Weekend Rugby Preview

The Third Round of the Heineken Munster Junior Cup dominates the weekend’s club activities with some intriguing ties. Holders Cork Constitution are on their travels for the third time.

The Third Round of the Heineken Munster Junior Cup dominates the weekend’s club activities with some intriguing ties. Holders Cork Constitution are on their travels for the third time, on this occasion they visit Fitzgerald Park where they will face Thomond.

This tie brings back memories of the epic clashes these sides produced in the eighties and nineties. Thomond have struggled at this level since their promotion to Senior Ranks, but this year with the new Seconds League set up, they are on the verge of winning the Second Division. The Temple Hill side are set to win Division One and current form would indicate an away win, but probably by a close margin.

The meeting of UCC and Shannon at the Mardyke brings back memories of their 1996 final, when an inspired Johnny Pearce kicked fourteen points in Shannon’s 19-17 win over the Johnny Owens coached College side. Among the stars of the winning Shannon side that day were Marcus Horan and Colm McMahon who have gone on to higher things. Man of the Match on that occasion was Ian Sherwin, who is now helping out on the coaching side, as well as being a Rugby Development Officer with the Munster Branch.

Both these sides had surprising wins in the last round, with College beating Dolphin at Musgrave Park and Shannon over coming Kilfeacle in a thriller. A close contest can be expected with the students expected to shade it by a narrow margin. There are two all First Division clashes. Bruff entertain Richmond and while both are more focussed on the League, Bruff would like to win this trophy for the first time, as they aim for a clean sweep of trophies at this level and hopefully a place in the AIL next season.

Old Christians host Crosshaven at Rathcooney and the home side will be hoping to repeat their 27-10 success in the League a month ago. The Old Boys have lost their last two games, while Crosshaven had an impressive win away over Clanwilliam last week. There should be little between the sides with a hungrier Crosshaven side likely to shade it. Two sides chasing promotion in the Second Division will be hoping to advance at the expense of First Division opposition.

Leader’s Tralee travel to Clare to face St. Senan’s and on current form they should advance. Likewise Skibbereen should have the edge at home to Youghal. U.L. Bohemian after their success over Garryowen in the league last week, will by eyeing a quarter final spot with a victory over Thurles at Annacotty. Last season’s beaten finalist’s Nenagh Ormond should make sure of their name in Monday’s draw when they travel to Ballinakill to take on Waterpark.

The big game in the Junior Plate is the meeting of old rivals Bandon and holder’s Cobh Pirates at Old Chapel. Bandon are on a winning run at the moment and feel that they can put one over on the Pirates. Clanwilliam should bounce back to winning ways with a win over Old Crescent at Rosbrien. Charleville with home advantage should get the better of Fermoy in the North Cork derby. In the other remaining ties form would indicate that home advantage should see Cashel overcome Ennis, Garryowen against St. Mary’s and both Waterford City and Dungarvan should see off the West Cork challenge of Dunmanway and Clonakilty.

There are only two rounds remaining in the Under 20 League. U.C.C. should take another step towards winning the title with a home win over U.L. Bohemian. Garryowen their closest rivals should see off the challenge of Corinthians. Bruff should bounce back after two defeats with a win away to Sunday’s Well and Young Munster should continue their good run with a victory at home to Young Munster.

In Pool “B” both Buccaneers and Highfield should ensure their First Division status for next season with wins over Shannon and Waterpark. Thomond can give their hopes a boost with a win away to Galwegians and Old Crescent can pick up the points at home to N.U.I.G.

FRIDAY 13th FEBRUARY

Celtic League: Munster v Leinster,Musgrave Park,7.30;

Under 16 League Play Off: Sunday’s Well v Ballincollig,Cois Laoi,4.00;

SATURDAY 14th FEBRUARY

Six Nations: France v Ireland,Stade de France,2.00;

Webb Cup: St. Senan’s v Newcastle West,Shannon,12.00; Thomond v Bruff,Fitzgerald Park,12.15; Young Munster v Shannon,Derryknockane,12.00;

Evans League: Scariff v Nenagh Ormond,Scariff,2.30;

Under 20 South Western Conference – Pool 1: Garryowen v Corinthians,Dooradoyle,3.30; Sunday’s Well v Bruff,Musgrave Park,2.30; U.C.C. v U.L. Bohemian,Curaheen Road,12.00; Young Munster v Cork Constitution,Clifford Park,12.30;

Pool 2: Buccaneers v Shannon,Dubarry Park,2.30; Galwegians v Thomond,Crowley Park,2.30; Highfield v Waterpark,Woodleigh Park,2.30; Old Crescent v N.U.I.G.,Rosbrien,12.00;

Division 2 North: Ennis v Nenagh Ormond,Ennis,2.30; Kilfeacle v Newport,Kilfeacle,3.30; St. Senan’s v Ballina,Shannon,2.30;

Division 2 South: Cobh Pirates v Midleton,Cobh,12.00;

Junior 2 Friendly: Garryowen v Old Crescent,Dooradoyle,12.00;

Under 18 League: Ballincollig v Bandon,Ballincollig,11.30; Highfield v Skibbereen,Woodleigh Park,11.00; Sunday’s Well v Muskerry,Cois Laoi,11.00;

Under 18 Development League: Clonakilty v Old Christians,Clonakilty,11.30;

Under 16 League Semi-Final: Clonakilty v Youghal,Clonakilty,12.00;

SUNDAY 15th FEBRUARY

Munster Junior Cup: Bruff v Richmond,Bruff,2.30; Old Christians v Crosshaven,Rathcooney, 3.00; Skibbereen v Youghal,Skibbereen,2.00; St. Senan’s v Tralee,Shannon,2.30; Thomond v Cork Constitution,Fitzgerald Park,2.30; U.C.C. v Shannon,Mardyke,1.30; U.L. Bohemian v Thurles,Annacotty,2.30; Waterpark v Nenagh Ormond,Ballinakill,2.30;

Munster Junior Plate: Bandon v Cobh Pirates,Bandon,3.00; Cashel v Ennis,Cashel,3.00; Charleville v Fermoy,Charleville3.00; Dungarvan v Clonakilty,Dungarvan,3.00; Garryowen v St. Mary’s,Dooradoyle,3.00; Old Crescent v Clanwilliam,Rosbrien,3.00; Waterford City v Dunmanway,Waterford,3.00;

Heineken Munster Junior League Division 2: Muskerry v Kanturk,Muskerry,3.00;

Webb Cup: Kilrush v U. L. Bohemian,Kilrush,2.30; Thurles v Newport,Thurles,12.00;

Junior 2 League: Cobh Pirates v Ballincollig,Cobh,12.00; U.C.C. v Douglas,Curaheen Road,12.00;

Junior 3 League Division 1: Charleville v Bandon,Charleville,1.00; Highfield v Castleisland,Woodleigh Park,3.00; Old Christians v Killorglin,Rathcooney,1.00; Tralee v Muskerry,Tralee,1.00;

Division 2: Cobh Pirates v Fermoy,Cobh,1.30; Carrigaline v Skibbereen,Carrigaline,12.00; Kanturk v Sunday’s Well,Kanturk,12.30;

Casey Cup: Dungarvan v Youghal,Dungarvan,2.30;

Evans League: Galbally v Thurles,Galbally,

Junior Friendly: Mallow v Highfield,Mallow,12.00;

Junior 3 Friendly: Bandon v Midleton,Bandon,1.00; Shandon v Cork Transport,Whitechurch,1.00;

Schools Senior Cup: P.B.C. v C.B.C.,Musgrave Park,3.00;

Under 16 League Semi-Final: Highfield v Play Off Winners,Woodleigh Park,12.00;

IWRFU Cup: Ballincollig v Roscrea,Tanner Park,3.00; Highfield v New Ross,Woodleigh Park,2.00; U.L. Bohemian v Clonmel,Annacotty,2.00;

MONDAY 16th FEBRUARY

Schools Senior Cup: Bandon Grammar v Crescent Comp.,Bandon,3.00;

THURSDAY 19th FEBRUARY

Schools Junior Friendly: St. Munchin’s v Ard Scoil Rís,Corbally,11.30;