THE SECOND WEEKEND of Ulster Bank League action features a clash between leaders Young Munster and last year’s winners St Mary’s College.
Both sides won their opening UBL fixtures, with the Limerick side impressive 36-3 winners over Shannon, so the encounter at Tom Clifford Park on Saturday (2:30pm) should be a closely-fought affair.
However, Old Belvedere and Dolphin have the opportunity to win some early-season silverware when the sides meet at Musgrave Park, Cork, on the same day (2:30pm).
Ostensibly, the match is between the eighth and ninth placed teams in the league but, with the season just a week old, a win for either side will deliver an early trophy and shoot them up the table.
The inaugural McCarthy/O’Reilly trophy, crafted in honour of former Irish internationals Jim McCarthy and Tony O’Reilly will be up for grabs.
President of Dolphin RFC, John Sylvester told irishrugby.ie, “It is an honour for Dolphin RFC and its members to remember two living legends of Irish rugby and a great opportunity to celebrate our past, while being a showpiece of our present club game with legends of the future.”
Clontarf eye first win
Clontarf, who narrowly missed out on league glory last season, entertain second-placed Garryowen at Castle Avenue on Saturday (2:30pm). ‘Tarf lost out to Cork Constitution last weekend so will be eager to get the first mark in the win column.
Cork Con will look to inflict a second defeat on UL Bohemians at Annacotty, also at 2:30pm.
Less than 24 hours after playing host to Leinster and Munster, the Aviva Stadium will host home side Lansdowne as they take on Shannon in another 2:30pm kick-off.
Lansdowne were well worth their 16-9 win over Old Belvedere last weekend while Shannon were heavily defeated by Young Munster at Thomond Park.
