Lansdowne looking to close gap

Clontarf’s home clash with Lansdowne has been rightly billed as the Ulster Bank League match of the day but there are several other ties with good claims for that tag.

Two of the big ones are in Cork, with Cork Constitution taking on Limerick rivals Young Munster at Temple Hill and Dolphin bidding to upset second placed Old Belvedere at Musgrave Park.

The battle for the league pennant is still open with Clontarf and Old Belvedere the top two sides battling for honours. Lansdowne and UCD come next, six and seven points adrift respectively, and it’s clear the centre of excellence has shifted from Munster to Dublin.

Young Munster are fifth and Cork Cons sixth, (eight and 10 points behind the leaders). So there is no room for further slip-ups from either of the Munster contenders.

From the early days of the league, things have changed dramatically with all Munster clubs just outside the challenging zone, or close to dropping into that relegation area.

The rules are likely to revert back to a top four play-off from next season and that has been welcomed by Constitution’s new coach Tom Mulcahy: “It would keep the competition simmering. The top four system is probably a much better way of keeping more teams interested right up until the last few weeks.”

Given that Clontarf and Old Belvedere are well clear, and the gap to Lansdowne, UCD, Young Munster, Constitution and Dolphin is just a further six points, it would seem Mulcahy’s point is valid.

A return to top four play-offs would, in this instance, keep at least seven of the 10 teams interested in battling on for the title.

There are just two points between Con and Young Munster and Mulcahy acknowledged that a fourth defeat would kill off any chances of pushing for the title: “It’s a game neither side can afford to lose,” he admitted.

Dolphin, swamped by Lansdowne last time out, hope to put that disastrous 11-61 defeat to bed when they take on Old Belvedere at Musgrave Park today.

But Steve Ford’s team will be well aware of Belvedere’s impressive rise off the back of good performances and significant contributions from a few young players, among them back rower Jack Conan and out half Steve Crosbie.

Coach Paul Cunningham’s former club, Garryowen, continue to struggle and seek their first win of the season against St Mary’s College at Dooradoyle.

In Division 1B, UL Bohemian are seeking an away win over Blackrock which could possibly propel them into second place.

Runaway leaders Terenure will be crowned champions for sure, but there is a big battle ahead between Buccaneers, Corinthians, UL Bohs, and possibly even Shannon for promotion.