Prendergast hoping for late twist as league battle reaches exciting climax

The prospects of Young Munster winning the Ulster Bank League title took a pounding with defeat to leaders Clontarf at Clifford Park on Saturday.

However, with three games remaining, coach Mike Prendergast is still clinging to hope of a reprieve, figuring there might be still a couple of twists in the battle.

On a day when Young Munster missed six kicks at goal, Prendergast was still able to praise his team for the quality of rugby they produced in front more than 2,000 spectators.

“All 30 plus players went at it hammer and tongs,” he said. “It was physical but there were some magnificent passages of play, and I think this showed that given the right ground and weather conditions Irish club teams are capable of playing very high quality rugby.”

He suggested the loss was down in part to those goal kicking lapses but also Clontarf’s ability to take their chances.

“We dominated the first half and should probably have been well ahead at the break, but they got a trademark Barry O’Mahony breakaway try and then scored twice when they exerted a lot of pressure in a 15-minute spell after the break.

“The disappointing thing is it’s out of our hands now but, as I keep saying, that ball can bounce any way still. We’ll just have to keep our heads down.

“We have Lansdowne away next week so it’s up to us now to keep winning and then hope for some slips elsewhere.”

Reality suggests the title will now go either to Castle Avenue or Templeville Road, with the outcome possibly decided when the two Dublin sides clash on April 14. However, Clontarf must also play Garryowen and Lansdowne, while St Mary’s have to travel to Cork Constitution and then face Young Munster in the last game of the season, so Prendergast will rightly feel it’s not quite a done deal yet.

Shannon’s defeat by Cork Constitution coupled with Old Belvedere’s surprise win over Garryowen at Dooradoyle has put added pressure on the Thomond Park outfit, who are just outside the relegation area.

In Division 1B, though, Bruff relieved the pressure r with a remarkable victory away to leaders Belfast Harlequins, while Ballymena and Buccaneers were also beaten, with UL Bohemians jumping up to third in the table and back into the promotion race.

With Dublin University continuing to set the pace in Division 2A following a resounding 71-14 win over Clonakilty at the Vale, Cashel kept their similar push in Division 2B with a comprehensive 31-8 win over Sunday’s Well.

It didn’t help the Cork club that the club directly below them near the foot of the table, Wanderers, won a crucial victory away to Navan and are now just three points behind the Musgrave Park outfit.