AIB Junior Cup – Semi Final Focus
All eyes may be on Rome this Saturday but in Mallow and Crosshaven there is still the matter of the AIB Junior Cup to be decided. We take a look at the four semi finalists.
While most eyes will be on Rome this weekend, but in Mallow and Crosshaven the AIB Junior Cup Semi Finals will be kicking off the rugby weekend.
Mallow play host to Coleraine while Crosshaven will be hosting Dublin visitors Seapoint.
Here Des Daly AIB and IrishRugby.ie statistician takes a look at the four clubs and their road to the semi finals.
Mallow
Mallow was founded in 1884. Club President: John Barry; Club Captain: Jerry Cronin
Qualification
Alone among the four provinces, Munster used this season’s form to nominate their four contenders for the 2006 / 077 AIB Junior Cup first round. Mallow qualified by reaching the semi-finals of the 2006 / 07 Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup which was run off three months ago.
Recent History
Three seasons ago Mallow were struggling at the bottom end of the third division of the Heineken Munster Junior League. They narrowly missed out on promotion in 2005 but won the Div. Three title last season.
In this autumn’s Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup Mallow beat Waterford City 36-0, St. Marys Limerick 30-10 and Thurles 18-15 to reach the semi-finals of this competition for the first time. Subsequently lost 7-20 to Crosshaven in the semis
AIB Junior Cup
In the first round, won 19-9 away to Youghal. Cliff Cahill, Neil McSherry and Rory McSherry scored the tries with Andy Cashman adding two conversions. Travelled to Dromore Co. Down and won 27-25 in the quarter-finals scoring three tries ( Kevin Twomey, Neil McSherry and Cliff Cahill ) and three con, two pg from the boot of Andy Cashman.
Coleraine
Founded 1921, Club President: John Boyd; Club Captain: Norman Blair.
Qualification
By finishing third in the 2005 / 06 Ulster Qualifying League Coleraine were one of four Junior clubs entered by the Ulster Branch IRFU into the 2006 / 07 AIB Junior Cup first round draw .
Recent History
Won the Ulster Qualifying League in 1999 / 2K and 2003 / 04. Advanced into the junior clubs inter-provincial Round Robin on each occasion. In 1999 / 2K lost 11-16 to Bruff, 8-18 to Connemara and 16-19 to Naas who were promoted into senior ranks. In 2003 / 04 beat Seapoint 9-7, lost 8-14 to Monivea and 16-26 to Bruff who were promoted into senior ranks.
AIB Junior Cup
Beat Clogher Valley 21-19 to win the Towns Cup in Ulster last season. In the first round, went to Tullamore and won 25-33 with tries from John Boyd and Tommy Van Wycke, four penalties fromPeter McNay and a drop goal from Archie Kettyle.
Entertained Boyne at home in the quarter-finals. Game was tied 17-17 at full time but Coleraine pulled away to win 45-17 in extra time. Scorers : tries – Nigel Hall,David Lambe, Colin McNay, Benjy Van der Byl ; Peter McNay collected 23 points ( try, 4 con, 3pg,dg ).
Crosshaven
Founded 1972. Club President: Eddie Buckley Snr; Club Captain: Philip Spillane.
Qualification
Alone among the four provinces, Munster used this season’s form to nominate their four contenders for the 2006 / 077 AIB Junior Cup first round. Crosshaven qualified by reaching the semi-finals of the 2006 / 07 .
Recent History
Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup which was run off last autumn. In the semi-finals beat Mallow 20-7 to reach the final which will be played at a future date.
AIB Junior Cup
In the first round, came back from 11-22 down to pip Monivea 23-22 in Co. Galway. Ross O’Connell ( 2 ) and Pierce O’Briengot the tries while wing Conor Deane landed a conversion and two penalties. At home in the quarters beat Armagh 14-6. Merle O’Connell secured the try while Conor Deane kicked three penalties.
Seapoint
Founded 1934, Club President: Jim Breen; Club Captain: Jonny Walsh
Qualification
By finishing third in the 2005 / 06 Leinster League Seapoint were one of four Junior clubs entered by the Leinster Branch IRFU into the 2006 / 07 AIB Junior Cup first round draw .
Recent History
Won the Leinster Branch qualifying league ( Leinster League ) in 2003 / 04 and qualified for the end of season inter-provincial Round Robin; lost all three games : 6-7 to Bruff, 14-28 to Monivea and 7-9 to Coleraine .
Have won the prestigious Dublin Metropolitan Cup over the past two seasons beating Monkstown in the 2005 final and Lansdowne in the 2006 final. Have won three of the last six Spencer Cups ( Junior clubs in the Dublin Metropolitan area ).
Competed last season in the inaugural AIB Junior Cup. Won 17-3 away to Westport before losing 12-31 to Rainey OB, the eventual winners, in the semi-final at Magherafelt.
AIB Junior Cup
In the first round,won 20-13 at home to Monkstown. Stephen Walsh and Des Doyle scored the tries with Declan Griffin landing two conversions and two penalties. Entertained Limavady in the quarters and beat them 36-20 with tries from Ben Focas ( 3 ), Carl Dechenu ( 2 ) and Jonny Walsh. Brian Keegan added three conversions.