Clontarf and St Mary’sleft to battle for crown

The Ulster Bank League title race is over for Young Munster as Dublin clubs Clontarf and St Mary’s College slug it out for the big prize.

St Mary’s College had to fight hard to stay in the hunt but, with a narrow victory away to Cork Constitution, , achieved it while Clontarf’s bonus-point victory over Garryowen leaves them holding the advantage by a single point at the top.

Mike Prendergast’s Young Munster were unable to maintain their challenge and fell heavily to Lansdowne.

While the focus will now be on Clontarf and St Mary’s, whose clash on Arpil 14 will likely decide the title, there will also be considerable interest in what happens down the table where league specialists Shannon continue to struggle in a battle against relegation.

It didn’t help that they lost to Old Belvedere while Blackrock College had a surprise win over Dolphin. It leaves Shannon just outside the relegation zone on points difference and they now need to win both remaining games, home to Blackrock and away to Dolphin.

Blackrock also have to take on Garryowen, while Old Belvedere possibly have the most difficult run-in, home to Lansdowne and away to Cork Constitution.

Belfast Harlequins held on to top spot in Division 1B with a two-point victory away to Ballymena, while UL Bohemian continued their impressive run with a significant win over Galwegians that pushes them into second place and give them a fighting chance of promotion.

Dublin University clinched promotion with a Division 2A win over Seapoint, while Malone and Queens battle it out for second spot. Cashel will move up from Division 2B as champions, to be joined by Banbridge, Barnhall or Rainey. Highfield are out of the race after losing to Armagh.