Weekend Rugby Preview

The Appeals Committee have been very busy this week, dealing with problems at Under Twenty and the Munster Junior Cup.

The Appeals Committee have been very busy this week, dealing with problems at Under Twenty and the Munster Junior Cup. As a result of the decisions reached, the Play Offs for the Under Twenty Millennium Cup and the first semi-final of the Heineken Munster Junior Cup between Shannon and Nenagh Ormond will go ahead this weekend.

The semi-final of the Junior Cup goes ahead on Sunday at Clifford Park with a 3.00 kick off. Shannon have probably had the toughest route to this stage of the competition with away wins over Garryowen, Kilfeacle, U.C.C. and Thomond and on this form they must be favourites to reach their first final since their last success in 1996.

Nenagh Ormond will be aiming to reach their third final in five years and make amends for last season’s defeat by Cork Constitution. They have not been as impressive this season, but still will be a difficult side to overcome.

The last remaining quarter final tie between First Division Champions Bruff and newly crowned second Division Champions Skibbereen goes ahead at Kilballyowen Park. These sides met in the semi-final of the Challenge Clubs Cup before Christmas, where a late try gave victory to the Limerick side 13-9. While Bruff will be expected to preserve their unbeaten record any over confidence by them could be severely punished.

Garryowen meet Charleville in the semi-final of the Junior Plate at Dooradoyle and should advance against a side that have struggled in the Second Division this season. Waterford City begin their campaign with a home tie against Mallow and the North Cork side could cause an upset and set up a home quarter final tie against Bandon next week.

Cork Constitution complete their Seconds League program with an away tie against Dolphin and a victory will see them finish level with Garryowen and a play off will decide the winners.

Cashel meet Kilfeacle in the final of the Garryowen Cup and they will be hoping to follow up on last week’s promotion to the top flight with a victory over the First Division runners up.

The play offs for the Under Twenty Millennium Cup will go ahead this weekend. With UCC declared winners of Division One of the South Western Conference and a home tie in the Millennium Cup, Bruff play Corinthians and Garryowen host Young Munster to decide the other two representatives.

Holders Cork Constitution play U.C.C. in the final of the South Munster Under Twenty Cup at Musgrave Park on Friday evening, but the students will be favourites to regain the trophy.

Garryowen and Bruff renew rivalry in the semi-final of the Webb Cup at Dooradoyle with Bruff expected to book their place in the final against the winners of the Presentation Thurles tie.

Holders Crosshaven begin their defence of the Junior Two Cup with a home tie against Bandon and they could have their work cut out to advance. Cobh Pirates after their League success, should make it to the quarter finals with an away win over Youghal.

The O’Carroll Plate semi-finals are also down for decision with home advantage expected to see Thomond beat Newcastle West and Nenagh Ormond should see off the challenge of Shannon.

FIXTURES:

FRIDAY 19th MARCH

Under 21 International: Ireland v Italy,Thomond Park,7.30;

Under 20 Cup Final: Cork Constitution v U.C.C.,Musgrave Park,7.30;

King Cup: Villiers v St. Caimin’s,Coonagh,1.00;

SATURDAY 20th MARCH

Six Nations: Ireland v Italy,Lansdowne Road,1.30;

Women’s International: Ireland v Spain,Thomond Park,6.00;

Webb Cup Semi-Final: Garryowen v Bruff,Dooradoyle,4.30;

Under 20 League Play Offs: Bruff v Corinthians,Bruff,3.00; Garryowen v Young Munster,Dooradoyle,4.30;

Under 18 Cup: Bandon v Muskerry,Bandon,11.30; Highfield v Ballincollig,Woodleigh Park,11.30;

Under 16 Cup: Ballincollig v Muskerry,Ballincollig,12.00;

Under 16 “B” Cup: Bandon v Cobh Pirates,Bandon,11.30;

Under 14 Cup: Ballincollig v Mallow,Ballincollig,10.30; Highfield v Muskerry,Woodleigh Park,11.00;

SUNDAY 21st MARCH

Munster Junior Cup Semi-Final: Shannon v Nenagh Ormond,Clifford Park,3.00;

Munster Junior Cup Quarter Final: Bruff v Skibbereen,Bruff,3.00;

Munster Junior Plate Semi-Final: Garryowen v Charleville,Dooradoyle,3.00;

Munster Junior Plate: Waterford City v Mallow,Waterford,3.00;

Munster Seconds League Division 1: Dolphin v Cork Constitution,Musgrave Park,3.00;

Junior Two Cup: Crosshaven v Bandon,Crosshaven,3.00; Youghal v Cobh Pirates,Youghal,3.00;

Webb Cup Semi-Final: Presentation v Thurles,Rathuard,3.00;

O’Carroll Plate: Nenagh Ormond v Shannon,Nenagh,3.00; Thomond v Newcastle West,Fitzgerald Park,3.00;

Junior 3 League South Division 1: Castleisland v Clonakilty,Castleisland,3.00; Muskerry v Shandon,Muskerry,3.00;

Division 2: Carrigaline v Fermoy,Carrigaline,3.00; Kanturk v Skibbereen,Kanturk,12.30; Midleton v Glenbeigh,Towns Park,3.00; Sunday’s Well v Corca Dhuibhne,Musgrave Park,3.00;

Gleeson Cup: Dungarvan v Cashel,Dungarvan,1.00;

Junior Friendly: Douglas v Muskerry,Moneygourney,12.00; Dungarvan v Brentwood,Dungarvan,3.00;

Under 18 Cup: Waterpark v Newport,Balliankill,1.30;

Under 16 Cup: Nenagh Ormond v Cashel,Nenagh,11.30; Thurles v Clanwilliam,Thurles,11.30;

Under 16 Plate Semi-Final: Dungarvan v Carrick-on-Suir,Dungarvan,11.00;

Under 14 Cup: Waterpark v Cashel,Balliankill,12.00;

IWRFU Division 1: Highfield v Blackrock,Woodleigh Park,2.00;

WEDNESDAY 24th MARCH

Coca-Cola Schools Junior Cup Final: C.B.C. v Ard Scoil Rís,Musgrave Park,3.00;

View our Fixtures Section and our Results Section for all the latest news.