suir at Castletreasure.

In Division 2 of the Munster Women’s League, leaders Bruff travel to West Cork, to take on bottom side Clonakilty. The County Limerick side recorded a 20-12 away win over Thurles, while Clonakilty recorded their first victory of the campaign last time out, as they ran out 12-5 away winners over Bantry Bay.

Second-placed Midleton, who were narrowly defeated 7-5 by Mallow in North Cork, entertain sixth-placed Ballincollig. The Mid Cork side go into the tie on the back of a 28-0 home defeat by Bantry Bay.

Third-placed Mallow welcome Thurles, who are fourth, to North Cork. Mallow ran out 7-5 home winners over Midleton last time out, while Thurles defeated Bruff 20-12 in the Premier County.

In the Mark Anderson Trophy, leaders Tralee travel to Coonagh to take on Shannon-TUS, who are opening their campaign.

Skibbereen are also beginning their campaign as they take on Dolphin, who are seeking their first win, at Virgin Media Park.