As predicted, the Ulster Bank League final at the Aviva Stadium went down to the wire. The game was on a knife edge right to the end and Lansdowne finally realised the dream of a national league and cup double at the expense of Cork Constitution.

Somebody from the south is going to be a winner at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow afternoon. Even if Cork Constitution are dethroned as Ulster Bank League champions in an eagerly awaited decider against Lansdowne (3pm), there will be celebrations down in the seaside town of Crosshaven.

Mike Ruddock believes a head-to-head between two Corkmen will be pivotal in settling the battle of Lansdowne and Cork Constitution in the Ulster Bank League season finale at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday (3pm).

Cork Constitution’s form in the capital has not been great this season - four losses in six trips - but a repeat of last April’s 19-16 semi-final win at Lansdowne would do nicely when they visit Terenure College this afternoon.

Cork Constitution 12 Lansdowne 32: Cork Constitution relinquished their Bateman Cup title in tame fashion at Temple Hill on Saturday when Lansdowne produced a stunning second-half display of poise and power to take the spoils for the first time in the modern era.

Lansdowne continue to look the team to beat in Ulster Bank League Division 1A after winning at Tom Clifford Park for the first time since 2011, while defending champions Cork Constitution have leapfrogged Terenure College in pursuit of the second home semi-final berth.

Ever since his youngest days at PBC, Musgrave Park has been a favourite venue for Simon Zebo.

Bateman Cup

Cork Constitution 26 Buccaneers 0: Gerry Hurley was thrilled to have participated in one of Cork Constitution’s most impressive Ulster Bank League performances of the season at Temple Hill on Saturday.

Lansdowne 24 Cork Constitution 10: Scott Deasy came back to scupper his former club on the Aviva Stadium’s back pitch yesterday as Lansdowne earned a 24-10 win over Ulster Bank League champions Cork Constitution.

England may be chasing immortality, but David Wallace believes Ireland will be the hungrier team when the pair meet on Saturday.

Ulster Bank All-Ireland League: Lansdowne will enjoy the festive period that little bit more than their Division 1A rivals after defeating Young Munster 30-24 in a supercharged top of the table clash on Saturday.

Cork Constitution 31 Lansdowne 13: The relief in Cork Constitution ranks was palpable as they picked up a valuable first home win of the Ulster Bank League season to lift themselves clear of the bottom at Temple Hill on Saturday.

“Once the scrum goes unopposed it’s like a game of rugby league. I’m an old fashioned boy from the Welsh coal-mining towns so the scrum was the platform and that differentiated the game more than anything. I would like to see a directive that you’d have two specialist props and a hooker on the bench.”

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.

Some big knockout action takes place today...

Ireland Club’s coach Paul Cunningham is expecting a stern test and plenty of top class rugby in tonight’s Ulster Bank sponsored Dalriada Cup clash with Scotland at Temple Hill, Cork (7.30pm).

Cork Constitution brought Ballynahinch’s two-match winning run to a shuddering halt by hammering the hosts 38-3 at Ballymacarn Park in this Ulster Bank League Division 1A clash.

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.

Ulster Bank AIL review: Division 1A leaders UCD had the measure of local rivals Old Belvedere for the third time in recent weeks, as a three-try salvo steered the students to a terrific 23-6 Ulster Bank League victory at Anglesea Road.

Previews of all today’s Division 1A/1B games.

With a 4.15pm kick-off on a Sunday afternoon for Racing Metro’s crucial Top 14 derby clash with Stade Francais, I was afforded the opportunity to watch bucket loads of rugby last weekend.

Silverware seems to follow Joe McSwiney everywhere he goes, the latest accolade an Ulster Bank League medal with his new club Lansdowne, who beat Clontarf (18-17) in Saturday’s final at the Aviva Stadium.

Lansdowne 18 Clontarf 17: Scott Deasy’s nerveless conversion of a difficult 66th minute penalty sealed victory for Lansdowne over champions Clontarf in Saturday’s pulsating Ulster Bank League final at the Aviva Stadium.

LANSDOWNE 23 YOUNG MUNSTER 19: Lansdowne came through a huge test of their Ulster Bank League title credentials as they edged out Young Munster 23-19 in an absorbing Division 1A semi-final that went to extra-time on Saturday.

All games kick off at 2.30pm unless stated

Lansdowne 21 Old Belvedere 20

Division One A: Dolphin 6 Lansdowne 13

Lansdowne 28 Young Munster 21

Ulster Bank League Division 1A

Cork Constitution enjoyed their first league success as tries from Rob Jermyn and Tomás Quinlan saw them beat Ballynahinch 23-16 at Temple Hill.

AIL LEAGUE

Cork Constitution 33 Lansdowne 16

Darren Sweetnam had a tinge of regret last Saturday as he contemplated a lost opportunity when Cork took to the field for the All-Ireland final.

As it turned out, Doug Howlett’s last act on a rugby pitch was to do what he did best during an illustrious career for the All Blacks and Munster — scoring a try.

Munster have announced that current squad captain Doug Howlett will retire from professional rugby at the end of this season.

St Mary’s College 19 Cork Constitution 24