The 2026 Munster Cricket Union season enters Week 4 with a massive schedule of 14 matches across various divisions. After a competitive Bank Holiday weekend, teams are beginning to find their rhythm, with promotion races and local rivalries starting to heat up.
Here is your comprehensive preview for the upcoming fixtures.
Saturday, 9 May
MCU Division 2 (40 Overs)
- Limerick Blasters CC 2nd XI vs. UCC CC 1st XI
- Venue: Croker’s Oval, Ballyneety | Time: 11:00am
- The Story: A high-stakes clash between two sides with very different styles. The Blasters’ second string will look to utilize home advantage at Ballyneety to stifle the free-scoring UCC students. Keep an eye on UCC’s spin department, which often thrives in these mid-over grinds.
- Cork Harlequins CC 3rd XI vs. Limerick CC 3rd XI
- Venue: Farmers Cross, Cork | Time: 11:00am
- The Story: Quins’ depth at Farmers Cross is legendary, but Limerick’s 3rd XI showed grit in the opening rounds. This match likely comes down to who handles the early morning moisture better on the Farmers Cross deck.
- Waterford Vikings 1st XI vs. Cork County CC 3rd XI
- Venue: Gracedieu West, Co. Waterford | Time: 11:00am
- The Story: The Vikings are looking to make Gracedieu a fortress this season. Cork County’s 3rd XI brings a mix of youth development and veteran experience, making them a “banana skin” opponent for any top side.
MCU Division 4 & 5 (40 Overs)
- Lismore CC 2nd XI vs. Midleton CC 3rd XI (Div 4)
- Venue: Castlelands, Lismore | Time: 11:00am
- The Story: A classic East Cork/West Waterford derby. Castlelands is a picturesque ground but can be a testing place for visiting batters if Lismore’s seamers find their line early.
- County Kerry CC 5th XI vs. Nenagh CC 4th XI (Div 5)
- Venue: Oyster Oval, Tralee | Time: 11:00am
- Limerick CC 4th XI vs. Waterford Vikings 2nd XI (Div 5)
- Venue: The Manor Fields, Adare | Time: 12:00pm
Sunday, 10 May
MCU Division 1 (45 Overs)
- Midleton CC 2nd XI vs. Cork Harlequins CC 2nd XI
- Venue: Townparks, Midleton | Time: 11:00am
- The Big One: Midleton’s 2nd XI are flying high after a dominant 95-run win last week where Danish Iqbal claimed a 5-wicket haul. However, Harlequins 2s are fresh off a nail-biting win against Cork County, led by the all-round heroics of Umer Khan. This is a battle for Division 1 supremacy.
- Cork County CC 2nd XI vs. Clare CC 2nd XI
- Venue: The Mardyke, Cork | Time: 11:00am
- The Story: The Mardyke provides the grandest stage for this second-team clash. County will look to bounce back from last week’s narrow loss, while Clare’s 2nd XI will aim to exploit any fatigue in the County bowling lineup.
MCU Division 3 (40 Overs)
- Cork Harlequins CC 4th XI vs. Limerick Blasters CC 3rd XI (Farmers Cross, 11:00am)
- Lismore CC 1st XI vs. County Kerry CC 3rd XI (Castlelands, 11:00am)
- Clare CC 4th XI vs. Waterford & District CC 1st XI (Ballycasey, 11:00am)
Youth & Women’s Super League
- U15 Superleague: Cork Harlequins vs. County Galway (Farmers Cross, 12:00pm)
- Women’s Super League (The Manor Fields, Adare):
- A massive “Triple Header” in Adare starting at 12:00pm. Limerick CC, Lismore CC, and County Galway will face off in a round-robin format that will test the endurance and squad depth of all three clubs.
Ground Conditions: Expect Oyster Oval and Farmers Cross to offer some early assistance to the bowlers. Conversely, The Manor Fields and The Mardyke are expected to be the pick of the batters’ wickets this weekend.
