Holders Ashbourne Drawn At Home In All-Ireland Junior Cup First Round
The draw for the first round of this season’s All-Ireland Junior Cup has been revealed. There are three former winners in the mix for the 2018/19 title, with current holders Ashbourne joined by fellow Leinster clubs Enniscorthy and Dundalk.
Two-in-a-row All-Ireland Junior Cup champions Ashbourne start their defence of this coveted trophy against Westport, while last season’s runners up, Kilfeacle & District, are on the road to Wicklow who have made a promising start to the new campaign under player-coach George Naoupu.
Enniscorthy, who won the title in 2014 and again in 2016, will have their eyes firmly on the prize but they will have to negotiate a tricky trip to Richmond, the early Munster Junior League Division 1 leaders, in the first round if they are to challenge again this year.
2015 champions Dundalk are also on the road in round 1 as they make the trip north to Belfast club Instonians, former finalists but beaten at the quarter-final stage last season. John Andress has stepped up as Inst head coach this season, assisted by former Ulster and Ireland scrum half Paul Marshall.
Reigning Connacht Junior Plate champions Monivea, who were beaten finalists in 2011 and 2012 editions of the All-Ireland Junior Cup, make the trip to Gareth Fry’s CIYMS side, while Connemara, who lost narrowly in the quarter-finals last year, are at home to Ballyclare.
Waterpark are back in the tournament for the first time since 2009. They are at home to cup newcomers Carrickfergus on the opening day, and the meeting of Creggs and Clonmel completes the fixtures. The Pat Cunningham-coached Creggs have Maurice Buckley, brother of Connacht prop Denis, playing in their front row.
The first round of All-Ireland Junior Cup games takes place on Saturday, October 27, with the quarter-finals on November Saturday, 10 and the semis down for decision on Saturday, December 15. The final will take place on Saturday, January 26.
ALL-IRELAND JUNIOR CUP FIRST ROUND: Saturday, October 27
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
WICKLOW v KILFEACLE & DISTRICT, Ashtown Lane
CONNEMARA v BALLYCLARE, Monastery Field
RICHMOND v ENNISCORTHY, Richmond Park
CIYMS v MONIVEA, Belmont
INSTONIANS v DUNDALK, Shaw’s Bridge
WATERPARK v CARRICKFERGUS, Ballinakill
ASHBOURNE v WESTPORT, Milltown
CREGGS v CLONMEL, the Green
ALL-IRELAND JUNIOR CUP – LIST OF CHAMPIONS:
2018 – Ashbourne
2017 – Ashbourne
2016 – Enniscorthy
2015 – Dundalk
2014 – Enniscorthy
2013 – Tullamore
2012 – Tullamore
2011 – Crosshaven
2010 – City of Derry
2009 – Tullamore
2008 – Navan
2007 – Seapoint
2006 – Rainey Old Boys