Weekend Rugby Preview

18th December 2003 By Munster Rugby

The top two clubs sides in the country at the moment meet in the Munster Senior League Final this Saturday at Musgrave Park which has a 2.30 kick off, when holders Shannon face Cork Constitution.

At the moment the Temple Hill side lead Division One of the AIL and Shannon are in second place a point behind. As of now neither side is able to announce a side, waiting to see what the injury list is, and what players are available due to National training sessions. Cork Constitution will be with out Ultan O’Callaghan who is involved in the preparation of the Irish Under 21 side and Thomás O’Leary, Brendan O’Connor and John Fogarty are also involved in this squad.

Both Cronan Healy and Cian Mahony picked up knocks last week and are extremely doubtful. Shannon will wait until nearer the day before finalising their side but such is the strength in their panel, whatever side they will field well be a strong one. Details of the sides will be announced here on the site as soon as possible.

The top two clubs in Junior Rugby meet at Thomond Park on Sunday in the final of the Heineken Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup, when holders Nenagh Ormond face Bruff in what is a repeat of last season’s thrilling final, which the Tipperary side won in dramatic circumstances with a last minute converted try by Liam Delaney. Bruff have already beaten their rivals this season, winning the league encounter 26-17 and they are the form side at the moment and will start as favourites.

There are also two other finals to be decided. Fermoy and Muskerry meet at Musgrave Park with Muskerry starting, as favourites to regain the trophy they won for the first time two season’s ago. At Cashel the home side play Kilfeacle in the final of the Garryowen Cup with the home side hoping to beat first division opposition for the fifth time this season in cup competition.

The two Gleeson League semi-finals will be decided on Saturday, with Bruff at home to Old Crescent and Thomond meeting Nenagh Ormond at Fitzgerald Park.

Fixtures:

FRIDAY 18th DECEMBER Junior 2 League South: Cork Constitution v Douglas,Temple Hill,7.30;

SATURDAY 20th DECEMBER Munster Senior Club League Final: Cork Constitution v Shannon,Musgrave Park,2.30;

Under 20 South Western Conference Division 1: Young Munster v Highfield,Clifford Park,2.30;

Gleeson League Semi-Finals: Bruff v Old Crescent,Bruff,2.30; Thomond v Nenagh Ormond,Fitzgerald Park,2.30;

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

Schools Junior Friendly: P.B.C. v C.B.C.,Wilton,12.30; P.B.C. “B” v C.B.C. “B”,Wilton,11.30;

Under 18 League: Ballincollig v Sunday’s Well,Ballincollig,12.00; Cork Constitution v Bandon,Temple Hill,12.00;

Under 18 Development League: Fermoy v Midleton,Fermoy,11.30;

Under 16 Development: North Munster v West Munster,Corbally,12.00;

Under 16 League: Kanturk v Youghal,Kanturk,12.00; Midleton v Highfield,Towns Park,11.00;

Under 13 Friendly: P.B.C. v C.B.C.,Wilton,10.00; P.B.C. “B” v C.B.C. “B”,Wilton,10.00; P.B.C. “C” v C.B.C. “C”,Wilton,10.00; P.B.C. “D” v C.B.C. “D”,Wilton,10.00;

SUNDAY 21st DECEMBER Heineken Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup Final: Nenagh Ormond v Bruff,Thomond Park,2.30;

Munster Seconds League Division 1: Shannon v Garryowen,Coonagh,2.30;

Garryowen Cup Final: Cashel v Kilfeacle,Cashel,2.00;

O’Neill Cup Final: Fermoy v Muskerry,Musgrave Park,2.00;

Junior League South: Sunday’s Well v Highfield,Musgrave Park,1.00;

Junior 2 League South: Cobh Pirates v Crosshaven,Cobh,2.30; Muskerry v Bandon,Muskerry,12.00;

Junior 3 League South Division 1: Clonakilty v Charleville,Shannon Vale,2.30;

Ballyrandle Cup: Youghal v Dungarvan,Youghal,2.30;

Evans League: Thurles v Carrick-on-Suir,Thurles,2.30;

Junior Friendly: Midleton v Skibbereen,Towns Park,2.30; St. Senan’s v Thomond,Shannon,2.30; Youghal v Cork Constitution,Youghal,12.45;

Junior 3 Friendly: Midleton v Ballincollig,Towns Park,1.00; Mallow v Old Christians,Mallow,2.30;

Under 20 Friendly: St. Senan’s v Thomond,Shannon,2.30;

Under 18 League: Kilfeacle v Dungarvan,Kilfeacle,11.30; Nenagh Ormond v Cashel,Nenagh,11.00; Newcastle West v Thomond,Newcastle West,12.00; Richmond v Newport,Garryowen Green,12.00; Ennis v Bruff,Ennis,11.00;

Under 16 League: Kilfeacle v Dungarvan,Kilfeacle,11.30; Nenagh Ormond v Cashel,Nenagh,11.00; Richmond v Old Crescent,Garryowen Green,11.00;

Under 14 League: Ennis v Garryowen,Ennis,12.15; Newcastle West v Richmond,Newcastle West,12.00; Old Crescent v Scariff,Rosbrien,11.30; St. Senan’s v Thomond,Shannon,11.30; U.L. Bohemian v Shannon,Annacotty,11.30; Young Munster v St. Mary’s,Derryknockane,11.30;

TUESDAY 23rd DECEMBER Schools Senior City Cup: St. Munchin’s v Ard Scoil Rís,Corbally,12.30;