Junior Rugby Weekend Preview

Crosshaven are the sole Munster representatives in the All Ireland Junior Cup after all four sides were given tough games on the road in the First Round.

Having overcome the challenge of a strong Dundalk outfit, things don’t get any easier for the Cork men as they face another long trip up to Dromore.

The Myrtleville side will be aiming to bounce back from last weekend’s League defeat to Cashel but if they can replicate the form they have shown throughout the season they will be in with a great chance. Merle O’Connell and Eamon Ring provide plenty of strength and mobility while Cian McGovern has been impressing with both the boot and ball in hand. They are likely to come up against a Dromore side eager to impress on their own patch and it will need a big team effort for Crosshaven to advance to the last four.

Meanwhile on Sunday back in the League Cashel will be aiming to pull further away from the main contenders as they host Waterpark. Both Crosshaven and their scheduled opponents Richmond will be out of action and the Tipperary side will be confident of extending their lead at the top.

They showed their mettle against Crosshaven with a comprehensive victory with the powerful and dynamic pack setting the platform for that success. Brendan O’Connor and Philip Silke are some of the stand out performers up front allowing the likes of Pat O’Connor and Darragh O’Brien to flourish in the backs. They will be wary of the threat that this weekend’s opponents Waterpark will pose.

The Waterford side are in a rebuilding phase and are developing plenty of young talented players. They may be a bit raw at this level but won’t have any expectations thrust upon them. They can give it a lash against the Title favourites and should put up a strong effort.

Clanwilliam have established themselves as a force back in the top flight and will want to continue their recent run of form as they host St Senan’s. The likes of Richard Giles and John Redigan will be aiming to help the Tipperary club to another victory while Declan Collins will be aiming to inspire the Clare side to a surprise victory.

Kilfeacle host Thurles in an all Tipperary affair. After a shaky start, Kilfeacle are starting to hit the strides with the Lubys inspiring them to some strong wins Thurles have been unfortunate in some recent games and will be fired up to get the better of their local rivals.

Cobh Pirates will hope for a change in form after some narrow defeats recently. They face a trip to Clonmel who are also struggling for form but the signs are that things are improving for the Tipperary club. A win for either club could boost their confidence while the loser will be keeping an eye on avoiding the bottom spot.

Tralee and Ballincollig have both struggled to replicate the level of performances they produced last season and come face to face at the Cork venue. The Kerry side look to have a bit more class in their side and will be aiming to pile further misery on ‘Collig.

In Division Two, leaders Galballly face a potential banana skin as they make a short trip to Newport but will be expecting to keep their unbeaten run to continue.

There are big derby games in both Kerry and Cork as Castleisland face Killarney while Mallow travel up to Kanturk. Killarney have probably been the surprise package of the season and the team will be aiming to maintain their early season form. Castleisland have also got on a good run and it should be a cracking passionate affair with home advantage favouring Castleisland.

It is a battle between second and third in North Cork. Kanturk have put in some big performances and will be aiming for their powerful men up front to win the vital exchanges in the tight although Brian O’Neill will be a big loss due to injury. If Mallow can get their fair share of possession they have strong runners who can cause defences plenty of damage and it should be an intriguing battle.

Newcastle West are also well poised to claim one of the two promotion spots but will be given a firm test of their credentials as they take on a St Mary’s side who can beat any team on their day.

At the wrong end of the table, Charleville and Youghal will be aiming to claim much needed home victories over Muskerry and Bandon respectively while Kinsale will aim to put in a strong defensive displays against an Ennis side who will be building in confidence over the last couple of weeks.

Top of the table Scariff are enjoying a rest in Division Three so most of the chasing pack will aim to take advantage. Fermoy should prove too strong for Kilrush while Presentation will start as firm favourites against Killorglin and could be the new leaders.

Douglas will think that they are capable of upsetting Carrick-On-Suir while Shandon should be putting in a strong showing as they host Waterford City. Bantry Bay face a tough trip to Abbeyfeale with a strong Corca Dhuibhne side hosting Dungarvan.

FIXTURES:

FRIDAY 26th NOVEMBER
Magners League: Newport Gwent Dragons v Munster,Rodney Parade,7.05;

All Ireland League Division 1A: Shannon v Young Munster,Thomond Park,7.30;

SATURDAY 27th NOVEMBER
All Ireland League Division 1A: Blackrock College v St. Mary's College,Stradbrook,2.30;
Dolphin v Old Belvedere,Musgrave Park,2.30;
Garryowen v Cork Constitution,Dooradoyle,2.30;

Division 1B: Bruff v Dungannon,Bruff,2.30;
Buccaneers v Galwegians,Dubarry Park,2.30;
Clontarf v Lansdowne,Castle Avenue,2.30;
U.C.C. v U.L. Bohemian,Mardyke,2.30;

Division 2: Belfast Harlequins v Midleton,Deramore Park,2.30;
D.L.S.P. v Ballynahinch,Kirwin Park,2.30;
Dublin University v Corinthians,College Park,2.30;
Malone v Terenure College,Gibson Park,2.30;
Old Wesley v Ballymena,Donnybrook,2.30;
Queens University v Bective Rangers,Dub Lane,2.30;
Thomond v Clonakilty,Fitzgerald Park,2.30;
U.C.D. v Old Crescent,Belfield,2.30;

Division 3: Banbridge v Sunday's Well,Banbridge,2.30;
City of Derry v NUIM Barnhall,Judge Road,2.30;
Connemara v Suttonians,Monastery Field,2.30;
Greystones v Wanderers,Dr. Hickey Park,2.30;
Highfield v Instonians,Woodleigh Park,2.30;
Naas v Nenagh Ormond,Fournaughts,2.30;
Navan v Rainey Old Boys,Belreask,2.30;
Seapoint v Ards,Killiney,2.30;

All Ireland Junior Cup Quarter Finals: Cooke v Skerries,Belfast,2.30;
Dromore v Crosshaven,Dromore,2.30;
Monivea v Ballymoney,Monivea,2.30;
Sligo v Armagh,Sligo,2.30;

Junior 2 League South Section D: Waterford City v Youghal,Waterford,2.30;

Under 21 South Western Conference Division 1 Section A: Garryowen v Young Munster,Dooradoyle,12.00;
Highfield v U.C.C.,Woodleigh Park,2.30;
N.U.I.G. v Corinthians,Galway,2.30;
Old Crescent v Dolphin,Rosbrien,2.30;

Section B: Cork Constitution v Shannon,Temple Hill,2.30;
Galwegians v Buccaneers,Crowley Park,2.30;
U.L. Bohemian v Sunday's Well,Annacotty,2.30;
Waterpark v Bruff,Ballinakill,2.30;

Junior Friendly: Sunday's Well v Cashel,Musgrave Park,2.30;

Avonmore Milk Under 19 League Section D: Castleisland v Sunday's Well,Castleisland,1.00;

South Under 19 League Semi-final: Old Christians v v Cobh Pirates,Rathcooney,12.30;

Under 17 League Section 1: Kinsale v Ballincollig,Kinsale,11.00;

Section 2 play-off: Cobh Pirates v Mallow,Cobh,11.30;

Section 3 play-off: Old Christians v Crosshaven,Rathcooney,12.00;

Section 4: Dolphin v Sunday's Well,Musgrave Park,11.30;

Under 15 League Section 1: Charleville v Fermoy,Charleville,12.00
Cobh Pirates v Cork Constitution,Cobh,11.30
Muskerry v Mitchelstown,Muskerry,12.15
Kanturk v Youghal,Kanturk,12.30
Mallow v Old Christians,Mallow,11.30
Sunday's Well v PBC,Musgrave Park,10.45

Section 2: Kinsale v Bantry Bay,Kinsale,12.00
Clonakilty v Crosshaven,Clonakilty,12.00

West Munster Under 15 League: Castleisland v Tralee,Castleisland,12.00
Killorglin v Corca Dhuibhne,Killorglin,12.00

Under 19 Friendlies: Midleton v Dolphin,Midleton,11.00;
PBC v Bandon,Wilton,11.30;

Girls Under 17 Blitz,Castleisland,3.00;
Girls Under 15 Blitz,Castleisland,3.00;

SUNDAY 28th NOVEMBER
Autumn International: Ireland v Argentina,Aviva Stadium,2.30;

Womens Interprovincial: Leinster v Munster,Donnybrook,12.30;

Munster Junior League Division 1: Ballincollig v Tralee,Tanner Park,2.30;
Cashel v Waterpark,Cashel,2.30;
Clanwilliam v St. Senan's ,Clanwilliam Park,2.30;
Clonmel v Cobh Pirates,Clonmel,2.30;
Kilfeacle v Thurles,Kilfeacle,2.30;

Division 2: Castleisland v Killarney,Castleisland,2.30;
Ennis v Kinsale Ennis,2.30;
Kanturk v Mallow,Kanturk,2.30;
Muskerry v Charleville,Ballyanly,2.30;
Newcastle West v St. Mary's,Newcastle West,2.30;
Newport v Galbally,Newport,2.30;
Youghal v Bandon,Youghal,2.30;

Division 3: Abbeyfeale v Bantry Bay,Abbeyfeale,2.30;
Corca Dhuibhne v Dungarvan,Ballydavid,2.30;
Douglas v Carrick-on-Suir,Moneygourney,2.30;
Kilrush v Fermoy,Kilrush,2.30;
Presentation v Killorglin,Rathuard,2.30;
Shandon v Waterford City,Whitechurch,2.30;

Munster Seconds League South: Clonakilty v U.C.C.,The Vale,2.30;
Cork Constitution v Dolphin,Temple Hill,2.30;
Highfield v Midleton,Woodleigh Park,2.30;

Junior 2 League South Section A: Iveragh v Listowel,Chairciveen,2.30;
Killarney v Kenmare,Killarney,2.30;
Tralee v Castleisland,Tralee,2.30;

Section B: Clonakilty v Bandon,The Vale,12.00;
Dunmanway v Skibbereen,Dunmanway,12.00;

Section C: Mallow v Kanturk,Mallow,12.00;
Muskerry v Ballincollig,Ballyanly,12.00;

Section D: Carrick-on-Suir v Dungarvan,Carrick-on-Suir,12.00;

Section E: Carrigaline v Sunday's Well,Moneygourney,12.00;
Dolphin v Crosshaven,Musgrave Park,12.00;

Section F: Old Christians v Cork Constitution,Rathcooney,12.00;
U.C.C. v Cobh Pirates,Curaheen Road,12.00;

Junior 3 League South Section A: Douglas v Ballincollig,Moneygourney,12.00;
U.C.C. v Bandon,Curaheen Road,2.30;

Section B: Dolphin v Mitchelstown,Musgrave Park,2.30;

Junior 2 Friendly: Fermoy v Kinsale,Fermoy,12.00;
Waterpark v Clonmel,Ballinakill,1.00;

West Under 15 League: Abbeyfeale v Killarney,Abbeyfeale,12.00;

Women's AIL Division 2: Ballincollig v Galbally,Tanner Park,1.00;
Clanwilliam v Youghal,Clanwilliam Park,1.00;
Nenagh Ormond v Shannon,Nenagh,1.00;
Tralee v Thurles,Tralee,1.00;

Development League: Fermoy v Highfield,Fermoy,1.30: