Connacht Weekend Previews

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Connacht Junior League Divisino 1a (2:30 Sunday)

Ballina v Monivea

Last season’s meetings between these sides were intensely watchable affairs, Ballina established themselves as a viable obstacle to Sligo and Monivea during what was unquestionably their best campaign since returning to junior, the loss of key players has hurt this year but it is to their immense credit that the north Mayo men have hung on in second.

Leinster Towns Cup Previews

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With the Towns Cup kicking of this weekend; it really is difficult to review the teams talking part without trying to identify a potential winner, and, in doing that, it’s even harder to predict a winner outside the top division  writes Leinster Ed.

To that end Skerries have to be given due respect. It has taken them a good many years to re-establish themselves as somewhat of a power at junior level, but league tables don’t lie, particularly at the business end of the season.

Again it’s impossible to analysis Skerries without paying particular attention to the 9-10-12 axis, where experience has turned matches on their head. This year could be their year.

Ulster Towns Cup Previews

Millar McCall Wylie Ulster Junior Cup Final

Richard Mulligan, Sports Editor for the Belfast Newsletter casts his eye over this weekend’s Powerade Ulster Towns Cup Round 2 games for knockon.ie and gives us his verdicts. You can follow Richard on twitter @r_mulligan1

Saturday January 28

Donaghadee v Ballymoney

Another of eye catching ties. Dee already have the Junior Cup at Donaldson Park and are not hiding their desire to want the Towns’ Cup as well. Ballymoney on their day are capable of beating any of the top flight sides, but it is hard to see anything but a home win for Dee.

Donaghadee by 15

Caption: Donaghadee celebrate their Ulster Junior Cup victory over Coleraine in December: Pic: John Dickson, Dickson digital, Junior Cup Final Gallery

Munster: Richmond Edging Closer

Richmond are inching closer to the Junior league title after Sunday’s comfortable home 24-0 victory over Clanwilliam allowed them to maintain their grip on top spot.

Martin Cahill’s men had first half tries from Mike O’Friel and Sean Bennett in the first half and secured the bonus point in the second thanks to scores from Gareth O’Hanlon and Jeff McNamara.

Three teams, Kanturk, Galbally and Skibbereen are in the hunt for second spot and optimistically hoping for a slip up from the league leaders.

Skerries Second Half Spark

Skerries Dundalk

Skerries 25
Dundalk 5

Rob Murphy at Holmpatrick

Skerries Scorers: Chris Keane 2 tries, Paul Devitt 1 try. Conal Keane 2 cons and 2 pens.
Dundalk Scorers: James McConnon try.

One shouldn’t have any doubt that Skerries rugby club are focused on a target this season and in particular this month. They are a team playing at the peak of the powers and even a sluggish off kilter opening where Dundalk had them on the back foot for long periods, they had little difficulty in overcoming such issues after half time here.

Behan Earns Cill Dara a Draw with Wicklow

Wicklow Cill Dara

Cill Dara 27
Wicklow 27

Rob Murphy at Beechpark

Cill Dara Scorers: Liam O’Grady and Des Payne 1 try each; Paddy Behan 1 con; 4 pens and 1 drop goal.
Wicklow Scorers: Chris Sillery, Ally Byrne, Jack Dunne and Timmy O’Donovan 1 try each; Stephen Duffy 2 cons, 1 pen.

Supporters were treated to a belter on a Sunday afternoon in Kildare as the home side held on to their advantage at the top of the table in Division 1b thanks to a last gaps Paddy Behan penalty.

Connacht Re-defining an Old Narative

John Muldoon, Ronan Loughney & Adrian Flavin

The moment came in the 14th minute. Connacht led by four, Harlequins countered a kick and Kyle Tonetti made the hit on Mike Brown. The recycle was loose, Tom Vallejos picked up but was grabbed by Tonetti who had a steam train on his tail. Mike McCarthy first, then John Muldoon, Adrian Flavin and George Naoupu all piled on through.

Turnover. Penalty. Ouch.

The roar that followed copper fastened the scenario. Self belief had descended on the Sportsground for this Friday night Heineken Cup tussle in the rain, you could almost see in the minds eye the sight quins of Coach John Kingston and Director of Rugby Conor O’Shea glancing at each other with a look of concern. They know what it’s like when a Connacht team is in that mood.

Leinster Weekend Review

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Leinster Division 1a

Skerries took another major step to winning the Leinster League at home to Dundalk, accounting for the Louthmen 25-5.  Tullamore pushed their credentials for the Towns Cup with a 12-5 win at home to Newbridge, who have now lost four of their last five games.

Monkstown gave themselves a fighting chance of avoiding automatic relegation with a 29-23 win over Garda, and in doing so dragging the Guards back into the relegation dogfight. Coolmine won at home to Enniscorthy, pulling themselves back into All Ireland Junior Cup qualification contention.

Monivea are Champions….again

Shane Connors

For the seventh time in the last ten years, Monivea are Connacht Junior League champions. The incredible run began in 2003 with a league final victory over Buccaneers and has been interrupted just three, by Westport in 2006 and Sligo last season and Corinthians in 2009.

They secured the title today despite not winning for the first time this season at any level. The 9-9 home draw with OLBC was a surprise result but no more than the visiting Galway city side deserved after a battling defensive display.

The battle for the next two automatic All Ireland Cup places will rage on for a few more weeks with Ballina sitting in second despite yet another defeat on their travels, this time away to the league’s form side, Galwegians 26-18.

Leinster Weekend Previews

Skerries Enniscorthy

SATURDAY

Leinster Seconds League – Division 1A:

Skerries v Dundalk
, at Holmpatrick, 6:00PM ;

This should be the first step on what now looks like the Skerries precession to the league title. They surely can’t be caught. Dundalk’s win against Monkstown takes some of the pressure off them in terms of automatic relegation place, so they won’t necessarily roll over but the home side should still be too strong.