All-Ireland Junior Cup: Quarter-Final Previews
The quarter finals of the All-Ireland Junior Cup kick in this weekend. This competition has proved very popular with the participating clubs and has attracted good crowds. There will definitely be a new name on the cup this season as holders City of Derry were promoted to the All-Ireland League and previous winners Tullamore were knocked out by Sligo in the opening round.
ALL-IRELAND JUNIOR CUP QUARTER-FINALS: Saturday, November 27
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
COOKE v SKERRIES, Shaw’s Bridge
Cooke look to be a serious prospect this season. They are undefeated in the Kukri Qualifying League Section 1 with seven wins and six bonus points.
Their 78-point haul against Corrib in the first round marks them out as potential finalists. The one blip is their recent loss in the Ulster Junior Cup when they went lost to Ballynahinch 16-12.
Skerries come into this game on the back of a mixed season to date. They are currently fifth in the Leinster League with three wins in four games. They won their most recent outing against Coolmine, bringing an end to a three-match losing streak.
Current form suggests that the home side will progress here, but you just cannot tell until they clash on Saturday.
DROMORE v CROSSHAVEN, Barban Hill
Dromore currently lie ninth in the Kukri Qualifying League Section 1 with only two wins in eight games. Their last game was a 23-7 loss to Coleraine.
That said, they enjoyed a big win over Ballina in the opening round (55-22) and they are at home again this weekend at Barban Hill.
Crosshaven make the trip north in good shape. They are third in the Munster Junior League with five wins in six games. Munster clubs have not really prospered in the All-Ireland Junior Cup, but Crosshaven could be the team to buck that trend.
MONIVEA v BALLYMONEY, Castle Grounds, 2pm
Monivea are in second place in Connacht Junior League Division 1A. They have six wins from six under their belts and five bonus points.
They are eclipsed only on points difference by fellow quarter-finalists Sligo. As in recent seasons, they will be pushing hard for the automatic promotion spot at the end of the season.
Visitors Ballymoney come into this game on the back of 45-8 win over Limavady in the Kukri Qualifying League. Their form has been mixed up to now and they currently reside in sixth place in the league table. Last weekend’s victory was only their third in eight games.
Both teams had tight wins in the opening round with Monivea putting paid to Cashel and Ballymoney knocking out Boyne.
SLIGO v ARMAGH, Hamilton Park, 2pm
This could be a cracking game in the dramatic setting of Hamilton Park with Knocknarea looming in the background.
Sligo are flying high in Connacht at the moment with six wins out of six, five bonus points and haul of over 300 points in total.
Armagh have history with this competition; they lost out in a cracking final to City of Derry last season and were beaten semi-finalists in the inaugural year back in 2006.
They are currently second in Section 1 of the Kukri Qualifying League with four wins out of five. Both of these teams would be worthy finalists but who will take the spoils on Saturday afternoon?