Bruff’s title defence to begin with

THE Heineken Munster Junior League gets under way this weekend, with the ultimate prize being a place in the AIL next season.

League champions Bruff begin their campaign with a difficult tie at home to Kilfeacle. The holders who came so close to winning a place in the senior ranks last season will be anxious for a good start to their campaign.

Kilfeacle were disappointing last week against Nenagh in the Cup and it would be a surprise if they were to return home with the points.

Second Division champions St. Mary's face a difficult task with a home tie against Nenagh Ormond. The Tipperary side who won all their games last season, but missed out on the title by point difference should get their challenge off to a winning start.

The other promoted side, Old Christians, entertain Clonmel at Rathcooney, following their big win over Killarney last weekend; Clonmel who lost away to Cashel could be travelling home empty handed.

Bandon host Crosshaven and both sides will be anxious for a winning start, ensuring a close contest. It is an East Cork derby in Youghal, where Cobh Pirates are the visitors.

Youghal will want to get put last week's disappointing defeat by Ennis out of their system and what better way then a win over their neighbours, but Cobh, after a disappointing last season.

should get off to a winning start.

St. Senan's, having established themselves in the top flight, will be hoping to be amongst the chasing pack for honours this season. They start with a trip to Clanwilliam, but may find the home side a handful and will do well to pick up a point for their efforts.

In the Second Division, relegated Thurles, anxious for a quick return to the top flight, begin their campaign with a trip to Ballincollig and will start as favourites to take the points. The home side scored six tries last week at home to Newport, but this game should give a real indication whether they will challenge for honours.

The other Tipperary side in this division, Cashel, have been making the headlines in recent weeks with some outstanding performances and are likely to be one of the main contenders for promotion. They start with a home tie against Waterford City and should have little difficulty in collecting the points.

Castleisland, trying to pick up the pieces after their relegation from the top flight, begin with a home tie against Skibbereen. The West Cork side have had some good results at home recently and, if they can reproduce that form, they could get off to a winning start.

Ennis, boosted by that great win over Youghal last week, will be confident of a home victory against Tralee. The Kerry side will be anxious to banish memories of last week's disappointing performance in Mallow.

Douglas, who have faltered in the final run in for promotion in recent seasons, had an impressive win over Muskerry last week and should get their challenge off to a winning start at home to Kanturk.

Charleville begin their campaign with a home tie against Muskerry; and both suffered disappointing results last week in the Cup. Muskerry are struggling with injuries at the moment and if they can pick from a near full panel, should collect the points.

Galbally, having won all their league games in the Third Division last season and still missed out on promotion, have not made a good start to this season. They entertain Newcastle West in their opening game and should get back to winning ways.

It is a North Cork derby at Fermoy, with Mallow as the visitors. Mallow, on a high after that win over Tralee, will be hoping to give themselves a further boost with another win, but in what should be a very close contest, the home side might shade it.

Carrick-on-Suir make the long journey to Dunmanway and when these sides met two weeks ago in the Cup, the home side had a big win and they will start as favourites to take the points.

Kinsale, despite last week's disappointing result at home to Thurles, will be confident of seeing off the challenge of Dungarvan at Snugmore.

Home advantage should also favour Newport at home to Killarney, but this time they may not have it as easy as in previous games against the Kerry side.

There are five games listed in the Munster Seconds League, a competition that is divided and will have promotion and relegation for the first time this season.