‘Tarf bid to glory day on hold for Lansdowne
By Daire Walsh
Ulster Bank League
Lansdowne aim to seal the Ulster Bank Division 1A title when they take on second-place Clontarf on the back pitch of the Aviva Stadium tomorrow.
The Dublin rivals are separated by a grand total of 19 points, and although ‘Tarf have a game less played, they need to pick up maximum points in their four
remaining league fixtures, while hoping that Mike Ruddock’s charges come away empty handed in all of their games.
Lansdowne’s form since the turn of the year has been imperious, however, as they have recorded eight straight victories in the top-flight of the All-Ireland
League, and another win tomorrow will guarantee that the title will is heading to the Dublin 4 club.
Indeed, a losing bonus point may well be enough to give them their first-ever league success, although they will be eager to make it 14 victories from 16
in 2012/’13 when they take on a Clontarf side that are in a midst of a four game winning streak.
Place-kicker Richie Lane, flanker Simon Crawford and dynamic centre Killian Lett have been to the fore during this period, but equally Lansdowne have had
plenty of star performers in the form of captain Ross McCarron, outhalf Craig Ronaldson and clinical right-wing Cian Aherne.
They should have enough in reserve to get the job done.
Elsewhere, the league’s last two champions, Old Belvedere and St Mary’s College, face off at Anglesea Road, in a game that 2011 victors Belvo will need
to win as they aim to avoid being caught in a promotion/relegation play-off for a second consecutive campaign.
In Division 1B promotion-chasing UCD and Dublin University will be hoping to take advantage of the idle Ballynahinch when they clash with Blackrock College
and Belfast Harlequins respectively.