LEINSTER CLUB RUGBY
AFTER a dramatic opening round that was spread over three weeks as a result of weather delays, the focus this weekend is on the second round of the Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup.
The draw for the quarter-finals will be held in North Kildare Rugby Club on Sunday evening after the host club’s encounter with 2016 winners, Wicklow.
North Kildare provided the big upset of the first round when their delayed tie in Dundalk last Sunday week was decided on out-half Ciaran Heneghan’s injury-time drop goal as the visitors eked out a 16-15 victory.
Wicklow cruised past Mullingar 53-0 at home in their opener and they return to the scene of their first Towns Cup final where they lost 25-3 to Tullamore in
2006.
Ashbourne make their debut on Sunday after a first-round bye and they do so as back-toback All Ireland Junior Cup champions.
The Co Meath club, Towns Cup winners in 2014, will be at home to Kilkenny, the team they beat in the decider in Tullow in four years ago and who beat Boyne 30-24 in a pulsating game last Saturday.
Enniscorthy are also recent winners, having raised the fabled pot aloft in 2012 and again in
2015, and the Wexford club will enjoy home comforts against Longford in the second round.
Enniscorthy travelled to Moate in the first round to beat Midland Warriors 48-15 while Longford, runners-up in 2013, also received a bye to make it through to the second round.
Holders Tullow overcame a stern challenge in Naas as they began the defence of their title with an 11-6 win and on Sunday they will be at home in Black Gates against Wexford Wanderers, who beat Balbriggan 36-8 in the first round.
Last year’s beaten finalists Skerries were made to fight all the way in edging past Newbridge
24-19 at home and will now be away to Portlaoise who beat Navan 46-7 at home.
Athy’s out-half David O’Toole dropped a late goal to guide his team through 8-5 in Tullamore and their reward is a home tie against Gorey who won 18-3 at home against Co Carlow.
Portarlington were the third team to receive a bye and they make the short journey to Silken Thomas Park to take on Cill Dara who are at home after beating Roscrea 50-0 three weeks ago.
In the remaining tie, Clondalkin are also at home for the second time after their 25-6 win over Edenderry; this time they welcome New Ross, 24-10 home winners against Arklow, to Gordon Park, Kingswood.