Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup final between Young Munster and Cork Constitution (Musgrave Park, 2.30pm) has all the ingredients required to produce a thrilling spectacle.

Bandon came close to causing a major shock in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League against defending champions Clonmel. The second division champions were leading 7-6 at half time with a try from Chris Laidler which Richard Walsh converted.

There is a full round of league action this weekend across all three divisions in the Munster Junior Leagues.

Previews of all today’s Division 1A/1B games.

Visitors are being urged to use the train if they intend being part of the 10,000 people expected to descend on Cobh, Co Cork, tomorrow to attend the centenary commemoration of the sinking of the Lusitania.

It could prove a decisive weekend in the Junior Leagues for a couple of Tipperary rugby clubs.

It is a busy weekend of cup action with two finals down for decision and a series of intriguing encounters throughout the province.

Junior Rugby Focus: Clonmel will seek to take another big step towards the Munster Junior League title, but can’t take anything for certain as they travel to Tralee.

Junior Rugby Focus

All games kick off at 2.30pm unless stated

Next week in New York the county board’s centenary celebrations will end on a high note with the launch of the extensively researched Fergus Hanna 100-year history of the GAA in New York, writes John Riordan.

South Africa soccer captain Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead by intruders when trying to protect his girlfriend during a robbery at her home near Johannesburg, it’s reported.

Sport 2 (Hawking, Cent) Rest of the World 1 (Barton OG)

Kanturk won the big game in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League to move into second place, two points behind leaders St. Mary’s, after their 34-15 away win over Clonmel.

Cornish Pirates 9 Munster A 10

Rob Penney’s men aren’t the only Munster outfit in search of glory across the Irish Sea tomorrow.

Ballynahinch’s 10-match unbeaten run in Division 1B was ended by one of their chief rivals, UCD, this afternoon.

Ballynahinch failed to win for the first time in this season’s Ulster Bank League, but they fought back well to draw with Malone and stay top of Division 1B.

It’s unlikely that the Cross Keys players needed a reminder of the daunting task awaiting them in Cork tonight but backs coach Mark Ring has provided one anyway by comparing Munster to the All Blacks.

The next generation of Munster rugby stars will be unveiled at Musgrave Park on Friday (5.30pm) when the province contests their second British and Irish Cup final in three years, against Welsh club Cross Keys.

By stunning Ballymena with a late winning try, Belfast Harlequins inched ever closer to being crowned Division 1B champions and winning promotion to Division 1A.

Belfast Harlequins are now three points clear at the top of Ulster Bank League Division 1B after defeating UCC at Deramore Park this afternoon.

Mark McGhee has been named the new manager of npower League Two strugglers Bristol Rovers, the club have confirmed.

Ballymena took the spoils in a hotly-contested Ulster derby at Eaton Park, holding on to beat Ballynahinch 6-3 and leapfrog them at the top of Ulster Bank League Division 1B.

Munster A 6 Cornish Pirates 10

REVENGE will be on Munster A minds in Clonmel tonight (7pm) as they tackle Cornish Pirates, the team they lost to in the inaugural British and Irish Cup final clash a couple of years ago.

The two leading clubs in Division 1B played out a keenly-contested top-of-the-table clash at Dubarry Park where Buccaneers prevailed on a 24-17 scoreline.

A converted try fourteen minutes into the second half gave Buccaneers a tight 12-8 victory over Division 1B rivals UL Bohemian at Annacotty.

Ballymena took the spoils in a rain-hit Division 1B opener against UCC at the Mardyke where centre Alisdair Frazer scored the only try.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp insists a bid of £35m would not meet his valuation of wantaway midfielder Luka Modric.

Garryowen 23 Buccaneers 9

Lansdowne 15 Buccaneers 0

Buccaneers 14 Dungannon 17

Galwegians 21 Buccaneers 15 Crowley Park

Galwegians 21 Buccaneers 15

Buccaneers 11 UL Bohemians 18

Buccaneers 35 Bruff 8

CASHEL extended their advantage at the top of the First Division of the Munster Junior League as Clonakilty caused another shock in the Munster Junior Cup with a win over Sunday’s Well.

CLANWILLIAM have every reason to be delighted with their form so far since their return to the top flight of the Munster Junior League.

TRALEE’S Challenge Cup clash with Crosshaven at Myrtleville highlights a weekend of semi-finals in the three Junior clubs competitions.

IT looks set to be a big season in the Munster Junior rugby scene, especially with the league winners guaranteed a place in next year’s All-Ireland League.

IT looks set to be a big season in the Munster Junior rugby scene, especially with the league winners guaranteed a place in next year’s All-Ireland League.

Pirates kidnapped 12 foreign sailors off the coast of Nigeria's restive and oil-rich southern delta during an attack that left one crew member injured, a naval spokesman said today.