Weekend Preview

There is a full programme of games across all three divisions of the Munster Junior League down for decision this weekend.

There is also one tie in the Munster Women’s Open Bowl.

Sunday’s Well and Skibbereen get the show on the road as they go head to head at Musgrave Park on Saturday evening in Division 1. Sunday’s Well, who have slipped to fourth following their 38-22 defeat by Kilfeacle in the Premier County, will have their work cut out as the West Cork side go into the tie on the back of a narrow 24-22 home win over Clanwilliam.

Unbeaten Mallow, who are a point behind new leaders Thurles in second place, face a tricky task as they welcome Muskerry to North Cork. Mallow ran out 17-10 away winners over Charleville, while the Sky Blues go in to the tie on the back of a 30-24 home win over Kanturk.

Thomond and Kilfeacle, who are both unbeaten and are sharing third place on 15 points each, lock horns at Liam Fitzgerald Park. Thomond claimed all points on offer from their 33-16 away win over Bandon, while Kilfeacle recorded a 38-22 bonus point win against Sunday’s Well in West Tipperary.

Seventh-placed Kanturk entertain Bandon, who are second from bottom with Charleville on two points apiece, at the Duhallow venue. Kanturk claimed a losing bonus point from their 30-24 defeat by Muskerry in Ballyanly, while the West Cork side go into the tie on the back of a 33-16 home defeat by Thomond. Bandon claimed their only points to date from their opening 18-18 draw with Skibbereen at the Carbery Showgrounds.

Newcastle West and Charleville go in search of their first wins of the campaign as they go head to head at the West Limerick venue. Newcastle West have claimed a losing point from each of their games to date, including their 20-18 defeat last time out by Clonakilty at the Vale. Charleville have two losing bonus point to their credit, including their 17-10 home defeat by Mallow.

Defending champions Richmond, who are surprisingly propping up the table on a single losing bonus point, welcome Clanwilliam, who share seventh spot with Muskerry and Kanturk, to Garryowen Green. Richmond were defeated 17-0 by Thurles in the Premier County last time out, while the Tipperary Town side go in to the tie on the back of a narrow 24-20 defeat by Skibbereen, from which they claimed a losing bonus point.

The Limerick side are playing Clanwilliam for the second successive weekend as Richmond ran out 25-13 winners in the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup in Tipperary Town.

In Division 2, unbeaten leaders Crosshaven, who have maximum-points from their games to date, entertain St Senan’s, who are joint-fifth with Fethard, at Myrtleville Cross. The Clare side claimed all points on offer from their 29-15 home win over Fermoy, while the Seasiders go into the tie on the back of as 33-5 home win over Galbally-Mitchelstown.

Second-placed Kinsale, who are also unbeaten, welcome Fethard, who share fifth-place with St Senan’s, to South Cork. Kinsale recorded a narrow bonus point 38-36 win over Tralee in the Kingdom, while the South Tipperary side also claimed all points on offer from their 26-12 home win over Ballincollig.

Unbeaten St Mary’s who are third, entertain fourth-placed Tralee at Grove Island. St Mary’s recorded a 29-12 maximum-point win over Old Christians last time out. Tralee claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries in their narrow 38-36 defeat by Kinsale at O’Dowd Park.

Abbeyfeale welcome Old Christians to West Limerick. Abbeyfeale claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 19-17 away defeat by Youghal last time out but they defeated the East Cork side 27-10 in the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield. Old Christians, following a promising start to the campaign with two bonus point wins, go into the tie on the back of a 29-12 home defeat by St Mary’s.

Fermoy and Cobh Pirates, who are both hovering above the drop zone lock horns at the Showgrounds. Fermoy were defeated 39-15 by St Senan’s in the Banner County, while the Pirates defeated Waterpark 31-24 at the Paddocks.

Waterpark, who are four points clear of the drop zone, entertain struggling Youghal at Ballinakill. The Suirsiders claimed a losing bonus point from their 31-24 defeat by Cobh Pirates in East Cork, while Youghal recorded a narrow 19-17 home win over Abbeyfeale.

Bottom side Galbally-Mitchelstown go in search of their first points of the campaign as they host Ballincollig, who are three points adrift of the drop zone. Galbally-Mitchelstown were defeated 33-5 by Crosshaven in South Cork, while Ballincollig lost 26-12 to Fethard in the Premier County.

Scariff, who hold a one-point lead at the top of Division 3, welcome Ardscoil Old Boys to East Clare. Scariff put up 13 points without reply against Carrick-on-Suir at Tybroughney last time out, while the Limerick side returned from their narrow 18-17 defeat by Waterford City on Suirside with a losing bonus point.

Dungarvan face a tough assignment as they welcome Ennis, who are unbeaten with a game in hand, to West Waterford. Dungarvan were defeated 23-10 by Ardscoil Old Boys in Limerick, while the Banner County side claimed all points on offer as they defeated Castleisland 41-24 at the Clare venue.

Castleisland, who surrendered their unbeaten start to the campaign against Ennis, losing 41-24 in the Banner County last time out, welcome Waterford City, who are sixth, to the Kingdom. Waterford City go into to the tie on the back of a narrow 18-17 home win over Ardscoil Old Boys.

Douglas are still seeking their first points of the campaign and they entertain Carrick-on-Suir at Castletreasure. Douglas were defeated 49-0 by Killorglin in Kerry last time out, while the South Tipperary side were defeated 13-0 by Scariff at Tybroughney.

There is a Kingdom derby as fifth-placed Killarney lock horns with near neighbours Killorglin, who are fourth, in East Kerry. Both sides go into the tie on the back of bonus point victories over Douglas.

In the Munster Women’ Open Bowl, Thurles go head to head with Mallow at the Mid Tipperary venue.