Weekend Preview

Across a busy St Patrick’s Weekend, the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup final is down for decision on Sunday.

Action continues in the Women’s All-Ireland League, together with games in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, Plate and Bowl Competitions.

There is also action in the Women’s Munster League.

On Sunday, a new name will be inscribed on the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup, as Nenagh Ormond go head to head with Old Crescent, with both side’s seeking their first title. Both sides are also appearing in the final for the second time. The North Tipperary side were defeated by Young Munster in their only appearance in the decider to date, in 2023. Old Crescent’s only previous appearance in the final was in 2009, when Cork Constitution claimed the trophy for the first time in 20 years.

Both Munster sides are in Dublin in the Women’s All-Ireland League.

The game of the day is the meeting of leaders Railway Union and UL Bohemian at Willow Lodge, with two points separating these sides. Railway Union claimed all points on offer from their 32-19 home win over Blackrock College in a Dublin derby. The Limerick side put up 47 points without reply against Old Belvedere at Annacotty in their last game and also claimed maximum points. Railway Union recorded a narrow 19-18 away win in October’s corresponding fixture, resulting in a losing bonus point for UL Bohemian.

Ballincollig, who have climbed up to seventh place, are away to Suttonians, who have slipped to eighth. Ballincollig ran out 34-12 home winners over Tullow and claimed maximum points. Suttonians go into the tie on the back of a 29-13 defeat by Wicklow in the Garden County. These sides played out a 10-10 draw at Tanner Park in October.

Action gets underway in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup as Kilfeacle, whose only triumph was in 2002, lock horns with Richmond, who last won the trophy in 1952, in West Tipperary. The winners will be away to 2019 winners Highfield in the next round.

Muskerry and Sunday’s Well go head to head at Ellis Park. The winners will be rewarded with a home tie against Charleville or 2014 winners Clonmel, who meet at Smith’s Road on Sunday.

In the only tie on Saturday, Ballincollig welcome Shannon, who last won the trophy in 2015, to Tanner Park. The winners will be away to 2017 winners Bandon or Midleton who won the trophy in 1997 and 1998 in the next round. Bandon take on Midleton at Old Chapel on Sunday.

On Sunday, Cashel, whose only triumph to date was in 2011, entertain 2023 winners Garryowen at the Spafield. The winners will be away to Old Crescent in the next round.

Cork Constitution, who last won the trophy in 2018, go head to head with Skibbereen at Temple Hill. The winners will have a home tie against Carrick-on-Suir.

St Mary’s who won the trophy in 1968, welcome 1965 winners Old Christians to Grove Island. The winners will be at home to Nenagh Ormond, whose last triumph was in 2014.

Newcastle West entertain Thomond, who last won the trophy as part of a three-in-a-row from 1989 to 1991 inclusive, at the West Limerick venue in the only fourth round tie down for decision, with a place in the quarter finals for the winners.

There are also three Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate quarter finals down for decision. On Friday evening, Bruff go head to head with Dolphin, who won the trophy in 1985, at Kilballyowen Park. The winners will be away to St Senan’s who won the trophy in 2008, or holders Fethard, who meet at Jimmy Slattery Park on Sunday, in the semi-finals.

Kinsale welcome Clanwilliam, whose only triumph was in 1994, to South Cork on Sunday. The winners will be away to Killarney in the semi-finals.

In the only game in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl, Scariff welcome 2017 winners Dungarvan to East Clare for their quarter final. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage against Youghal in the semi-finals.

In the Women’s Munster League, Dolphin welcome second-placed Shannon-TUS to Virgin Media Park. Dolphin were defeated 43-14 by Tralee in the Kingdom last time out. Shannon-TUS defeated Roaring Water Bay 66-15, to claim all points on offer from their last game at Coonagh in January.

Shannon-TUS put up 57 points without reply when they met Dolphin at Coonagh, in a game that also took place in January, to claim maximum points.

Roaring Water Bay, who are propping up the table, welcome Tralee, who are third to Bantry. Roaring Water Bay, who are still without a win, were defeated 28-0 by leaders Ennis-Kilrush last time out. Tralee go into the tie on the back of a 43-14 bonus point home win over Dolphin.

Proceedings get underway in the play-off stage in Division 2 of the Munster Women’s League.

Clonakilty welcome Bruff to West Cork and Thurles entertain Ballincollig in the Premier County.

UL Bohemian go head to head with Mallow at Annacotty.