IRFU expected to make decision today on league row

THE Irish Rugby Football Union will wait until today to make a decision on the AIB League row between Young Munster and Dolphin.

Young Munster, denied promotion when failing to get a bonus point against Old Belvedere on the last day of the League campaign, have complained that Dolphin used an illegal player in the last two games — against Bective in the final League match and against rivals Young Munster themselves in the semi-final.

Dolphin strenuously denied the charges and claim to have been given clearance to utilise a substitute hooker.

The Cork club say they contacted the IRFU prior to their second last game against Bective Rangers and were given clearance. Young Munster have questioned the validity of that decision.

After lengthy meetings yesterday, the IRFU were unable to make a decision, but that is expected today, three days in advance of Saturday’s Division Two top four final between champions Terenure and runners-up Dolphin.

All that will change, of course, if the IRFU reverse their judgement.

This is the ninth year of the All-Ireland League’s play-off finals — all three of this season’s finals are between clubs from Leinster, all Dublin, and Munster, one from Limerick and two from Cork.

There will be no Connacht representation on League finals day for the first time in five years — nor any from Ulster for the first time in seven.

The Division Three final between Clonakilty and Suttonians kicks off at 12.00pm at Anglesea Road on Saturday. The Division Two game, between Terenure College and Dolphin, gets proceedings underway at Lansdowne at 2.00pm. The top-flight showdown between Clontarf and defending champions Shannon takes place at 4.00pm.

*There will be live coverage of the Division One final on RTÉ Two on Saturday (3.45pm-6.05pm).