Bank Of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup Launch

The Bank Of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup launch was held in Bank Of Ireland O'Connell Street, Limerick, last Wednesday. In attendance were a cohort of players as well as club, Bank Of Ireland and Munster Branch representatives. Speaking at the launch Munster Branch President, Brendan Foley, mentioned how great it was to have such a historic competition like the Munster Senior Challenge Cup supported by Bank of Ireland. With the players in attendance representing 10 of the 14 clubs involved in the competition, the chat quickly turned to favourite memories from past Senior Cups. Reminiscing on years gone by Henry Buttimer from Clonmel RFC said his favourite memory was beating Old Crescent in last year's edition. "They were two divisions above us in AIL so it took us by surprise but it was a great boost going into the remainder of the season." Carl Madden from Old Crescent RFC added: "My favourite memory would be making the semi-final a couple of years ago and hopefully this year we'll be able to take it one step further." Young Munster RFC's Alan Kennedy said: "As a proud Young Munster man I have to say the memory that stands out to me the most is doing the three-in-a-row the year before last." This year's Senior Challenge Cup will get underway on Saturday the 31st of August with the 14 teams being split into four groups. An open draw will then take place to determine the semi-final lineups.

Group 1 – Highfield RFC, Nenagh Ormond RFC, Shannon RFC, Cork Constitution FC

Week 1 – Saturday 31st August (KO 2:30pm) Highfield v Nenagh Ormond Shannon v Cork Constitution Week 2 – Saturday 7th September (KO 2:30pm) Highfield v Shannon Nenagh Ormond v Cork Constitution Week 3 – Saturday 23rd November (KO 2:30pm) Cork Constitution v Highfield Shannon v Nenagh Ormond

Group 2 – Garryowen FC, Young Munster RFC, University College Cork RFC

Week 1 – Saturday 31st August (KO 2:30pm) Garryowen v Young Munster Week 2 – Saturday 7th September (KO 2:30pm) UCC v Garryowen Week 3 – Thursday 12th September (KO 7:30pm) Young Munster v UCC

Group 3 – Clonmel RFC, Bruff RFC, UL Bohemian RFC, Cashel RFC

Week 1 – Saturday 31st August (KO 2:30pm) Clonmel v Bruff UL Bohemian v Cashel Week 2 – Saturday 7th September (KO 2:30pm) Bruff v UL Bohemian Clonmel v Cashel Week 3 – Saturday 23rd November (KO 2:30pm) Cashel v Bruff UL Bohemian v Clonmel

Group 4 – Old Crescent RFC, Dolphin RFC, Midleton RFC

Week 1 – Saturday 31st August (KO 2:30pm) Old Crescent v Dolphin Week 2 – Saturday 7th September (KO 2:30pm) Midleton v Old Crescent Week 3 – Saturday 23rd November (KO 2:30pm) Dolphin v Midleton