Rugby clubs head back to league action
A weekend of cup action followed by a Sunday off last weekend means that the local Munster Junior rugby sides should be all rearing to go this Sunday when they head back into Munster Junior League action.
North and Mid-Cork sides have been acquitting themselves really well since the three league competitions began back in September and all will be hoping to continue, or even improve, on their respective results and performances from here to the busy Christmas period – and hopefully beyond.
THE biggest game of the provincial junior rugby weekend is most definitely the clash between Mallow and Newcastle West this Sunday at the latter’s home venue.
Mallow will be keen to push on from their very positive start in the J1, a start that sees them continue to top the table however the one side that have gone toe to toe with the Blackwater Valley side is the squad that will be welcoming the Cork squad to Limerick this Sunday.
A trip to Limerick to face the only other side on 14 points after three games and while a loss here is unlikely to be a disaster, there are plenty other sides within striking distance that will be looking for at least one of these two sides to slip up in the coming weeks.
Three wins apiece, with two bonus point wins each, goes a long way to showing just how well-balanced things have been to this point – something that is likely to change by Sunday afternoon.
MUNSTER J-LEAGUE DIVISION 2
FERMOY will make the trip to Tipp to take on Fethard & District with both sides looking to advance up what is a very competitive league table.
Fermoy come into this game sitting eight in the table while their opponents have failed to win any of their opening three fixtures which sees them sit 11thof 14.
Fermoy have all the qualities required to win this encounter but they will need to put in their best performance of the season so far if they want to get moving in the right direction.
Muskerry’s trip to Cobh to take on the Pirates is another big test for the Mid-Cork side – a side well capable of getting themselves back in league contention with a positive result.
Cobh have been poor so far however they will be competitive at home, something the visitors will need to deal with early this Sunday.
Muskerry have already managed two wins from three this season and should feel they are well capable of making it three from four – that said, Cobh will know that they could scupper Muskerry’s chances of improving their chances.
Charleville are the only local side to have a home fixture in the
J2 this Sunday as they welcome Thurles to the Limerick border town for what will be a hard to call battle from start to finish.
The home side currently sit two spots above the visitors in the J2 and will hope to see that gap widen with a positive result this weekend.
The big game in the J2 will take place in Waterford where Kanturk will take on Dungarvan on Sunday. The sides currently share top spot with three wins each. The winner of this hard to call clash will be well on their way to challenging for a promotion place but getting past each other will be a big test for all concerned.
MUNSTER J-LEAGUE DIVISION 3
LAST up this Sunday is Mitchelstown’s
home game with Douglas/ Carrigaline in the J3. Both sides need to improve on their recent displays if they are to get back in contention for one of the promotion places and this game will provide both with the opportunity to do just that. It’s a big day for Mitchelstown if they want to get back to the J2.
FIXTURES
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3 AT 2.30PM
Munster J-League Division 1 Round 4 Newcastle West v Mallow
Munster J-League Division 2 Round 4 Dungarvan v Kanturk
Fethard v Fermoy
Cobh Pirates v Muskerry Charleville v Thurles
Munster J-League Division 3 Round 4 Mitchelstown v Douglas/Carrigaline
Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald