Weekend Rugby Preview.

A limited number of games are scheduled for this weekend due to Saturday’s 6 Nations international.

The big game of the weekend is the Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup Final between Cashel and Crosshaven.

However Crosshaven have indicated they will be unable to field a side this weekend and confirmation is awaited from the Junior Committee as to what happens next.

There are also some vital outstanding league games that could affect both ends of the table in the various Divisions of the Munster Junior League.

In Division One bottom side Ballincollig are at home to Tralee. A defeat for the home side would relegate them to Division Two next season as they are currently eight points behind Cobh Pirates with two games left to play.

Tralee disappointed at losing to Galbally in the Junior Cup last week are still in with a battle to finish in the top five in the league and qualify for next season’s All Ireland Junior Cup. Traleewill start as hot favourite s to win this tie and move them into fifth place a point ahead of Clanwilliam.

In Division Two the two top sides are in action in their bid to move a step nearer promotion. Leaders Galbally can ensure their promotion to the top flight with an away win over Castleisland. The home side have still a mathematical chance of going up but they must win their two remaining games and hope results elsewhere go their way. Galbally still to taste defeat this season are unlikely to slip at this stage and should record their eleventh victory of the campaign.

Kanturk in second place are five points clear of their nearest challengers and they have a home tie against Mallow, where a win for the Duhallow side would end Mallow’s outside promotion hopes. Kanturk’s recent good run came to an end last week when Killarney defeated them 25-24 in the quarter final of the Munster Junior Plate. With so much at stake it is hard to see Kanturk lose this one and should pick up the points.

The other game in this Division has Killarney at home to Muskerry. Killarney go into this tie full of confidence after away wins over Mallow and Kanturk, while Muskerry are a point ahead of bottom side Charleville and will be battling to get some thing from this encounter.

In Division Three the big battle is for the second promotion spot. Scariff are currently in second place and are two points ahead of Fermoy with a game in hand and three above WaterfordCity. Scariff are away to bottom side Shandon and will be looking to take maximum points from this encounter.

The Two sides chasing them for promotion face each other when WaterfordCity host Fermoy. The home side lost valuable points two weeks ago when they lost away to Dungarvan, while Fermoy have collected maximum points in their last two games where they scored twelve tries and will be confident of keeping the pressure on the Clare side with a victory.

Douglas still in with an outside chance of promotion, will be looking to collect maximum points when they entertain Kilrush.

Leaders Presentation already assured of promotion will fancy their chances of moving a step closer to the Third Division title with a home win over Corca Dhuibhne.

Cork Constitution face Sunday’s Well at Temple Hill in the Seconds League South and should avenge their defeat earlier in the season at MusgraveParkagainst the same opposition.

There are four games listed in the Seconds League North with Shannon and Garryowen battling it out for one of the play off places.

In the Garryowen Cup Kilfeacle should advance with a home win over Clonmel.

The remaining semi finals in the Avonmore Milk Munster Under 19 and 17 Leagues are also down for decision.

Crosshaven host Thomond in the Under 19 semi final at Myrtleville Cross on Saturday. Both recorded surprising away wins in the quarter finals. Crosshaven defeated Kilfeacle last week 22-17 with tries from Gary Fitzgibbon, Dylan Fitzgerald, Darren O’Keeffe and Kieran Doran. Conor Lyden kicked one conversion.

Thomond caused a big upset with a 19-15 away win over unbeaten Thomond. This should be very close but home advantage could swing it Crosshaven’s way.

On Sunday the two Under 17 semi finals are to be decided. Old Crescent who had a last minute 5-3 away win over Kilfeacle last week are at home to Shannon and Waterpark entertain Sunday’s Well at Ballinakill.

FIXTURES:

FRIDAY 18th MARCH

Friendly: Irish Defence Forces v Royal Navy, Camp Field, 3.00;

Senior Friendly:Bruff v Shannon, Bruff, 7.30;

South Under 21 Cup: U.C.C. v Cork Constitution, Mardyke, 7.30;

North Under 17 League: Thomond v Bruff, L.I.T., 7.30;

Under 17 Friendly: Garryowen v ErinHigh School, Dooradoyle, 6.30;

Women's Friendly: Shannon v SmithCollege, Coonagh, 7.30;

SATURDAY 19th MARCH

Six Nations: Ireland v England, Aviva Stadium, 5.00;

Senior Friendly: Dolphin v U.L. Bohemian, MusgravePark, 2.30;

O'Carroll Plate Semi Final: Clonmel v St. Mary's, Clonmel, 2.30;

Evans Cup Semi Final: Cashel v Kilfeacle, Cashel, 7.30;

North Munster Under 21 League Final: Shannonv Garryowen, Coonagh, 2.00;

North Munster Under 21 Cup: Nenagh Ormond v Old Crescent, Nenagh, 2.00;

Thomond v Bruff, FitzgeraldPark, 2.00;

South Under 21 Cup Semi Final: Highfield v Dolphin, WoodleighPark, 2.30;

Junior Friendly: St. Senan's v FranciscanCollege, JimSlatteryPark, 2.00;

Avonmore Milk Under 19 League Semi Final: Crosshaven v Thomond, Crosshaven, 1.30;

South Under 19 Cup: Fermoy v Tralee, Fermoy, 12.00;

South Under 19 Development Cup: Douglas v Dunmanway, Moneygourney, 12.00;

Mallow v Charleville, Mallow, 11.00;

South Under 17 Cup: Highfield v Mallow, WoodleighPark, 11.30;

Old Christians v Charleville, Rathcooney, 12.00;

Sunday's Well v Muskerry, MusgravePark,

South Under 17 Development Cup: BantryBay v Skibbereen, Bantry, 10.45;

Kinsale v Dolphin, Kinsale, 11.30;

Under 17 League Semi Final: Kanturk v Muskerry, Kanturk, 1.00;

Under 17 League Section 1 Final: Cork Constitution v Midleton, Rathcooney, 1.00;

South Under 15 Cup: Bandon v Midleton, Bandon, 11.00;

Cork Constitution v Clonakilty, Temple Hill, 11.00;

South Under 15 Development Cup: BantryBay v Highfield B, Bantry, 12.00;

Cobh Pirates v Carrigaline, Cobh, 11.30;

Crosshaven v Old Christians, Crosshaven, 11.30;

West Munster Under 17 Cup: Killorglin v Iveragh, Killorglin, 12.00;

West Munster Under 15 Cup: Killarney v Abbeyfeale, Killarney, 11.00;

West Munster Under 13 Cup: Kenmare v Killorglin, Kenmare, 11.00;

Under 19 Friendly: CobhPirates v Midleton, Cobh, 12.30;

Women's All Ireland Cup Final: Cooke v U.L. Bohemain, Merrion Road, 12.00;

Women's All Ireland Plate Final: City of Derryv St. Mary's, Merrion Road, 12.00;

SUNDAY 20th MARCH

MunsterJunior Clubs Challenge Cup Final: Cashel v Crosshaven, Charleville, 2.30;

MunsterJunior League Division 1: Ballincollig v Tralee, Tanner Park, 2.30;

Division 2: Castleisland v Galbally, Castleisland, 2.30;

Kanturk v Mallow, Kanturk, 2.30;

Killarney v Muskerry, Killarney, 2.30;

Division 3: Carrick-on-Suir v Dungarvan, Carrick-on-Suir, 2.30;

Douglasv Kilrush, Moneygourney, 2.30;

Presentation v Corca Dhuibhne, Rathuard, 2.30;

Shandon v Scariff, Whitechurch, 2.30;

WaterfordCityv Fermoy , Waterford, 2.30;

Munster Seconds League North: Nenagh Ormond v Old Crescent, Nenagh, 2.30;

Shannonv Garryowen, Coonagh, 2.30;

U.L. Bohemian v Bruff, Annacotty, 2.30;

Young Munster v Thomond, Clifford Park, 2.30;

South: CorkConstitution v Sunday's Well, Temple Hill, 2.30;

Garryowen Cup: Kilfeacle v Clonmel, Kilfeacle, 2.30;

Junior 2 Cup South: Muskerry v Clonakilty, Ballyanly, 12.30;

Highfield v Youghal, WoodleighPark, 12.00;

Kanturk v U.C.C., Kanturk, 12.00;

Skibbereen v Cobh Pirates, Skibbereen, 2.30;

Traleev Carrigaline, Tralee, 2.30;

Dave Dineen Cup: Kenmare v Old Christians, Kenmare, 2.30;

Junior 3 Cup: CorkTransport v U.C.C., Corn Field, 12.00;

Evans Cup: Clanwilliam v Fethard, ClanwilliamPark, 3.00;

Junior Friendly: CobhPirates v Old Christians, Cobh, 2.30;

Avonmore Milk Under 17 League Semi Finals: Old Crescentv Shannon, Rosbrien,12.15;

Waterpark v Sunday's Well, Balliankill, 1.30;

East Munster Under 19 Cup: Clonmel v Thurles, Clonmel, 11.00;

Waterpark v Cashel, Ballinakill, 11.00;

East Under 17 Cup: Dungarvan v Thurles, Dungarvan, 11.00;

WaterfordCityv Clanwilliam, Waterford, 11.00;

East Under 15 Cup: Clonmel v Cashel, Clonmel, 11.00;

Galbally v Cashel, Galbally, 11.00;

Waterpark v Nenagh Ormond, Ballinakill, 1.00;

East MunsterUnder 15 Plate: Fethard v Clonmel / Galbally, Fethard, 2.00;

East Under 17 Development League: Cashel v Clonmel, Cashel, 11.00;

Fethard v Carrick-on-Suir, Fethard, 11.00;

East Under 13 League: Dungarvan v Waterpark, Dungarvan, 11.00;

Fethard v Cashel, Fethard, 12.30;

Thurles v Clanwilliam, Thurles, 11.00;

East Under 13 Development League: Clonmel v Nenagh Ormond, Clonmel, 11.00;

Galbally v WaterfordCity, Galbally, 12.00;

MONDAY 21st MARCH

Webb Cup Semi Final: U.L. Bohemian v Garryowen, Annacotty, 7.30;

WEDNESDAY 23rd MARCH

Avonmore Milk Schools Junior Cup Final: Ard Scoil Ris v Crescent College Comprehensive, Clifford Peark, 3.00;

Under 15 A League Cup: Ard Scoil Ris v Glenstal Abbey, Coonagh, 2.30;

Under 15 B League Cup: Ard Scoil Ris v Glenstal Abbey, Coonagh, 2.30;