Sheahan: League will now be far more competitive

Despite last season ending on a cliffhanger that could hardly have been more dramatic, the Ulster Bank League will be decidedly differently this year.

The Division 1A title chase went down to the final day, when favourites Old Belvedere were stunned by already-relegated Garryowen to allow Clontarf — who had lost two on the bounce but held off Ballynahinch in their final encounter — to steal in and claim their maiden title. Nonetheless, a competition that struggles to remain relevant in the shadow of the professional game will revert to a top four set-up, allowing for a pair of semi-finals and — most importantly — a final and a guaranteed one-off league decider.

The final will also return to the Aviva Stadium, where a number of the club captains met to launch the competition this week and professed themselves pleased to be playing for the chance to return with a trophy on the line on May 9.