UL Bohs the fancies to retain cup in derby final with Munsters

WITH the season drawing to a close, it is a huge weekend on the junior rugby front.

UL Bohemian defend their junior cup in a derby final with Young Munster at Dooradoyle on Sunday while the Munster junior side commence their interpro campaign against Leinster in Seapoint tomorrow.

UL Bohs are aiming to be the first team to defend the trophy since Midleton in 1998.

Ian Condell has come to the fore in recent games and was one of the stars in their semi-final success over a strong Cashel side. Anthony Hartigan is an inspirational captain who will lead by example while Gary Walsh and Noel Kinane have also shone this season. Mark Doyle and Cian Aherne are deadly finishers on the wing while the reliable boot of Aidan McNulty is another key weapon for the title holders.

While UL Bohs will be favourites they wouldn’t underestimate a Young Munster side bidding to claim the senior and junior cup double.

The strong boot of Declan Bannon has been a key feature of their run to this decider and his showing will be crucial to their hopes. Ian Cross and Cian Clohessy are capable of exposing any gaps in the Bohs defence while, in the forwards, Liam Óg Murphy and Ken Hanley are in a rich vein of form.

Tomorrow, the Junior Interprovincials commence with Munster facing a strong Leinster side in Seapoint. There is a good blend within the Munster team with an average age of 24. Many players are coming from clubs outside the top flight and nine players will be wearing the famous red jersey for the first time at this level.

St Mary’s will be particularly proud to have three players on the team. While they struggled in Division Two, they are bringing on a lot of quality youth players, especially in the pack where Darragh Fitzgerald and Dave Hogan have caught the eyes of the selectors. But there will be plenty of experience to supplement these new men including Cashel duo Philip Ryan and Pat O’Connor along with Kinsale’s Barry and Tadhg Wright in the back-row.

The Leinster side should be very strong especially if they are able to make use of a number of those Seapoint players who secured their AIL Status who will be eager to impress on their home turf. It will be a tough task for the men in red but after a good warm up victory last weekend against an invitational Cobh Pirates side they will be going into this clash with plenty of confidence.

In the Munster U21 Cup final, Waterpark face an arduous task as they take on All Ireland champions UCC at Musgrave Park. The Ballinakill club are enjoying great success at underage level and are bringing plenty of quality players which suggests that they have a bright future ahead. However the Cork students will be firm favourites to claim another piece of silverware. The curtain raiser to this clash will be the O’Neill Cup final where Douglas will be hoping that can cause a major upset as they face a strong Kanturk side.