FIXTURES | Junior rugby returns across all five conferences

THE Munster Junior League resumes this weekend with a full programme of games across all five conferences, however according to Munster branch, not all games may go ahead due to a shortage of referees.

Conference A sees Thomond and Kilfeacle put their unbeaten records on the line at Liam Fitzgerald Park on Sunday’s most highly anticipated game of the conference.

The West Tipp club hold a single point advantage over Thomond as they earned maximum points from their 34-30 away win over St Senan’s in their opener, followed by a narrow 23-21 home win over Richmond. Thomond ran out 24-16 away winners over Clanwilliam in their last fixture.

Abbeyfeale, who are joint fourth with West Limerick neighbours Newcastle West, host Clanwilliam, who are bottom of the table with zero points, following defeats by Thomond and Richmond. Abbeyfeale however, are off the back of a heavy defeat to Newcastle West.

Third-placed Richmond, who earned a losing bonus point from their narrow defeat by Kilfeacle, make the quick trip to Jimmy Slattery Park to take on St Senan’s. The Clare side are hoping for their first win following a 19-19 draw with Galbally.

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Galbally face a tricky task as they entertain County Limerick neighbours Newcastle West, who if you recall, displayed a dominant home win over Abbeyfeale. Galbally picking up their first points from their 19-19 draw against St Senan’s.

Crosshaven and Mallow kick off the action in Conference B at Myrtleville Cross on Saturday evening. The Seasiders were defeated 34-12 by Old Christians at Rathcooney in their last fixture, while Mallow are on the hunt for their first win of the season.

Waterpark, who are joint second with Bandon, challenge leaders Muskerry at Ballinakill. The Sky Blues hold a two-point lead over the Suirsiders as they earned max-point wins over Clonakilty and Mallow, while Waterpark go into the clash on the back of victories over Cork clubs Clonakilty and Skibbereen.

Bandon go head to head with West Cork neighbours Clonakilty, who are seeking their first points at Old Chapel. Bandon go into the tie on the back of wins over Mallow and Old Christians, while Clonakilty were defeated by Waterpark and Muskerry in their games so far.

Skibbereen, who have one losing bonus point to their credit, face lofty task as they welcome Old Christians to the Carbery Showgrounds. The Rathcooney side claimed all five points from their home win over Crosshaven.

Conference C leaders Thurles recorded bonus point wins in both of their games to date are at home to Premier County neighbours Fethard, who are joint third with Dungarvan. Fethard earned max points from their 35-19 home win over Ennis last time out.

Dungarvan, who lost 39-6 to Thurles, face a tough task as they welcome second-placed Scariff, who remain unbeaten, to West Waterford. The East Clare side go into the clash on the back of slim victories over Waterford City and Mitchelstown.

Ennis welcome Mitchelstown to the Banner County, with both sides seeking their first wins of the season. The Clare club were defeated 35-19 by Fethard in South Tipperary, while Mitchelstown claimed a losing bonus point from their opener against Scariff.

Waterford City welcome St Mary’s to Suirside, with both sides also seeking their first wins. The Limerick side are on two point points from their 23-23 draw against Ennis in their only game to date, while City picked up a losing bonus point from their very narrow 6-5 defeat by Scariff in East Clare.

There are two Cork derbies to look forward to in Conference D, one of which being the top of the table clash between leaders Ballincollig and Fermoy, who are joint second with Kanturk.

The Mid Cork side’s two victories so far were against Kerry opposition, as they recorded a bonus point home win over Tralee and followed it up with an away win over Killorglin. Fermoy are four points behind Ballincollig as they claimed all points on offer from their 28-5 home win over Cobh Pirates at the Showgrounds last time out.

Kanturk, who ran out 39-11 home winners over Fermoy in their only game to date, entertain Cobh Pirates, who were defeated by Fermoy at the Showgrounds.

Charleville, who claimed a losing bonus point against Kinsale in their only game of the season so far, welcome Tralee to Smith’s Road. Tralee sit at the bottom of the table with zero points.

Lastly in Conference E, Bantry Bay will have their work cut out as they host Castleisland, who recorded bonus point wins over Chorca Dhuibhne and Dunmanway, in their games to date.

The West Cork side are seeking their first win of the season, having claimed bonus points from defeats against Killarney and Douglas.

Killarney welcome Douglas to the Kingdom, with both sides tied in second place on five points apiece as they both recorded bonus point wins over Bantry Bay in their respective games to date.

Take a look at the full fixture list below:

Men’s Munster Junior League Conference A:

• Abbeyfeale v Clanwilliam, Abbeyfeale;
• Galbally v Newcastle West, Galbally;
• St. Senan’s v Richmond, Jim Slattery Park;
• Thomond v Kilfeacle, Liam Fitzgerald Park;

Conference B:

• Bandon v Clonakilty, Bandon;
• Skibbereen v Old Christians, Skibbereen;
• Waterpark v Muskerry, Ballinakill;

Conference C:

• Dungarvan v Scariff, Dungarvan;
• Ennis v Mitchelstown, Ennis;
• Fethard v Thurles, Fethard;
• Waterford City v St. Mary’s, Waterford;

Conference D:

• Ballincollig v Fermoy, Tanner Park;
• Charleville v Tralee, Charleville;
• Kanturk v Cobh Pirates, Kanturk;

Conference E:

• Bantry Bay v Castleisland, Bantry;
• Killarney v Douglas, Killarney;

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