Preview | Munster Senior Challenge Cup And Women’s AIL Kick Off

The Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup gets underway this weekend, together with the Women’s All Ireland League.

There is also plenty of local action in North Munster, South Munster, East Munster and Kerry.

On Friday, Old Crescent entertain Nenagh Ormond at Takumi Park in the opening round of the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup. and the winners will have home advantage against Garryowen or Midleton, who meet at Dooradoyle, on Saturday along with the other six ties. This game also doubles up as a Sporting Limerick Charity Cup semi-final with Shannon awaiting the winners in the final.

Clonmel welcome Sunday’s Well, who last won the trophy in 1994, to South Tipperary. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage against UL Bohemian, whose last triumph was in 1962, or holders Young Munster, who meet at 4GUL.

Dolphin, who last won the trophy in 1956, entertain Cork Constitution and the winners will be at home to Cashel or Newcastle West, who meet at the Spafield. This is the West Limerick side’s first time entering the Munster Senior Cup, while Cashel made the semi-finals in 2005, when they were still a Junior Club.

Bruff host Highfield and the winners will play either Shannon or UCC who play on Wednesday night in Coonagh.

The Women’s All Ireland League gets underway this weekend.

Ballincollig are away to Galwegians and UL Bohemian travel to take on Old Belvedere at Ollie Campbell Park.

UL Bohemian RFC get their women’s All Ireland League campaign underway against Old Belvedere this weekend ©INPHO

In North Munster, on Friday evening, St Mary’s entertain Thomond in the quarter-finals of the Transfield Cup. The winners will be away to Bruff or Old Crescent, who meet at Kilballyowen Park on Sunday.

UL Bohemian take on Richmond in a first round tie at Annacotty and the winners will be at home to Shannon.

The quarter finals of the Cork County Cup and the O’Neill Cup are down for decision this weekend in South Munster.

In the quarter finals of the Cork County Cup, Crosshaven welcome Skibbereen to Myrtleville Cross and the winners will be rewarded with a home semi-final against North Cork neighbours Mallow or Kanturk.

Holders Muskerry travel to Rathcooney to take on Old Christians and the winners will be at home to the winners of the West Cork derby between Clonakilty and Bandon at The Vale.

Youghal lock horns with Cobh Pirates in the O’Neill Cup at Frogmore on Wednesday evening.

On Sunday, holders Ballincollig welcome Bantry Bay to Tanner Park and Charleville take on Kinsale at Smith’s Road.

Proceedings get underway in East Munster in first round of the Mansergh Cup on Sunday.

Newport are at home to Scariff and the winners will have a home quarter final against Carrick-on-Suir or Galbally-Mitchelstown, who meet at Tybroughney.

Kilfeacle entertain Waterpark and the winners will be at home to Fethard or Nenagh Ormond, who meet in South Tipperary.

Thurles lock horns with Clanwilliam and the winners will be at home to holders Cashel or Clonmel, who meet at the Spafield.

In Kerry, the concluding group matches of the McElligott Cup are down for decision.

Holders Killarney go head to head with near neighbours Killorglin, over whom they hold a one-point advantage. A draw will suffice for Killarney, but this is a must-win game for Killorglin if they are to reach the McElligott Cup decider.

Tralee should prove too strong for Listowel at O’Dowd Park and should get the win that would see them through to the final.