Weekend Preview

The first weekend of 2020 sees action in the Sporting Limerick Charity Cup, the Bateman Cup, the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup and the Munster Junior League.

Old Crescent and Young Munster get the show on the road tonight as they lock horns in the decider of the Sporting Limerick Charity Cup at Rosbrien, with Young Munster looking to win the trophy for the second successive season.

Cork Constitution make the long trip to the Yeats County to take on Sligo in the semi-finals of the Bateman Cup at Hamilton Park in Strandhill on Saturday. The winners will meet Lansdowne or City of Armagh in the decider.

Proceedings get underway in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup on Sunday.

Cobh Pirates, who won the trophy in 2006, are away to Scariff. The winners will be rewarded with a home tie in the second round against 2014 winners Clonmel or Ennis, who go head to head in South Tipperary.

There is a local derby in Kerry which sees Killorglin hosting near neighbours Killarney. This game also doubles up as a Munster Junior League Division 3 clash, with Killorglin unbeaten in pole position, while Killarney are sixth. The winners will be away to Kanturk in Round Two. Killorglin and Killarney are also due to contest the Martin O’Sullivan Cup decider for the second successive year in March, with Killarney going into that game as holders.

In other ties, Douglas-Carrigaline entertain Bantry Bay at Wilton, with the winners travelling to Limerick to take on Old Crescent.

Dunmanway welcome Bruff to West Cork and the winners will be away to Dungarvan.

Sunday’s Well take on Mitchelstown at Irish Independent Park, with Cashel awaiting the winners.

Waterford City and Youghal lock horns on Suirside and the winners will be rewarded with a home tie against Ballincollig.

The game of the day in Division One of the Munster Junior League is the meeting of third-placed Mallow and unbeaten leaders and All Ireland Junior Cup finalists Kilfeacle in North Cork, with a single point separating these sides. The North Cork side, who are aiming for a top-four finish, will have their work cut out in a bid to maintain their title challenge. Mallow go into the tie on the back of a 17-3 home win over Waterpark, while Kilfeacle’s last League game was a 21-7 home win over Crosshaven in late November.

Second-placed Newcastle West are at home to Clanwilliam, with both sides going into the tie on the back of home wins over Thomond and Waterpark respectively.

Crosshaven, whose last game was a 21-7 defeat by Kilfeacle in West Tipperary, are at home to Bandon, with the West Cork side having won their last game 23-14 against St Senan’s in the Banner County.

Two former AIL sides go head to head in West Cork as fifth-placed Clonakilty host Waterpark, who are hovering above the drop zone. Clonakilty ran out 8-3 away winners over Galbally in their last game, while Waterpark were defeated 17-3 by Mallow in North Cork

Skibbereen, who are second from bottom, face a tough assignment as they welcome fourth-placed Thomond to the Carbery Showgrounds. Skibbereen go into the tie on the back of a heavy defeat by West Cork neighbours Clonakilty, while the Limerick side will be looking to bounce back from their 18-6 defeat by Newcastle West last time out.

Bottom side St Senan’s entertain ninth-placed Abbeyfeale, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats by Bandon.

In Division Two, second-placed Old Christians will be looking to overtake Dungarvan in pole position as they travel to the Kingdom to take on bottom side Castleisland. The Rathcooney side recorded a comprehensive away win over Fermoy last time out, while Castleisland were defeated 33-0 on home turf by Kinsale.

Muskerry, who are fifth following their 10-3 away win over St Mary’s, will be looking to maintain their promotion challenge as they entertain Tralee, who are hovering above the drop zone, following a heavy defeat by Fethard in South Tipperary.

There is a Premier County derby as tenth-placed Fethard entertain Thurles, who are ninth. Fethard will be looking to make the most of a home advantage count as they aim to build on their maximum-point home win over Tralee, while Thurles go into tie on the back of a 15-0 defeat by Kinsale in South Cork.