Weekend’s Preview

In a relatively quiet weekend there are a handful of games at both Senior and Junior levels as the festive season approaches.

Proceedings get underway on Thursday evening as Richmond lock horns with Shannon at Richmond Park in the first semi-final of the Transfield Cup. The winners will meet St Mary’s or Newcastle West in the decider. These sides go head-to-head next Tuesday evening in the second semi-final at Grove Island.

The only game in the All Ireland League sees Sunday’s Well taking on second-placed Rainey Old Boys at Irish Independent Park kick off 2pm. The Leesiders are hovering above the drop zone in eighth place following a run of three successive defeats. Their last victory was against Belfast Harlequins at the same venue in October.

Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup holders Cork Constitution continue their bid for a sixth successive title as they travel to Limerick to take on Garryowen. This is the third successive weekend that these sides have met with their recent clashes in the All Ireland League resulting in one home win apiece.

Bruff, who won the trophy for the only time in their history in 2011, take on UL Bohemian in the other semi-final at Kilballyowen Park. UL Bohemian last reached the decider in 2013 and have not won the trophy since 1962.

The semi-finals of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup are down for decision in West Tipperary on Sunday with three Premier County sides involved.

Holders Kilfeacle continue their defence of the trophy with a home tie against Clonmel and Clanwilliam welcome Waterpark to Tipperary Town.

In the quarter-finals of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield, Ballincollig travel to the Kingdom to face Killarney and the winners will be away to Muskerry in the semi-finals on January 7th.