Ulster Bank League: Division 1A Previews
Another big weekend in Division 1A. Old Belvedere are back on top after Cork Constitution lost to Young Munster. The Cookies travel to Anglesea Road this Saturday – can they cause another upset? Meanwhile, Cork Con host Shannon in a mouth-watering derby at Temple Hill.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 1A: Saturday, February 12
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
CORK CONSTITUTION (2nd) v SHANNON (6th), Temple Hill
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form – Cork Constitution: WWWWLDWWL; Shannon: LWLLLWWLW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers – Cork Constitution: Points: Richie Lane 67; Tries: Brian Hayes 4; Shannon: Points: Tadhg Bennett 50; Tries: David Quinlan 3
Preview: Cork Constitution lost only their second game of the league in a dog fight with Young Munster last weekend. This time they host old rivals Shannon in another Cork versus Limerick derby.
Shannon’s topsy turvy season got a boost last weekend with a five-point win over St. Mary’s College, while Cork Con were edged out by Young Munster.
Another big day packed with action on and off the field is planned at Temple Hill and with titles and relegation still on the line, this promises to be a belter.
Ulster Bank will kick off their sponsorship of the league with a ‘Kick For A Ticket’ competition on the day, and Constitution have lined up another minis blitz as well as fun in the clubhouse for the Six Nations afterwards. Throw in international prop Marcus Horan lining out for Shannon and you have a top class afternoon of rugby.
Most Recent Meetings – Saturday, December 5, 2009: Shannon 8 Cork Constitution 9, Coonagh; Saturday, March 6, 2010: Cork Constitution 17 Shannon 10, Temple Hill; Saturday, October 30, 2010: Shannon 20 Cork Constitution 26, Coonagh
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Cork Constitution to win by 6-10 points
GARRYOWEN (8th) v BLACKROCK COLLEGE (7th), Dooradoyle
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form – Garryowen: LLWLLDLWL; Blackrock College: LWLWWLLLL
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers – Garryowen: Points: Declan Cusack 54; Tries: Robert Meyer, Ronan O’Mahony 2 each; Blackrock College: Points: Rob Keogh 53; Tries: Alex Dunlop, Brendan Macken 2 each
Preview: A straight up relegation scrap here. Both teams are five points adrift and only a solitary point separates them in the scoring stakes.
It was not exactly a weekend of big scores in Division 1A last time out, with Blackrock College losing 10-9 to table toppers Old Belvedere and Garryowen lost out 14-3 to Dolphin.
In an eight-team league, fortunes can turn quickly but both Garryowen and ‘Rock need to pick things up or they face the prospect of Division 1B rugby next season.
Most Recent Meetings – Saturday, October 10, 2009: Blackrock College 48 Garryowen 14, Stradbrook; Saturday, April 3, 2010: Garryowen 11 Blackrock College 18, Dooradoyle; Saturday, October 30, 2010: Blackrock College 16 Garryowen 11, Stradbrook
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Garryowen to win by 1-5 points
OLD BELVEDERE (1st) v YOUNG MUNSTER (4th), Anglesea Road
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form – Old Belvedere: WLWWWWWLW; Young Munster: WWLLLLWLW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers – Old Belvedere: Points: Conal Keane 50; Tries: Daniel Riordan 5; Young Munster: Points: Alan Kingsley 85; Tries: Darragh O’Neill, Matthew Costelloe, Aaron Carroll 2 each
Preview: Old Belvedere edged two points clear at the summit last weekend after a mud bath win over Blackrock College, while Young Munster did them a huge favour in beating Cork Constitution.
The Cookies will not be so accommodating on Saturday afternoon and with a play-off spot in sight, Mike Prendergast’s men will be going all out for the win.
‘Belvo will be hoping for better conditions to allow them to unleash their back-line, but can they dog it out if required? We think so.
Most Recent Meetings – Saturday, October 24, 2009: Division 1B; Young Munster 3 Old Belvedere 3, Tom Clifford Park; Saturday, January 16, 2010: Division 1B; Old Belvedere 15 Young Munster 16, Anglesea Road; Saturday, October 30, 2010: Young Munster 0 Old Belvedere 31, Tom Clifford Park
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Belvedere to win by 6-10 points
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE (3rd) v DOLPHIN (5th), Templeville Road
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form – St. Mary’s College: LLWWWWLWL; Dolphin: WLLLWLLWW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers – St. Mary’s College: Points: Gavin Dunne 56; Tries: Darren Hudson 5; Dolphin: Points: Barry Keeshan 98; Tries: Eric Moloney 2
Preview: St. Mary’s College may be smarting a bit as Old Belvedere seem to have stolen a march on them in flying the flag for Leinster, but they are not out of the running by any means.
It was almost inevitable that Shannon would gain revenge last weekend. However, St. Mary’s have the ability to get back on track at home on Saturday.
Dolphin come calling on the back of win over Garryowen, but their drubbing by Young Munster is still fresh in the minds. This one could turn into a shootout between kickers Gavin Dunne and Barry Keeshan.
Most Recent Meetings – Saturday, October 31, 2009: St. Mary’s College 19 Dolphin 10, Templeville Road; Saturday, January 23, 2010: Dolphin 21 St. Mary’s College 13, Musgrave Park; Saturday, October 30, 2010: Dolphin 9 St. Mary’s College 10, Musgrave Park
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: St. Mary’s College to win by 1-5 points
Related Links –
Ulster Bank League: Division 1A Table