O’Shea: time for ’Tarf to step up

IT may seem odd given the week that’s in it, but Clontarf captain Darragh O’Shea is hoping to emulate Munster and not Leinster as they turn their attention to this weekend’s AIB Division One final against Shannon.

Like the southern province prior to their first Heineken Cup title, Clontarf have spent the last number of years rubbing shoulders with the top teams without being able to take that last, frustrating step.

The Castle Avenue club has contested an impressive six out of the last seven league semi-finals, as well as two deciders in 2003 and 2006, without claiming outright victory in the play-off stages.