Midleton look to Holland for Cup inspiration

SECOND Division Midleton make their first ever final appearance in the Munster Senior Cup at Musgrave Park on Sunday and will look to Jason Holland to provide the inspiration against holders Shannon.

Midleton finished in the bottom half of their division but lost six matches by less than four points and were, ultimately, unlucky not to have been involved in the top four play-offs.

The progressive east Cork club are not expected to seriously challenge Shannon but they will be competitive:.

"As we saw from Munster against Gloucester and Leicester this season, anything is possible," said club PRO John Colbert.

"The return of Jason to our squad will be a huge boost but we have a number of decent players with a lot of experience. It is a closely knit side and we are aiming to bring a bit of glory to east Cork on Sunday.

"It's going to be a huge game against such an experienced side but there is always the possibility of causing an upset," he said.

It is not the only big game of the weekend of course. Clontarf must feel aggrieved that having topped the division one table they must now fight it out for the right to the division one title.

I have long argued that the table toppers at the end of the season should automatically be crowned champions and that the top four teams should then participate in a separate competition.

However the north Dublin club are delighted to have topped the table and will thank a Munster man for getting them there.

Conor Mahony, the former Dolphin, Cork Constitution and provincial player, has been one of the stars of the show this season.

Club spokesman Peter Walsh said Mahony had been hugely influential in their progress.

"He has been fantastic. He brings experience and pace to our backline and has been great for the youngsters in the team," he said.

Clontarf have a home draw at Castle Avenue but Walsh knows that Buccaneers won't be an easy hurdle. The second semi-final takes place at Lansdowne Road between Lansdowne and Ballymena.

Meanwhile, the Division Two semi-finals will be staged at Musgrave Park between Dolphin and UCC and at Rosbrien between Old Crescent and DLSP.

Waterpark and Wanderers contest the Division Three decider.

AIB League Play-offs

Saturday: Division One championship semi-finals Clontarf v Buccaneers, 2.30pm; Lansdowne v Ballymena, 2.30pm

Division 2 championship semi-finals: Dolphin v UCC, 2.30pm; Old Crescent v

DLSP, 2.30pm

Division 3 championship final: Waterpark v Wanderers, Lansdowne Road, 3pm

J2 final: Old Belvedere v Garryowen, Portlaoise RFC, 3pm

J1 semi-final: Garryowen v Ballynahinch T.B.A.

Monday: U20 All-Ireland Final: DU v Buccaneers, North Kildare RFC, 3pm.