Christmas bragging rights at stake in Munster derbies

IT’S derby day in the AIB League, especially down south where Munster’s division one sides are in direct opposition.

Musgrave Park houses the clash of Dolphin and Cork Constitution while Garryowen host Shannon at Dooradoyle. Only a short few years ago, the home clubs in each case would have been looking forward to an absolute bonanza at the gate, the lunch table and the bar counter but sadly those days are long gone.

Some have been able to cope better than others, most notably Cork Constitution and Shannon and that's one good reason why they are confidently expected to win their respective outings this afternoon.

Constitution have come through their opening five matches unbeaten, owing much to the quality of a fine pack in which the veteran captain and flanker Jerry Murray is receiving tremendous support from highly promising young men like Frank Cogan, Shane O'Connor and Kevin Coughlan. O'Connor has been troubled by a niggling injury over the past few weeks and Coughlan again stands in as Ultan O'Callaghan's second-row partner. The only other Con doubt concerns out-half Steve McColl.

Given that Con are top of the table and already 14 points ahead of today's rivals, there shouldn't be any doubt as to the outcome. However, Dolphin have a great deal to play for, not least the all-important bragging rights over Christmas. They are in the division largely due to the place kicking exploits of out-half John O'Mahony and he could be a key figure again while skipper David Pomeroy will be demanding an extra effort from his colleagues up front.

But anything other than a clear cut Con triumph will come as a big surprise.

Shannon travel across Limerick to tackle Garryowen after a series of fine performances that leave them second in the table one point behind Con. It's a game they should win, especially as Garryowen have tumbled heavily in their last couple of outings against Buccaneers and Constitution, but Shannon coach Geoff Moylan has been reminding his charges of how they led 19 points to nil at half time in the corresponding game last season only to be held to a 19-all draw.

This is the 14th successive meeting of the two clubs in the AIL. The score stands 9-4 in Shannon's favour. Apart from their Munster regulars, Shannon will be without dynamic flanker Colm McMahon who has also travelled to France, but they are in the fortunate situation of being able to replace one Munster hooker, James Blaney, with another Jerry Flannery. Garryowen will have the contracted Dominic Crotty and Simon Kerr in their ranks but even they are unlikely to save the home side from a fourth successive AIL defeat.

Blackrock College, coached by former Garryowen scrum-half Steve McIvor, have made a surprisingly good start to the campaign and the outcome of their clash away to Buccaneers will be watched with great interest. Co Carlow have also begun the campaign on an auspicious note and will hope to maintain the momentum at home to Ballymena. UCD should prove too good at Belfield for Dungannon and things will look seriously bleak for Galwegians if they don't pick something up from the visit of Lansdowne to Crowley Park.

Young Munster lead Division Two by a point from Barnhall, Dublin University and Terenure College, and should keep the momentum at home to DLSP. In Division 3, Highfield, nicely tucked in behind Banbridge and Instonians, are free today while Clonakilty, in mid-table, have a tough home game against resurgent 'Inst'.