Victory over Young Munster and Mary’s can celebrate title win

It could hardly have worked out more perfectly for the sponsors, Ulster Bank, as the All Ireland League title race comes down to the final day.

There are no semi-finals, no wannabes in the shake up, just those who went out and did the business.

From a Munster point of view it’s unfortunate the once dominant clubs are not involved in anything other than maybe making a difference, or in one case fighting for survival at the bottom part of the table.

St Mary’s College take on Young Munster, one time contenders, and they only have to win to take the title.

Following their well-deserved away win over then leaders Clontarf last week, they’re the ones in control.

Not far away, in the Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne haven’t much to gain except pride but they won’t hold back in a bid to deny ’Tarf a crack at the title.

Elsewhere, Shannon, Blackrock College and Old Belvedere are battling for division 1A survival.

Garryowen could do their Limerick rivals a favour by winning away to ’Rock, but you wouldn’t bet on it.

Cork Constitution will have every reason to keep Shannon in the premier competition by beating Old Belvedere at Temple Hill (2.30), Belvo denying Brian Walsh’s side another title at the death of an exciting final in Dublin last season.

More than anything from a Munster perspective, however, Shannon have to secure a win at Musgrave Park against Dolphin.

They can take nothing for granted and they will get little sympathy from a decent Dolphin side unless they produce their best form.

If they get sucked into the final relegation battle and lose out on their Division 1A status it would surely be the end of an amazing era for the club and for teams from the province of Munster.

But nothing stands still, time waits for neither man nor rugby club, and there was full proof of that last week when once mighty Wanderers, co-tenants of Lansdowne Road for over a century, relinquished senior status when relegated from Division 2B (effectively the fourth division).