Powerful UL Bohs face fierce battle with Cashel
Holders UL Bohs aim to continue their strong defence of their Junior Cup as they face Cashel at Clifford Park. Bohs will be favourites to retain the crown and have once again been in imperious form this season.
Bohs possess a very powerful unit up front where the likes of Kevin Flanagan and Anthony Hartigan have been doing immense work in the tight. This has allowed their very talented and dangerous back-line to run up high scores with Darren Moroney and Harry de Stacpoole enjoying very good seasons.
A rare defeat last weekend in the Transfield Cup Final against Richmond will ensure complacency is unlikely to be a factor for the Limerick side.
Cashel have continued to show their prowess at junior level and while unable to gain a three-in-the-row in the league, were involved in the title battle up until the last couple of games. Having tasted league glory, the club would now love nothing more than to get their hands on this prestigious trophy for the first time in their history.
Although they lost some key players from the last few seasons, Cashel have made some smart acquisitions with Maximiliano Nanini being among their star players. Many of the old guard such as Pat O’Connor and Brian Silke have once again proved their credentials and the team will be fired up with the chance of competing in the showpiece final at stake.
The other semi-final takes place not too far away, at Annacotty, as Young Munster face Bruff. It is no coincidence that both these sides have also enjoyed very good seasons at senior level as they have both developed sizeable and competitive squads.
Both teams have had eventful paths to this stage and had to overcome stiff opposition to secure their places in the last four. While the Cookies had to battle hard to overcome a strong spirited Galbally side in the quarter-finals, the highlight of their campaign was the single-point victory over cup specialists Cork Constitution.
The team showed great self-belief and composure to emerge victorious in a titanic battle. None more so than young Ian Cross who kicked a last-minute penalty to secure victory.
Bruff had a couple of convincing victories but had to pull out all the stops against Clanwilliam in the quarter-final. They endured a late scare in the drawn game but came back a stronger side in the replay. Andrew White and Eoin Cahill will hope to reproduce the form they showed in those games with the team possessing a good balance of youth and experience.
Having suffered a disappointing defeat to Monivea, things do not get any easier for Richmond in their All-Ireland Provincial League campaign as they travel to Leinster champions Seapoint on Saturday. The Dublin side look favourites to go up to the senior grade but the Limerick side will be hoping to cause an upset.
They will need all their players to perform to their potential with the experience of Brian Begley likely to be crucial if they are to get something out of the game.
The other match in the qualifiers sees Monivea hosting City of Derry. The Ulster side have to win to keep their hopes of a return to senior level aside while the Galway outfit will be eager to go a step closer to finally moving up a grade, following several near misses.
Another big game on Saturday sees UCC U21s making the trip to Clonmel where they will face Leinster in the All-Ireland Cup Final. The college outfit have produced several top-class displays with many potential stars in the team. It should be a very open game with many of Lansdowne’s youngsters proving pivotal to their impressive form in the AIL.
The semi-finals of the Munster Junior Leagues take place on Sunday with both winners guaranteed promotion to the Second Division. Castleisland have been in magnificent form but will take nothing for granted as they host Mallow. Charleville will bid to make full use of home advantage as they take on Killarney.
There are two quarter-finals in the Junior Plate. Kilfeacle, fresh from their Junior Clubs Cup success will bid to go a step nearer to further silverware as they travel to Dolphin.
At Dooradoyle, Waterpark will clash with Garryowen.
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