Monivea likely to remain in AIL hunt

WITH the first round of games having taken place, this weekend’s matches in the AIB All-Ireland Junior Round Robin series will take on extra significance as the sides will have a clearer idea what effect the result will have on their senior aspirations.

In Galway, it will be a make or break game for Monivea and Crosshaven as they both suffered defeats last weekend. Both sides put in strong displays, but it will be the hosts who will feel more confident, having given City of Armagh a real scare in the North.

With a large vocal support behind them, Monivea will be expecting to keep their long-held aspirations of AIL rugby alive. As if they needed another spur, they will also hope to gain revenge, having lost to a last-minute score against Crosshaven in the All-Ireland Cup earlier in the season.

Conor Deane was the hero that day for the Munster League champions, scoring a last-minute conversion from the touchline. Deane has been one of the star performers for the Seasiders and will look to inspire his team to greater glory.

Having secured the league title against Richmond, Crosshaven have slumped, although they have come across many of the strongest teams possible.

Having won out in their opening matches, Naas and Armagh will feel they can take a major step towards the top spot with a victory next Saturday. The Kildare side have home advantage and after victory in Crosshaven will feel confident of a return to the AIL after a three-year absence.

The Ulster champions will be hoping Johnny Allen can reproduce his opening day form, where he was the player of the round with a hat-trick of tries, and the Northerners will feel they could take the points.

There will be some consolation for the defeated side, as they may still have hope of going up directly if they can keep their opponents in sight, as the Round Robin runners-up face a play-off with City of Derry.

It will be an all-Limerick Final in the Heineken Munster Junior Cup, as UL Bohemian await the winners of this weekend’s semi-final clash between Garryowen and Young Munster.

Due to the unavailability of Thomond Park, these sides will toss for venue in a game that kicks off at 5pm.

The Light Blues will take an extra boost from the fact that they managed to overcome Cork Constitution. With a strong pedigree, Garryowen will be favourites to progress.

It would be fair to say that Young Munster are the surprise package of the season but have certainly not had an easy path to this stage of the competition. They have impressed with wins over Cashel, Kilfeacle and Dolphin and will be confident of causing another shock.

We are also at the semi-final stages of the Munster Junior Two League, where two unbeaten sides: Cork Constitution and Shannon enjoy home advantage and would be favourites to advance.

The Limerick side host Ballincollig, who have had an excellent season to date. Collig have also been looking to develop strength in depth and would look to develop a lot of future junior stars with this side.

One of Munster’s most recently-founded clubs, Killorglin, make the trip to Temple Hill. The Kerry team have come a long way in a short space of time and while results have been very good, they are also noted for their open brand of running rugby. They gave Con a close call in the league semi-final earlier in the campaign when they lost 11-6. They will have to match the Cork side up front to have a chance and this task may prove just a step too much.

In the Cork County Cup, Fermoy will be looking to cause a shock when they travel to holders Skibbereen.

The North Cork side ensured their stay in Division Three was short having gained promotion, but may find Skibb too strong, especially if the home side are close to full strength.

Bandon would also be expecting to advance.

As the Division Two winners they will be looking to defeat Old Christians. Having won the O’Neill Cup earlier in the season, Robbie Doyle will be hoping to claim further silverware for the Rathcooney side.

There is an interesting tie at Towns Park as Douglas travel to face Midleton.

The All-Ireland Under-20 Cup gets under way with four quarter-final ties.

UCC begin their campaign with a home tie against Queens University at Curraheen Road and will feel confident of advancing.

UL Bohemian also have home advantage against St Mary’s College but will have to pull out all the stops to halt the Leinster side’s progress.

Young Munster face a difficult task away to Blackrock and in the other tie Lansdowne should make their trip to Ballymena a winning one.