Weekend Preview

It is a busy weekend on the domestic front with action in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, Plate and Bowl competitions.

There are also a handful of games across all three divisions of the Munster Junior League, with one game doubling up as a Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup quarter final.

Division 2 of the Munster Women’s League and the Mark Anderson Trophy also continue.

Young Munster, who last won the trophy in 2022, get proceedings underway, as they entertain Charleville at Tom Clifford Park on Friday evening in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup. The winners will have home advantage in the next round against Skibbereen or 2004 winners Nenagh Ormond, who meet at the Carbery Showgrounds on Sunday.

Holders Garryowen make the relatively short trip to West Tipperary to take on Kilfeacle in a repeat of last season’s exciting final, whose only triumph was in 2002. The winners will be rewarded with a home tie against Thurles or Midleton. The East Cork side whose only triumphs were in 1997 and 1998.

Cork Constitution, who last won the trophy in 2018, go head to head with Muskerry at Ballyanly. The winners will be at home to Richmond or Bandon, whose tie has been put back to St Patrick’s Day.

Highfield, whose last triumph was in 2019, make the long trip to East Clare to take on Scariff. The winners will have a home advantage against the 2002 winners Clonakilty or Clanwilliam, whose only triumph was in 1947 when they meet at The Vale.

Shannon, who last won the trophy in 2015 go head to head with Sunday’s Well at Coonagh. The winners will be rewarded with a home quarter final tie against the winners of the North Cork derby between Mallow and Kanturk.

Cashel, who won the trophy in 2011 welcome UCC, whose last triumph was in 1979, to the Premier County. The winners will be at home to Old Crescent or Bruff, who meet at Takumi Park.

Castleisland entertain Kinsale and the winners will be away to either Crosshaven or St. Mary’s whose tie has been deferred to 10th March.

Newcastle West or 1965 winners Old Christians, who meet in West Limerick will be away to either Thomond or St. Senan’s in Round Four.

There are two opening round ties down for decision in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate.

Dolphin, who won the trophy in 1985, go head to head with Ennis at Virgin Media Park. The winners will be away to Youghal in the quarter finals.

Abbeyfeale, whose only triumph was in 1979, entertain Fethard and the winners will be away to 1995 winners UL Bohemian in the quarter finals.

In the semi-finals of the Munster Junior Bowl, 2017 winners Dungarvan travel to the Kingdom to take on Killorglin and Clonmel entertain Douglas in South Tipperary.

Richmond and Thomond lock horns at Crescent Comprehensive on Sunday in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League. This game also doubles up as a Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup quarter final. The winners will be away to Bandon in the second semi-final of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup. Thomond need only one point to be crowned champions for the third time as they failed to collect maximum points from their 21-0 away win over Mallow last time out. Richmond, who won the League last year and were beaten finalists in the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup, are ninth following their maximum-point 28-20 home win over Kanturk.

On Saturday evening in Division 2, Crosshaven and Tralee go head to head at Virgin Media Park. The Seasiders, who are second behind leaders St Mary’s will be looking to build on their 31-0 maximum-point home win over Ballincollig and keep their promotion challenge intact. The Kingdom side, who are fifth, were defeated 32-3 by Cobh Pirates in East Cork.

Leaders St Mary’s are away to struggling Galbally-Mitchelstown, who have climbed out of the drop zone for the first time. St Mary’s returned from Suirside with maximum points following their 22-17 victory over Waterpark, while Galbally-Mitchelstown recorded a narrow 17-15 home win over Abbeyfeale.

Cobh Pirates, who are seventh, lock horns with Youghal, who are propping up the table, at the Paddocks. Cobh Pirates claimed all points on offer as they ran out 32-3 home winners over Tralee last time out, while Youghal were defeated 24-10 at home by Old Christians.

Ninth-placed Waterpark welcome Ballincollig, who are second from bottom, to Suirside. Waterpark claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 22-17 home defeat by St Mary’s last time out, while Ballincollig were defeated 31-0 by Crosshaven in South Cork.

In Division 3, Killarney welcome Waterford City to the Kingdom. Killarney ran out 19-13 away winners over Chorca Dhuibhne in the West Kerry Gaeltacht, while the Suirsiders claimed a losing bonus point from their 22-18 home defeat by Killorglin.

In Division 2 of the Munster Women’s League, leaders Midleton entertain Bruff at Towns Park. The East Cork side claimed all points on offer from their 26-12 away win over Bantry Bay, while Bruff were defeated 37-10 by Clonakilty at The Vale. Bruff put up 28 points without reply when they met Midleton at the County Limerick venue.

Bottom side Ballincollig, who were defeated 28-0 by Mallow in North Cork last time out, will have their work cut out, as they entertain second-placed Thurles at Tanner Park. The Premier County side recorded a 17-10 home win over Clonakilty last time out.

Bantry Bay, who are sixth, are at home to fourth-placed Mallow. Bantry Bay lost 26-12 at home to Midleton last time out, while the North Cork side put up 28 point without reply against Ballincollig at the Mid Cork venue. Mallow ran out 29-8 winners when they met Bantry Bay in North Cork.

There is also one game in the Mark Anderson Trophy as Dolphin welcome Shannon-TUS to Virgin Media Park. Dolphin were defeated 28-0 by Ennis-Kilrush in the Banner County last time out, while Shannon-TUS defeated Tralee 10-7 at Coonagh.