‘Tarf trio bid to shine on old turf

TODAY will be a strange one for a trio of players dubbed ‘The Boys of Contarf’ following their transfers from Cork Constitution.

Former Con captains Frank Cogan and Evan Ryan along with Richie Lane have moved to Dublin and find themselves back in familiar surroundings at Temple Hill this afternoon (2.30), bidding to strengthen Clontarf’s claims to the Ulster Bank title. The visitors are unbeaten this season while their hosts, in the midst of a team rebuilding exercise, have a 50-50 win-loss ratio.

But it’s early days yet and Cogan, who led Constitution for three seasons, garnering two All-Ireland League and two All Ireland Cup titles, expects a stern test today.

The 29-year-old said: “Con’s record in this competition over the years speaks for itself and it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be strange for us guys going back down to play against guys we played on the same side with for so long, but that’s the challenge, and we certainly will want to come out of there with a win. There have been e-mails and texts flying between a few of us all week; a fair bit of sledging but we’re there to win the game.”

Third-placed Shannon face champions Old Belvedere and look set to pick up some more points given the disastrous start from the Dublin side. The only plus for the visitors right now is that Leo Auva’a, their powerful number eight who was snapped up by Leinster, is likely to be made available by the province.

Dolphin hope for a better return on their second successive visit to Dublin when they play Lansdowne, having lost to St Mary’s on their last trip to the capital. Lansdowne, under coach Mike Ruddock, have adapted reasonably well to life in the top flight and will fancy their chances of securing a third win from five matches.

In Division 1B, the match of the day is between first and second, with Buccaneers home to Ballynahinch.

They are the only teams in the division still with 100% records.