Con sure to test Mary’s

ULSTER Bank League leaders St Mary’s face an immediate test of their resilience when they take on Cork Constitution at Templeville Road today, banking on a second win over Munster opposition to keep them in pole position.

The surprisingly comprehensive victory over Young Munster last weekend has made all opposition sit up and take notice, especially as it was the club’s fifth straight victory.

Constitution might be only in fifth place, but they’re only four points adrift and certainly in the running following their victory over champions Old Belvedere, a win that helped in a small way to atone for a galling defeat in last year’s grand final.

Having been deposed from the top of the table, Young Munster will want to bounce straight back when they take on Dolphin at Musgrave Park – with an earlier 2 pm kick off to allow supporters take in Munster’s televised Heineken Cup game against Castres (3.40 pm).

Young Munster remain second, a point behind the new leaders, but there is nothing straightforward about this encounter and Dolphin will fancy their chances if they can take a lead from St Mary’s.

Their pack made life very difficult for Clontarf and they are capable of giving the Young Munster eight a real test. The contributions of the two place-kickers — Barry Keeshan (Dolphin) and Willie Staunton (Young Munster) — could be crucial.

After two successive defeats and three losses in their last four, the division’s former pacemakers, Clontarf, cannot afford another setback. Despite those reverses, Clontarf are still in the running in third spot, four points adrift.

Should they return to winning form against Old Belvedere they will remain right in the mix in what is a very open title race.

The Garryowen/Shannon tie fixed for Dooradoyle last night was postponed as a mark of respect to the late Colm Tucker (59), Shannon, Munster, Ireland and Lions back row forward, who died on Wednesday and will be buried in Limerick today following Requiem Mass in St John’s Cathedral.