Weekend Preview

Across a relatively quiet weekend, there are a handful of second round Bank of Ireland Junior Cup ties being played at the second time of asking, and the Munster Junior League also continues this weekend with games across all three divisions.

On Friday evening, Clonmel whose only triumph in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup was in 2014, welcome St Senan’s to South Tipperary for their second round tie. The winners will be away to Charleville in Round 3.

Bruff and 1997 and 1998 winners Midleton lock horns at Kilballyowen Park on Sunday, with the winners away to 2017 winners Bandon.

UL Bohemian, who won the trophy in 2009 and 2010, welcome Fethard to Annacotty. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage against Highfield, who last won the trophy in 2019.

Tralee and Ballincollig get proceedings underway in Division 2 of the Munster Junior League, as they go head to head at the Kerry venue. Tralee, who are propping up the table, go into the tie on the back of a 32-17 defeat by Fethard in South Tipperary. Ballincollig, who are presently in mid-table, were defeated 61-12 by Old Christians at Tanner Park last time out.

On Sunday in Division 1, runaway leaders Thomond, who have maximum points from their games to date, travel to Mid Cork to take on Muskerry. Thomond defeated Crosshaven 26-5 in Limerick last time out. Muskerry are three points adrift of the top four, following their bonus point 28-17 victory over Sunday’s Well at Virgin Media Park.

Second-placed Kilfeacle, who are five points behind the leaders, welcome St Mary’s to West Tipperary. Kilfeacle claimed all points on offer from their 28-14 victory over Skibbereen in West Cork. The Limerick side, who are five points off the top four in seventh place, go into the tie on the back of a 16-11 home win over Bandon.

Third-placed Bandon go head to head with sixth-placed Sunday’s Well at Old Chapel, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats. The West Cork side returned with a losing bonus point from their 16-11 defeat by St Mary’s in Limerick. Sunday’s Well, whose aspirations of a top-four finish are in the balance, fell to a 28-17 defeat by Muskerry at Virgin Media Park.

Kanturk, who have climbed up to fourth-place, following their 17-12 away win over Thurles, travel to South Cork, to take on Crosshaven, in a bid to maintain their unbeaten away run. Crosshaven, who were defeated 26-5 by Thomond in Limerick last time out, are three points above the relegation places.

Skibbereen entertain Richmond at the Carbery Showgrounds, with both sides presently occupying the mid-table places. The West Cork side were defeated 28-14 at home by Kilfeacle last time out, while Richmond recorded a narrow 19-17 home win over bottom side Newcastle West.

At the foot of the table, bottom side Newcastle West travel to the Premier County, to take on Thurles, who are two points clear of the drop zone. The Tipperary side claimed a losing bonus point from their 17-13 home defeat by Kanturk. Newcastle West also returned with a losing bonus point from their narrow 10-17 away defeat by Richmond.

Mallow, who are second from bottom, are away to Clonakilty. The North Cork side recorded a 19-3 home win over Thurles, while Clonakilty were defeated 32-19 by Kanturk at the Duhallow venue.

In Division 2 on Sunday, unbeaten Clanwilliam, who are now in second place, having played a game less than Old Christians, travel to the Banner County, to take on Ennis. Clanwilliam claimed all points on offer from their last game where they defeated Cobh Pirates 35-7 in Tipperary Town. The Clare side, who share third place with Kinsale, returned with a losing bonus point from their narrow 27-25 away defeat by the South Cork side.

Fifth-placed Cobh Pirates entertain struggling Abbeyfeale, who are three points adrift of the relegation places. The Pirates were defeated 35-7 by Clanwilliam in Tipperary Town, while the West Limerick side claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries in their 31-22 home defeat by St Senan’s.

There is a North Cork derby between Charleville and Fermoy at Smith’s Road, with three points separating these sides. Charleville are hovering above the drop zone, with a game in hand. They were defeated 31-14 in their last game in early December by Clanwilliam in Tipperary Town. Fermoy, who are second from bottom, were defeated 13-3 at home by Waterpark in their last game.

Division 3 leaders Youghal welcome Corca Dhuibhne to East Cork. Youghal claimed all points on offer from their 29-5 home win over Dungarvan last time out. Corca Dhuibhne, who are fourth, lost their last game 47-15 to Killorglin in the West Kerry Gaeltacht in early December.

Unbeaten Carrick-on-Suir, who are second, entertain Dungarvan at Tybroughney. The South Tipperary side recorded a maximum point 47-3 home win over Douglas last time out, while Dungarvan were defeated 29-5 by Youghal at the East Cork venue.

Killarney, who are four points behind Carrick-on-Suir in third place, welcome seventh-placed Douglas to the Kingdom. Killarney recorded a maximum-point 26-11 away win over near neighbours Killorglin in a Kerry derby. Douglas fell to as heavy 43-8 away defeat by unbeaten Carrick-on-Suir.

Sixth-placed Killorglin entertain Scariff, who are second from bottom. Killorlgin were defeated 26-11 at home by near neighbours Killarney, while Scariff lost 23-10 to Ardscoil Old Boys in Limerick.

Ardscoil Old Boys host Galbally-Mitchelstown at UL Arena. Ardscoil Old Boys claimed all points on offer as they ran out 23-10 winners over Scariff. Galbally-Mitchelstown claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 19-17 defeat by Waterford City on Suirside.