Weekend Preview 1st November

There is another series of AIB All Ireland League action this weekend as well as the opening games in the AIB All Ireland Junior Cup.

With a six point gap between the top three sides and the other teams in Division 1A of the AIB All Ireland League, clubs cannot afford to let that gap widen.

The big game of the day will be at Templeville Road when St. Mary’s College entertain Dolphin. Both these sides have won their three games to date and are a point behind leaders Blackrock College. With victories over Cork Constitution, Clontarf and Shannon, the Musgrave Park outfit are quietly confident of finishing in a top three position and will be looking to pick up something from this tie.

Cork Constitution play Garryowen at Temple Hill and even at this early stage neither side can afford a third defeat. Constitution were unlucky to lose away to Blackrock last week and with home advantage will be confident of picking up the points. Garryowen are on the back of defeats by Blackrock and St. Mary’s and will have to show a big improvement if they are to get something from this tie.

There is a big local derby at Coonagh when Shannon host UL Bohes. These two sides occupy the bottom two places in the table and both have yet to record a win. Shannon have picked up losing bonus points in all of their three games and feel that with a bit of luck they are due a victory. After a great opening to the season UL Bohes form has dipped and they like their neighbours feel that it will not be long before they are back to winning ways. This should be a keenly contested tie with little between the sides at the finish.

The other game in this Division sees leaders Blackrock College travel across the city to Clontarf.

In Division 1B Young Munster bitterly disappointed at failing to beat the current leaders Old Belvedere last week make the long journey to Ballynahinch and will have their work cut out to get something from this tie.

U.C.C. who picked up their first points of the campaign away to Galwegians last Saturday host Dungannon at the Mardyke. The Ulster side are currently second in the table, while the students are second last but only four points separate them. College are improving with every outing and are capable of collecting the points.

In Division Two Thomond a point behind leaders Lansdowne play Highfield at Fitzgerald Park. The Cork side go into this contest full of confidence after last week’s away win over Malone. These sides have met twice already this season with victory going to Thomond on both occasions in the ODM Munster Senior Cup and AIB All Ireland Cup. The host club will be expected to make it three wins out of three and keep their promotion challenge on track.

Bruff play UCD at Kilballyowen Park and both sides see this tie as a must win game. The students were disappointed to have lost at home to Thomond last week, while four penalties from Brian Cahill saw Bruff overcome Old Crescent by a point.

Old Crescent travel to Galway Corinthians in search of their first victory. The Connacht side have not been out of their depth in this Division since their promotion and the Limerick side will find it a difficult place to pick up points.

Clonakilty welcome Trinity to The Vale and both sides have yet to record a victory. The West Cork side put up a good display away to leaders Lansdowne and the scoreboard was not a fair reflection of that game. A repeat performance by the home side could see them move out of the relegation zone.

In the Third Division Midleton will be hoping to pick up maximum points from their home encounter with bottom side Co. Carlow.

Nenagh Ormond can keep their promotion push on track with a good result away to Barnhall, while Sunday’s Well will see their home game with Ards as a must win game

The big game in the opening round of the AIB All Ireland Junior Cup is the meeting of Monivea and Waterpark at the Galway venue. These sides met two seasons ago in an All Ireland League play off at Ballinakill, where the Westerners won 35-3 but were denied their place in the All Ireland League because they fielded an ineligible team.

Since than Waterpark have been relegated but have made a good start in the Munster Junior League and will be quietly confident of advancing.

Two other Munster sides face Connacht opposition and both are at home. Cashel play Tuam and after an excellent display last week in the league against Skibbereen, the Tipperary side should advance.

Clonmel have Sligo as visitors and they will hope to rediscover their early pre-season form with a victory.

The fourth Munster side in the competition are Kilfeacle and they make the trip to Drogheda to face Boyne. This will be the Tipperary side’s first outing in this competition and they will have it all to do to qualify for the quarter finals.

Because of these Cup games the only league action is in the Second and Third Divisions. The big game in Division Two is the meeting of Kanturk and leaders Old Christians. Kanturk bounced back to winning ways with a fine victory over Youghal in the Shield semi final last week, after losing to Newcastle West the previous week. The Rathcooney side have collected maximum points from their two outings but will do well to return from the Duhallow venue with another victory.

Second placed Kinsale play Clanwilliam the side in third place. The Tipperary side were very disappointed to have lost away to Youghal two weeks ago and cannot afford another slip up so early in the campaign but the home side will start as favourites to take the points.

Unbeaten Galbally entertain Newcastle West and such is the confidence in the County Limerick side, they could preserve their unbeaten run with a victory.

Muskerry face Youghal at Ballyanly with both sides having a win and a defeat. Muskerry are a difficult side to beat on their own patch, while Youghal will want to bounce back to winning ways after last week’s defeat by Kanturk. This should be a very closely fought tie.

Bandon will hope to follow up their win over St. Mary’s with another home win when they entertain Ennis. The Clare side will want to avoid a third successive league defeat and could make things difficult for the home side.

The other tie in this Division is between St. Mary’s and Newport at Corbally. The Limerick side are still looking for their first win since promotion, while Newport who were relegated have also yet to register a win.

In Section A of the Third Division joint leaders Castleisland travel to Abbeyfeale. The West Limerick side will want to bounce back after a defeat by Killarney but on current form the visitors should return home with the points.

Presentation the other joint leaders travel to the West Kerry Gaeltacht to face Corca Dhuibhne. Since their elevation from Junior Two the home side have shown that they can hold their own at this level and will not make it easy for the Limerick side.

Killarney travel to Kilrush confident that they can record another victory while the two sides at the bottom of the table Scariff and Killorglin clash at the Tipperary venue.

In section B Fermoy who are the early pace setters face a stiff challenge away to Waterford City.

Carrick-on-Suir fresh from their victory in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup final should pick up the points at home to Charleville.

Mallow will hope to bounce back to winning ways after that defeat by Carrick’ with a home victory over Dungarvan.

Douglas will hope to follow up last week’s win over Dungarvan with a home win against Shandon.

FIXTURES:
FRIDAY 30th OCTOBER
Under 21 South Western Conference Division 1:Waterpark v Cork Constitution,Ballinakill,7.30;

SATURDAY 31st OCTOBER
Magners League:Munster v Ulster,Thomond Park,5.00;

Women’s Interprovincial:Munster v Leinster,Tanner Park,2.30;

AIB League Division 1A:Clontarf v Blackrock College,Castle Avenue,2.30;
Cork Constitution v Garryowen,Temple Hill,2.30;
Shannon v U.L. Bohemian,Coonagh,2.30;
St. Mary’s College v Dolphin,Templeville Road,2.30;

Division 1B:Ballynahinch v Young Munster,Ballymacarn Park,2.30;
Buccaneers v Galwegians,Dubarry Park,2.30;
Old Belvedere v Ballymena,Anglesea Road,2.30;
U.C.C. v Dungannon,Mardyke,2.30;

Division 2:Bective Rangers v Belfast Harlequins,Donnybrook,2.30;
Bruff v U.C.D. Kilballyowen Park,2.30;
Clonakilty v Dublin University,The Vale,2.30;
Corinthians v Old Crescent,Corinthian Park,2.30;
D.L.S.P. v Old Wesley,Kirwan Park,2.30;
Greystones v Malone,Dr. Hickey Park,2.30;
Terenure College v Lansdowne,Lakelands,2.30;
Thomond v Highfield,Fitzgerald Park,2.30;

Division 3:Banbridge v Naas,Rifle Park,2.30;
Barnhall v Nenagh Ormond,Parsonstown,2.30;
Connemara v Instonians,Monastery Field,2.30;
Midleton v Co. Carlow,Towns Park,2.30;
Portadown v Queens University,Chambers Park,2.30;
Sunday’s Well v Ards,Musgrave Park,2.30;
Suttonians v Navan,Station Road,2.30;
Wanderers v Rainey Old Boys,Merrion Road,2.30;

AIB Junior Cup Round 1:Monivea v Waterpark,Monivea,2.30;
Clonmel v Sligo,Clonmel,2.30;
Boyne v Kilfeacle,Drogheda,2.30;
Seaview v City of Derry,Dublin,2.30;
Cooke v Cill Dara,Belfast,2.30;
Cashel v Tuam,Cashel,2.30;
Colraine v Tullamore,Colraine,2.30;
Ballina v Armagh,Ballina,2.30;

Munster Seconds League South:Cork Constitution v Highfield,Temple Hill, 6.30;

Gleeson League Division 1:Clonmel v Young Munster,Clonmel,1.00;
Garryowen v Bruff,Dooradoyle,2.30;
Old Crescent v Richmond Rosbrien,2.30;
Shannon v Thomond,Coonagh,2.30;
UL Bohemian v Cashel,Annacotty,2.30;

Division 2:Fethard v Clanwilliam,Fethard,7.00;
St. Senan’s v St. Mary’s,Jim Slattery Park,2.30;

Under 21 South Western Conference Division 1 Section A:Corinthians v N.U.I.G.,Corinthian Park,2.30;
Dolphin v Richmond,Musgrave Park,2.30;
U.C.C. v Highfield,Woodleigh Park,2.30;
Young Munster v Garryowen,Clifford Park,2.30;

Section B:Bruff v Galwegians,Bruff,5.00;
Buccaneers v U.L. Bohemian,Dubarry Park,2.30;
Shannon v Sunday’s Well,Coonagh,12.30;

Division 2 North:Newcastle West v Cashel,Newcastle West,2.30;
Old Crescent v Kilfeacle,Rosbrien,2.30;

South Under 19 League:Crosshaven v Sundays Well,Crosshaven,12.00;
Highfield v Old Christians,Rathcooney,11.30;
Fermoy v Mallow,Fermoy,12.00;

South Under 19 Development League:Charleville v Dunmanway,Charleville,12.00;
Clonakilty v Highfield B,The Vale,12.00;
Kinsale v Cork Constitution,Kinsale,12.30;
Muskerry v Douglas,Ballyanly,12.00;
Youghal v Ballincollig,Youghal,1.00;

South Under 15 League Section A:Fermoy v Charleville,Fermoy,11.00;
Old Christians v Sunday’s Well,Rathcooney,12.00;

Section B:Clonakilty v Bandon,The Vale,11.00;
Highfield v Ballincollig,Woodleigh Park,10.30;
Kinsale v Crosshaven,Kinsale,1.00;

South Under 13 League:Kanturk v Muskerry,Kanturk,11.00;
Old Christians v Mitchelstown,Rathcooney,11.00;
Skibbereen v Clonakilty,Skibbereen,11.00;
Sundays Well v Highfield,Musgrave Park,12.00;

West Under 19 League:Castleisland v Kenmare,Castleisland,12.00;

West Under 17 League:Corca Dhuibhne v Castleisland,Ballydavid,12.00;
Killarney v Killorglin,Killarney,12.00;
Tralee v Abbeyfeale,Tralee,12.00;

West Under 13 League:Kenmare v Castleisland,Kenmare,12.00;
Killarney v Killorglin,Killarney,12.00;
Tralee v Abbeyfeale,Tralee,12.00;

Munster Girls Under 19 League:Clonmel v Shannon,Clonmel,11.00;

Munster Girls Under 15 League:Carrigaline v Abbeyfeale,Moneygourney,11.30;

Munster Girls Under 17 Friendly:Carrigaline v Abbeyfeale,Moneygourney,12.15;

SUNDAY 1st NOVEMBER
Munster Junior League Division 2:Bandon v Ennis,Bandon,2.30;
Galbally v Newcastle West,Galbally,2.30;
Kanturk v Old Christians,Kanturk,2.30;
Kinsale v Clanwilliam,Kinsale,2.30;
Muskerry v Youghal,Ballyanly,2.30;
St Mary’s v Newport,Corbally,2.30;

Division 3 Section A:Abbeyfeale v Castleisland,Abbeyfeale,2.30;
Corca Dhuibhne v Presentation,Ballydavid,2.30;
Kilrush v Killarney,Kilrush,2.30;
Scariff v Killorglin,Scariff,2.30;

Section B:Carrick-on-Suir v Charleville,Carrick-on-Suir,2.30;
Douglas v Shandon,Moneygouney,2.30;
Mallow v Dungarvan,Mallow,2.30;
Waterford City v Fermoy,Waterford,2.30;

Munster Seconds League North:Garryowen v Young Munster,Dooradoyle,2.30;
Nenagh Ormond v Bruff,Nenagh,2.30;
Old Crescent v Thomond,Rosbrien,2.30;
U.L. Bohemian v Shannon,Annacotty,2.30;

Munster Seconds League South:Clonakilty v Sunday’s Well,The Vale,2.30;
Midleton v Dolphin,Towns Park,2.30;

Gleeson League Division 2:Newport v Abbeyfeale,Newport,2.30;
Thurles v Galbally,Thurles,12.30;
Waterpark v Kilfeacle,Ballinakill,2.30;

Junior 2 League South Section A:Killarney v Listowel,Killarney,2.30;
Castleisland v Kanturk,Castleisland,12.00;

Section B:Bandon v Dunmanway,Bandon,12.00;
Kinsale v Bantry Bay,Kinsale,12.30;

Section C:Ballincollig v U.C.C.,Tanner Park,12.00;
Old Christians v Highfield,Rathcooney,12.00;
Sunday’s Well v Muskerry,Musgrave Park,12.00;

Section D:Carrigaline v Cobh Pirates,Moneygourney,12.00;
Cork Constitution v Crosshaven,Temple Hill,12.00;

Junior 3 League South Section A:Ballincollig v Carrigaline,Tanner Park,2.30;
Cork Transport v Bandon,Bandon,2.30;
U.C.C. v Shandon,Mardyke,12.00;

Section B:Dolphin v Mallow,Musgrave Park,12.00;
Youghal v Fermoy,Youghal,12.30;

Junior 2 Friendly:Carrick-on-Suir v Mitchelstown,Carrick-on-Suir,2.00;

East Under 19 League:Carrick-on-Suir v Thurles,Carrick-on-Suir,11.30;
Cashel v Kilfeacle,Cashel,11.00;

East Under 17 League:Carrick-on-Suir v Thurles,Carrick-on-Suir,11.30;
Cashel v Kilfeacle,Cashel,11.00;
Fethard v Clonmel,Fethard,11.00;

East Under 15 League:Cashel v Kilfeacle,Cashel,11.00;

East Under 13 Blitzs:
Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel and Waterpark at Waterpark,11.00Fethard.11.00;

Dungarvan, Kilfeacle and Thurles at Kilfeacle.11.00;

Clanwilliam, Galbally, Nenagh Ormond and Roscrea at Nenagh,11.00;

North Under 19 League:St. Mary’s v Ennis/Shannon,Corbally,11.00;

Womens Friendly:Thurles v Fermoy,Thurles,1.00;

TUESDAY 3rd NOVEMBER
Schools Senior Friendly:Castletroy College v Bromsgrove,Annacotty,3.00;

Schools Junior Friendly:Castletroy College v Bromsgrove,Annacotty,3.00;

O’Brien Cup:Villiers v The Abbey,Coonagh,1.00;

WEDNESDAY 4th NOVEMBER
Bowen Shield:C.B.C. v St. Munchin’s,Lansdowne,2.30;
Crescent Comp. v Villiers,Dooradoyle,2.30;
Glenstal Abbey v P.B.C.,Glenstal,3.30;
Rockwell v Bandon Grammar,Rockwell,2.30;

McCarthy Cup:Ard Scoil Ris v Castletroy College,Ard Scoil Ris,2.30;
C.B.C. v St. Munchin’s,Lansdowne,2.30;
Crescent Comp. v Villiers,Dooradoyle,2.30;
Glenstal Abbey v P.B.C.,Glenstal,3.30;
Rockwell v Bandon Grammar,Rockwell,2.30;

Schools Senior Friendly:Crescent Comp. v Ard Scoil Ris,Dooradoyle,2.30;
Midleton College v Bandon Grammar,Midleton,2.30;

Schools Junior Friendly:Crescent Comp. v Ard Scoil Ris,Dooradoyle,2.30;

Colleges Ladies:U.C.C. v U.L.,Curaheen Road,3.00;

THURSDAY 5th NOVEMBER
Schools Senior Friendly:St. Munchin’s v Bromsgrove,Corbally,3.30;

Schools Junior Friendly:St. Munchin’s v Bromsgrove,Corbally,3.30;