Weekend Rugby Preview

It is a big weekend for three Munster Clubs in the Ulster Bank League as Cork Constitution will be bidding for their fifth All Ireland League title and both Bruff and Old Crescent are involved in relegation play offs.

Cork Constitution will be aiming to win their third title in four years and put back to back victories for the first time when they travel to Donnybrook on Sunday to face Old Belvedere in a final that kicks off at 2.35.
Cork Constitution will be favourites going into this contest as yet again they finished top of the table in the league.
They were deserving winners over Young Munster in the semi final, while Old Belvedere were lucky to snatch victory with a last minute try to beat Clontarf.
Cork Con’ have won both encounters this season against the side from Anglesea Road and will be quite confident of retaining the trophy.

Bruff play Bective Rangers on Saturday at Kilballyowen Park to decide which side will play in Division 1B and Division 2A of the league next season.
The County Limerick side following their promotion last season to Division 1B have had a topsy turvy season. They made history by winning the ODM Financial Munster Senior Cup for the first time with a victory over Garryowen in the final and followed that up with success in winning the Bateman All Ireland Cup when they defeated Dungannon in the final a few weeks ago. However their league form dipped since Christmas and having been in a challenging position for promotion they finished in bottom place in Diviison 1B.
Bective have never won promotion or being relegated since entering the All Ireland League and they will be all out to end their stay in the Second Division. Bruff if they play to their potential should have the edge and keep their place in the First Division.

The other play off is between Old Crescent and Banbridge at Rosbrien to decide who will play in Division 2A and 2B next season. A defeat by Thomond saw Crescent fall into the bottom place in the table with two two games remaining and they must now face the side that finished fifth in Division 3. Crescent will have home advantage but this will be a tough task to get a victory against an Ulster side that will be full of confidence after some impressive results in recent weeks.

The Munster Junior XV begin their Interprovincial campaign with a home tie against Leinster at Charleville on Friday evening kick off 6.45.

Locally the season comes to a conclusion with the remaining trophies to be decided. Thomond having received a walk over from Cork Constitution in the semi final of the Munster Seconds League face U.L. Bohemian in the final but a date has yet to be agreed for this fixture.

Cashel after doing a clean sweep in Munster following their Munster Junior Cup victory last week play Galbally in the final of the Mansergh Cup at Clanwilliam Park. The Tipperary side will be without several of their players who will be involved with the Munster Junior side against Leinster. Galbally having won the Division Two title will be all out to reverse their defeat by Cashel in the Junior Cup semi final.

It is also a busy weekend for the Cashel Second XV who are also going for a grand slam as they travel to Fermoy on Sunday to face Ballincollig in the final of the Munster Junior Two Cup. Before this tie they face Clonmel in the Evans Cup final on Friday evening.

Their opponents also have a mid week game as Ballincollig face Carrigaline in the final of the Kelly Cup at Rathcooney at 6.30 on Thursday evening.

Mallow and Midleton will battle it out at Musgrave Park on Friday evening to decide the destination of the O’Neill Cup. Former Midleton player Bryan Morris is now coaching Mallow and he will be anxious to put one over on his former team mates.

Mallow Second XV play holders Highfield at Woodleigh Park in the final of the Dave Dineen Cup while Fermoy and Ballincollig meet at Fermoy in the final of the McCarthy Cup.

Old Christians and Sunday’s Well meet in the Paul Twomey Cup Final at Musgrave Park next Wednesday evening.

FIXTURES:
THURSDAY 28th APRIL
Kelly Cup Final:Ballincollig v Carrigaline, Rathcooney, 6.30;

East Under 17 Plate Final: Kilfeacle v Cashel, Clanwilliam, 7.00;

East Under 13 Plate Final: Cashel/Clanwilliam v Clonmel, Fethard, 7.00;

North Under 13 Cup Final: Shannon v U.L. Bohemian, L.I.T., 7.00;

FRIDAY 29th APRIL
Junior Inter Provincial: Munster v Leinster, Charleville, 6.45;

O'Neill Cup Final: Mallow v Midleton, Musgrave Park, 6.30;

Evans Cup Final: Cashel v Clonmel, Kilfeacle, 7.00;

East Under 17 Cup Final: Clonmel v Waterpark, Dungarvan, 7.00;

East Under 13 Cup Final: Dungarvan/Waterpark v Fethard, Clonmel, 7.00;

North Under 19 League Final: Shannon-St. Mary's v Bruff, Coonagh, 7.00;

North Under 17 Open Cup: U.L. Bohemian v Bruff, Annacotty, 7.00;

South Under 19 Development League Final: Old Christians v Fermoy, Rathcooney, 7.30;

Kinsale 10 Aside, Kinsale, 4.30;

SATURDAY 30th APRIL
Amlin Cup Semi Final: Munster v Harlequins, Thomond Park, 1.00;

Ulster Bank League Division 1B Play Off: Bruff v Bective Rangers, Kilballyowen Park, 2.30;

Ulster Bank League Division 2A Play Off: Old Crescent v Banbridge, Rosbrien, 2.30;

Junior Inter Provincial: Connacht v Ulster, Tuam, 2.30;

Ballyrandle Cup Final: Dungarvan v Youghal/Waterpark, Dungarvan, 6.00;

Kinsale Sevens, Kinsale, 10.30;

SUNDAY 1st MAY
Ulster Bank League Division 1 Final: Cork Constitution v Old Belvedere, Donnybrook, 2.35;

Mansergh Cup Final: Cashel v Galbally, Clanwilliam Park, 3.00;

Munster Junior 2 Cup Final: Ballincollig v Cashel, Fermoy, 2.30;

Dave Dineen Cup Final: Highfield v Mallow, Woodleigh Park, 12.00;

McCarthy Cup Final: Fermoy v Ballincollig, Fermoy, 12.30

O'Connor Cup Final: Clanwilliam v Kilfeacle, Clanwilliam Park, 5.00;

North Under 19 League Final: Thomond v Shannon-St. Mary's/Bruff, L.I.T., 12.00;

North Under 17 Open Cup Semi Finals: U.L. Bohemian/Bruff v Shannon, TBC, 11.00;
Young Munster/Thomond v Richmond, TBC, 11.30;

Kinsale Sevens, Kinsale, 10.30;

TUESDAY 3rd MAY
Casey Cup: Dungarvan v Waterpark, Dungarvan, 7.00;

North Munster Under 19 Open Cup: Shannon-St. Mary's v Young Munster, Coonagh, 7.00;

North Under 17 Open Cup Final:, L.I.T., 7.00;

WEDNESDAY 4th MAY
Paul Twomey Cup Final: Old Christians v Sunday's Well, Musgrave Park, 6.30;