Weekend Rugby Preview

30th January 2004 By Munster Rugby

The Munster Senior Cup semi-final between Cork Constitution and Garryowen has been postponed, but the other tie between Shannon and Old Crescent goes ahead at Thomond Park on Sunday, kick off 2.30.

There is also a full series of Junior League games listed for the weekend with vital promotion and relegation issues to be decided.

Shannon can move a step closer to becoming the first side to win the Munster Senior Cup for a fifth consecutive time, when they face Old Crescent. Both these sides have had a contrasting season. Shannon are chasing a top four finish, while Old Crescent have been very disappointing, losing vital games that has seen them drop out of the promotion race in Division Two. A win over the holders would be some consolation for Old Crescent, after the effort they have put in this season.

In the AIL, Thomond face a difficult task away to Trinity. The Limerick side go into this tie with three wins out of their last four games and another victory could see them get into a challenging position for a top four finish. Highfield are also in Dublin where they face a tie against Wanderers who are in third place in the table in a vital game in the Third Division. Highfield lost their position at the top last week after a surprising home defeat by Old Wesley and know that this is a game they must win to give them a real chance of promotion.

It is back to Junior League action this weekend, with favourites Bruff travelling to Clanwilliam and after their big win last week in the Cup, it is hard to see the Tipperary side causing an upset. Kilfeacle their main challengers entertain Cobh Pirates and after last week’s Cup exit the home side will be more determined then ever to win and also pick up a bonus point. Nenagh Ormond can keep their faint hopes alive with a victory over Crosshaven.

At the other end of the table Richmond will hope to continue their mini revival with a home win over Clonmel, while Youghal could slip back into the relegation battle, if they fail to get a win at home to Old Christians. Home advantage should see Bandon collect the points against St. Senan’s.

In Division Two it is a crucial time for Cashel, who face leaders Tralee at home this week and second place Thurles away next week. They must win this game against a Kerry side that have been very impressive in the last few weeks. Thurles face a difficult assignment away to Charleville and Skibbereen should collect the points from their trip to Waterford. Castleisland can banish their relegation fears with a win away to Ballincollig, while Douglas will want to pick up some thing from their home game with Ennis. Muskerry play hosts to Kanturk with both sides hoping to end their losing run.

The top four sides in Division Three are in opposition against each other in vital promotion games. Leaders Abbeyfeale travel to Mallow and a win for the West Limerick side could put them into a strong position for promotion. Fermoy can close the gap on the top two with a win at home to fourth place Galbally. Other games sees Newcastle West playing Presentation, Kinsale are at home to Kilrush. Dunmanway meet Killarney and Dungarvan have home advantage against Newport.

The Under Twenty League resumes this weekend.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

SATURDAY 31st JANUARY

European Rugby Cup: Munster v Bourgoin,Thomond Park,5.00;

AIB League Division 2: Dublin University v Thomond,College Park,2.30;

Division 3: Wanderers v Highfield,Lansdowne Road,2.30;

Under 20 South Western Conference Pool 1: Garryowen v Bruff,Dooradoyle,1.45; Sunday’s Well v U.L. Bohemian,Musgrave Park,2.30; U.C.C. v Cork Constitution,Curaheen Road,12.00; Young Munster v Corinthians,Clifford Park,1.30;

Pool 2: Buccaneers v Waterpark,Dubarry Park,2.30; Galwegians v N.U.I.G.,Crowley Park,2.30; Old Crescent v Thomond,Rosbrien,1.30;

Division 2 North: Clanwilliam v Nenagh Ormond,Tipperary,2.30; Ennis v Connemara,Ennis,2.30; Kilfeacle v Ballina,Kilfeacle,2.30; St. Senan’s v Monivea,Shannon,2.30;

Division 2 South: Cobh Pirates v South Coast Sharks,Cobh,1.00; Midleton v Clonakilty,Towns Park,1.00;

Junior 2 Friendly: Garryowen v U.L. Bohemian,Dooradoyle,12.30;

Under 18 League: Ballincollig v Sunday’s Well,Cois Laoi,11.00; Bandon v Highfield,Bandon,11.30; Cobh Pirates v Skibbereen,Cobh Pirates,12.00; Cork Constitution v Muskerry,Temple Hill,12.00;

Under 18 Development League: Dolphin v Old Christians,Musgrave Park,12.00; Kanturk v Fermoy,Kanturk,11.30;

Under 16 League: Bandon v Ballincollig,Bandon,11.00; Dolphin v Youghal,Musgrave Park,10.30; Kilrush c Castleisland,Kilrush,1.00; Midleton v Mitchelstown,Towns Park,11.00; Muskerry v Skibbereen,Muskerry,12.00;

Schools Senior Friendly: C.B.C. v St. Munchin’s,Lansdowne; Crescent v P.B.C.,Dooradoyle,12.00;

Schools Junior Friendly: P.B.C. v St. Munchin’s,Wilton,11.00;

SUNDAY 1st FEBRUARY

Munster Senior Cup Semi-Finals: Cork Constitution v Garryowen,Musgrave Park,2.30; Shannon v Old Crescent,Thomonmd Park,2.30;

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

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

Division 3: Dungarvan v Newport,Dungarvan,3.00; Dunmanway v Killarney,Dunmanway,3.00; Fermoy v Galbally,Fermoy,3.00; Kinsale v Kilrush,Kinsale,3.00; Mallow v Abbeyfeale,Mallow,3.00; Newcastle West v Presentation,Newcastle West,3.00;

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

Division 2: Highfield v Thomond,Woodleigh Park,3.00; Midleton v U.C.C.,Towns Park,2.30;

Junior League South: Sunday’s Well v Clonakilty,Musgrave Park,3.00;

Junior 2 League South: Ballincollig v Crosshaven Ballincollig,12.30; Douglas v Dolphin,Moneygourney,11.30; Youghal v U.C.C.,Youghal,1.00;

Junior 3 League South Division 1: Muskerry v Highfield,Muskerry,12.00; Shandon v Charleville,Whitechurch,3.00; U.C.C. v Old Christians,Curaheen Road,3.00;

Division 2: Carrigaline v Glenbeigh,Carrigaline,3.00; Corca Dhuibhne v Midleton,3.00;

McCarthy Cup Final: Bandon v Skibbereen,Clonakilty,2.30;

Casey Cup: Dungarvan v Waterpark,Dungarvan,1.00;

Evans League: Carrick-on-Suir v Cashel,Carrick-on-Suir,12.30; Clonmel v Thurles,Clonmel,2.30;

Under 20 South Western Conference Pool 2: Highfield v Shannon,Woodleigh Park,2.30;

IWRFU Division 1: U.L. Bohemian v Boyne,Annacotty,1.00;

IWRFU Division 2: Clonmel v Waterpark,Clonmel,2.00;