Nenagh favourites to topple Highfield
Holders Nenagh Ormond are back in action again this week after they successfully overcame Young Munster in the Cup last week at Clifford Park and their reward is a home tie against Highfield.
The Tipperary side will be confident of making the last eight but they didn't get things their own way last week, with the reliable kicking of Liam Delaney the difference.
Highfield had to pull out all the stops in the last round away to Douglas and they will be happy to be going into this tie as underdogs.
They have a very young side that just missed out on promotion in the Seconds League, and while Nenagh will be fancied to advance, anything less then a top-class performance from the champions could give them a difficult afternoon.
Charleville take on Dolphin.
Dolphin will be aware of the Charleville threat and won't be complacent this time. The Musgrave Park side have been very impressive in the earlier rounds, with victories over Youghal and Waterford City. They have plenty of experience in their side, with former senior skipper Dave Pomeroy in the pack and Donnagh Keeshan and Lenny Twomey in the backs.
Charleville have been improving steadily every season since their success in winning the Third Division title two seasons ago. Last year they won their first provincial competition, winning the Junior Plate with a victory over Bandon in the final.
They had an easy win over Sunday's Well in the opening round but were lucky to beat Fermoy two weeks ago. In what should be a very close contest, the experience of the city side could be the deciding factor.
The other tie is the meeting of Kilfeacle and UL Bohemians at The Hill, where the Tipperary side are a very difficult side to beat.
These sides last met in this competition at the same venue two seasons ago, with victory going to the home side 13-11. Kilfeacle are going through a rebuilding process but have still managed to qualify for the Division One play-offs and should have too much firepower for a Limerick side who have struggled this season.
The big game in the Junior League is the meeting of Cashel and Crosshaven, with a place in the play-offs the prize for the winners.
The Cork side go into this tie two points ahead of Cashel and know that they will advance once they avoid defeat. They looked very impressive in the earlier rounds of the competition but a defeat away to Ennis in their last game has raised some questions.
They were far from impressive in beating Muskerry and Tralee in the Cup and will have to show a big improvement if they are to secure a play-off place.
This is a big game for Cashel following their great success in the Junior Clubs Challenge Cup. They were no match for Garryowen in the Cup and they must win this tie if they hope for more major honours this season.
It should be a very close contest with the experienced Crosshaven side likely to shade it. There is a full program in the Third Division, with the big game being the meeting of the top two sides leaders Douglas take on second-placed Newcastle West at Moneygourney.
Douglas have maximum points from their six games while the west Limerick side have been racking up the tries in recent week. The addition of former Limerick footballer Stephen Kelly has also had a big impact.
This is a game the visitors must win and if Douglas can contain the Newcastle West backs then they should preserve their unbeaten record.
Presentation, also unbeaten, face Killarney at home and should pick up the points. Mallow, after their surprise cup exit to Ballincollig two weeks ago, meet in the league with the points vital to the north Cork side.
Ballincollig put in a very credible performance last week against Cork Constitution in the Cup.
At the other end of the table both Dunmanway and Kinsale hope to pick up vital points at home to Galbally and Carrick-on-Suir. In the Munster
Junior Plate Cobh Pirates should advance to the quarter-finals with a home win over Clonakilty.
Sunday's Well face a difficult task against Muskerry at Musgrave Park and Waterpark should over come the challenge of Kanturk at Ballinakill.
There is a new format to the Munster Junior Two League competition this season with the top four sides from the Gleeson League facing the top four sides in the Junior Two League South.
On Saturday Cobh Pirates play host to UL Bohemians and should win.
Bandon travel to Bruff for a tricky encounter, Garryowen should prove too strong for Muskerry at Dooradoyle and on Sunday home advantage should give Dolphin the edge against Thurles.
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