Cork Constitution v Buccaneers: Considering their domination in the AIB League regular season, Cork Constitution will be slight favourites to make their fourth final in six years today. One problem, though, is that the only team to have beaten them in Cork this season are back at Temple Hill this afternoon.
The power of the Buccaneers pack proved too much for Con back in February, when they ran out comfortable winners, 22-10.
It was the first time Brian Walsh's side were beaten all season and denied them a club record of nine successive league victories.
Although Cork Con practically led from post to post this season, and they undoubtedly know how to grind out a victory, their dominant status is somewhat misleading. Five of those victories were achieved with last-gasp tries and quite easily could have gone the other way. Luck, or the sign of a team destined for the title?
Either way, if they are to beat Buccs today they will have to match them up front.
Kiwi outhalf Steve McColl and prop Tom Ryan are out injured, while a decision has yet to be made about Shane O'Connor's partner in the engine room. David Pusey and Kevin Coughlan are the candidates.
But they still look to have their opponents' number out wide, especially when you consider the presence of Anthony Horgan at full back. Conrad O'Sullivan is an able recruit at outhalf, while Frenchman Jean-Vincent Igarza and winger Tomás O'Leary are clinical finishers.
Buccaneers are no neophytes when it comes to the play-offs, as this is their second consecutive year. Their pack are a fearsome bunch, with the back row of captain Eoin Brennan, Gavin Schoeman and David Kelly particularly effective.
If Con avoid getting dragged into a war of attrition up front (easier said than done), their backs should have too much gas for Buccs.
CORK CONSTITUTION: A Horgan; T O'Leary, C Mahony, J Vincent Igarza, C Healy; C O'Sullivan, P McCarthy; G Murray, D Murray, M Ross; S O'Connor, AN Other; U O'Callaghan, J Murray (capt), B O'Connor.
BUCCANEERS: N O'Hara; J Meagher, S Stephens, W Wallace, P O'Sullivan; D Connellan C Keane; F Boiroux, G Halligan, M Cahill, N Smullen, C Short, G Schoeman, E Brennan (capt), D Kelly.
Referee: A Rolland (Leinster).
Last three matches: Cork Con - LWL Buccaneers - WWL
Verdict: Home win
