Weekend Preview

It is another busy weekend in the Munster Junior League, together with one game in the Sporting Limerick Charity Cup and on Tuesday the evening the final of the Senior Clubs League Division 1 will be decided.

There is a full list of games scheduled in the Women’s All-Ireland League, as well as the final series of games across all three divisions of the Munster Junior League which are down for decision this weekend. The Sporting Limerick Charity Cup also continues, together with an assortment of games’ in the Women’s Munster League.

In the Women’s AIL, defending champions UL Bohemian, who are second, go head to head with Old Belvedere at Annacotty. UL Bohemian and leaders Railway Union both had maximum-point wins each last week. Old Belvedere go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 41-5 home win over Ballincollig. UL Bohemian ran out 31-5 winners, when these sides met in Dublin in October.

Ballincollig, who are eighth, welcome bottom side Tullow, who are on zero points, to Tanner Park. Ballincollig were defeated 41-5 by Old Belvedere in Dublin last time out, while the County Carlow side lost 29-17 at home to Galwegians. Ballincollig won October’s corresponding fixture, 26-10.

Thomond, who have retained the Munster Junior League title, will be presented with the trophy after Sunday’s game against Skibbereen at Liam Fitzgerald Park. The Limerick side will also be going for a record 13 bonus point wins. Thomond claimed all points on offer from their 32-14 victory over Kilfeacle in West Tipperary. Skibbereen are presently in mid-table and they go into the tie on the back of a narrow 19-18 home win over Sunday’s Well. The West Cork side also have a game in hand at home to Richmond. Thomond are due to meet the Ulster Champions in the semi-finals of the All-Ireland League Round-Robin Series.

Kanturk, who are fifth, face a tricky task, as they entertain second-placed Kilfeacle. The Duhallow side are fifth on 33 points and will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they aim to keep their slim aspirations of top-four finish intact. Kanturk were defeated 35-19 by Bandon in West Cork last time out, which ended their unbeaten run on the road. The West Tipperary side lost 32-14 at home against Thomond, which saw the Limerick side retain their title.

Third-placed Bandon are away to Mallow, who are second from bottom. Mallow also have a game in hand away to Newcastle West. Bandon secured their place in next season’s All-Ireland Junior Cup as they recorded a maximum-point 35-19 home win over Kanturk. Mallow were defeated 27-15 away by Muskerry.

Muskerry, who are fourth travel to West Limerick to take on Newcastle West, who are hovering above the drop zone. Newcastle West also have a game in hand at home to Mallow. Mukserry are battling with Kanturk for the final top-four place following their bonus point 27-15 home win over Mallow. The West Limerick side recorded a valuable maximum-point 33-19 away win over Crosshaven, in their battle against the drop.

Richmond and Clonakilty lock horns in a relegation battle at Canal Bank. The Limerick side also have a game in hand away to Skibbereen. Richmond were defeated 23-15 away by St Mary’s in a Limerick City derby last time out. Clonakilty were defeated 34-31 by Thurles in a nine-try thriller in West Cork.  Clonakilty claimed two valuable bonus points, as they scored five tries.

Thurles, who are tied on 25 points with Skibbereen in eighth place, welcome Crosshaven, who have already been relegated, to the Premier County. The South Cork side were defeated 33-19 at home by Newcastle West, while Thurles claimed all points on offer from their 34-31 away win over Clonakilty.

Sunday’s Well go head to head with St Mary’s at Virgin Media Park, with both sides in mid-table. Sunday’s Well returned from their 19-18 defeat by Skibbereen with a losing bonus point, while St Mary’s go into the tie on the back of a 23-15 home win over Richmond.

Old Christians, who are the unbeaten leaders in Division 2, travel to Suirside, to take on Waterpark at Ballinakill. Old Christians are three points ahead of Clanwilliam, with whom they have already been promoted and a positive result would see Old Christians crowned champions. Old Christians go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 68-9 home win over Abbeyfeale. Waterpark, who are in mid-table, have games in hand at home against Charleville and away to St Senan’s. The Suirsiders go into the tie on the back of a 57-10 bonus point away win over Ennis.

Clanwilliam go head to head with Fethard in a Premier County derby in Tipperary Town. Clanwilliam are already promoted and are three points behind leaders Old Christians. They defeated Tralee 40-21 in the Kingdom, in a game which also doubled up as a Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate tie. Fethard, who have a game in hand at home to Castleisland, were defeated 41-29 at home by Kinsale in an 11-try thriller. Fethard claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

At the foot of the table, Abbeyfeale, who are second from bottom, lock horns with Tralee, who have already been relegated, at the West Limerick venue. Abbeyfeale also have a game in hand away against Charleville. Both sides were defeated by the two promoted sides last time out. Abbeyfeale fell to a heavy 68-9 away defeat by Old Christians. Tralee lost 40-21 at home to Clanwilliam.

Fermoy, who are hovering above the drop zone, are three points clear of Abbeyfeale. They entertain Ennis, who were defeated 57-10 by Waterpark in the Banner County last time out. Fermoy claimed a losing bonus point from their 21-15 away defeat by Cobh Pirates.

Charleville, who have games in hand away to Waterpark and at home to Abbeyfeale, entertain Cobh Pirates at Smith’s Road. Charleville returned with three valuable points in their battle against a second successive relegation. They scored four tries in their  24-24 draw with St Senan’s in the Banner County. The East Cork side recorded a 21-15 home win over Fermoy in their last game.

Kinsale go head to head with Ballincollig at the South Cork venue. Kinsale claimed all points on offer from their 41-29 victory over Fethard in South Tipperary, which produced 11 tries. Ballincollig recorded a maximum-point 38-21 home win over Castleisland.

Castleisland welcome St Senan’s to the Kingdom. Both sides have a game in hand each against Fethard away and Waterpark at home respectively. Castleisland were defeated 38-21 away by Ballincollig, while St Senan’s drew 24-24 with Charleville at the Clare venue. St Senan’s also claimed a bonus point as they scored four tries.

Unbeaten leaders in Division 3 Carrick-on-Suir welcome Corca Dhuibhne to Tybroughney. A win would see Carrick-on-Suir, who go into the tie on the back of a 31-27 bonus point away win over Galbally-Mitchelstown, crowned champions. The West Kerry Gaeltacht side recorded a narrow 22-20 bonus point home win over Ardscoil Old Boys.

Killarney entertain Dungarvan in the Kingdom. Killarney claimed maximum points from their 25-14 victory over Scariff in East Clare. The West Waterford side had to settle for a losing bonus point from their last game, which they lost 25-23 at home to Killorglin.

Killorglin go head to head with Galbally-Mitchelstown, who have a home game in hand against Youghal. Killorglin claimed all points on offer from their 25-23 away win over Dungarvan. Galbally-Mitchelstown claimed a losing bonus point from their 31-27 home defeat by Carrick-on-Suir.

Ardscoil Old Boys host Waterford City at the UL Arena. The Limerick side returned from their 22-20 defeat by Corca Dhuibhne in the West Kerry Gaeltacht with a losing bonus point. The Suirsiders were defeated 54-21 at home by Youghal.

Douglas welcome Scariff to Castletreasure, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats. Douglas claimed a losing bonus point from their 13-8 home defeat against Killorglin. Scariff lost 25-14 at home to Killarney.

The Sporting Limerick Charity Cup continues, with Bruff and Nenagh Ormond going head to head in their opener at Kilballyowen Park.

In Division 1 of the Women’s Munster League, leaders Ennis-Kilrush, who have maximum points from their games to date, travel to Bantry, to take on Roaring Water Bay. The West Cork side were defeated 66-15 by Shannon-TUS at Coonagh last time out. The Clare side recorded a maximum-point 28-0 win over Tralee in Ennis.

Tralee, who are fourth, welcome third-placed Dolphin to the Kingdom. Tralee were defeated 28-0 by Ennis-Kilrush in the Banner County last time out, while Dolphin were held to a 27-27 draw by Roaring Water Bay. Dolphin claimed a bonus point as they scored five tries. Tralee claimed all points on offer from November’s corresponding fixture as they ran out 62-21 winners.

In Division 2 Pool A, second-placed Bruff go head to head with leaders UL Bohemian at Kilballyowen Park. Bruff ran out 28-0 home winners over Thurles in their last game in November, where they claimed maximum points. UL Bohemian also claimed maximum points from their last game, which they won 24-5 against Thurles at Annacotty.

Division 2 Pool B leaders Clonakilty travel to Tanner Park, to take on Ballincollig. The West Cork side won their last game 10-5 away against Mallow. Ballincollig lost their last game 31-5 against Mallow at Tanner Park. Clonakilty recorded a comprehensive 72-7 victory when these sides met at the West Cork venue in November.

Mallow lock horns with Midleton at the North Cork venue. Mallow recorded a bonus point 31-7 away win over Ballincollig last time out. Midleton were defeated 31-7 by Clonakilty in November at the West Cork venue. Mallow also recorded a bonus point victory as they ran out 33-7 winners when these sides met in East Cork.