Aidan Corr Junior Cup Weekend Preview

Last weekend’s junior rugby Munster Challenge Cup ties resulted in wins for Richmond, Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West. This Saturday will see two of Limerick’s junior clubs compete in a national competition when the Energia All Ireland Junior Cup games kick-off throughout the country, all with 2.30pm starts.

Richmond will welcome Grosvenor RFC to the Canal Bank venue and this fixture should attract a big attendance. The home side got a welcome boost last Sunday when they advanced in the Munster Junior Challenge Cup with a hard-fought victory over Galbally.

The Belfast side, who compete in the Ulster League, are expected to bring a strong squad to Limerick for this cup tie. Their early season, however, has not been impressive with one win and a draw from their opening five games in the Ulster Kukri Championship division one.

Newcastle West also face a tough task in their cup game. They travel to Dromore in Northern Ireland, a team that also competes in the Ulster Kukri Championship Division 1. This game will give them an indication of where Ger Earls’ side is at present. They were impressive last Saturday night against Thomond but the long journey north and the quality of the opposition could combine to make things difficult for the Limerick side.

Dromore’s current form will not have gone unnoticed on the NCW coaching guys. They top their league on 25 points thanks to five victories from six outings. In their last two games they beat Portadown away 43-21 and they had a 47-19 home win over Carrickfergus.

On Sunday, the recently cancelled Munster Junior League 1 fixture between St Senan’s and Galbally will take place in Jim Slattery Park (2.30). Galbally could do with some points after a shaky start to their league campaign.

They have been a bit unlucky in their two games, going down 10-16 at home to Abbeyfeale and 17-34 to a Newcastle West side that cut loose in the last quarter. Against Richmond last Sunday in the Munster Junior Challenge Cup, they led by five points at half time and it took a late penalty to give the city side victory.

Kick off for all games is 2.30pm unless otherwise stated.   

Saturday, 26th October                                                                                  

Energia All Ireland Junior Cup: 

Ashbourne v Creggs, Milltown;         

Castlebar v Ballyclare, Cloondeash;       

Connemara v Gorey, Monastery Field;   

Dromore v Newcastle West, Barban Hill;          

Instonians v Crosshaven, Shaws Bridge;

Kilfeacle v Wicklow, Morrissey Park;    

Richmond v Grosvenor, Richmond Park;

Kilkenny v Monivea, Foulkstown;          

Sunday 27th October                                                                         

Munster Junior League Division 1: St. Senan’s v Galbally, Jim Slattery Park; Division 3: Killorglin v Waterford City, Killorglin;