Clontarf v Cork Constitution, Ulster Bank League Division 1A Final
Sunday, Aviva Stadium, 2.30pm [RTÉ 2]
DIVISION 1A TABLE toppers Clontarf go in search of their second All-Ireland title in tomorrow’s Ulster Bank League final at the Aviva Stadium, with four-time winners Cork Con standing in their way.
Andy Wood’s ‘Tarf were beaten by Dublin rivals Lansdowne in last year’s decider but have enjoyed another excellent season to give themselves an immediate chance for redemption.
There were cruel lessons for Clontarf in that final defeat to Lansdowne as they gave up a 17-8 second-half lead to lose 18-17. The game was thrilling for neutrals at the Aviva, but Wood is hopeful a similarly exciting match this year will deliver the right result.
It was a frustrating game, the finish of it, to be honest,” says Wood. “It was a good game and certainly we performed well with the ball. Obviously, the lads being out in the Aviva, on the pitch there, hopefully, it will bring the best out of them again.
“If we can play as well and get the result, that would be the goal.”
While Clontarf saw off UCD in the semi-finals a fortnight ago, second-placed Cork Con came through a battle with Young Munster.
Last weekend saw the Cork men claim a remarkable fourth All-Ireland Bateman Cup title against Galwegians.
“Winning last Saturday was huge,” says Con captain James Ryan. “There was such a buzz at training on Tuesday and we’re raring to go again this weekend. If we’d lost, it would have been a different story and heads would be down, but we’re all excited now.”
Clontarf had a weekend off as Con fought their way to that fourth Bateman Cup, but Wood says that may not be the advantage it would seem at first.
They’ll be licking their wounds, but they’ll know they’re battle-hardened for the match,” says the Clontarf coach. “We’ll be rested and going through the normal match-day prep.
“You can look at it both ways. We’ll be a bit fresher but they’ll be possibly a bit more hardened from it.”
Key to victory for either side will be the performances of their main points scorers and out-halves, Munster academy man Tomás Quinlan for Con and Leinster academy star Joey Carbery for ‘Tarf.
Carbery has been winning plaudits for his creativity and obvious talent in the Bullring at Castle Avenue, but Quinlan has been equally impressive in providing composure and kicking quality for Con from fullback or in the 10 shirt.
“Tomás has had a fantastic season, especially towards the end of this season,” says Ryan. “He was our starting 10 last weekend and had a great game. He’s kicked fantastically well and won a lot of games for us this season.”
Around those playmakers will be try-scoring and line-breaking ability in the shape of Clontarf’s Mike McGrath, Matt D’Arcy and Mike Brown, as well as Con’s Darren Sweetnam, Niall Kenneally and Ned Hodson.
However, it’s the battle of the big men up front that will likely prove decisive in the Aviva.
“They’re really good,” says Carbery of his Dublin club’s pack, in which Michael Noone and Tony Ryan provide ball-carrying ballast from the back row.
“Clontarf are known to be quite physical,” continues Carbery, “so a lot of teams can get back at you with the physicality. Every game we play is very physical. You get used to that and Clontarf are always going to be very physical.”
Con number eight Ryan feels the settled nature of his own forward unit has been important this season.
Tighthead prop Ger Sweeney has been very impressive, while lock pairing Brian Hayes and Conor Kindregan possess power and aggression.
We’ve been very lucky this season, the majority of the pack is not contracted and the pack that played against Galwegians was all out of contract,” says Ryan. “That’s been huge to our season, training Tuesdays and Thursdays together, which has been fantastic.
“In previous years we’ve had players coming and going but this year we’ve been training all together and that’s benefited us definitely.”
Clontarf’s more recent title success, in 2014, and the desire bred from their defeat in last year’s final makes them favourites for the title, but this hungry, skillful Cork Con crop will eagerly test that status.
Whatever the outcome, Sunday’s final is sure to underline the quality of homegrown talent in the Ulster Bank League.
Clontarf (provisional):
15. Evan Ryan
14. Michael Brown
13. Conor O’Brien
12. Matt D’Arcy
11. Mick McGrath
10. Joey Carbery
9. Sam Cronin
1. Ivan Soroka
2. Bryan Byrne
3. Ian Hirst
4. Tom Byrne
5. Ben Reilly (captain)
6. Michael Noone
7. Karl Moran
8. Tony Ryan
Replacements:
16. Aaron Dundon
17. Neil Reilly
18. Vakhtang Abdaladze
19. Peter du Toit
20. David Joyce
21. Rob McGrath
22. Eoghan Browne
Cork Constitution (provisional):
15. Darren Sweetnam
14. Aaron Spring
13. Ned Hodson
12. Niall Kenneally
11. Rob Jermyn
10. Tomás Quinlan
9. Ryan Foley
1. Gavin Duffy
2. Max Abbott
3. Ger Sweeney
4. Conor Kindregan
5. Brian Hayes
6. Graeme Lawler
7. James Murphy
8. James Ryan (captain)
Replacements from:
Rory Burke
Liam O’Connor
Cathal O’Flaherty
Sonny Dwyer
John Poland
Shane Daly
Darragh Lyons
Liam O’Connell
Referee: Andy Brace [IRFU].
- This article was updated at 2.04pm to include mention that the game will be televised on RTÉ 2.
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