Success on Limerick front key to Con’s league progress
With victories over Garryowen and UL Bohemian and a draw against champions Shannon, Constitution can’t be overhauled and are guaranteed a home semi-final, win, lose or draw against Ballymena at Temple Hill this afternoon (2.30).
But one of the three could yet come back to haunt Con, because it’s almost certain that a Limerick side (probably Shannon or Garryowen) will provide the opposition in the April 28 semi final at Temple Hill.
Yet, Paul Derham, Constitution’s director of rugby, stressed that results in Limerick were imperative in the club’s drive to the top of the league, adding: “it also helped that we hit good form in the early stages when we met most of the top teams.”
Praising Limerick rugby, Derham said: “I think the secret of success in the All-Ireland League over a number of seasons has been about winning games in Limerick because it’s always hard to come out of there with positive results.”
Derham is well aware it’s hardly a done deal. There are two, possibly three matches left in their season. Today’s match doesn’t count, but the games after that will define whether it has been a success or not.
He is conscious that, having topped the table on three previous occasions, Constitution failed to add to their AIB title wins of 1991 and 1999.
“Topping the league doesn’t mean a thing if you go on and lose in a final, so we are very conscious of that,” he said.
Derham is well aware that having built up a strong and vibrant squad, the rug could ultimately be pulled from under them.
“It’s obvious that every club wants to develop players for greater things, but the irony of club success is that you must have good players who are not good enough to play for Munster.
“If you want consistency, you want good players who won’t be taken from you. But, of course, we’re delighted to see guys progress and to see Munster benefit along the line. What we’re looking for is Munster quality players on the way up combined with good quality club players with competitive experience. That’s the most positive formula.”
But Derham added: “We have asked the IRFU, as have other clubs, to recognise the contribution of the clubs to the development of representative players.
“We have said for many years that a system should be put in place whereby if, for example, you lose a player to one of the provincial teams, and you no longer have his services, that the club should be entitled to choose the next available player in that position from the Academy structure. However, this system has never been put in place.
” The consequence is that the clubs who groom their players for higher honours will suffer. That is a ridiculous scenario in a pathway procedure and it must be addressed.”
No doubt, clubs like Garryowen and Shannon, who have been to the forefront of the AIB League since its inception in 1991, would agree, but these two face more pressing matters this weekend, along with UL Bohemian and Clontarf.
Blackrock stand between UL Bohemian and a guaranteed home semi, while Clontarf, in third, face the fight of their lives to beat off the challenge of Shannon who play Dolphin at Coonagh and Garryowen, who meet Galwegians at Dooradoyle.
If Clontarf slip up at home to Dungannon combined with twin victories for the Limerick teams, then it’s going to be a Munster 1-2-3-4.
At the other end, Belfield looks like being the place to be this afternoon as UCD and Belfast Harlequins scrap for their lives to avoid the drop down to Division Two. Depending on various scenarios, bonus points could still enter the relegation equation.
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