Weekend Preview

This weekend, the Bateman Cup takes centre stage, together with games in the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup and the Women’s All Ireland League.

There is also a full series of games in the Munster Junior League and an assortment of games in Women’s competitions.

Munster Senior Cup holders Garryowen entertain their Ulster counterparts Instonians in the second semi-final of the Bateman Cup at Dooradoyle. The winners will meet Lansdowne or Sligo, who go head to head in Friday evening’s first semi-final on the Back Pitch of the Aviva Stadium in the decider.

On Friday evening in Group 1 of the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup, Shannon welcome Nenagh Ormond to Coonagh. Shannon will be looking to complete their campaign on a winning note, while the North Tipperary side only need a losing bonus point, to leapfrog Cork Constitution into pole position.

In Group 3 on Saturday, UL Bohemian entertain leaders Clonmel at Annacotty. UL Bohemian have nothing to play for, while the South Tipperary side are looking to maintain their unbeaten run.

Cashel welcome Bruff to the Premier County, with both sides tied on six points each, but Cashel are ahead on scoring difference. Both sides have it all to play for, as both have an outside chances of topping the group.

Defending Women’s All-Ireland League Champions UL Bohemian welcome Tullow, who are propping up the table on zero points, to UL 4G. UL Bohemian go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 59-19 away win over Wicklow. Tullow were defeated 48-12 by Suttonians in County Carlow last time out.

Ballincollig, who are eighth welcome ninth-placed Cooke to Tanner Park, with both sides going into the tie on the back of heavy defeats. Ballincollig were defeated 68-5 by Blackrock College at Tanner Park, while the Belfast side fell to a 50-0 home defeat by Old Belvedere.

In Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, bottom side Crosshaven welcome Skibbereen, who are one point adrift of the top four, to Myrtleville Cross. The Seasiders will be looking to make the most of home advantage, as they look to record their first win of the campaign. They were defeated 46-37 by Kilfeacle in West Tipperary last time out and returned with a bonus point, as they scored five tries. Skibbereen recorded a narrow 15-12 home win over West Cork neighbours Clonakilty in their last game.

On Sunday, leaders and defending champions Thomond, who have maximum points from their games to date, travel to West Limerick, to take on Newcastle West. Thomond ran out 29-10 home winners over Mallow in their last game and claimed all points on offer. Newcastle West, who are in the relegation zone, go into the tie on the back of a 36-7 defeat by Sunday’s Well on Leeside.

Second-placed Bandon, who are two points behind the leaders, welcome Richmond who are two points adrift of the top four, to West Cork. Bandon ran out 20-6 home winners over Muskerry last time out, while the Limerick side defeated Kanturk 21-17 in North Cork.

Third-placed Kilfeacle are away to Muskerry. The Mid Cork side will have their work cut out as they go into the tie on the back of two successive defeats, including last time out, when they lost 20-6 away to Bandon. The West Tipperary side claimed all points on offer from their 46-37 home win over Crosshaven, which produced 13 tries.

Fourth-placed Sunday’s Well are away to Thurles, with both sides going into the tie on the back of bonus point victories. Sunday’s Well defeated Newcastle West 36-7 on Leeside, while the Tipperary side recorded a narrow 24-21 away win over St Mary’s.

Last season’s runners-up Mallow face a tricky task as they lock horns with Kanturk in a North Cork derby in Mallow. Mallow were defeated 29-10 by Thomond in Limerick last time out. Kanturk will be looking to maintain their unbeaten away run, while they lost all their home games to date. They claimed a losing bonus point from their 21-17 home defeat by Richmond last time out.

Clonakilty, who are three points adrift of the drop zone, entertain St Mary’s at the Vale, with both sides going into tie on the back of narrow defeats. Clonakilty claimed a losing bonus point form their last game which they lost 15-12 away to near neighbours Skibbereen, while St Mary’s, also claimed a losing bonus point from their 24-21 home defeat by Thurles.

Division 2 leaders Clanwilliam, who are unbeaten, make the relatively short trip to Fermoy, who are propping up the table. The Tipperary Town side ran out 27-13 home winners over Waterpark last time out. Fermoy, who have two losing bonus points to their credit and are still without a win, were defeated 34-15 by Kinsale in South Cork.

Second-placed Old Christians welcome Castleisland to Rathcooney. Old Christians claimed all points on offer from their last game, which they won 39-17 at home against Ennis. The Kerry side are now occupying one of the relegation places following their 24-17 defeat by Abbeyfeale in West Limerick, but they claimed a losing bonus point.

Ballincollig, who are third, welcome St Senan’s to Tanner Park. The Mid Cork side ran out 45-20 bonus point home winners over Charleville last time out. St Senan’s who are presently in mid-table, also claimed maximum points from their 37-10 victory over Fethard in South Tipperary.

Fourth-placed Ennis welcome Tralee to the Banner County, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats. Ennis were defeated 39-17 away by Old Christians, while the Kerry side were defeated 24-12 by Cobh Pirates in the Kingdom.

Cobh Pirates welcome Fethard to the Paddocks, with both sides presently occupying the mid-table places. The Pirates ran out 24-12 away winners over Tralee with Fethard go into the tie on the back of a 37-10 home defeat by St Senan’s.

Charleville, who are four points clear of the drop zone, face a tricky task, as they welcome Kinsale to Smith’s Road. The North Cork side were defeated 45-20 by Ballincollig last time out, while the Seasiders go into the tie on the back of a 34-15 bonus point home win over Fermoy.

Waterpark go head to head with Abbeyfeale at Ballinakill. The Suirsiders were defeated 27-13 by Clanwilliam in Tipperary Town. Abbeyfeale have climbed out of the relegation zone following their bonus point 24-17 home win over near neighbours Castleisland.

Chorca Dhuibhne, who are the new leaders in Division 3, travel to East Kerry, to take on Killarney in a Kingdom derby. The West Kerry Gaeltacht side returned with maximum points from their 35-12 away win over Douglas. Killarney ran out 22-11 winners over Waterford City on Suirside.

Third-placed Carrick-on-Suir welcome Youghal, who are second, to Tybroughney. Both sides are unbeaten with a game in hand each. Carrick-on-Suir claimed all points on offer as they defeated Ardscoil Old Boys 29-14 in Limerick. The East Cork side recorded a narrow 27-25 bonus point win over Killarney in the Kingdom.

Dungarvan travel to East Clare, to take on Scariff. Scariff claimed their first point of the campaign as they were narrowly defeated 20-17 by Galbally-Mitchelstown in County Limerick. Dungarvan recorded a maximum-point 28-21 home win over Galbally-Mitchelstown.

Killorglin, who defeated Ardscoil Old Boys 13-3 in the Kingdom, to record their first win of the campaign, are at home to Waterford City, with two games in hand. The Suirsiders go into the tie on the back of a 22-11 home defeat by Killarney.

Douglas, who are still without a win, entertain Galbally-Mitchelstown at Castletreasure. Douglas were defeated 35-12 by Chorca Dhuibhne in the West Kerry Gaeltacht last time out. Galbally-Mitchelstown recorded their first win, defeating Scariff 20-17 in County Limerick.

Ennis-Kilrush go head to head with Shannon-TUS in the Banner County in the first semi-final of the Munster Women’s Division 1 Cup. The winners await, Dolphin, Tralee or Roaring Water Bay in the decider.

Bruff welcome Thurles to County Limerick for their Division 2 Pool A meeting. Bruff recorded a maximum-point 27-22 victory when these sides met in the Premier County. Thurles claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

In Pool B, unbeaten leaders Clonakilty are away to Midleton. The West Cork side are looking to maintain their unbeaten run following their bonus point 49-0 home win over Mallow. Midleton recorded their first win of the campaign last time out. They returned with all points on offer from their 39-5 away win over Ballincollig.

Ballincollig entertain Mallow at Tanner Park. Mallow surrendered their unbeaten run, as they were defeated 49-0 by Clonakilty in West Cork. Ballincollig were defeated 39-5 at home by Midleton