AIB League: Redemption Road For Bohs

UL Bohs’ Division Two final hopes went up in smoke last May as Trinity replacement Pierre Lazies dropped an injury-time goal. Could 2005 see them garner the club’s first AIL title in ten years?

Bohemians – inspired by Australian fly-half Ben Martin – have made a serious imprint on the league this year, ensuring their passage through to next season’s enlarged two flight and putting themselves in line for a first league trophy since their Division 4 success of ’95.

Mike Tewkesbury’s side ended their league run with a seventh away win – 22-5 over Ballynahinch – in eight road trips. Yet, they will be taking nothing for granted against former leaders Dolphin on Sunday.

Tomorrow afternoon’s sees UCC back into the fray after last weekend’s play-off loss at Lansdowne, and bidding for an upset over another Dublin side, namely St Mary’s.

Division Two Semi-Finals: Saturday, April 30
St Mary’s College (2) v UCC (3), Templeville Road, 2.30pm

Already guaranteed promotion, St Mary’s have named an unchanged line-up for the visit of the Corkmen to Templeville Road.

Inspirational captain Barry Lynn will once more control matters from outside centre. He turned in a man-of-the-match display last time out in his side’s 33-19 defeat of Barnhall, converting his own try and kicking a further 21 points with his right boot.

The Mary’s mob are far from a one-man band. Leinster representatives Gavin Hickie and John McWeeney have been getting in amongst the tries of late, and 20-year-old scrum-half Philip Brophy’s switch from pivot to the right wing has proved successful.

Jeremy Manning’s promotion to the Munster senior ranks will see former Ireland Under-21 full-back Richard Lane deputising for UCC at fly-half tomorrow.

Physically, UCC seem to be in reasonably good shape following last weekend’s play-off misery. While Michael Kingsbeer is notable absentee in their backline, coach Ian Sherwin can still call on the likes of Munster scrum-half Frank Murphy, top league try-scorer Lane (9) and back row talents Michael Essex – a member of last year’s Ireland Under-19 World Cup squad – and Billy Holland, who are competing for the vacant number 8 slot.

Expect Lynn and Lane’s place kicking to ultimately decide who goes through to the May 7 decider.

Referee: Colin Stanley (Leinster)

Sunday, May 1
UL Bohemians (1) v Dolphin (2), Thomond Park, 2.30pm

Dolphin will arrive in Limerick in mean mood – well rested, and riding on the back of a club record nine-game unbeaten run.

Add in the fact that Dolphin have the experience of being 2003 winners and UL were defeated in the sides’ earlier meeting this season, and suddenly the students seem up against it.

But the students are made of stern stuff and sure to fight tool and nail for another shot at silverware.

The boost of being already promoted will stand to Tewkesbury’s men – aided so well by number 10 Martin’s 150-plus points haul this season.

He will line up in an intriguing battle against Dolphin’s record AIL scorer John O’Mahony, with the veteran unfortunately minus sidelined half-back partner Tomas O’Leary.

Aidan Rees and Cillian O’Boyle are also disputing the UL scrum-half spot.

Referee: Alistair McKay (Ulster)