This Sunday Edenderry Rugby Club will host the finals of the Anderson Cup (KO: 1pm) and the Provincial Towns 2nd XV Cup (KO: 3pm) in what promises to be a major finale to the Provincial rugby season…
THE ANDERSON CUP FINAL
NAAS V NORTH MEATH
At Edenderry RFC on Sunday, 2nd May (KO: 1pm)
This year marks the 40th Anderson Cup Final. The Cup was presented to the Leinster Branch by Frank and Leslie Anderson of Athy Rugby Club. First played in 1971, the Leinster competition for Junior 3 Provincial teams has proved very popular and this year attracted an entry of 25 Clubs with 24 fixtures staged.
To date 17 Clubs have won the Cup with Athy, Tullamore and Naas heading the leader board with 4 wins each.
Naas have won the Cup in 1996, 2002, 2003 and 2006 and this years campaign saw them record wins over Edenderry (22-20), Dundalk (17-7), Ardee (15-7) and Navan (15-8) in the semi-final.
North Meath (formed in 2007) will be appearing in their first Anderson Cup final and their cup campaign has seen them record wins over Portlaoise (36-26), Birr (25-5) and Tullamore (29-14) in the semi-final.
THE PROVINCIAL TOWNS 2nd XV CUP
PORTARLINGTON V TULLAMORE
At Edenderry RFC on Sunday, 2nd May (KO: 3pm)
The 42nd Provincial Towns 2nd XV Cup will feature Portarlington and Tullamore.
The Leinster competition attracted 26 clubs and has featured 24 fixtures. Officially recognised as a Leinster competition in 1969, the Cup has been won by 20 clubs to date.
Tullamore won the Cup on 3 occasions (1992, 2000 and 2002) and were runner-up to Dundalk in the 2009 final. This season Tullamore defeated Balbriggan (17-15),
Cill Dara (25-21), Dundalk (25-16) and Portlaoise (16-12) in the semi-final.
Portarlington won the Cup in 1975 and 1990, which was their last final appearance. They defeated Tullow (16-15) in Round 1 but lost to Kilkenny (27-20) in Round 2 but were reinstated by the Leinster Branch following an irregular Kilkenny team sheet. They have had subsequent wins against Boyne (30-28) and Newbridge (34-26) in the semi final.
THE PROVINCIAL TOWNS PLATE FINAL
NORTH KILDARE V CLONDALKIN
At North Kildare on Wednesday, 5th May (KO: 6.45pm)
One of the final Provincial competitions of the season will be played on Wednesday, 5th May at North Kildare with a (KO: 6.45pm).
The 48th Provincial Towns Plate final will feature North Kildare and Clondalkin, both from the North Midlands Area.
North Kildare won the Towns Plate in 1974 and 1980 and defeated Ashbourne (25-10), Navan (27-5) and Portarlington (22-18) to reach the final. Clondalkin will be appearing in their first Towns Plate final and endeavouring to become the 24th club to have their name inscribed on the historic trophy that was presented to the Branch by Sir William Butlin in 1963. Clondalkin defeated Arklow (53-7), Athy (32-16) and Newbridge (34-17) to reach the final. The competition attracted 17 clubs and has featured 15 fixtures.
