Fraser McMullen Cup Final Preview: Lansdowne v UCD
The Fraser McMullen Cup is on the line as the All-Ireland Under-21 Championship reaches its final stage this weekend. The deciding match is a Dublin derby between the Under-21s of Lansdowne and UCD.
FRASER MCMULLEN CUP FINAL: Sunday, April 10
LANSDOWNE U-21s v UCD U-21s, Coolmine RFC, 2.30pm
Lansdowne’s road to the final saw them gain revenge on UCC for a defeat in last season’s final. They then edged past Cork Constitution in a tight semi-final at Temple Hill.
Lansdowne out-half Craig Ronaldson could play a key role, having already helped the senior team to victory in Ulster Bank League Division 1B last weekend.
Ronaldson, who came on as a replacement for Eoghan Hickey, scored a try, a conversion and a penalty in the headquarters side’s 15-0 home win over Buccaneers.
He should be well-served by a pack that includes strong ball carriers such as Scott Caulbeck, Charlie Butterworth and David Heffernan.
Captained by Emmet McMahon, UCD had a big win over Shannon at Coonagh and then followed this up with a two-point triumph away to Clontarf at the semi-final stage.
The College side have a strong squad which includes Ireland Under-20 winger Andrew Boyle, the first ever recipient of the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown ‘Brian O’Driscoll’ Bursary.
With UCD’s long-serving director of rugby John McClean set to retire this season and a colours match the following Saturday, the students will certainly be fired up for this game.
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UCC Regain Fraser McMullen Trophy