Weekend Preview

The New Year gets underway with one game in Division 2C of the Men’s All-Ireland League, involving Munster Clubs, and locally, there is a full program of games in Divisions 1 and 2 of the Munster Junior League, together with a Cork Charity Cup quarter final tie.

Thomond welcome Midleton to Liam Fitzgerald Park for their Division 2C encounter in the Men’s All-Ireland League, which was postponed from early December. The Limerick side are in second place and they recorded a narrow 20-17 away win over Bruff in their last game. Midleton have slipped into the relegation places, following their 19-15 home defeat by Monkstown, where they claimed a losing bonus point.

Proceedings get underway in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League as unbeaten leaders Kilfeacle entertain 2022 champions Newcastle West, who are presently in mid-table. The Premier County side claimed all points on offer from their last game, which they won 24-13 against Mallow at the North Cork venue. Newcastle West also claimed maximum points last time out as they recorded a 36-28 home win over Bandon.

Second-placed Clonakilty travel to Mid Cork to take on bottom side Muskerry. Clonakilty go into the tie on the back of a narrow 18-17 home win over Clanwilliam. The Sky Blues defeated Thurles 23-21 in the Premier County, to record their first win of the campaign.

Mallow, who are third, travel to the Carbery Showgrounds, to take on Skibbereen. Both sides lost their last games, as Mallow were defeated 24-13 at home by Kilfeacle. Skibbereen are second from bottom and they lost 24-14 agaisnt Sunday’s Well at Virgin Media Park.

Fourth-placed Sunday’s Well host Old Christians, who are presently in mid-table, at Virgin Media Park. Sunday’s Well ran out 24-14 home winners over Skibbereen, following two successive defeats by St Mary’s and Richmond, which were both played in Limerick. Old Christians go into the tie on the back of a 35-31 home win over St Mary’s in a game which produced ten tries.

St Mary’s, who share sixth place with Limerick neighbours Richmond, welcome fifth-placed Kanturk to MultiFlow Park. St Mary’s were defeated 35-31 away in their last game by Old Christians. They returned with two bonus points, as they scored five tries in a ten-try thriller. Kanturk were held to a 33-33 draw by Skibbereen at the Duhallow venue. This game also produced five tries apiece, resulting in three points for Kanturk.

Clanwilliam lock horns with Richmond in Tipperary Town. Clanwilliam are two points clear of the drop zone, tied on 14 points with Premier County neighbours Thurles. They returned from their narrow 18-17 defeat by Clonakilty in West Cork with a losing bonus point. Richmond are joint-sixth with Limerick neighbours St Mary’s and they defeated Sunday’s Well 11-5 at home in their last game.

Bandon welcome Thurles to Old Chapel, with both sides hovering above the relegation places. Bandon are one point clear of the drop zone and they lost their last game 36-28 to Newcastle West in County Limerick. They returned with a bonus point as they scored four tries. Thurles, who are on 14 points, claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 23-21 home defeat to bottom side Muskerry.

In Division 2, unbeaten leaders Crosshaven entertain Fermoy, who are five points clear of the relegation places, at Myrtleville Cross. The South Cork side claimed all points on offer from their 26-17 away win over Waterpark at the end of November. Fermoy go into the tie on the back of a 22-14 home defeat by Youghal.

Second-placed Kinsale host Carrick-on-Suir, who are presently in mid-table, with both sides going into the tie on the back of maximum-point victories. Kinsale defeated Castleisland 27-5 in the Kingdom. Carrick-on-Suir recorded a 38-29 home win over Ballincollig.

Youghal, who share third place with Waterpark, go head to head with Charleville in East Cork. The Seasiders recorded a maximum-point 22-14 away win over Fermoy last timeout. Charleville, who are sixth, ran out 26-19 home winners over Ennis.

Waterpark make the relatively short trip to Fethard. Waterpark lost their last game 26-17 at home to Crosshaven. Fethard recorded their first win of the campaign last time out, as they defeated Abbeyfeale 23-10 in a basement clash at the West Limerick venue.

Ballincollig, who are presently in mid-table, welcome bottom side Abbeyfeale to Tanner Park. Ballincollig were defeated 38-29 away by Carrick-on-Suir in their last game. Ballincollig also claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries. Abbeyfeale, who are still without a win, were defeated 23-10 at home by Fethard.

Cobh Pirates go head to head with Castleisland at the Paddocks and both sides are hovering above the drop zone. The Pirates are five points clear of the relegation places and they were defeated 31-14 by St Senan’s in the Banner County last time out. Castleisland also lost their last game, 27-5 against Kinsale at the Kerry venue.

Midleton and Dolphin get proceedings underway in the Cork Charity Cup at Towns Park. The winners will be rewarded with a home semi-final tie against holders Cork Constitution.