Prendergast relishing four ‘cup finals’ run-in

Today is one of Young Munster’s latest D-Days as they go in search of a first Ulster Bank All Ireland League title since 1993 with a crunch game against leaders Clontarf at Clifford Park (2.30pm).

Young Munster’s head coach Mike Prendergast hasn’t had to lay it on the line for his charges but if they succeed in turning the tables on the leaders, destiny is in their own hands with matches against fellow title contenders Lansdowne and St Mary’s College to come, plus a tricky assignment against Dolphin who beat them at Musgrave Park earlier in the season.

The three headline teams have 11 wins and three defeats each, but Clontarf and St Mary’s are three and two points ahead of the Limerick outfit due to a better bonus point return.

Prendergast is aware defeat will probably cost them a tilt at the title but he is looking on the positive side that four consecutive victories, all of them he describes as “cup finals”, will guarantee them the league.

“From our perspective, it couldn’t be better actually, even though many would view it as a horrible run-in,” said the former Irish international scrum half.

“It just means we have to be at our best in each and every game, and it means we can’t afford to lose any of them unless we want to depend on other results falling in our favour.

“The thing is, nothing happens after this one, it’s the first step and it’s a massive game. There has been a three-week break, we’ve kept the heads down, worked really hard and we’re looking forward to playing the leaders. We had a very good game against them up there. We were beaten by a kick near the end from Richie Lane, so we’re all geared up and ready to go.”

Prendergast is looking forward to the considerable support of the biggest club crowd this season. He noted Clontarf fans tend to travel in big numbers anyway, but is relying on the improved local numbers as crowds have been drifting back to the club game bit by bit in Limerick, particularly to Clifford Park where the local fan base has always been a key to success.

“Look, I don’t know, there are a few other sporting diversions in Limerick tomorrow [Saturday], but there’s a fair buzz going around here right now. Without the play offs, every game has been a cup game for us; now that we’re close to getting some silverware, I reckon the excitement is building and that extends to the fans as much as the players.

“There’s a great and united coaching team for the last three years when we had a good year, won the Charity Cup and the Munster Senior Cup and got promoted. When that happens, guys get confidence and things have kicked on. It’s a young team but as rugby players go they’re quite mature. Getting to the semi-final last year was a bonus because it helped build confidence and it flowed in a bit this year as well.”

This headline game competes for support with Shannon’s meeting with Cork Con at Thomond Park and the Garryowen versus Old Belvedere in Dooradoyle, while in Cork the big match is between Dolphin and Lansdowne at Musgrave Park. All kick off at 2.30pm.