Age-Grade Club Leagues Edge Closer To Knock-Out Stages
28th February 2018 By The Editor
L/R: Ciara Sheehan, Tralee RFC U15 Girls, Matthew Sheehan, Skibbereen RFC U16 Cup, Ross Flaherty, Ennis RFC U18 Cup and Muirne Wall, Listowel RFC U18 Girls
The Bank of Ireland Munster U16 and U18 club leagues have confirmed quarter-finalists across Cup, Plate and Bowl competitions.
In the Cup competition, the top two sides in each group at the end of the group stage qualify for the knock-out stages while two of the third placed sides will qualify.
The quarter-final places are decided by the three third-placed sides being placed in a hat with the first pulled qualifying for the quarter-finals and the remaining two sides playing off for the final spot.
In group one of the U16 Cup competition, Ennis and Skibbereen have secured their places in the quarter-finals with Tralee and Mallow going head-to-head to secure a chance to qualify.
In group two, Cobh are confirmed quarter-finalists with Ballincollig or Nenagh set to secure the other two positions.
Young Munster, Waterpark and Abbeyfeale are through to the quarter-final stages in group three.
In group one of the U18 Cup competition, Bandon have secured their place with Bruff or Midleton to be confirmed in second or third.
Group two sees Cobh go through as Skibbereen or Ennis battle it out for second or third qualification spots.
In group three, Waterpark, Nenagh and Cork Constitution have secure their places in the top three.
The quarter-finals of the U16 and U18 Cup competitions will take place during the weekend of 17 March, the semi-finals during the weekend of 24 March and the finals during the weekend of Saturday 7 April.
U16 & U18 Plate
In the U16 Plate competition, Bandon have confirmed their spot in the quarter-finals while Old Christians and Newcastle West are in contention for second and third position in group one.
Castleisland, Cashel and Youghal are all level in fourth position with Castleisland set to play their final game of the group stage.
In group two, Cork Constitution, Clonakilty, Bruff and Highfield are the confirmed quarter-finalists.
In the U18 Plate competition, Garryowen are on top in group one, Kinsale are in second, Galbally in third, and Sunday’s Well are level with Charleville in fourth and fifth position.
In group two, Old Christians are four points ahead of Shannon / St Mary’s who are in second, while Thurles, Ballincollig and Tralee make up the descending positions.
U16 & U18 Bowl
In group one of the U16 Bowl competition, Shannon, Old Crescent and Garryowen are tied in first place with Listowel, Killorglin, Kilrush and Newport following in order.
Bandon and Bantry are level on points at the top of group two with Muskerry in third and Crosshaven / Kanturk in fourth and fifth respectively.
In group three, Dolphin are ahead of Fethard & District while Clonmel are in third, Fermoy in fourth and Waterford City in fifth.
In group one of the U18 Bowl competition, Kilfeacle have secured the top spot with Clonmel in second, Old Crescent in third, Thomond and Mallow in the fourth and fifth.
Group two sees Bantry in first position, Dolphin in second, Douglas / Carrigaline in third and Youghal in fourth.
The quarter-finals for the above age-grade club competitions will take place this month with dates and venues to be confirmed.
Teams that do not qualify for the Munster Cup quarter-finals, will be entered into a new knock-out competition, the Munster Development Cup, at U16 and U18 level.
