WITH the AIB leagues moving into the final week of their normal season, division one shows that just three points separate the top seven sides in Irish club rugby’s domestic scene.
Defending champions, Cork Constitution sit atop with healthier points difference over fellow Cork club, Dolphin while Limerick clubs, Shannon and Garryowen make up the top four spots.
Clontarf, St Mary’s College and Blackrock College are all biting at the heals of the top four and this Saturday will be one of the best finishes club rugby in this country has seen for quite some time. And with the four play-off spots still up for grabs, any one of these seven will be putting their hats in the ring and hoping to take the honours for their efforts of the season.
This week on the IRFU website, permutations were given for the big clashes but most emphasis was put on the clash of Shannon and Dolphin.
Dolphin took the scalp of Garryowen last weekend and will be looking to cement their top four spot by doing something similar to Shannon. Keep in mind that Dolphin have only been beaten once in their last 10 matches, but reaching the finals for Dolphin will most likely hold an away tie with Cork Constitution.
Shannon, after their win narrow win over Boh’s last week, remain in contention and will be looking to the league’s top points scorer in Tadgh Bennett to steer them beyond the challenge of Dolphin and into the play-offs.
Garryowen host Galwegians and bring a stat of being the team in the top four to have lost the least amount of games since October 4 last and are for a hat-trick of wins over the western club. A win will see them remain in the top four but other results will determine if the Limerick club gets a home or away play-off tie.
Seeing out the Limerick challenge in the top flight will be UL Bohs being entertained by Blackrock College and Young Munster facing their hosts at UCD.
Boh’s have played in the top flight for the last four seasons and have not finished outside the top eight on any of those occasions. Boh’s will be the third Limerick club to feature in next season’s new look division 1a.
Young Munster face the task of overcoming UCD on the road and with three points separating the sides at the bottom end of the table, a dog fight to the last minute is to be expected.
