Sheahan: League will now be far more competitive
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.
