ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 1A: Saturday, March 26
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated -
BLACKROCK COLLEGE (5th) v SHANNON (7th), Stradbrook
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Blackrock College: LWLWWLLLLWLW; Shannon: LWLLLWWLWLLL
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Blackrock College: Points: Rob Keogh 68; Tries: Rob Keogh, Alex Dunlop, Jan-Simon Byrne 3 each; Shannon: Points: Tadhg Bennett 50; Tries: David Quinlan 4
Preview: No doubt, Blackrock College supporters will be hoping for great things after the shock away success over St. Mary's College last time out.
To go to Templeville Road and win 34-15, scoring five tries with Jan-Simon Byrne getting two of them, was quite a performance. The win saw them jump to fifth in the table, and most importantly move seven points clear of bottom-placed Garryowen.
Shannon, on the other hand, are in second last spot, just three points ahead of their local rivals Garryowen. So, they will be desperate for a victory, and on that basis, look certain to represent dangerous opponents.
Most Recent Meetings - Saturday, November 14, 2009: Blackrock College 15 Shannon 21, Stradbrook; Saturday, February 20, 2010: Shannon 3 Blackrock College 25, Coonagh; Saturday, January 8, 2011: Shannon 38 Blackrock College 22, Stradbrook
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Blackrock College to win by 1-5 points
GARRYOWEN (8th) v OLD BELVEDERE (1st), Dooradoyle
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Garryowen: LLWLLDLWLLLD; Old Belvedere: WLWWWWWLWLWD
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Garryowen: Points: Declan Cusack 64; Tries: Ronan O'Mahony 3; Old Belvedere: Points: Conal Keane 70; Tries: Daniel Riordan 7
Preview: Last against first. On form, Old Belvedere will be expected to get the victory which would assure them of one of the play-off spots.
But the Anglesea Road outfit can take nothing for granted for a number of reasons. The most obvious is that Garryowen are facing a 'must win' situation in their bid to stay in the premier division - and we all know how Munster sides trive on adversity.
Old Belvedere will also be aware that Garryowen managed to hold Cork Constitution to a 6-6 draw away from home in their last match. But the fact that the Limerick outfit have a number of players in the Munster squad will not help their cause.
Most Recent Meeting - Saturday, January 8, 2011: Old Belvedere 24 Garryowen 3, Anglesea Road
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Belvedere to win by 6-10 points
ST. MARY'S COLLEGE (3rd) v CORK CONSTITUTION (2nd), Templeville Road
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - St. Mary's College: LLWWWWLWLWWL; Cork Constitution: WWWWLDWWLWWD
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - St. Mary's College: Points: Gavin Dunne 89; Tries: Darren Hudson 7; Cork Constitution: Points: Richie Lane 67; Tries: Brian Hayes 4
Preview: This repeat of last season's Division 1 final should be a cracker. St. Mary's College are now looking over their shoulders with the possibility of Young Munster overtaking them for one of the play-off spots.
Clearly, they can ill-afford to play as they did when losing to Blackrock and with a big crowd expected for Ladies Day, the club's first team should be primed for a big performance..
There should be a right old battle between Ireland Club International team-mates Frank Cogan and Hugh Hogan in the back row.
Although Constitution will again be without some of their players because of Munster commitments, they are bound to field a strong side in their bid to make sure of a play-off place.
Most Recent Meetings - Saturday, December 12, 2009: Cork Constitution 16 St. Mary's College 9, Temple Hill; Saturday, March 27, 2010: St. Mary's College 24 Cork Constitution 20, Templeville Road; Saturday, May 8, 2010: Division 1 final: Cork Constitution 17 St. Mary's College 10, Dubarry Park (after extra-time); Saturday, January 8, 2011: Cork Constitution 22 St. Mary's College 17, Temple Hill
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Cork Constitution to win by 1-5 points
DOLPHIN (6th) v YOUNG MUNSTER (4th), Musgrave Park (Sunday, March 27, 2.30pm)
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Dolphin: WLLLWLLWWLLD; Young Munster: WWLLLLWLWWWW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Dolphin: Points: Barry Keeshan 130; Tries: Eric Moloney, Christy Condon 2 each; Young Munster: Points: Alan Kingsley 115; Tries: Matthew Costelloe 3
Preview: Young Munster continue their bid to grab the third Division 1A play-off spot with a Sunday away game against Dolphin.
But Dolphin are quite capable of providing very tough opposition. They were, after all, good enough to secure a 16-16 draw away to Old Belvedere with the impressive Barry Keeshan scoring all of the points.
What is more, they may well need a victory to stay clear of relegation trouble. That said, Young Munster, on current form, will go in as favourites.
Most Recent Meeting - Saturday, January 8, 2011: Young Munster 35 Dolphin 0, Tom Clifford Park
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Dolphin to win by 1-5 points
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