All to play for as title race goes to wire

Neither Lansdowne nor Young Munster can lift the Ulster Bank League Division 1A title, but they’re both in a position to decide who does as the chase for top club honours goes down to the wire next weekend.

Lansdowne take on Clontarf, whose defeat at home to St Mary’s College left the Templeville Road outfit in pole position and eagerly looking forward to sealing the deal when they host Mike Prendergast’s Young Munster this Saturday.

The drama is not confined to the top of the table. Shannon, Old Belvedere and Blackrock are all still involved in a major battle to avoid relegation.

Shannon won the head to head with Blackrock on Saturday but, unfortunately for them, Old Belvedere have made a timely charge and they kept their hopes of survival alive with a surprise win over Lansdowne.

If that’s not enough excitement, there is more, in the form of another battle at the top and bottom of Division 1B. Belfast Harlequins, Dungannon and UL Bohemians are all in with a shout of promotion, while Galwegians, Bruff and UCD are at the wrong end of the table trying to survive. It will all come down to this weekend’s series of matches.

Virtually everything in the lower divisions has been decided. Dublin University move up to Division 1B as champions of Division 2A and will be joined by Malone. Instonians and Clonakilty have both been relegated from Division 2A, while Thomond (third from bottom) have to play Highfield (third from top in division 2B) to retain their place. After a remarkable season, Cashel were crowned champions of Division 2B although their 20-17 home win over Rainey Old Boys wasn’t anything as impressive a win as some they garnered earlier in the campaign. They will be joined by Banbridge, while Wanderers, one of Ireland’s longest established clubs, have lost their senior status, to be replaced by junior round-robin winners Skerries.

The Leinster side defeated Monivea in the play-offs on Saturday but the Connacht team still have an opportunity to go senior when they play Ards (second from bottom in Division 2B) for the right to join the senior ranks.