FIXTURES | Top of the table clash between Thomond and Bandon the pick of the Junior Rugby ties

A preview of this weekends club action across the province

The game of the day in Section A of the Munster Junior League is the top of the table clash between Thomond and Bandon at Liam Fitzgerald Park. The West Cork side are unbeaten as they defeated Richmond 30-12 at Old Chapel last time out, while Thomond go into the tie on the back of a maximum-point 27-21 away win over Waterpark.

Newcastle West, who are joint second with Thomond, welcome Waterpark, who share third place with Richmond and Kilfeacle, to West Limerick. Newcastle West claimed all points on offer from their 31-25 victory over Old Christians at Rathcooney, while the Suirsiders claimed a losing bonus point from their 27-21 home defeat by Thomond.

Third-placed Kilfeacle go head to head with Old Christians in West Tipperary. Kilfeacle claimed maximum points from their narrow 36-32 away win over Muskerry, while the Rathcooney side claimed a losing bonus point from their last game against Newcastle West.

In section B, Mallow, who are fourth following their 13-7 away win over Galbally, face a tricky task as they lock horns with second-placed Abbeyfeale at the North Cork venue. Mallow ran out 13-7 away winners over Galbally, while the West Limerick side put up ten points without reply against Crosshaven.

Fifth-placed Skibbereen welcome Galbally, who are propping up the table to the Carbery Showgrounds. Skibbereen go into the tie on the back of a 35-8 defeat by Clanwilliam in Tipperary Town. The County Limerick side claimed a losing bonus point from their 13-7 home defeat by Mallow, to add to two points gained from a 19-19 draw against St Senan’s in October.

Unbeaten leaders Clanwilliam travel to West Cork to take on Clonakilty. The Tipperary Town side go into the tie on the back of a 35-8 bonus point home win over Skibbereen. Clonakilty claimed a losing bonus point from their 12-6 defeat by St Senan’s in the Banner County.

Third-placed Crosshaven entertain St Senan’s at Myrtleville Cross. The Seasiders were defeated 10-0 by Abbeyfeale in West Limerick, while the Clare side recorded a valuable 12-6 home win over Clonakilty last time out.

Kanturk, who are unbeaten in Section C and playing for a higher ranking, are away to sixth-placed Fethard. The Duhallow side put up 29 points without reply against Kinsale at the South Cork venue in their last game. The South Tipperary side claimed all points on offer from their comprehensive 49-5 home win over Waterford City in December.

Second-placed Thurles are at home to Fermoy. The Premier County side ran out 38-5 home winners over Scariff in their last game in November. Fermoy defeated Killorglin 15-7 in Mid Kerry last time out.

Dungarvan welcome Ballincollig to West Waterford. Dungarvan claimed a losing bonus point from their 5-0 away defeat by Ennis before Christmas, while the Mid Cork side also claimed a losing bonus point from a 12-10 defeat by Charleville at Smith’s Road.

Killorglin, who are third in Section D following their 27-14 bonus point win over Scariff in East Clare, welcome Ennis to Mid Kerry. Ennis ran out 5-0 home winners over Dungarvan in their last game.

Tralee are joint second with Ennis and they entertain Waterford City in the Kingdom. The Kerry side recorded a maximum point 22-18 home win over Cobh Pirates last time out, while the Suirsiders won their last game, 13-12 against Ennis in the Banner County.

Cobh Pirates lock horns with Scariff at the Paddocks. The East Clare side go into the tie on the back of a 27-14 home defeat by Killorglin, while the Pirates returned home from the Kingdom with a losing bonus point from their last game against Tralee.

The game of the day in Conference E is the Kingdom derby, which sees unbeaten leaders Castleisland making the short trip to near neighbours Killarney, who are second. Castleisland ran out 29-24 winners when these sides met in November and Killarney returned home with a losing bonus point. Killarney ran out 36-26 winners over Chorca Dhuibhne in their last game, from which they claimed all points on offer, while Castleisland’s last game was a 15-5 away win over Youghal.

Chorca Dhuibhne, who are still seeking their first points, will have their work cut out as they travel to West Cork to take on third-placed Bantry Bay, who are in with an outside chance of achieving a higher ranking. The West Kerry Gaeltacht side lost their last game 36-26 against Killarney in East Kerry. Bantry Bay will be looking to make it two wins out of two as they recorded a comprehensive 40-5 bonus point win, when these sides met in West Kerry.

In Division 2 of the Munster Women’s League, the game of the day is the meeting of leaders Skibbereen and second-placed Waterpark at Ballinakill, with both sides going into the tie on the back of victories over Dolphin. Skibbereen won September’s corresponding fixture in West Cork on a 19-10 scoreline.

Third-placed Ballincollig host bottom side Dolphin at Tanner Park. The Mid Cork side claimed all points on offer when they ran out 27-5 home winners over Bantry Bay in their last game in November.

Dolphin, who have one losing bonus point to their credit, go into the tie on the back of a heavy defeat by Waterpark. Ballincollig claimed maximum points from November’s corresponding fixture where they put up 46 points without reply.