Cautious Cork Constitution will again start favourites

AIB CUP FINAL Cork Constitution v  Garryowen: FEW MUNSTER clubs have a richer heritage than the two heavyweights who meet today in Athlone in the AIB Cup final.

To add to the competitive spirit of the day and to ensure another tight match, the two clubs played out a 6-6 draw in their league match last week, where place-kicking alone left the sides level. In that game Garryowen halted what would have been six league wins on the trot for Cork Con’.

In that light kicking could be the telling part of today’s meeting. Cork Constitution are current leaders of the All Ireland League and were winners in this cup competition in 2006. But last season they went into the final as favourites but surprisingly fell to outsiders, Ulster’s Ballynahinch.

Trying to avoid any nasty shocks like that again, Cork Con’ again go in as favourites based on league form but do so cautiously.

Since 1901 there has been 88 games played between the clubs. Constitution have won 34, Garryowen 35 with nine games drawn. Since the AIL League began, the sides have met each other 20 times with Garryowen holding the upper hand with 10 wins to Cork Con’s seven and three matches drawn, including last Saturday’s tie. This will be the first meeting of the clubs in what is the fifth year of the AIB Cup.

Meanwhile, history is being made today as Armagh and City of Derry meet in the junior final for the first time (Dubarry Park, 1pm). Not unlike the senior final, the two clubs have played each other already with both winning their home matches.

Both clubs are bidding to become the first Ulster club to be crowned AIB Junior Cup champions since Rainey Old Boys won the final in 2006.

AIB League Division One A

Saturday

St Mary's College v Shannon, Templeville Road 2.30pm – The home side in third place host second-placed Shannon with St Mary's in bad need of a win, having lost their last three outings. Shannon have won their last three matches and arrive in Dublin hoping to secure a win and top spot in the table. Shannon will be without Jerry Flannery and Marcus Horan, both of whom played last week.

Sunday

Dolphin v Clontarf, Musgrave Park 2.30pm – Fifth-placed Dolphin hope their outhalf and captain Barry Keeshan will be fit to play against sixth-placed Clontarf.

The Dublin side, who have won twice away from home, need points to ease any relegation worries. They face a Dolphin outfit who have lost only twice in the league at Musgrave Park.