The heavyweight meeting of Lansdowne and Clontarf will be the game of the weekend in 1A, however plenty of other narratives exist on the four other games concerning the title race and dreaded relegation zones.
Shannon v Dublin University, Saturday December 9th, Thomond Park, 1pm
The early kick off on Saturday will pit the bottom two against each other as Shannon look to jump out of the drop zone.
A few short months ago they ended the 2022-23 campaign in ninth and needed to survive the relegation play-offs to remain in 1A, now as round eight is upon us, they do not want to go down the same road. Shannon started the year rather well however losing their last five in succession does not make for good viewing. Defeats like their 57-8 result to Terenure at the weekend, are not the ones Shannon want in this grade, they took the result here earlier this year, can they replicate that this weekend?.
Trinity are nine point Shannon at the foot of the table and desperately need points to keep them at the top table next season. Seven defeats in a row with their only points of the campaign resulting from two losing bonus results. Still despite being behind Shannon they have a better score difference be it +2 as they have conceded a lot less but have struggled in attack. We are one week away from the break and the mid way point, worrying times ahead for Trinity if they slump to another defeat here.
Ballynahinch v Young Munster, Saturday December 9th, Ballymacarn Park, 2:30pm
Hinch occupy fourth spot but dropped points here opens the door to Terenure to snatch fourth, while Young Munster also would be in contention.
The Ulstermen are a side going steadily about their business winning three of their last four games and also going unbeaten in that timeframe with a draw against Clontarf, one they might feel could have been a win. Hinch won this same fixture on the last two occasions played in the league, the Cookies however were triumphant when they met in the Bateman Cup semi-final in September. Anyone’s guess as to who wins this but Hinch will be confident.
Ger Slattery’s charges have woken from a slumber and are here to make a charge back for the 1A title. Following a host of defeats, they are on course for a third straight win and sit six points away from fourth spot. If they can topple their opponents this weekend it would make for interesting viewing ahead of next weekend’s final round of fixtures for 2023. Certainly they look strong and while they lost to UCD and Clontarf, they were both one digit narrow defeats that could have gone either way.
Cork Constitution v UCD, Saturday December 9th, Temple Hill, 2:30pm
Cork Con lost ground to Tarf last weekend in their top of the table meeting, this weekend they are out to take points as they return to Leeside.
Con despite their loss last weekend were impressive and in the end fell to a 30-26 defeat. A first defeat since round two to Hinch, they still have four wins accumulated now in their last five and will not be too phased by the setback going into this contest. UCD did leave with the points back in march with a 34-29 win at this same venue, Con after last weekend will not all the same to happen.
UCD saw their two game winning streak come to an end last weekend at the bowl, now they head down to Cork looking to again repeat that result from March and mount a charge for fourth spot. They are three ahead of Shannon and with the Limerick side maybe fancied to defeat Trinity, the visitors also cannot afford to drop points or they will hit a slope in the standings.
Lansdowne v Clontarf, Saturday December 9th, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch, 2:30pm
A big meeting of two of Dublin’s rugby institutions in the shadow of the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Clontarf hoping to remain unbeaten after eight tough rounds of action.
Lansdowne with a win here would put the title race well into the bread basket for that coveted top spot. Having lost two in a row prior to round six, they have won the last two games both against fellow Dublin opposition and will now look to tackle the Bulls. Andy Marks, James Kenny, Rory Parata and Jack Cooke share top spot in the Lansdowne ranks for their try scoring exploits with four each, they bring some heavy machinery in that department.
As do Clontarf with the inspirational Dylan Donnellan continuing to score tires like they are going out of fashion. The hooker has eight now for the campaign despite missing games due to a well deserved Leinster call up. Last season’s final defeat certainly inspired Clontarf yo have a serious fighting spirit this campaign as they have been very impressive. When they have been tested in numerous games this season they have come out on the winning front, a showpiece club that are hungry for success that eluded them last year.
Terenure College v City of Armagh, Saturday December 9th, Lakelands Park, 2:30pm
Lakelands was an ice cold venue last weekend but plenty of spice could well be brought by City of Armagh as they challenge the 1A champions for the first time since promotion.
Nure needed a win last weekend after defeat a round prior and certainly did that against Shannon. Now they will hope Young Munster can topple Hinch and take a win here to move fourth in the standings. The Champions have not had it their own way but if they can showcase what they did last weekend, they cannot be written out of the title debate. Serious pedigree, rich in talent, they won it last year for a reason and back on home soil are out for another big success.
Chris Parker’s side are holding their own at the top table and a win over the current holders would be a sensational result for the Ulstermen. Sitting in eight they have learned that hard way just how ruthless this division is and have knocked off Trinity and Shannon already to showcase what they can do. Brayden Laing is an incredible goal kicker who has proved his quality all campaign, while Timothy McNiece, Neil Faloon and Jack Treanor are the sides top try scorers and will need to be monitored.
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Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.