Primed for derby-day drama

THE Ulster Bank Leagues don’t tend to get as much attention as they deserve, but fans in Cork and Dublin should be rewarded for their support this afternoon with two mouth-watering provincial derby games.

League leaders Young Munster travel to take on Cork Constitution at Temple Hill and St Mary’s College are home to second placed Clontarf, the warm favourites to succeed beleaguered Old Belvedere as champions this season.

St Mary’s have had it over Clontarf in recent clashes and can push their north Dublin rivals to the limit, while the clash in Cork might well attract the biggest crowd of the season.

Constitution coach Brian Walsh expects to see something special between two young talented sides.

“Young Munster won’t fear coming here. They can go top of the league at Christmas which is always a psychological boost,” he said.

“At the same time I’m very much looking forward to the game because it’s a real challenge for a lot of our younger guys who may not have experienced this intensity before.

“We’re certainly going in as underdogs, but it would be a huge prize if we can get something out of the game and get back those four points before Christmas.”

Walsh would relish toppling another team ahead of them in the league.

“It’s something to aim for, and to a certain extent we’re enjoying the role reversal from the last couple of years. We’ve been at the top end of it and every game was a cup final of sorts. It is the mentality of it and we do really want to go out and have a crack off them.

“There is probably less pressure on us, although having said that we would be disappointed at the two games we lost at home this season.”

Shannon’s coach Stephen Keogh has shaken things up as his side look to get back on track against Lansdowne at Coonagh following a loss to ‘Tarf. But perhaps the most eye-catching change is the inclusion of youngster James Murphy at open side. He is in his second year with Shannon having been recruited from Cistercian College, Roscrea.