Friday, March 12, 2010
WITH Division One completed and Richmond crowned champions, much of this weekend’s focus will be on cup competitions.
Three semi-final places are up for grabs in the Munster Junior Cup with champions UL Bohemian enjoying home advantage against Skibbereen in the big game on Sunday. The Limerick team were impressive in dispatching UCC in the last round and have a great chance of holding onto the trophy.
Skibbereen rallied late on against title challengers Tralee last week to claim a well-earned draw. They will look to their power and strength up front to cause problems for the Limerick side, but the hosts should have enough class to prevail.
After a thrilling victory over Cork Con, Young Munster will be hoping the juniors can emulate their senior’s form in their Munster Cup competition. If Cian Clohessy and Ian Cross can reproduce the type of form they showed in that game they will have every chance of advancing.
Galbally provide the opposition and always provide a tough test. They have a very mean and disciplined defence. The Cookies may have to show great patience to claim a semi-final place.
The other quarter-final sees Clanwilliam hosting Bruff. The Tipperary side have a big game the following week in the league as they will need a result against Old Christians to seal promotion. Whether this will hamper their focus on the Cup is yet to be seen.
Bruff have been very impressive in this campaign and are potential dark horses for the cup. Their success at this level has fed into the senior side with greater competition for places and the club continues to grow in stature. With their opponents’ minds possibly being on other matters, the Limerick side may just battle out a hard-fought win.
There is one fourth round tie due to take place. Two sides who look set to swap Divisions next season come face to face as Crosshaven host Old Christians. The Myrtleville club will look to recover from the disappointment of likely relegation despite producing excellent form in the latter stages of the league.
Old Christians have sealed promotion to the top flight, as some good finishers out wide have helped complement their ever powerful pack. It is likely to be a close game. Both packs are set to give their all but, despite relegation, Crosshaven’s recent form may see them prevail.
The Junior Plate sees seven games taking place with potential for shocks in a number of encounters. On recent form, Castleisland may fancy claiming a major scalp as they make the long trek to Waterpark. The Waterford team may see this as a good opportunity though to get on a good run and boost morale in the club.
Another in-form Kerry side must go on the road as Killarney face Thurles. The Tipperary club may still be celebrating maintaining their top flight status and will need to be fully focused if the Kingdom men are not to cause an upset.
Bandon will feel that they can come out on top at home to St Senan’s if they can play to their potential while the Clare side will seek to salvage something from their season. Midleton are likely to travel with fire in their bellies as they play Kinsale, while Kilfeacle will be expecting to come out on top against Clonakilty.
If Dolphin take their game with Waterford City seriously they should have too much for their visitors, while Ballincollig will be expecting to come back from Ennis with a win.
The opening game in the Munster Junior Bowl sees Fermoy at home to Douglas. Fermoy will want to recover from their disappointing defeat to Mallow last week that dented their promotion hopes. Douglas are the visitors to the north Cork venue and while they will provide a stern test, Fermoy should have enough to advance.
On St. Patrick’s Day Shandon welcome Dungarvan to Whitechurch and the Cork team will be hoping they can make home advantage count. There is one game in Division Two with little at stake as Muskerry travel to play Newcastle West.
The second promotion play-off place is very much up for grabs in Division 3A. Two of the main contenders for Killarney’s place face off as Corca Dhuibhne host Abbeyfeale. Presentation’s faint promotion hopes should get a much needed boost as they should pick up points at Killorglin.
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