Weekend Preview

The Munster Junior League takes centre stage this weekend with a full list of games across all three divisions.

On Saturday, defending champions and unbeaten pacesetters Thomond, welcome Thurles to Liam Fitzgerald Park. Thomond have slipped to third, as their game against Newcastle West last weekend was postponed, due to the bad weather. The Limerick side have maximum points from their games to date, including last time out, when they recorded a 29-10 home win over Mallow. Thurles go into the tie on the back of their second successive bonus point win, where they narrowly defeated Sunday’s Well 36-34 in a ten-try thriller in the Premier County.

Fifth-placed Skibbereen, who are three points adrift of the top four, with a game in hand, entertain Muskerry, who go into the tie on the back of three successive defeats, at the Carbery Showgrounds. Skibbereen won their last game, where they narrowly defeated West Cork neighbours Clonakilty 15-12 at home. The Sky Blues, who are five points clear of the drop zone, were defeated 44-27 by Kilfeacle in Mid Cork. Muskerry claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

Sunday’s Well, who are fourth, go head to head with Clonakilty at Virgin Media Park. Sunday’s Well were defeated 36-34 by Thurles in the Premier County, but returned with two bonus points, as they scored five tries. Clonakilty claimed all points on offer from their 32-5 home win over St Mary’s.

In Division 2, Tralee will have their work cut out, as they take on new leaders Old Christians in the Kingdom. The Kerry side made a promising start as they won their first two games, which followed a run of three successive defeats, including last time out, when they lost 57-19 to Ennis in the Banner County. They also have a game in hand. Old Christians are unbeaten and claimed maximum points from their last game, where they ran out 24-5 home winners over Castleisland.

On Sunday, the game of the day in Division 1 is the top of the table clash, which sees second-placed Kilfeacle going head to head with new leaders Bandon in West Tipperary, with a single point separating these sides. Kilfeacle recorded a maximum-point 44-27 away win over Muskerry in a game that produced 11 tries. Bandon ran out 19-10 winners over Richmond in West Cork.

Richmond, who share sixth place with St Mary’s, lock horns with Mallow, who are hovering above the drop zone, at Canal Bank. Richmond are four points adrift of the top four and they go into the tie on the back of a 19-10 defeat by Bandon in West Cork. Mallow, who are one point clear of the relegation zone and have a game in hand, were defeated 29-10 by Thomond in Limerick in their last game.

The two sides who were promoted from Division 2 last season, go head to head as St Mary’s welcome Crosshaven to Grove Island. St Mary’s are joint sixth with Richmond, following their 32-7 defeat by Clonakilty in West Cork. Crosshaven, who are propping up the table with a game in hand are still seeking their first win. The South Cork side were defeated 46-37 in a 13-try thriller in West Tipperary, where they claimed a bonus point as they scored five tries.

Kanturk welcome Newcastle West, who are second from bottom to Duhallow, where both sides have a game in hand each. Kanturk, who are presently in mid-table, are seeking their first home win as they were defeated 21-17 by Richmond in their last game at the Duhallow venue. Newcastle West were defeated 36-7 by Sunday’s Well on Leeside.

Clanwilliam and Charleville, who were both relegated from the top flight last season, go head to head in a Division 2 encounter in Tipperary Town. Unbeaten Clanwilliam, who have slipped to second, with a game in hand, recorded a 27-13 home win over Waterpark in their last game. Charleville, who are four points clear of the drop zone, were defeated 36-25 by Kinsale in North Cork, but claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

Ballincollig, who are third, welcome Cobh Pirates, who are presently in mid-table, to Tanner Park. Ballincollig were defeated 30-24 by St Senan’s in the Banner County, while the Pirates ran out 22-13 home winners over Fethard.

Fethard, who are seven points clear of the relegation zone, will have their work cut out, as they entertain Ennis. Fethard were defeated 22-13 by Cobh Pirates in East Cork, while the Clare side go into the tie on the back of a 57-19 maximum-point home win over Tralee.

Kinsale welcome St Senan’s to South Cork. Kinsale claimed all points on offer form their 36-25 away win over Charleville. St Senan’s also claimed maximum points from their 30-24 home win over Ballincollig.

Castleisland go head to head with Waterpark in the Kingdom. Castleisland are second from bottom following their 24-5 away defeat by Old Christians last time out. Waterpark go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 52-12 victory over Abbeyfeale on Suirside, where they claimed all points on offer.

Abbeyfeale welcome Fermoy to West Limerick for their basement clash. Abbaeyfeale are hovering above the drop zone following their heavy 52-12 defeat by Waterpark on Suirside. Fermoy are still seeking their first win of the campaign and they are propping up the table, with a game in hand. Fermoy were defeated 36-12 by Kinsale in South Cork in their last game.

In Division 3, new leaders Corca Dhuibhne, who surrendered their unbeaten run, losing 26-10 away to Killarney, face Kingdom opposition for the second successive weekend, as they welcome Killorglin to the West Kerry Gaeltacht. Killorglin, who have two games in hand, recorded their second win of the campaign last time out, when they defeated Waterford City 17-7 in Mid Kerry.

Waterford City will have their work cut out as they lock horns with Carrick-on-Suir at Kilbarry. Waterford City were defeated 17-7 by Killorglin in the Kingdom. Carrick-on-Suir, who are the only unbeaten side in the division, with a game in hand, ran out 22-14 home winners over Youghal, ending the Seasiders’ unbeaten run.

Galbally-Mitchelstown, who have one game in hand, face a tricky task as they go head to head with Killarney in County Limerick. Galbally-Mitchelstown recorded their first win of the campaign, running out narrow 20-17 home winners over Scariff. Killarney ended Corca Dhuibhne’s unbeaten run with a 26-10 bonus point win in East Kerry.

Dungarvan welcome Douglas to West Waterford, and both sides have a game in hand each. Dungarvan go into the tie on the back of a 15-3 away defeat by Scariff, while Douglas, who are still seeking their first win, were defeated 35-12 by Corca Dhuibhne in the West Kerry Gaeltacht.