Holders Crosshaven face testing junior cup trip to Belfast

CROSSHAVEN will defend their All-Ireland Junior Cup with a long trip to Belfast where they face Cooke tomorrow.

The Cork side will aim to draw on last year’s experience where they were impressive in their away matches.

They have not got off to the best start in their league but have plenty of talent. If their forwards can put in a big display and make good ground in the loose, they will have a good chance of progressing.

Richmond also face a trip to the North’s capital where they will take on Academy. There has been some turnover in their squad but still possess a talented bunch of players. It will be a tough test, but they should give Academy a tough game.

Kilfeacle and Tralee will both relish the distraction of the Cup having endured losses in their opening three league matches. Kilfeacle face a relatively short trip to Tullamore. It will be a tough ask for the Tipperary club but they will hope to put in a strong performance.

Tralee have surprisingly had a poor start but with lots of talented players they should get back to winning ways at some stage. A trip to the capital, where they face Coolmine, will be a tough test for the Kerry outfit as the home side will start as favourites.

In the other matches, Coleraine host Tuam while Monivea travel to Skerries. Ballina make the long trip east to take on Dundalk, while Portadown host Westport.

Last week’s postponed clash between Galbally and Thurles has been rescheduled for this Sunday. Last season’s Division Two champions will be confident of going back up to the top with Clonmel and Skibbereen. A bonus-point win will see them go clear at the top by a point. Thurles are likely to struggle but few teams will take many points at Galbally and a strong effort should bode well for the rest of the season.

There is a full schedule in Divisions Two and Three. Youghal currently top the Second Division and they host an unbeaten Mallow. It will be a tough task for the north Cork side to keep their line intact against Youghal’s potent attack. If they can put in a big defensive display they will have a chance.

Presentation have made a strong start to life at this level and could be a team to watch out for. Despite being on the road to Ennis the Limerick club may fancy extending their unbeaten run. St Mary’s are another in-form Limerick side on the road where they will need to be fully focused as they play Castleisland.

Kinsale are the other unbeaten side but can take nothing for granted as a hardened Newcastle West side are set to host them. Muskerry will be aiming to follow up on their opening day derby victory over Ballincollig with a similar performance against Bandon who snatched a draw against Ennis last week.

Ballincollig and Scariff both only have a losing bonus point so far. With home advantage the Cork side will be expecting to get back to winning ways but the Clare side won’t fear their more experienced opponents. Newport are the only side without a point but won’t get anything easy despite hosting Killarney.

Killorglin currently have maximum points in Division Three, having been in superb scoring form. A trip to Abbeyfeale should test their attacking ability.

Dungarvan will be looking to extend their unbeaten run at Kilrush while Fermoy will be aiming for revenge for their Martin Sullivan Cup defeat as they travel to Charleville.

High-scoring Douglas host Waterford City while the clash between Bantry Bay and Corca Dhuibhne should be an intense cross-border battle. Dunmanway will hope that home advantage can count as they play Carrick-on-Suir.