University College Dublin travelled to Carlow last weekend to play in the picturesque setting of Oak Park, a match that could already have decided the destination of the AIB League Division Three title.
In discerning potential champions, The Irish Times elicited the assistance of several coaches, all of whom suggested that these two teams were favoured to dispute overall honours. UCD's narrow victory suggests that they have stolen a march.
The manner of their victory was surprising given the emphasis they placed on kicking the ball, not a noted university ploy. College seem content to leave two of their outstanding footballers Andy Dunne and Paddy Wallace on the under-20s.
Carlow missed New Zealand number eight Andy Melville, the leading try scorer in Division Four last year, and will do so again this weekend. The arrival of former Bective centre Ian Dwyer and DLSP out-half Tommy James should give them more thrust behind the scrum.
Several teams should lead the pursuit, including Instonians and Monkstown, both of whom were relegated from Division Two last season. The Ulster club have recruited two promising young players in Under-21 international Gareth McCullough and Under-19 World Cup winning squad member, prop Chris Schofield.
Monkstown have signed a couple of Kiwis including their new coach Dustin Watts. The loss of promising young second row Ian Bloomer to St Mary's College is a big blow but they should still remain competitive at Sydney Parade.
Bohemians and Richmond carry the Limerick banner and both should do so to good effect. Bohemians are now coached by former Shannon captain Conor McDermott and he obviously used his influence to prise away Dan Gallagher from the four times champions.
Former Young Munster scrum-half John Moloney is in charge at Richmond and he has raided the playing staff at Clifford Park. Highfield are entitled to feel most aggrieved having lost nine first choice players during the summer. Pared to the bone in terms of personnel they are strong candidates for relegation.
There is a new structure to Division Three this season. After the teams have played one another (nine matches) the division will be split into top five and bottom five teams who will then play a round robin series. The top two teams are promoted with the bottom two suffering relegation.
In Division Four events are a little more straightforward. The top two clubs are promoted with the club finishing last, relegated. The winner of the junior leagues round robin play-off is promoted while the team that finishes runner-up will play against second last club in Division Four for the final place at that level next season.
Suttonians have captured former Division One players in Clontarf trio, Mick Fitzsimons, Gareth Aherne and Karl Hoffmann. This could provide them with a quick return to Division Three from whence they came in the season 1997-98. Midleton could be their strongest challengers but Omagh and Ballina will also anticipate great things.
Division Two analysis tomorrow with Division One on Saturday
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