Galbally should have too much for Kinsale in Shield final
Galbally and Kinsale will clash in Fermoy as they each bid to claim the Junior Challenge Shield. Both sides had very strong runs en route to the final with a series of impressive displays. Galbally; who are many people’s favourites to claim promotion are joint top with a 100% record while Kinsale suffered two early defeats but managed to defeat Newport last weekend.
The Limerick club continue to produce some tough defensive displays but have also expanded their attacking capabilities. Ian Ryan and Liam Casey are their pivotal players but they have strength throughout their side and will be confident of putting in a big performance.
Kinsale continue to play some very attractive rugby but have come a cropper on a couple of occasions. While they have the backs to cause any defence problems, they will be looking to their pack to at least match Galbally up front. If they can make inroads here it will give the likes of Peter Murphy and Frazer Hodgson good opportunities.
It should be a very entertaining game but if Galbally can stop Kinsale from making an early surge they may have enough experience to see them win out.
The draw for the All-Ireland Junior Cup was far from kind for the four Munster participants as they have all been handed difficult trips up the country tomorrow. Tralee are the only novices in this competition from the Southern Province and will become the first Kerry side to participate in an All-Ireland competition.
They face a daunting trip to play the City of Armagh. The Northerners are currently joint top of the Ulster League after seven games and have been always in contention for honours in recent seasons.
Tralee have a number of players in their squad who have experience of All-Ireland competitions at Senior level and this could prove vital. If Aonrai O’Donovan and John Gilmartin can put in big performances up front it may allow the quality players outside to cause some problems for the home defence.
Cashel have been in scintillating form of late and are set to renew their rivalry with Galway side Monivea. The Tipperary club look hell bent on sweeping aside all challengers set before them and while their main focus is on League glory they will not want to lose the momentum they’ve built up. Monivea are in a similar vein of form as they continue to dominate their own League and this clash of two provincial heavyweights could be the outstanding tie of the weekend.
Like Cashel, Crosshaven remain unbeaten this season and look a far different side to the one that languished at the wrong end of the table last season. They have the likes of Merle O’Connell and Michael Buckley in excellent form but Dundalk pose a huge threat and currently they occupy top spot in their own League.
The other Munster representatives — Clonmel travel north to Skerries who are not in the best of form and the Tipp’ side may fancy their chances of getting back to winning ways. They (Cashel) haven’t had the best of times with injuries of late but if they can bring a near full squad to North Dublin they could give the hosts a tough test.
The kicking of Morgan Lyons could be vital while leadership from the likes of Phil Corby and John Long will be needed to see them through this.
The other four games sees in-form Boyne travel to Ballymoney, Corrib go up to Cooke, Tullamore host Sligo and Ballina will head up to Dromore.
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