Weekend Rugby Preview

League action again dominates the Club rugby scene this weekend with the final series of games in the Heineken Munster Junior League to be decided.

League action again dominates the Club rugby scene this weekend with the final series of games in the Heineken Munster Junior League to be decided.

In the AIL, Shannon can move to the top of the First Division, as current leaders Cork Constitution are idle this week, with a home victory over third placed Buccaneers. Shannon slipped up last time out with a defeat at home to Ballymena and will be mindful of the danger posed by the Connacht side.

Garryowen take on Dolphin at Dooradoyle and boosted by their Cup success over Cork Constitution last week they will be confident of picking up the points against a Cork side that were very disappointing two weeks ago against Galwegians and are now back in relegation trouble.

There are four Munster derbies in Division Two. UL Bohemian will have to pull out all the stops after some poor performances in recent weeks when they travel to play Thomond in a local derby, if they hope to claim that top spot for promotion. UCC entertain Young Munster at the Mardyke and they should pick up the points against a side that have been sliding down the table in recent weeks.

Musgrave Park should attract a big crowd for the meeting of bottom side Sunday’s Well and Midleton. Injury hit Sunday’s Well could have their faith sealed by a win for the East Cork side. Waterpark also in need of points entertain Old Crescent and will have to be at their best, if they are to survive.

Highfield travel to Portadown and must win to keep their challenge alive for promotion from the Third Division. Clonakilty can do Highfield a favour with a home win over second placed Ards.

In the Munster Junior League, holders Bruff need five points to be assured of their third title. They travel to Bandon and may find the home side not an easy proposition. They still have another game to play and between these two games they should get the points to see them in the AIL Round Robin next season. Kilfeacle in second place finish their campaign with a home tie against Old Christians.

The Cork side are back in a relegation fight and must get some thing from this tie to have any chance of making sure of their safety. Richmond after their great win over Clonmel last week, play Youghal and will be confident of another win, that could see them move out of relegation. They currently trail St. Senan’s by two points and Old Christians by three and it is one of these three sides that will be relegated.

St. Senan’s who have been in a mid table position for most of the season finish their program against Nenagh Ormond and know that a defeat could see the end of their recent good run from Junior Two Rugby a few short years ago. Elsewhere Cobh Pirates should get the better of Clanwilliam and Crosshaven should brush aside the challenge of St. Mary’s.

It is also very tight at the top of Division Two with three sides in contention for the two promotion places. Leaders Tralee play second placed Skibbereen in their final game. The Kerry side currently have a three-point advantage over the West Cork side and are four ahead of Cashel. Both these sides have been putting up big scores in recent weeks, but it is likely that this could be a very close contest with penalty kicks likely to be deciding factor.

Cashel complete their program with a trip to Douglas and should pick up the points. It is the bonus point that could prove crucial if they are to achieve promotion in successive seasons. Douglas despite being already relegated are sure to give a good account of themselves. The other ties in this Division sees Thurles entertaining Kanturk and should end with a home win. Castleisland should continue their good run with a home game against Waterford City. Ennis should get the points at home to Muskerry and Charleville should account for Ballincollig.

In the Third Division the top two sides also meet with the Third Division Championship being the prize as both Abbeyfeale and Fermoy have already assured themselves of promotion. Home advantage should give the West Limerick side the edge.

The semi-finals of the Second Division of the Under 20 South Western Conference will also be decided. Clonakilty play Monivea at Shannon Vale and Kilfeacle have home advantage against Midleton.

Clifford Park hosts the U18 and U16 All Ireland semi-final on Saturday. The U16 tie between Clonakilty and Ballinasloe will precede the U18 decider between Kilfeacle and Tuam.

FIXTURES:

FRIDAY 12th MARCH

Celtic League: Munster v Gwent Dragons,Thomond Park,7.30;

O’Brien Cup Final: High School Clonmel v Intermediate School Killorglin, Cashel,2.30;

King Cup: Carrigaline C.S. v Patrician Academy,Moneygourney,1.00;

SATURDAY 13th MARCH

AIB League Division 1: Ballymena v Lansdowne,Eaton Park,2.30; Belfast Harlequins v St. Mary’s College Deramore Park,2.30; Dungannon v Clontarf,Stevenson Park,2.30; Galwegians v Blackrock College,Crowley Park,2.30; Garryowen v Dolphin,Dooradoyle,2.30; Shannon v Buccaneers,Thomond Park,2.30; U.C.D. v Co. Carlow,Belfield,2.30;

Division 2: Ballynahinch v Old Belvedere,Ballymacarn Park,2.30; Barnhall v Dublin University,Parsonstown,2.30; D.L.S.P. v Terenure College,Kilternan,2.30; Malone v Bective Rangers,Gibson park,2.30; Sunday’s Well v Midleton,Musgrave Park,2.30; Thomond v U.L. Bohemian,Fitzgerald Park,.2.30; U.C.C. v Young Munster,Mardyke,2.30; Waterpark v Old Crescent,Ballinakill,2.30;

Division 3: City of Derry v Greystones,Judges Road,2.30; Clonakilty v Ards,Shannon Vale,2.30; Corinthians v Ballina,Corinthian Park,2.30; Instonians v Connemara,Shaws Bridge,2.30; Naas v Banbridge,Fournaughts,2.30; Old Wesley v Skerries,Donnybrook,2.30; Portadown v Highfield,Chambers Park,2.30; Wanderers v Suttonians,Lansdowne Road,2.30;

Heineken Munster Junior League Division 3: Killarney v Kilrush,Killarney,4.00;

Munster Seconds League Division 1: Garryowen v Dolphin,Dooradoyle,4.15;

Under 20 South Western Conference Division 2 Semi-Finals: Clonakilty v Monivea,Shannon Vale,12.30; Kilfeacle v Midleton,Kilfeacle,2.30;

Under 20 Cup: Newcastle West v Ennis,Newcastle West,12.00; Thurles v Clanwilliam,Thurles,5.00;

Junior 2 Friendly: Garryowen v Dolphin,Dooradoyle,1.00;

Junior 2 Friendly: Youghal v Huddersfield,Youghal,3.00;

Under 20 Friendly: Garryowen v Bruff,Dooradoyle,11.30;

Under 18 All Ireland Semi-Final: Kilfeacle v Tuam,Clifford Park,2.30;

Under 16 All Ireland Semi-Final: Clonakilty v Ballinasloe,Clifford Park,1.00;

Under 18 Development League Semi-Finals: Midleton v Dolphin,Towns Park,12.00; Old Christians v Kanturk,Rathcooney,12.30;

Under 16 “B” Cup: Bandon v Dolphin,Bandon,11.30; Skibbereen v Midleton,Skibbereen,12.00;

Under 18 Friendly: Muskerry v Cork Constitution,Muskerry,11.30;

SUNDAY 14th MARCH

Heineken Munster Junior League: Division 1:Bandon v Bruff,Bandon,3.00; Cobh Pirates v Clanwilliam,Cobh,3.00; Crosshaven v St. Mary’s Crosshaven,3.00; Kilfeacle v Old Christians,Kilfeacle,3.00; Richmond v Youghal,Richmond Park,3.00; St. Senan’s v Nenagh Ormond,Shannon,3.00;

Division 2: Castleisland v Waterford City,Castleisland,3.00; Charleville v Ballincollig,Charleville, 3.00; Douglas v Cashel,Moneygourney,3.00; Ennis v Muskerry,Ennis,3.00; Thurles v Kanturk,Thurles,3.00; Tralee v Skibbereen,Tralee,3.00;

Division 3: Abbeyfeale v Fermoy,Abbeyfeale,3.00; Dungarvan v Mallow,Dungarvan,3.00; Kinsale v Newport,Kinsale,3.00; Newcastle West v Carrick-on-Suir,Newcastle West,3.00; Presentation v Dunmanway,Rathuard,3.00;

Munster Seconds League Division 1: U.L. Bohemian v Shannon,Annacotty,3.00;

Division 2: U.C.C. v Thomond,Curaheen Road,3.00;

Junior 2 League South: Bandon v U.C.C.,Bandon,12.00; Muskerry v Cork Constitution,Muskerry,12.00;

Junior 3 League South Division 1: Bandon v Castleisland,Bandon,3.00; U.C.C. v Old Christians,Curaheen Road,12.00;

Division 2: Corca Dhuibhne v Carrigaline,Ballydavid,3.00; Glenbeigh v Fermoy,Glenbeigh,3.00; Sunday’s Well v Midleton,Musgrave Park,3.00;

Evans League: Scariff v Nenagh Ormond,Scariff,3.00; Waterpark v Kilfeacle,Ballinakill,3.00;

Junior 3 Friendly: Shandon v Cork Transport,Whitechurch,2.30;

IWRFU Division 1: Highfield v Boyne,Woodleigh Park,2.30;

WEDNESDAY 17th MARCH

Coca-Cola Schools Senior Cup Final: St. Munchin’s v P.B.C.,Thomond Park,3.00;