ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 1A:Saturday, April 14Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
Clontarf (1st) v St. Mary’s College (2nd), Castle Avenue, 1:15
First against second, Northside against Southside and the league title up for grabs. No pressure then! The permutations are complicated but if ‘Tarf win by more than 7 and with a try bonus then they seal the league.
Only a point separates them in the table but the home side are 80 points better off in the points difference stakes so anything less than a win for St. Mary’s could effectively hand the title to ‘Tarf.
For their part, St Mary’s will be looking to win and then make sure of title in the final outing at home against Young Munster. It’s difficult to know how it will work out, given that the two sides are so evenly matched.
There was nothing in it when they met at Templeville Road in early December. St Mary’s won 22-20 with an injury time Philip Brophy try, converted by Gavin Dunne, after Clontarf second-row Tim Chipman had been sinbinned.
After coming from behind to overcome Cork Constitution last time out, St Mary’s won’t be lacking confidence. They will be further encouraged by the news that their skipper Hugh Hogan is set to return to the back-row after missing the last two games.
Clontarf are hopeful that prop Ben Barclay will be able to take his place after sustaining an ankle injury along with out-half Noel Reid who will be on the Leinster bench tonight.
It could be that the performances of the respective goalkickers Clontarf’s Richie Lane and Gavin Dunne of St Mary’s decide it. The two Corkmen have had a very high success rate all season.
The game is live on RTE with coverage starting at 1pm
Garryowen (6th) v Cork Constitution (5th), Dooradoyle
One of the few games with nothing at stake but pride, but then both these sides have that in spades.
Possibly fifth placed Cork Constitution have the greater incentive in that they will be keen to finish as far up the table as possible. Losing the likes of Zebo, O’Mahony, Cogan and Lane would hurt any side but Con will be back all the stronger for it next season.
One suspects that Garryowen’s minds will be mainly on the up and coming Bateman All-Ireland Cup final against Ballymena (April 28th).
They played well for a long stage against Clontarf last time out with Corey Hircock scoring two tries but eventually lost their way in the second half Cork Con will feel that they blew their game against St Mary’s after leading going into the closing stages. In many ways, it summed up their season.
But they remain a decent side. Both sides have the ability to score tries, so it should be a pretty lively affair.
Old Belvedere (10th) v Lansdowne (4th), Anglesea Road
All of a sudden Old Belvedere have a chance of somehow avoiding relegation after winning two games on the trot.
Clearly, Andy Dunne has done an excellent job since taking over as coach.
There’s a new found confidence in the team which was demonstrated by their achievement in scoring four tries in the 31-16 win over Shannon.
Danny Riordan remains a big threat at full-back, while the promising Jack Conan did really well to score two tries against Shannon.
But Old Belvedere will appreciate that Lansdowne represent far more dangerous opposition.
Their runaway 44-18 victory over Young Munster has moved them to fourth spot in the table. Potentially, they could claim third spot, so they are unlikely to do Old Belvedere any favours.
Shannon (8th) v Blackrock College (9th), Thomond Park
A huge relegation battle. Both sides are on on the 22 point mark, just a point ahead of bottom side Old Belvedere.
Blackrock’s problem is that they have such a poor points difference.
They have endured a miserable time recently but importantly recorded a much needed 31-24 win against a weakened Dolphin side last time out.
Shannon have also had major problems, culminating in their 31-16 defeat to Old Belvedere. Player/coach Stephen Keogh needs to get the sort of response which brought them an away victory over Lansdowne in February.
They have been relying far too much on the scoring ability of Tadgh Bennett at out-half. Blackrock will be hoping that centre Brendan Macken, named on the Leinster bench tonight, is available.
Young Munster (3rd) v Dolphin (7th), Tom Clifford Park
Their chances of winning the title have gone following two successive defeats but third placed Young Munster will be keen to restore some pride.
They will start as favourites against a Dolphin side which has precious little to play for. A further incentive for Young Munster is that they will be looking to take revenge for an away defeat by Dolphin.
Quite obviously, they were some way short of their best when conceding 44 points against Lansdowne. Previously, Young Munster had performed pretty well in a fierce battle at home against Clontarf only to narrowly lose out.
If they can repeat that sort of form, and Willie Staunton can regain his goalkicking touch, then they must have a great chance of securing a victory.