Weekend preview March 6th

It is AIL action this weekend as well as the final series of games in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League that dominate the rugby program.

There is a big game at Temple Hill when the top two sides in Division 1A of the AIB All Ireland League meet. Cork Constitution go into the tie a point ahead of Shannon and after Constitution’s dramatic win at Coonagh earlier in the season and the aftermath following that result, Shannon will want to atone for that day with a win but it is the home side who should collect the points.

Dolphin who have seen their play off hopes fade in the last few weeks are away to bottom side U.L. Bohemian. The Limerick side will want to start putting a winning run together if they are to stay in this Division and Dolphin will have to show an improved performance if they are to finish in the top three.

Garryowen who have moved out of the relegation zone with some impressive performances lately can widen the six point gap with an away win over Clontarf the side just below them.

U.C.C. the only side who can halt Old Belvedere and Young Munster from gaining promotion from Division 1B, have to win their home tie against Young Munster to prevent the top two sides from being promoted with two games remaining.

In Division Two Bruff still in contention for a promotion place do not play until Sunday when they travel to Donnybrook to face Old Wesley. They will have a good idea of what they have to do and will know where they stand in the table with four games to go. They have the ability to win and should pick up the points against a side that will be happy to finish in the top half of the table.

Thomond travel to Corinthians and will want to finish their campaign with a flourish.

Clonakilty who have won their last three games and moved out of relegation trouble will be confident of continuing their good run by getting some thing from their tie away to Bective Rangers.

Both Old Crescent and Highfield are level on points but it is Highfield who occupy the second relegation spot and they face a difficult tie when they travel to runaway leaders Lansdowne and a bonus point win for the Dublin side will guarantee them promotion.

Old Crescent are at home to D.L.S.P. and the Limerick side must at least get something from this tie against a side who are currently in second place and in contention for promotion.

In the Third Division Midleton who are now in second place with three games to play travel to relegation threatened Portadown and will be anxious to collect maximum points and depending on results elsewhere could be promoted.

Nenagh Ormond in fourth place should take another step towards a play off place with an away win over Ards.

Sundays Well three points behind the north Tipperary side will fancy their chances at home to Naas.

Both Richmond and Tralee travel to Cork venues in their final game in Division One of the Munster Junior League with one of them expected to be crowned champions at around 4.00pm on Sunday.

The two sides are level on points but it is Richmond who currently hold the advantage as they won the head to head meeting and are in top place. The Limerick side travel to Ballincollig and will be confident of winning their second trophy. The home side are currently in fourth place and it will be a great achievement for them to hold on to this spot in their first season in the top flight. However Richmond will be expected to win.

Tralee head to Skibbereen and this is a difficult venue to get an away win from and the Kerry side know that they really need a bonus point win to have any chance of becoming the first side from the Kingdom to win the title. They may get the win and will be waiting anxiously for the result from Tanner Park but it is Richmond who look like will be celebrating their second title.

At the other end of the table three sides are in danger of joining St. Senan’s in the Second Division next season. Crosshaven currently occupy that second relegation place and must win their final tie when they visit St. Senan’s. Having already won their 12-0 in the Junior Cup a few weeks ago, the visitors will be confident of picking up the points and than will be depending on results elsewhere to see if they will hold on to their place in the top flight.

Thurles a point ahead of Crosshaven travel to Waterpark and they will have to show a big improvement on last week’s showing against Kilfeacle if they are to keep ahead of Crosshaven.

Clonmel are three points ahead of Crosshaven and they complete their program with a trip to Kilfeacle a side they are due to face on the 21st March in the final of the Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup and could find themselves demoted if they lose and both Crosshaven and Thurles win. Clonmel were the dark horses to win the title but injury depleted them considerably during the campaign but they will be expected to pull out all the stops and pick up the points.

The other tie sees Cashel at home to Cobh Pirates and this game is brought forward to Saturday.

The scheduled Second Division program have been put back two weeks to allow some vital games that will affect the promotion and relegation issues to be played.

This also allows the replay between Muskerry and Galbally in the Munster Junior Cup to go ahead at Ballyanly. This will be the third meeting between the sides in the last two weeks and the mid Cork side will be confident of a victory after an impressive performance last week when the sides drew 12-12.

In the league Old Christians can go back to the top of the Second Division if they can win their outstanding game away to relegation threatened Ennis. With so much at stake the visitors should pick up the points.

The two sides occupying the relegation places St. Mary’s and Youghal meet at the East Cork venue with the losers almost certainly likely to be relegated.

Bandon travel to Newport and both these sides need a win just to make sure they will not be involved in the relegation battle on the final day of the season should results elsewhere go against them.

The other tie in this Division sees Kinsale at home to Kanturk in a mid table clash.

In Section A of the Third Division leaders Castleisland can ensure a home semi final with a home win over Scariff.

Presentation who moved into second place ahead of Killarney last week with that 11-8 home win, travel to the Kerry venue this week and the home side will be anxious to regain second place with a home win.

Abbeyfeale and Corca Dhuibhne still in with an outstanding choice of gaining promotion and both need a victory when these sides meet at the West Limerick venue.

The other side in this section sees Kilrush are at home to Killorglin and the visitors will hope to continue their recent good run with an away win.

In Section B leaders Charleville will hope to maintain top spot with a home win over Waterford City, while the two sides behind them sees Mallow at home to Fermoy.

Carrick-on Suir must win their home game against Douglas if they are to keep their promotion chances alive and the two bottom sides Dungarvan and Shandon meet at the Waterford venue.

FIXTURES:
FRIDAY 5th MARCH
Gleeson League Play Off:Bruff v Garryowen,Bruff,7.30;

King Cup Semi Final:Villiers v Clonmel H.S.,Coonagh,1.00;

East Munster Under 15 League:Nenagh Ormond v Cashel,Nenagh,7.30;

SATURDAY 6th MARCH
Magners League:Newport Gwent Dragons v Munster,Rodney Parade,6.30;

AIB League Division 1A: Blackrock College v St. Mary’s College,Stradbrook,2.30;
Clontarf v Garryowen,Castle Avenue,2.30;
Cork Constitution v Shannon,Temple Hill,2.30;
U.L. Bohemian v Dolphin,Annacotty,2.30;

Division 1B:Ballynahinch v Buccaneers,Ballymacarn Park,2.30;
Dungannon v Old Belvedere,Stevenson Park,2.30;
Galwegians v Ballymena,Crowley Park,2.30;
U.C.C. v Young Munster,Mardyke,2.30;

Division 2:Bective Rangers v Clonakilty,Donnybrook,2.30;
Belfast Harlequins v Malone,Deramore Park,2.30;
Corinthians v Thomond,Corinthian Park,2.30;
Lansdowne v Highfield,RDS Balsbridge,2.30;
Old Crescent v D.L.S.P.,Rosbrien,2.30;
Terenure College v Greystones,Lakelands,2.30;
U.C.D. v Dublin University,Belfield,2.30;

Division 3:Ards v Nenagh Ormond,Hamilton Park,2.30;
Barnhall v Co. Carlow,Parsonstown,2.30;
Connemara v Navan,Monastery Field,2.30;
Portadown v Midleton,Chambers Park,2.30;
Rainey Old Boys v Instonians,Hatrick Park,2.30;
Sunday’s Well v Naas,Musgrave Park,2.30;
Suttonians v Banbridge,Station Road,2.30;
Wanderers v Queens University,Merrion Road,2.30;

Munster Junior League Division 1:Cashel v Cobh Pirates,Cashel,5.30;

Webb Cup:St. Mary’s v Clanwilliam,Corbally,4.00;
Waterpark v Galbally,Ballinakill,2.30;

McInerney Cup:Old Crescent v Young Munster,Rosbrien,12.30;
Shannon v Richmond,Coonagh,1.00;

Under 21 South Western Conference Division 1A:Garryowen v Cork Constitiution,Dooradoyle,2.30;
N.U.I.G. v Bruff,Galway,2.30;
Shannon v Dolphin,Coonagh,2.30;
U.L. Bohemian v U.C.C.,Annacotty,2.30;

South Under 19 League Semi Final:Sunday’s Well v Crosshaven,Musgrave Park,11.00;

South Under 19 Development League Final: Douglas v Muskerry,TBA;12.00;

Under 17 League Semi Finals:Bandon v Highfield,Bandon,11.00;
Charleville v Old Christians,Charleville,12.00;

South Under 17 League Phase 2 Section A:Cork Constitution v Highfield,Temple Hill,10.30;
Fermoy v Kanturk,Fermoy,11.30;

Section C:Dolphin v Ballincollig,Musgrave Park,11.30;
Youghal v Crosshaven,Youghal,11.00;

Under 15 League Semi Final:Kanturk v Clonakilty,Kanturk,12.00;

Section A Play Off:Mallow v Sunday’s Well,Mallow,11.30;

Section B;Carrigaline v Crosshaven,Carrigaline,11.00;

Under 15 West Cork Cup:Dunmanway v Muskerry,Dunmanway,11.30;

West Munster Under 19 Cup:Kenmare v Abbeyfeale,Kenmare,12.00;

West Munster Under 17 Cup Quarter Final: Tralee v Killorglin,Tralee,tbc;

West Munster Under 13 Cup Quarter Finals: Corca Dhuibhne v Tralee,Tralee,tbc;
Kenmare v Killorglin,Kenmare,11.00;
Killarney v Castleisland,Killarney,tbc;

North Under 15 League:Thomond v Ennis,Fitzgerald Park,11.00;

Under 19 Friendly:Highfield v Dunmanway,Woodleigh Park,12.30;
Old Christians v Bandon,Rathcooney,12.00;

Under 17 Friendly:P.B.C. v Sunday’s Well,Wilton,12.00;

Munster Girls Under 17 Development Cup Final:Mallow/Fermoy v St Mary’s,Tanner Park,1.00;

Under 17 Girls Friendly:Clonmel v Carrick-on-Suir,Clonmel,10.30;

Under 13 Friendly:North Munster v Pembrokeshire,Dooradoyle,11.00;

SUNDAY 7th MARCH
AIB League Division 2:Old Wesley v Bruff,Donnybrook,2.30;

Munster Junior League Division 1:Ballincollig v Richmond,Tanner Park,2.30;
Kilfeacle v Clonmel,Kilfeacle,2.30;
Skibbereen v Tralee,Skibbereen,2.30;
St. Senan’s v Crosshaven,Jim Slattery Park,2.30;
Waterpark v Thurles,Ballinakill,2.30;

Division 2:Ennis v Old Christians,Ennis,2.30;
Kinsale v Kanturk,Kinsale,2.30;
Newport v Bandon,Newport,2.30;
Youghal v St Mary’s,Youghal,2.30;

Division 3 Section A:Abbeyfeale v Corca Dhuibhne,Abbeyfeale,2.30;
Castleisland v Scariff,Castleisland,2.30;
Killarney v Presentation,Killarney,2.30;
Kilrush v Killorglin,Kilrush,2.30;

Section B:Carrick-on-Suir v Douglas,Carrick-on-Suir,2.30;
Charleville v Waterford City,Charleville,2.30;
Dungarvan v Shandon,Dungarvan,2.30;
Mallow v Fermoy,Mallow,2.30;

Munster Junior Cup Replay:Muskerry v Galbally,Ballyanly,2.30;

Munster Junior Plate:Nenagh Ormond v Thomond,Nenagh,2.30;

North Munster Seconds League:U.L. Bohemian v Young Munster,Annacotty,2.30;
Garryowen v Bruff,Dooradoyle,2.30;

Junior 2 League South Play Off:Skibbereen v Dolphin,Skibbereen,12.00;

Mick Barry Cup Semi Final:Cork Constitution v Muskerry,Temple Hill,12.00;

Group B:Kanturk v Clonakilty,Kanturk,12.00;

George O’Connell Cup:Kinsale v Crosshaven,Kinsale,12,00;
Sunday’s Well v Bantry Bay,Musgrave Park,2,30;

Kelly Cup:Cobh Pirates v Bandon,Cobh,12.00;

Casey Cup:Carrick-on-Suir v Dungarvan,Carrick-on-Suir,1.00;

Junior 2 Friendly:Mallow v Highfield,Mallow,12.00;

Avonmore Milk Senior Cup Semi Final:St. Munchin’s v P.B.C.,Clifford Park,3.00;

East Munster Under 19 League Final:Waterpark v Kilfeacle,Clonmel,’12.30;

East Munster Under 19 Development League:Cashel v Galbally,Cashel,11.00;

East Munster Under 17 League Final:Waterpark v Kilfeacle,Clonmel,11.00;

East Munster Under 17 Development League:Fethard v Carrick-on-Suir,Fethard,11.00;
Galbally v Clonmel,Galbally,11.00;
Roscrea v Nenagh Ormond,Roscrea,11.00;
Thurles v Clanwilliam,Thurles,11.00;

East Munster Under 13 League:Cashel v Thurles,Cashel,11.00;
Clonmel v Fethard,Clonmel,11.00;
Kilfeacle v Dungarvan,Kilfeacle,11.00;
Waterpark v Nenagh Ormond,Ballinakill,12.30;

North Under 18 League::Kilrush v U.L. Bohemian,Kilrush,12.00;
St. Mary’s v Scariff,St. Enda’s,11.30;
Thomond v St. Senan’s,Fitzgerald Park,11.30;

North Under 16 League:Ballina/Killaloe v Thomond,Scariff,11.30;
Kilrush v Ennis,Kilrush,11.00;
Newport v Newcastle West,Newport,11.30;
St. Senan’s v U.L. Bohemian,Jim Slattery Park,11.30;

North Under 15 League:Garryowen vShannon,Dooradoyle,11.30;
Young Munster v Bruff,Derryknockane,11.30;

North Under 14 League Semi Final:Shannon v U.L. Bohemian Hawks,Coonagh;

North Under 13 League Semi Final:Young Munster v Shannon,Derryknockane,11.00;

South Under 19 League Semi Final:Highfield v Fermoy,Woodleigh Park,11.00;

Under 17 Friendly:Old Crescent v Bruff, Rosbrien,11.30;

Under 15 Friendly:U.L. Bohemian v Tralee,Annacotty,11.30;

Under 14 Friendly:Young Munster v Pembrokeshire,Derryknockane,11.30;

Womens AIL Division 1:Highfield v St. Mary’s College,Woodleigh Park,1.00;

Division 2:Thurles v Shannon,Thurles,1.00;
Tralee v Clanwilliam,Tralee,1.00;
Nenagh Ormond v Youghal,Nenagh,1.00;

TUESDAY 9th MARCH
Avonmore Milk Junior Cup Semi Final:Crescent Comp v Glenstal Abbey,Clifford Park,3.00;

WEDNESDAY 10th MARCH
Avonmore Milk Junior Cup Semi Final:Ard Scoil Ris v C.B.C.,Dooradoyle,3.30;