Clan and Galbally locked in promotion battle

THE battle for promotion is the highlight of this weekend’s Munster junior rugby fixture list as Clanwilliam and Galbally bid to join Old Christians in the top flight next season. The battle for relegation is every bit as interesting, with three sides trying to avoid the drop.

While Galbally could still go level on points with Old Christians, the Rathcooney club’s victory in the head-to-head clash guarantees their promotion. Clanwilliam can not only secure promotion but also the Second Division title if they can win their clash against the table-toppers at Rathcooney.

Both sides also have one eye on their respective cup runs, but with the Cork side’s promotion secured they may be more relaxed. They did hit some good scoring form against a robust Crosshaven defence last weekend and this may give them confidence to play an open running game.

The Tipperary Town club will have to put in a big performance, particularly up front, and need to battle to the end if they are to gain the victory that would secure their return to the top flight.

Galbally are three points behind Clanwilliam and have what looks to be an easier game as they host St Mary’s. No matter what the outcome this weekend, it has been a fantastic season for the east Limerick club. They built a great team spirit after some superb early season form and, with the Ryans amongst the star players, the future looks bright.

St Mary’s are at the wrong end of the table but this could make them very dangerous opponents for Galbally as the city side will be battling for their lives to survive. They are just outside the relegation spots but have little breathing space from the two teams below them and will scrap for everything to pick up what would be an unlikely win.

Ennis and Youghal occupy the relegation spots and will hope both their opponents who occupy mid-table positions may have their thoughts elsewhere. Youghal are a point behind the Clare team and two behind Mary’s so know that a win is crucial. They are likely to get large support in this vital game as they host Newport. The likes of David Fox has the capability to open any defence as they aim to get off to a bright start.

Ennis must go on the road to play Newcastle West, who could finish as high as fourth with a win if other results go their way. The Clare side have had mixed results of late with a defeat by Youghal followed by a win over St Mary’s. They will not have been too upset by a heavy defeat to Old Christians and will be fired up to save their Division Two status.

The other Division Two matches are all Cork mid-table affairs. Kinsale and Kanturk could battle it out for the fourth spot with games against Bandon and Muskerry, respectively.

The battle for second place in Division 3A is hotting up with Abbeyfeale making a late surge that puts them in a very strong position. They will be expecting to pick up another win, while their main contenders Killarney, who lie four points behind with a game in hand, should also earn a victory. Bonus points could be crucial.

Presentation and Corca Dhuibhne’s hopes now look dashed. The Limerick side will at least hope to cause an upset against Castleisland, while the West Kerry Gaeltacht club should pick up a win over Kilrush.

Mallow and Charleville are very much the front runners in the race for the play-off spots from Division 3B. The only other realistic contender is another north Cork club with Fermoy needing to hope that Mallow suffer a dip in form.

Fermoy need to get maximum points from their clash with Dungarvan and hope their local rivals fall foul at Moneygourney as Douglas host Mallow.

Charleville should secure the single point required against a Shandon side still seeking their first victory. The other clash sees Waterford City host a Carrick-on-Suir side who are all but mathematically out of the promotion race.

There is one outstanding game in Division One with Ballincollig hosting Kilfeacle in a clash with only pride riding on it. Although there is currently a point between the teams, the Cork team will be happier with their season after a magnificent campaign following promotion. The Tipperary club would have been aiming to be in the title chase but were languishing at the wrong end of the table for much of the season. A win could see Kilfeacle leapfrog their opponents and finish as high as fourth.