Table-toppers Lansdowne and defending champions Clontarf will have home advantage in the Division 1A semi-finals after a tumultuous final day in the Ulster Bank League.

Friday night games are the sort of thing that happens when sport seeks out the corporate dollar, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Dolphin 19 Ballynahinch 35: Dolphin coach David Corkery was far from impressed after watching his charges capitulate to a strong Ballynahinch at Musgrave Park on Saturday.

They’ve taken plenty of hits over the years, so it takes something seismic to make big men falter in their step. It seems that moment came yesterday, writes Noel Baker of the Irish Examiner.

The late Anthony Foley is remembered by a former St Munchin’s rugby coach, Pat Cross, for his “outstanding” performance in the 1992 Munster Schools Senior Cup semi-final against a much-vaunted Christian Brothers College side.

Cork Constitution’s Conor Kindregan was last night named as the Ulster Bank Player of the Year for Division 1A, cushioning the blow of losing the final to Clontarf.

Two yellow card dismissals in the closing minutes of a tight and tense Ulster Bank League semi-final cost Young Munster dearly as Cork Constitution came from behind to snatch victory with a brace of injury-time tries.

Some big knockout action takes place today...

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

Garryowen 8 Young Munster 14: Young Munster took a giant step towards qualifying for the semi-finals of this season’s Ulster Bank League with a hard fought 14-8 Division 1A derby victory over local rivals Garryowen at Dooradoyle last night.

Cork Constitution 32 Old Belvedere 0: Johnny Holland put a year of pain and uncertainty behind him when helping Constitution to a comprehensive Ulster Bank League victory over Old Belvedere at Temple Hill on Saturday.

Young Munster 14 UL/Bohemian 13: With Young Munster comfortably located in the middle of the premier division of the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League and UL Bohemian struggling in the lower half of Division One B, current form meant there should have been only one result in last night’s Munster Senior Cup quarter-final clash of the sides at Tom Clifford Park.

Despite their respective defeats at the weekend, both Old Belvedere and Garryowen hang onto their top four spots in the Ulster Bank League — after the weekend fixture schedule was decimated by the weather, UCD proved too strong for Belvedere and won 20-12 at the Belfield Bowl, while Clontarf defeated Garryowen at Castle Avenue and eased to a bonus point win on a 39-25 scoreline.

Ulster Bank All-Ireland League Division 1A

When a butterfly’s wings beat somewhere, something else happens somewhere else to someone else altogether.

Despite last season ending on a cliffhanger that could hardly have been more dramatic, the Ulster Bank League will be decidedly differently this year.

Good morning. Here’s a look at the top stories you need to know, in the Irish Examiner’s Morning Report.

Ex-Ireland and Munster rugby star David Corkery has urged the public to reach out to anyone suffering from depression — after revealing a “chance encounter” effectively saved his own life.

In late 1988, Brian Dillons met Carrigtwohill in a Cork County U16 hurling final.

NOT A great week for clubs in rugby, if you look at the headlines.

MUNSTER’S opening European Cup game, on November 1, 1995, ended in triumph against Swansea at Thomond Park, but it was left to the captain Pat Murray to save the blushes with a late try to seal a 17-13 victory.

THE English Premiership (EP) may have its critics, with Sky Sports the greatest culprits in creating the illusion that it’s the best league in the world. In terms of marketing, stadium atmosphere and match-day colour, sure it’s in a league of its own, but question marks have always stalked the EP in terms of quality and standard.

I WOULD like to take issue with David Corkery’s comments during a recent rugby discussion on RTE 2.

Cork Constitution 6 Galwegians 10

AWAY PRINCESS, owned by Con Kelleher from Donoughmore, Co. Cork, realised the top price at a very successful Cork Greyhound Sales at Curraheen Park on Tuesday when he was sold to the Swift Leisure Syndicate from Clonmel, Co, Tipperary for €3,200.

IMAGINE Cork Con without spiritual leaders and back-row warriors Ultan O’Callaghan and Jerry Murray.

RIVAL coaches Brian Walsh of Cork Constitution and Geoff Moylan of Shannon are waiting until this morning to finalise their sides for today’s AIB League Division One final at Lansdowne Road.

Saracens' Darragh O'Mahony has enjoyed a successful career in England but, when the Corkman watches Munster taking on Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup quarter-final this weekend, he will find it hard to submerge a certain sense of regret. Hugh Farrelly met him in London.

IT WAS open day for the Munster rugby fans in Musgrave Park yesterday, and by 3.30pm it seemed like every kid in Cork had packed into the ground.

ARE THE rugby players of Cork Constitution in league with the cardiologists of Cork?

Cork Con 28 Blackrock 25