Old Belvedere face a difficult trip to Ballymena (KO: 2pm) while Blackrock College host Garryowen in Stradbrook (KO: 2.30pm) in the AIB Cup Quarter Finals…Boyne, Cill Dara and Tullamore set for Junior Cup…
AIB CUP: QUARTER-FINALS: Saturday, November 21
SENIOR – BALLYMENA v OLD BELVEDERE, Eaton Park, 2pm
This is the second meeting this season for these two Division 1B sides. Last time out, ‘Belvo won by seven points at Anglesea Road in the league. The Dublin side have maintained their position at the top of Division 1B, with the Braidmen seven points adrift in seventh place.
Ballymena knocked out Bective Rangers in the second round and enjoyed a good win over Young Munster last time out, though they have lost their last two league games.
OLD BELVEDERE: 15: Conal Keane, 14: Marcus McAllister, 13: John Kennedy, 12: Kevin Bardon, 11: Eddie Devitt, 10: Andrew Dunne CAPTAIN, 9: Brian O’Neill; 1: Vinny Soden, 2: Thomas Sexton, 3: Nerman Lovic, 4: Dean Moore, 5: David White, 6: Erik Jackman, 7: Jason Risdon, 8: Leo Auva’a
REPLACEMENTS: 16: AN Other, 17: Mark Cooney, 18: David O’Neill, 19: Eddie Hamilton, 20: Eamonn Fitzgerald
SENIOR – BLACKROCK COLLEGE v GARRYOWEN, Stradbrook, 2.30pm
Blackrock lost in the AIB Cup final to Shannon two seasons back and probably feel their name should be on the trophy. They will have to do it the hard way this weekend if they want to earn it.
Garryowen won this competition in 2007 and being from Munster they know a thing or two about cup rugby.
‘Rock have beaten Malone and Division 2 high flyers Lansdowne en route to the quarter-finals. Their league form sees them in second place in Division 1A but they have lost their last two games.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: 15: Brian Kingston, 14: David Rowan, 13: Darragh Fitzpatrick, 12: Rob Keogh, 11: David Moore, 10: James Power, 9: David Madigan; 1: Sean Byrne, 2: Cian Culleton, 3: Johnny Barretto, 4: Des Dillon CAPTAIN, 5: Paulo Huntley, 6: Jordi Murphy, 7: Zack Farivarz, 8: Mick Carroll
REPLACEMENTS: 16: Tony O’Kane, 17: James Mannion, 18: Mark Scott Lennon, 19: Diarmuid Laffan, 20: Brian Cawley
AIB JUNIOR CUP: QUARTER-FINALS: Saturday, November 21
JUNIOR – ARMAGH v CILL DARA, Palace Grounds, 2.30pm
Cill Dara will make the trip up to Armagh on Saturday and while their supporters may combine the rugby with some seasonal shopping, both teams will be focused on the game in hand.
Armagh knocked out Ballina in the first round, while Cill Dara beat another Ulster side, Cooke, by a narrow two points to gain their spot in the last-eight.
The Ulster club are unbeaten in the Kukri Qualifying League with seven wins and 223 points to their name. Cill Dara, by contrast, are mid-table in Leinster League Division 1A with four wins from seven games.
JUNIOR – CITY OF DERRY v BOYNE, Judge’s Road, 2.30pm
City of Derry are adjusting to life outside the AIB League, while still chasing promotion. They are fourth in the Kukri Qualifying League with five wins out of six – showing just how tough it is.
They beat former AIB Junior Cup holders Seapoint, going well in the Leinster League, last time out in the cup.
Boyne gave newcomers Kilfeacle a torrid time in the first round of the cup and their Leinster League form – they are second with five wins from seven games – suggests that this could be a really hard-fought cup tie.
JUNIOR – TULLAMORE v SLIGO, Spollanstown, 2.30pm
The AIB Junior Cup holders welcome a Sligo side that is unbeaten in the Connacht Junior League. Five out of five and a solid win over Clonmel in the cup means the Connacht club will pose a serious threat to Melly’s men.
Tullamore had a tight win over Coleraine in the opening round and their Leinster League form sees them in third place with a four from seven win rate.
Leinster Rugby would like to wish all Leinster clubs the best of luck as they bid to reach the AIB Junior and Senior Cup semi finals.
(The draw for the semi-finals will be made on RTE’s Sportsbag on 2FM on Sunday morning)
