DIVISION TWO: UCC v Old Crescent, The Mardyke 2.30: FIRST IN the table against fourth in the table, UCC are hoping to keep their almost pristine record intact going into this Cork v Limerick meeting.
The students lost just once and drew once in the regular season, winning the rest of their matches. The interesting issue here is that the team UCC lost to was Old Crescent, who emerged as winners by just one point. In these one-off meetings home advantage carries weight but this promises to be an intriguing battle.
DIVISION THREE
Corinthians v Midleton, Corinthian Park
CORINTHIANS, WHO lost twice in 15 matches in the regular season, earn home advantage by topping the table. In the back of their minds they’ll know that Midleton were one of those two victorious teams. Not only did the Cork town beat Corinthians at home in January but they did so by a 22-0 margin. That score-line is something of an aberration but again in this semi-final that one-off result a few months ago may have a significant bearing.
Old Wesley v QUB, Donnybrook
THE ONLY semi-final in Dublin, Old Wesley specialised this season in accumulating bonus points, their total of six the highest in the league.
But that won’t count now but illustrates a quality of being able to hang in during tough matches. Old Wesley, who was the other side to beat Corinthians, will be seeking something back from the Queen’s students given the last visit to the leafy Malone. Their trek to the Dub before Christmas cost them a 20-3 defeat.
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