THERE was a time in the not so distant past when the provincial cups were the main events on the club calendar and the last Saturday in April marked the end of the rugby season. However, it is indicative of changing times in the domestic competitive itinerary, as in so many other aspects, of the game, that the season will now be prolonged for another three weeks so that the cup competitions can be completed.

The main event in the domestic itinerary is now the first division of the Insurance Corporation All Ireland League. And the decisive match in that competition occupies centre stage today and will bring thousands of followers to Dooradoyle where Garryowen meet Young Munster.

Three other league matches also take place today, in divisions one, two and four, but those games will do no more than determine the final placings in the divisions.

The destination of the league is an all-Limerick affair and the title will be staying in the city, for the fifth successive year. The question that will be answered today is where. Young Munster are central to the action but cannot win, the title. That is an issue between Garryowen and Shannon. Garryowen are level on points with Shannon, who have completed their programme and have a superior points difference. So a win or a draw today will mean Garryowen winning the championship.

This afternoon Shannon will be playing against UCC in a Munster Senior Cup quarter-final tie at Musgrave Park.

Garryowen and Young Munster have fought out some memorable matches through the years and over the last five years have not atone played each other four times in the league the score is 3-1 in Garryowen's favour but they have also met four times in the last five years in the Munster Senior Cup and that has brought two wins each. They will also meet in the cup again next week.

It should be another great occasion at Dooradoyle with a tremendous forward battle in prospect. While Garryowen may have the more potent back division, in fact Young Munster would also favour a dry sod as their back division is very capable of capitalising on possession and opportunity. In the circumstances one must favour Garryowen to get at least the draw that will give them the title.

Andy Leslie, who coached Garryowen to win the title two years ago and was also with the club in the first half of the current campaign will be a spectator today having flown from New Zealand earlier in the week.

St Mary's College, in fifth place the table, and Cork Constitution, who are third, meet at Templeville Road in the other first division match today Wanderers and Malone meet a Lansdowne Road in the last second division match of the campaign. With five teams being promoted from division four to division three, now that all four junior qualifiers have accepted invitations to join the league, the meeting of Dublin University and Corinthians at will not have promotion as an issue. Both clubs are now guarantee third division status next season together with Portadown Collegians and Queen's University.