Weekend Preview 2nd May

The Munster Junior XV will be looking to build on last Saturday’s credible draw with defending champions Leinster this weekend when they play Ulster at Abbeyfeale.

Ulster go into this tie boosted by their 37-23 win over Connacht last week but they will face a sterner task this time out.

Munster will not be able to finalise their side until just before kick off as they want to see if some injuries picked up last week will clear up.

There are two changes in the squad as the selectors want to give their panel as much game time as possible. Darragh Meade (Kanturk) comes in at out half and Kilfeacle’s Jack O’Sullivan moves into the back row.

The team announced is –
Jerry Martin (Newcastle West); David Joyce (Clonmel), Stephen O’Brien (Old Christians)/Diarmuid O’Connor (Cashel), Pat O’Connor (Cashel), Barry Gibbons (St. Mary’s); Darragh Meade (Kanturk), Micheal Hickey (Cashel); Dave Hogan (St. Mary’s), Darragh Fitzgerald (St. Mary’s), Tom Keaveny (Cobh Pirates); JJ Frahill (Cobh Pirates), Philip Ryan (Cashel)/John Gilmartin (Tralee); Jack O’Sullivan (Kilfeacle & District), Joe McSweeney (Waterpark), Tadgh Wright (Kinsale)/ Glen Deacon (Waterpark).
Replacements: Barry Moloney (Cashel), Trevor Downes (Kilrush), Martin Clifford (Cobh Pirates), Michael Twohig (Kanturk), Edward English (Kanturk), Declan Moloney (Newcastle West), Liam Casey (Galbally), Darragh O’Brien (Cashel), Brian Silke (Cashel), Peter Murphy (Kinsale), Barry Wright (Kinsale).

There are three finals to be decided on Saturday. Cork Constitution and U.L. Bohemian will battle it out for the Munster Seconds League final at Temple Hill. The Limerick side will be going for a league and cup double having retained their Junior Cup title last week. They will start as favourites but Constitution are never an easy side to beat especially on their own patch, so it will take a big effort from Bohes if they are to regain the trophy they last held two years ago.

Garryowen and Highfield meet in the final of the Munster Junior Plate at Annacotty. Garryowen had to battle hard in the semi final where two late tries saw them overcome Kinsale 32-23, while Highfield had a surprising 48-13 home win over Dolphin. Both sides will be eager to win this trophy, Garryowen will be looking to win it for the third time. Their last success was back in 1998, while Highfield have never won it. The Dooradoyle side’s experience should give them the advantage.

Cashel will defend their Webb Cup title when they face Bruff at Clifford Park, kick off 4.00. Cashel won this trophy for the first time last year; while Bruff have yet to win but the County Limerick side will start as slight favourites to lift this trophy.

On Friday night two more finals should be decided when Young Munster play Thurles in the O’Carroll Plate final at Bruff and at Musgrave Park Dolphin face Fermoy in the final of the Junior 3B league.

Shannon’s third XV travel to Cobh to decide who will face Richmond in next weekend’s final of the Munster Junior Two Cup.

Dunmanway play Old Christians in the semi final of the Kelly Cup on Sunday with Cobh Pirates awaiting the winners in the final.

FIXTURES:
FRIDAY 30th APRIL
O’Carroll Plate Final:Young Munster v Thurles,Bruff,7.30;

Junior 3B League Final;Dolphin v Fermoy,Musgrave Park,7.00;

Kinsale Sevens:

Evans Cup Final:Clonmel v Galbally,Kilfeacle,8.00;

East Under 17 Plate Final:Clanwilliam v Waterpark,TBA,7.00;

East Under 15 Plate Final:Fethard v Dungarvan,Carrick-on-Suir,7.00;

North Under 19 Cup Semi Final:Garryowen v Young Munster,Dooradoyle,7.15;

North Under 15 League Final:Richmond/Bruff v Garryowen/Old Crescent,Annacotty,7.00;

SATURDAY 1st MAY
Junior Interprovincial:Munster v Ulster,Abbeyfeale,2.30;
Connacht v Leinster,Creggs,2.30;

Munster Junior Plate Final:Garryowen v Highfield,Annacotty,2.30;

Munster Seconds League Final:Cork Constitution v U.L. Bohemian,Temple Hill,2.30;

Munster League Cup Semi Finals:Cobh Pirates v Shannon,Cobh,2.30;

Webb Cup Final:Bruff v Cashel,Clifford Park,4.00;

East O’Connor Under 21 Cup:Nenagh Ormond v Kilfeacle,Cashel,2.30;

Kinsale Sevens:

SUNDAY 2nd MAY
Heineken Cup Semi Final:Biarritz v Munster,San Sabastion,

Kelly Cup Semi Final:Dunmanway v Old Christians,Dunmanway,1.00;

Kinsale Sevens:

North Under 19 Cup Final:Thomond v Garryowen/Young Munster,TBA,11.30;

North Under 15 Cup Semi Final:Bruff v Garryowen,Bruff,11.30;

Under 17 Friendly:Clanwilliam v Kidderminister,Clanwilliam Park,1.00;

Under 15 Friendly:Clanwilliam v Kidderminister,Clanwilliam Park,12.00;

Under 14 Friendly:Clanwilliam v Kidderminister,Clanwilliam Park,11.45;

TUESDAY 4th MAY
North Under 15 Cup Final:U.L. Bohemian v Bruff/Garryowen,TBA,7.00;

WEDNESDAY 7th MAY
Kelly Cup Final:Cobh Pirates v Dunmanway / Old Christians,Musgrave Park,7.00; (Provisional)

Gleeson Cup Final:Thurles v Cashel,Kilfeacle,8.00;

THURSDAY 6th MAY
Paul Twomey Cup Final:Kinsale v Muskerry,Musgrave Park,7.00;