It is the time of year when several clubs will be battling it out for silverware. Meanwhile, the province’s top Junior club, Clonmel, saw their hopes of going up to the Ulster Bank League suffer an serious blow by last weekend’s defeat to Dundalk.

Rugby playing numbers are falling in rural areas due to emigration, according to an IRFU report released yesterday.

The weather-affected Division 3 programme saw just six games up for decision this afternoon, with Greystones leaping to the top of the table for the first time this season thanks to a 29-16 home win over Portadown.