Clontarf bidding to secure league crown

As far as club rugby is concerned, Castle Avenue in Dublin’s Clontarf is the place to be this afternoon.

Clontarf can seal the All-Ireland League by finishing with a bonus-point victory against St Mary’s, on the basis Mary’s would have it all to overcome a deficit of 80 points in the difference.

The big game will be televised and starts at 1.15 pm and is part of a massive day on the club front.

Shannon’s game against Blackrock will have huge implications.

Shannon’s All-Ireland record is without question, but their Thomond Park clash against Blackrock College, who are on the same points total, albeit with an inferior points difference, is going to define where they play rugby next season.

Former Munster and Leinster professional second/back row Stephen Keogh needs to get his side up to speed to avoid a final confrontational with ‘Rock. The bottom club Old Belvedere are, incidentally, just a point behind the other two.