Weekend Rugby Preview.

The four Quarter Finals of the Munster Junior Cup dominate the local rugby scene this weekend.

Four senior clubs, three sides from Division One of the Munster Junior League and one Second Division side contest this weekend’s quarter final ties with all four likely to be keenly contested.

Cashel who won the Munster Junior League title last week will now focus on winning this trophy for the first time as they will be playing in the All Ireland League next season and may never have a better chance of winning it. They have a home tie against Dolphin and will be confident of reaching the last four. Dolphin have had to battle to reach this stage of the competition defeating Newcastle West in their first round and than over came Shannon 29-21 at Musgrave Park in the last round. The visitors have a very young squad and their lack of experience could prove to be their undoing.

There is another big game in Tipperary when Kilfeacle host U.C.C. and the home side will be anxious to avenge their one point defeat by the students three years ago at the Mardyke. Kilfeacle on a high after their victory over neighbours Clanwilliam in the last round will be all geared up for this contest. The students have not been very impressive in their narrow wins over Clonmel and Young Munster, but they have been improving with every outing as seen last weekend when two late converted tries saw them defeat Cork Constitution 45-31 in the league.

There is an all senior club clash at Temple Hill when Cork Constitution host Garryowen. Neither side has been impressive in the league but both have improved with every outing in the Cup. Constitution were very impressive in their 21-17 win away to Richmond two weeks ago, while Garryowen have defeated Thurles and a fancied Thomond side in the last two weeks to reach the last eight. With home advantage Con’ will start as favourites in what should be a keenly contested tie.

Galbally the only side not playing in the top flight are at home to Tralee in the other tie. Galbally are unbeaten this season and are on the verge of clinching promotion to Division 1. Tralee disappointed with their league run will be eager to try and win this trophy for the first time. This will be Galablly’s biggest test to date and if the Kerry side play to their potential than Tralee should book their place in the semi finals.

There is one game in the Munster Junior Plate with Kanturk at home to Killarney to decide the last place in the semi finals. Kanturk will be expected to advance but Killarney after their away win over Mallow last week are quite capable of causing an upset.

The semi finals are down for decision in the Munster Junior Bowl. Old Crescent are at home to Presentation and the Division Three leaders will be aiming to cause another upset and book their place in the decider.

Kilrush are at home to Waterford City in the other semi final and it will be a big ask for the Clare side to win this tie. Waterford who saw their promotion hopes end with that defeat by Dungarvan last week will be anxious to salvage some thing from the season and should book their place in the final.

There is one game in Division One of the Munster Junior League with Crosshaven at home to Clanwilliam. Both sides are battling it out for a place in the All Ireland Junior Cup next season. Crosshaven only need a point to be assured of qualifying and will be quietly confident of taking the points as they prepare for their upcoming meeting with Monivea in the All Ireland Junior Cup Final.

In Division Two Youghal travel to Newport and the visitors will be eager to continue their recent good run that has seen them move away from the danger zone and still in with an outside chance of promotion. Newport have slipped down the table in recent weeks and will want to get something from this tie to avoid the drop to the Third Division.

There are three games down for decision in Division Three. Fermoy and Corca Dhuibhne meet under lights at Fermoy on Friday night and while both sides have dropped out of the promotion race in recent weeks, the home side will want to impress after scoring seven tries last week against Shandon.

Abbeyfeale still in with a chance of gaining promotion travel to Douglas knowing that anything less than a victory would be a big blow to their promotion hopes.

The other tie is between Killorglin and Bantry Bay at the Kerry venue and with both sides at the bottom end of the table a win is vital to both sides.

Elsewhere the final of the Gleeson League is down for decision at Bruff with Shannon and Cashel battling it out for the trophy.

FIXTURES:
FRIDAY 11th MARCH
Munster Junior League Division 3: Fermoy v Corca Dhuibhne, Fermoy, 7.30;

SATURDAY 12th MARCH
Six Nations: Wales v Ireland, Arms Park, 5.00;

Gleeson League Final: Shannon v Cashel, Bruff, 2.00;

Gleeson Cup: Clanwilliam v Clonmel, Clanwilliam Park, 2.00;

O'Carroll Plate: St. Mary's v St. Senan's, St. Enda's, 2.30;

O'Donovan Cup: Old Crescent v Garryowen, Rosbrien, 12.30;

South Under 21 Cup: Waterpark v Dolphin, Ballinakill, 2.30;

Avonmore Milk Under 17 League Quarter Finals: Abbeyfeale v Shannon, Abbeyfeale, 12.30;
Kilfeacle v Old Crescent, Kilfeacle, 1.00;
Sunday's Well v Bruff, Musgrave Park, 12.30;

North Under 14 Cup: Newcastle West v Ennis, Newcastle West, 3.00;

South Under 17 League Section 1: Crosshaven v Cork Constitution, Crosshaven, 12.00;

Section 3: Clonakilty v Mallow, The Vale, 12.00;

Under 15 West Cork Cup Semi Final: Bantry Bay v Muskerry, Bantry,11.30;

South Under 13 League: Charleville v Highfield, Charleville,

SUNDAY 13th MARCH
Munster Junior Cup Quarter Finals: Cashel v Dolphin, Cashel, 2.30;
Cork Constitution v Garryowen, Temple Hill, 2.30;
Galbally v Tralee, Galbally, 2.30;
Kilfeacle v U.C.C., Kilfeacle, 3.00;

Munster Junior Plate: Kanturk v Killarney, Kanturk, 2.30;

Munster Junior Bowl Semi Finals: Kilrush v Waterford City, Kilrush, 2.30;
Old Crescent v Presentation, Rosbrien, 2.30;

Munster Junior League:
Division 1: Crosshaven v Clanwilliam, Crosshaven, 2.30;

Division 2: Newport v Youghal, Newport, 2.30;

Division 3: Douglas v Abbeyfeale, Moneygourney, 2.30;
Killorglin v Bantry Bay, Killorglin, 2.30;

Munster Seconds League North: Shannon v Young Munster, Coonagh, 2.30;

Cork County Cup: Skibbereen v Cobh Pirates, Skibbereen, 2.30;

Junior 2 Cup South: Waterford City v Bandon, Waterford, 2.30;

Mick Barry Cup Final: Old Christians v Youghal, Cobh, 12.00;

Kelly Cup: Ballincollig v Cobh Pirates, Tanner Park, 12.00;
Kanturk v Carrigaline, Kanturk, 12.00;

McCarthy Cup: Bandon v Ballincollig, Bandon, 2.30;
Douglas v Fermoy, Moneygourney, 12.00;

Junior 2 Friendly: Mitchelstown v Cork Transport, Mitchelstown, 2.00;

Avonmore Milk Under 19 League Semi Final: Shannon – St. Mary's v Waterpark, Coonagh, 1.00;

Quarter Final: Kilfeacle v Crosshaven, Kilfeacle, 1.00;

Avonmore Milk Under 17 League Quarter Final: Waterpark v Kanturk, Ballinakill, 12.00;

East Munster Under 19 Cup: Clanwilliam v Nenagh Ormond, Clanwilliam Park, 11.00;
Clonmel v Fethard / Thurles, Clonmel, 11.00;

East Munster Under 17 Cup: Fethard v Clonmel, Fethard, 11.00;
Thurles v Carrick-on-Suir, Thurles, 11.00;

East Under 17 Development League: Clonmel v Galbally, Clonmel, 11.00;

East Under 15 Cup: Carrick-on-Suir v Clanwilliam, Carrick-on-Suir, 11.00;
Clonmel / Galbally v Cashel, Clonmel/Galbally, 11.00;
Galbally v Clonmel, Galbally, 11.00;
Thurles v Dungarvan, Thurles, 11.00;

East Munster Under 15 League Final: Nenagh Ormond v Waterpark, Clanwilliam Park, 12.30;

East Under 15 Plate: Fethard v Clonmel/Galbally, Fethard, 11.00;
Waterpark B v Kilfeacle, Ballinakill, 11.00;

East Under 13 League: Cashel v Dungarvan, Cashel, 11.00;
Kilfeacle v Fethard, Kilfeacle, 11.00;
Waterpark v Thurles, Ballinakill, 11.00;

East Under 13 Development League: Clonmel v Galbally, Clonmel, 11.00;
Nenagh Ormond v Waterford City, Nenagh, 12.00;
Waterford City v Nenagh Ormond, Waterford, 11.00;

North Under 16 League: Scariff v Ennis, Scariff, 12.30;;
Thomond v Kilrush, Fitzgerald Park, 11.30;

North Under 14 Cup: Bruff v Estuary, Bruff, 11.30;
Newport v Kilrush, Newport, 11.00;
Old Crescent v Richmond, Rosbrien, 11.30;
Presentation v Young Munster, Rathuard, 11.00;
Scariff v Thomond, Scariff, 11.30;
Shannon v Garryowen, Coonagh, 11.30;

North Under 13 League Final: U.L. Bohes Hawks v Shannon, L.I.T., 11.30;

Under 15 West Cork Cup Semi Final: Kinsale v Clonakilty, Kinsale, 11.00;

Under 19 Friendly: Newcastle West v Bruff, Newcastle West, 12.30;

Womens All Ireland Cup Semi Final: Highfield v Cooke, Woodleigh Park, 1.00;
U.L. Bohemian v Galwegians, Annacotty, 1.30;

Womens All Ireland Plate Semi Finals: City of Derry v Old Belvedere, Judges Road, 1.00;
St. Mary's v Clonmel, Templeville Road,1.00;

Womens AIL Division 2: Ballincollig v Young Munster, Tanner Park, 1.00;

MONDAY 14th MARCH
Colleges: C.I.T. v Carlow I.T., C.I.T., 2.30;

Under 15 A League Cup: Castletroy College v Rockwell, Castletroy, 3.00;

Under 15 B League Cup: Castletroy College v Rockwell, Castletroy, 3.00;

Women's: Munster U19 v U.C.C., C.I.T., 7.30;

TUESDAY 15th MARCH
Junior Friendly: Old Christians v Sunday's Well, Rathcooney, 7.30;

Under 15 A League Cup: Ard Scoil Ris v Crescent College, Coonagh, 2.30;

Under 15 B League Cup: Ard Scoil Ris v Crescent College, Coonagh, 2.30;

WEDNESDAY 16th MARCH
Avonmore Milk Schools Junior Cup Semi Finals: Ard Scoil Ris v Castletroy College, Dooradoyle, 3.30;
Crescent Comp. v Glenstal Abbey, Clanwilliam Park, 3.00;

Colleges Inter Pro' Final: Munster v Leinster, Waterford IT, 2.30;

THURSDAY 17th MARCH
Munster Junior League Division 2: Youghal v Bandon, Youghal, 1.00;

Avonmore Milk Schools Senior Cup Final: P.B.C. v Rockwell, Musgrave Park, 3.00;

FRIDAY 18th MARCH
Friendly: Irish Defence Forces v Royal Navy, Camp Field, 3.00;

Junior 3 League South: Fermoy v Ballincollig, Fermoy, 7.30;