Weekend Preview | Junior Rugby

The Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, Plate and Bowl competitions continue this weekend and there is also handful of games in all three divisions of the Munster Junior League.

The game of the weekend in the last 16 of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup is the meeting of holders Highfield and Cork Constitution at Woodleigh Park. This is a repeat of last year’s decider which finished in a 23-23 draw but Highfield won on the try-count rule. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage in the quarter finals against Mallow or All Ireland Junior Cup holders Kilfeacle, who meet in North Cork.

Bandon who won the trophy three years ago lock horns with near neighbours and 2001 winners Clonakilty in a West Cork derby at Old Chapel and the winners will be at home to Kinsale or Garryowen, who go head to head in South Cork.

Charleville entertain Abbeyfeale, who won the trophy in 1964 and 1966 to Smith’s Road. The winners will be rewarded with a home tie in the quarter finals against Newcastle West or Crosshaven, who meet in West Limerick.

There is a Premier County derby at the Spafield as 2011 winners Cashel entertain near neighbours Thurles and the winners will be at home to Ballincollig or Galbally, who meet at Tanner Park.

In the quarter finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate, Bantry Bay welcome 2012 finalists Dungarvan to West Cork and the winners will have a home tie in the semi-finals against Nenagh Ormond or Scariff, who meet in North Tipperary.

St Mary’s who last won the trophy in 1990, face a tricky task as they welcome Killorglin, who recently won the Munster Junior League Division 3 title, to Grove Island. The winners will be at home to UL Bohemian or Fethard, who meet at Annacotty.

The Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl semi-finals are down for decision as Cobh Pirates lock horns with Youghal in an East Cork derby at the Paddocks and Clonmel welcome Killarney to South Tipperary.

In Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, Skibbereen, who claimed their second losing bonus point from their 24-19 home defeat by Kilfeacle, are at home to tenth-placed Clanwilliam, who are 19 points clear of the drop zone. The Tipperary Town side go into the tie on the back of a 17-12 home win over Crosshaven.

Waterpark are at home to bottom side St Senan’s in a basement clash. The Suirsiders were defeated 31-6 by Kilfeacle in West Tipperary last time out while the Clare side who are propping up the table were defeated 27-6 by Clanwilliam in Tipperary Town in January.

The only games in Division 2 see two Cork sides who are aiming to overtake Kanturk in pole position on the road.

Second-placed Muskerry who ran out 30-10 maximum point home winners over Dungarvan last time out are away to Fermoy. The North Cork side were defeated 43-26 by Kanturk at the Showgrounds in their last game, but scored four tries to claim a bonus point.

Old Christians, who are third, travel to the Kingdom to take on Tralee, who are propping up the table. Old Christians ran out 19-5 away winners over Thurles in their last game, while Tralee were defeated 33-6 on home turf by Dungarvan.

The game of the day in Division 3 is the meeting of third-placed Waterford City and second-placed Ennis on Suirside. The Banner County side were defeated 13-7 by champions Killorglin in Kerry, while Waterford City go into the tie on the back of a 14-8 home win over Youghal.

Chorca Dhuibhne welcome bottom side Douglas-Carrigaline, who are still on zero points to the West Kerry Gaeltacht. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats by Killorglin and Bantry Bay respectively, with Chorca Dhuibhne’s only win coming on the opening day of the campaign against Killarney in East Kerry.