UCC’s resources will be stretched as they double up this weekend, meeting Cork C of I B in league action before tackling Cork Harlequins in a Peard Cup semi-final 24 hours later.
Having seen UCD, who defeated them in the intervarsity finals, qualify for a rare senior cup final appearance in Leinster, Neil Welch’s side will be hoping to secure some St Stephen’s Day action as well by recording a first win over Quins in recent memory, having pushed them close in the league earlier this term.
Saturday’s big league game sees Bandon visit Garryduff to take on Cork Church of Ireland, who are protecting a 100% record but are six points behind Quins with two games in hand.
It’s a cup weekend for the women, with Bandon and C of I meeting for the third time this season at Garryduff, the west Cork girls holding the Indian sign thus far with 2-1 (league) and 3-1 (IHT) wins on home turf thus far.
Going to Garryduff will be a tougher challenge, though it remains to see how well C of I can bounce back from last weekend’s 6-0 mauling at the hands of a resurgent UCC, who will face a serious test of their credentials at home to Cork Harlequins, as they bid to reclaim the trophy won in 2009.
With Ashton receiving a bye to the last four, the weekend’s final tie sees UL and Catholic Institute meet for the second weekend running, this time with Insta on home turf at Rosbrien on Sunday.
Saturday: Munster Div 1: Cork C of I v Bandon, 2pm, Garryduff; UCC v Cork C of I B, 1pm, Mardyke. Women’s Munster Senior Cup quarter-finals: UCC v Cork Harlequins, 3pm, Mardyke; Cork C of I v Bandon, 12pm, Garryduff.
Sunday: Peard Cup semi-final: UCC v Cork Harlequins, 1pm, Mardyke. Women’s Munster Senior Cup quarter-finals: Catholic Institute v UL, 1pm, Rosbrien.