AIB League: 8 Days To Go!

With just 8 days to go until the start of the new AIB All-Ireland League season, irishrugby.ie looks at some of the lastest club news from around the country.

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY host their annual club dinner tonight (October 7) at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club.

The second round of the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup takes place tomorrow and also on Saturday, October 15, with the Cork Con v UL Bohemians’ tie doubling up next weekend as an AIL fixture and a Munster Senior Cup one.

There will be much riding on the results as with ten teams competing, all five winners of the second round ties qualify through to next month’s inaugural AIB ALL-IRELAND CUP.

Shannon, with new captain Colm McMahon in harness, travel to Towns Park tomorrow to take on Midleton. Mick Galwey’s squad recently went on a training break to Galway and should be well refreshed for the start of the AIL campaign.

The other Munster Senior Cup second round fixtures are: Clonakilty v Dolphin, Waterpark v Cashel and Young Munster v Garryowen.

At Crowley Park tomorrow, GALWEGIANS and BUCCANEERS meet in what is effectively the Connacht Senior League decider. Both sides are already assured of a place in the AIB All-Ireland Cup. Buccaneers have qualified via the Senior Cup and Galwegians, even if they finish as runners-up, they will take the second spot via the league.

Meanwhile, AIB League Division Three outfit INSTONIANS will host their annual club dinner following tomorrow’s Ulster Senior League home match against Banbridge. The event, which starts at 7.45pm, takes place at the Newforge Country Club – the cost for a ticket is Stg25 and application forms can be found behind the bar at Shaw’s Bridge.