Weekend Preview

The New Year begins with the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup Final getting proceedings underway on Saturday.

Garryowen and Cork Constitution lock horns in the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup decider at Thomond Park.

Holders Garryowen, who lead the roll of honour, will be looking to win the trophy for the 40th time, while the Leesiders will be looking to regain the Cup which they last won in 2017 to complete a five-in-a-row.

On Sunday there are six Bank Of Ireland Munster Junior Cup ties down for decision, together with several games in the top two divisions of the Munster Junior League.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, there are two Cork derbies as Sunday’s Well take on Dunmanway at Irish Independent Park and Douglas-Carrigaline go head to head with Midleton at Wilton.

There are three Kerry sides in action as Tralee welcome Dungarvan to the Kingdom. Killarney travel to West Cork to take on Bantry Bay and Killorglin are away to Bruff.

Elsewhere, Ennis make the relatively short trip to Limerick to take on Thomond at Liam Fitzgerald Park.

Munster Junior League Division 1 leaders Clonmel welcome St Mary’s who are propping up the table to South Tipperary, with the home side expected to claim all points on offer.

Fifth-placed Kilfeacle are at home to fourth-placed Newcastle West, with both sides entering the tie on the back of bonus point victories over Richmond and St Senan’s respectively.

Skibbereen, who claimed a losing bonus point against Bandon last time out, travel to Tipperary Town to take on struggling Clanwilliam.

Crosshaven, who ran out 15-10 away winners over Abbeyfeale, should prove too strong for Kanturk, with the Duhallow side coming off the back of a heavy defeat by Richmond.

In Division 2, second-placed Clonakilty, who are 12 points behind leaders Mallow, will be looking to close the gap on the North Cork side as they entertain Castleisland at The Vale.

Fourth-placed Fermoy welcome Fethard, who are fifth to the Showgrounds, with both sides coming off the back of maximum point, wins over Waterford City and Youghal respectively.

There are also two Cork derbies this weekend.

Old Christians and Muskerry, who are joint sixth on seventeen points each, lock horns at Rathcooney and Charleville should prove too strong for Youghal at Smith’s Road.