Weekend Rugby Preview

Plenty of League and Cup action this weekend as clubs return to action after their winter break.

The Ulster Bank League resumes this week with U.L. Bohemian and Shannon getting the show on the road with their basement clash in Division 1 A at Thomond Park on Friday evening. The Parish side who find themselves in the unusual position of propping up the table are still seeking their first win of the campaign.

On Saturday leaders Garryowen travel to Temple Hill to take on fourth-placed Cork Constitution and the home side will be seeking to make the most of home advantage to close the gap at the top of the table.

Young Munster host Old Belvedere at Clifford Park and will be aiming to close the gap on the leaders.

Dolphin travel to the Capital to take on second-placed Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium and maximum points are vital for the Cork side if they are to keep abreast of the leaders.

In Division 1B, Bruff welcome Blackrock College to Kilballyowen Park where both sides are hovering above the relegation zone and which ever side wins will move one step closer to safety.

The only game in Division 2 is the Division 2B basement clash between Clonakilty and Connemara. The West Cork side will be looking to make home advantage count in their quest to avoid a return to junior ranks.

The Munster Junior Cup takes centre stage on Sunday with ten ties featuring Senior Clubs and Clubs from Divisions 2 and 3 of the Junior League and there is also a full series of games in Division 1 of the Junior League.

The only game between sides representing Senior Clubs sees UCC travel to North Tipperary to take on Nenagh Ormond at New Ormond Park.

Waterford City who are in second place in Division 3 behind Killorglin make the long trip to the Banner County to take on an Ennis side with slim promotion aspirations in Division 2.

There are three Cork derbies down for decision. Ballincollig entertain Bandon at Tanner Park, with both sides currently in mid-table in their respective divisions in the Junior League.

Unbeaten Muskerry are at home to Youghal and they will be seeking to record their second home win over the East Cork side, as they defeated the same opposition 26-13 in the League in November.

Mallow chasing promotion from Division 2 travel to Musgrave Park to take on Sunday’s Well.

The only Limerick derby is the Old Crescent V Presentation tie at Rosbrien.

Elsewhere, Highfield take on Killarney at Woodleigh Park, Midleton welcome Carrick-on-Suir to the East Cork venue, Kinsale are at home to Thomond and Bruff are away to Newport.

In Division 1 of the Junior League, defending champions and leaders Richmond will be aiming to maintain their lead as they entertain Clonmel.

Second-placed Kanturk will be looking to keep their outside challenge on track as they face a tricky away tie against fourth-placed Kilfeacle.

Newcastle West, who are playing in Division 1 for the first time will be seeking to keep their good run intact as they entertain St. Mary’s at the West Limerick venue.

Third-placed Skibbereen will be looking to make the most of home advantage for their home tie with struggling St. Senan’s. Galbally are at home to Tralee and Waterpark take on Old Christians at Ballinakill as both try to avoivd the relegation battle.

FIXTURES:
FRIDAY 4th JANUARY
Ulster Bank League Division 1A: U.L. Bohemian v Shannon, Thomond Park, 7.30;

Schools Junior Friendly: P.B.C. v St. Michael's, Wilton, 12.00;
P.B.C. B v St. Michael's B, Wilton, 12.00;

SATURDAY 5th JANUARY
RaboDirect Pro 12: Munster v Cardiff Blues, Musgrave Park, 7.30;

Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Cork Constitution v Garryowen, Temple Hill, 2.30;
Lansdowne v Dolphin, Aviva Stadium, 2.30;
St. Mary's College v Clontarf, Templeville Road, 2.30;
Young Munster v Old Belvedere, Clifford Park, 2.30;

Division 1B: Ballymena v Dungannon, Eaton Park, 2.00;
Bruff v Blackrock College, Kilballyowen Park, 2.30;
Buccaneers v U.C.D., Dubarry Park, 2.30;
Dublin University v Belfast Harlequins, College Park, 2.30;
Malone v Ballynahinch, Gibson Park, 2.30;

Division 2B: Clonakilty v Connemara, The Vale, 2.30;

Gleeson League Division 1A: Garryowen v Shannon, Dooradoyle, 2.30;
St. Mary's v Bruff, Corbally, 2.30;
St. Senan's v Old Crescent, Jim Slattery Park, 2.30;
Division 1B: Newcastle West v Galbally, Newcastle West, 2.30;

Schools Junior Friendly: C.B.C. v CBC Monkstown, Lansdowne, 11.00;
Crescent Comp. v Castleknock, Crescent Comp., 12.00;

Under 19 League South: Kanturk v Dolphin, Kanturk, 12.00;

South Under 17 League Quarter Final: Sunday's Well v Kanturk, Musgrave Park, 12.00;

South Munster Under 15 League Section 1: Dunmanway v Clonakilty, Dunmanway, 11.30;
Highfield v C.B.C., Woodleigh Park, 10.30;
Skibbereen v Crosshaven, Skibbereen, 12.00

Section 2: Charleville v Dolphin, Charleville, 12.00;

Under 19 Friendly: Highfield v Muskerry-Ballincollig, Woodleigh Park, 12.30;

Under 17 Friendly: Skibbereen v Clonakilty, Skibbereen, 11.00;

SUNDAY 6th JANUARY
Munster Junior Cup: Ballincollig v Bandon, Tanner Park, 2.00;
Ennis v Waterford City, Ennis, 2.00;
Highfield v Killarney, Woodleigh Park, 2.00;
Kinsale v Thomond, Kinsale, 2.00;
Midleton v Carrick-on-Suir, Towns Park, 2.00;
Muskerry v Youghal, Ballyanly, 2.00;
Nenagh Ormond v U.C.C., Nenagh, 2.00;
Newport v Bruff, Newport, 2.00;
Old Crecent v Presentation, Rosbrien, 2.00;
Sundays Well v Mallow, Musgrave Park, 2.00;

Munster Junior League Division 1: Clanwilliam v Cobh Pirates, Clanwilliam Park, 2.30;
Galbally v Tralee, Galbally, 2.30;
Kilfeacle v Kanturk, Kilfeacle, 2.30;
Newcastle West v St. Mary's, Newcastle West, 2.30;
Richmond v Clonmel, Richmond Park, 2.30;
Skibbereen v St. Senan's, Skibbereen, 2.30;
Waterpark v Old Christians, Ballinakill, 2.30;

South Munster Junior 2 League Section A: Iveragh v Castleisland, Cahirciveen, 2.30;
Killarney v Listowel, Killarney, 2.30;
Tralee v Kenmare, Tralee, 2.30;

Section C: Carrigaline v Bandon, Moneygourney, 12.00;
Skibbereen v Clonakilty Skibbereen, 12.00;

Section D: Kanturk v Mallow, Kanturk, 12.00;
Mitchelstown v Dolphin, Mitchelstown, 12.00;

Section E: Highfield v Cork Constitution, Woodleigh Park, 12.00;
Old Christians v Shandon, Rathcooney, 12.00;

Junior Friendly: Crosshaven v Cork Constitution, Crosshaven, 2.30;

Schools Senior Friendly: St. Munchin's v Terenure College, Corbally, 1.00;

Schools Junior Friendly: St. Munchin's v Terenure College, Corbally, 1.00;

East Munster Under 17 Development League:
Carrick-on-Suir v Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, 11.00;
Fethard v Cashel, Fethard, 11.00;
Kilfeacle v Thurles, Kilfeacle, 11.00;
Waterford City v Dungarvan, Waterford, 11.00;

East Munster Under 15 League North: Kilfeacle v Cashel, Kilfeacle, 11.00;
Thurles v Clanwilliam, Thurles, 11.00;

South: Clonmel v Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, 11.00;
Waterford City v Waterpark, Waterford, 11.00;
Waterpark Dev v Dungarvan, Ballinakill, 11.00;

North Under 19 League Final: Corbally, 12.30;

North Under 16 League: Ennis v Thomond, Ennis, 12.00;

North Under 15 League: Old Crescent v Ennis, Rosbrien, 11.30;

North Under 13 League: Ennis v U.L. Bohemian, Ennis, 11.00;

North Under 13 Conference: St Senan's v St. Mary's, Jim Slattry Park, 12.00;

WEDNESDAY 9th JANUARY
Mungret Cup Final: Bandon Grammar v Mideton College, 2.30;

Barry Cup Semi Finals: Crescent Comp. v St. Munchin's, Crescent Comp, 2.30;
C.B.C. v P.B.C., Lansdowne, 2.30;

Kidney Cup Semi Finals: C.B.C. v Crescent College Comp., Lansdowne, 2.30;
P.B.C. v Ardscoil Ris, Wilton, 2.30;