AIB League Finals Day 2003/2004.

Next Saturday, for the first time since the knock-out phase was introduced** to the AIB League, all three finals will take place on the same day at the same venue (Lansdowne Road).

The proceedings begin with the Division Three decider between Greystones and Ards which is scheduled to kick off at 12 noon followed by the Division Two clash of UL Bohemians and Dublin University, (2pm) and then the showpiece, the Division One final and the all-Munster pairing of Cork Constitution and Shannon.

(** The knock-out phase in Division One was introduced in season 1997/98 (winners Shannon), while the Div Two and Three system was introduced at the end of season 2001/02).

To date, Cork Constitution and Shannon have played each other fifteen times in League games, the Cork side winning on eight occasions and Shannon seven. The last time the sides met was on Saturday 3rd April at Temple Hill when Con were four tries to three, 30-22 winners and the sides also met in the 2002 League final when Shannon won 21-17.

In the Division Two final, Dublin University who won their last five games in the league take on a UL Bohemians who went through the campaign unbeaten at home.

The sides met in College Park last October, a game the students won 35-28 despite being outscored three tries to two. In their six league encounters to date the score stands at 3-3 and Saturday match brings together two of the division’s leading try scorers in Barry Murphy, UL Bohemians (10) and Jamie Heaslip Dublin University (8).

When Ards and Greystones met in the league earlier this year (December), they scored four tries apiece, Greystones winning 32-24 at Hamilton Park. Neither side has contested a final prior to this and while Greystones have the experience of Division One football from their time there in the early 1990s, Ards have recently returned from two seasons in Junior ranks.

If Greystones can boast the most potent attack in the entire league, then Ards can claim the meanest defence in Division Three.Greystones scored the most points (491) and tries (65) in all three divisions while Ards conceded the least points (209) and the least tries (18) in Division Three.

AIB League Division One Play-Offs.
1997/98: Shannon 15-9 Garryowen.
1998/99: Constitution 14-11 Garryowen (aet).
1999/00: St Mary’s College 25-22 Lansdowne.
2000/01: Dungannon 46-12 Constitution.
2001/02: Shannon 21-17 Constitution.
2002/03: Ballymena 28-18 Clontarf.