Weekend Preview | Junior Rugby

The Munster Junior League resumes this weekend with a full programme of games across all three divisions.

Fethard and Kinsale get proceedings underway as they go head to head in Division 2 at the South Tipperary venue on Saturday evening. The Seasiders are six points behind Dungarvan in fifth place following their 10-10 draw with Charleville in North Cork last time out. Fethard are hovering above the drop zone following their 37-3 away defeat by Muskerry.

In Division 1, unbeaten leaders and recently-crowned All Ireland Junior Cup winners Kilfeacle welcome Clonakilty to West Tipperary. The home side will be looking to take another step closer to the title, while Clonakilty are sixth following their narrow 17-14 home defeat by Mallow, from which they claimed a losing bonus point.

Second-placed Newcastle West are away to near neighbours Abbeyfeale. Both sides go into the tie on the back of maximum–point home wins over Clanwilliam with Newcastle West looking to maintain their title challenge. Abbeyfeale are five points adrift of Thomond in fifth-place.

Third-placed Mallow travel to Limerick to take on seventh-placed Richmond. The North Cork side will be looking to maintain their challenge for a top four finish following their 17-14 away win over Clonakilty. Richmond go into the tie on the back of a 24-13 away defeat by Galbally.

Thomond and Galbally lock horns at Liam Fitzgerald Park, with both sides going into the tie on the back of home wins over Crosshaven. Galbally have climbed up to ninth following two successive victories and they also have four losing bonus points to their credit.

Bandon should prove too strong for Skibbereen in the west Cork derby at Old Chapel. Bandon are eighth following their 20-10 away win over Crosshaven, while Skibbereen are second from bottom following their 23-12 defeat by Richmond in Limerick.

Clanwilliam and Crosshaven go head to head in Tipperary Town, with both sides tied on 18 points apiece in tenth place, following defeats by Abbeyfeale and Galbally respectively.

Waterpark take on bottom side St Senan’s on Suirside, with the home side hovering above the drop zone.

On Sunday, Division 2 leaders Old Christians will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run as they travel to the Kingdom to take on bottom side Tralee. Old Christians ran out 19-5 away winners over Thurles, while the Kerry side go into the tie on zero points following a heavy 33-6 home defeat by Dungarvan.

Second-placed Kanturk will be looking to maintain their bid for a quick return to the top flight as they travel to the Showgrounds to take on Fermoy. Kanturk go into the tie on the back of a 13-8 home win over St Mary’s, while Fermoy are seventh following their 22-17 home defeat by Ballincollig.

There is another Rebel County derby in North Cork, which sees Charleville hosting Cobh Pirates. Charleville drew their last game 10-10 with Kinsale at Smith’s Road, while the East Cork side are still without a win on three points following their 40-14 defeat by Kanturk in early December.

Elsewhere Thurles and Ballincollig go head to head in the Premier County with both sides tied on 13 points.

Unbeaten Division 3 leaders Killorglin travel to West Cork to take on seventh-placed Dunmanway and Ennis, who are also unbeaten in second are at home to Bantry Bay.

Third-placed Mitchelstown entertain fourth-placed Scariff, with one point separating these sides. It is also the North Cork side’s last League game and they are two points behind Ennis.

Chorca Dhuibhne welcome Douglas-Carrigaline to the West Kerry Gaeltacht, with the South Cork side propping up the table on zero points.

Elsewhere, Waterford City, who are fifth, are at home to eighth-placed Youghal.