Promoted Young Munster set sights on semi-finals
YOUNG Munster have turned their thoughts to securing a place in the AIL Division 1 play-offs after guaranteeing their promotion to Division 1A for next season with a gritty 14-12 victory over UCC at The Mardyke on Saturday.
Hundreds of Young Munster supporters who had made the trip to Leeside broke into a rousing renditions of the club's anthem 'Beautiful, beautiful Munsters' as the final whistle sounded on their side's ninth successive League win. The Clifford Park side trail leaders Old Belvedere by two points at present, with the table toppers advancing to the league semi-final once the remaining two rounds of regular season fixtures are complete.
Young Munster's Director of Rugby, Mike Prendergast said the club's promotion to the top flight would allow their players challenge themselves against the very best.
Prendergast told Leader Sport outside a delirious Young Munster dressing room: "It is massive to go up to Division 1 in our first season.
"Guys in the squad want to challenge themselves. From a personal point of view, I probably have a year or two left playing at this level. I wanted to finish off on a high. But we have a lot of good young talent in the squad; Ger Slattery, Alan Cotter, Shane Hassett, Liam Og Murphy. They are coming through.
"1B is a very competitive Division, but 1A is the top tier, it's where you want to be playing, week in and week out.
"Promotion was our aim at the start of the season. We have achieved that and we have two games to see if we can make the semi-final. We will be going all to get two wins. We are elated."
In Division 1A Shannon remain in the final play-off spot after securing a losing bonus point in their 17-10 away defeat to Cork Constitution at Temple Hill.
Garryowen boosted their chances of making it through to the semi-finals after recording a precious 15-14 victory over Clontarf. Garryowen's sixth successive victory of the AIL has seen the 'light blues' move to fifth in the table with a game in hand on their play-off chasing rivals.
Shannon and Garryowen's play-off hopes could well rest on their outcome of their derby clash on the final day of the regular season, April 10.
In Division 2 Old Crescent boosted their hopes of survival after recording a gritty 12-10 victory over promotion-chasing DLSP.
Thomond suffered a 23-15 defeat at the hands of Corinthians, but Bruff have emerged as strong promotion contenders as a result of their 21-16 away defeat over Old Wesley.
Munster's poor away form is jeopardising their hopes of making the Magners League play-offs after the holders slumped to a 22-31 defeat to the Dragons at Rodney Parade.
Munster's fifth successive away defeat in the League this season saw Tony McGahan's men drop outside the play-off places.
Saturday evening's defeat saw Munster slip to fifth place in the table and increases the pressure on the holders for their three upcoming home fixtures.
Meanwhile St. Munchin's College and PBC will replay their Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup semi-final in Cork this Thursday at 3pm after the sides finished level, 10-10, at Tom Clifford Park yesterday.
The match venue is yet to be confirmed.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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