AIB League Match In Focus: Old Crescent v Young Munster
Limerick rivals Old Crescent and Young Munster meet this Saturday in the final round of regulation phase matches in AIB League Division Two. It is sure to be another great rugby occasion at Rosbrien.
AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION TWO: Saturday, March 29
OLD CRESCENT (14th) v YOUNG MUNSTER (1st), Rosbrien, 2.30pm
Referee: Leo Colgan (Munster)
Previous League Meetings: 8 (Old Crescent won 2, Young Munster won 6; At Rosbrien: 3 (Old Crescent won 1, Young Munster won 2)
Last Season: Sunday, December 17, 2006 – Young Munster 22 Old Crescent 3, Tom Clifford Park
Recent Form: Old Crescent (most recent games on left hand side): WWWLL
Young Munster: WWWWW
Old Crescent – Notes: * This is their last of two home matches against Munster clubs this season and the last of their seven home games in Division Two this term
* They have won 17 of their previous 33 AIB League games at home to other Munster clubs. They first played in the league against Young Munster in March 1997, losing 23-17 at home to them
* They have lost their last three AIB League encounters with Young Munster and have conceded the most points (338) and most tries (47) in Division Two since October 27
* Their captain James Cullinane made his 100th AIB League appearance in the corresponding game three years ago
* They have lost all four of previous Division Two games against Munster clubs this season. They were certs for relegation a few weeks back but have pulled in 13 points in their last three games
* They now look as if they will feature again in Division Two next season but are hampered by a very poor points differential
* At home this season in the league, they have played six games, won four and lost two. Last time out they were 32-26 winners away to Ballynahinch
Top Scorers: 2007/08 AIB League: Most Points – Brian Begley 36; Most Tries: Alan Purcell 5
Young Munster – Notes: * This is their last of three away games in Munster this season and the last of eight league games on the road this term
* They have won 19 of their previous 42 AIB League matches at away venues in Munster – they won 17-10 on their most recent league visit to Rosbrien in March 2006
* They have previously played Old Crescent three times in Division One and five times in Division Two
* The current table-toppers in Division Two, they have won their last five AIB League games
* They have conceded the least points (119) and the least tries (10) in Division Two since October 27
* After six long seasons in Division Two, the Cookies are not about to falter once more at the final hurdle for promotion
* Away from home this season in the AIB League, they have played seven matches, won three, drawn two and lost one. They won 26-7 at home to De La Salle Palmerson last weekend
Top Scorers: 2007/08 AIB League: Most Points – Mark Connolly 58; Most Tries: Derek Corcoran 6