Division Two Final: It's a match contested by the two best teams, illustrated by the fact that both have been promoted to the elite level for next season after finishing first and second in the division. The Limerick club finished above today's rivals in the league, but the match between the teams was decided in favour of St Mary's (13-11) during the season, albeit on the strength of a disputed conversion.
UL Bohemian can muster an impressive pack, with the Munster-contracted New Zealander Mike Storey at tighthead, but coach Mike Tewkesbury's team is not one-dimensional. Centre Martin McPhail and wing Keith Matthews are talented young players with representative experience.
St Mary's too can call upon provincially contracted players in Leinster wing John McWeeney, tighthead Peter Coyle and multiskilled forward Gavin Hickie, who plays for the club as an openside flanker rather than hooker; in a recent game he scored three tries, so he's obviously a versatile young man.
Peter Smyth has represented Ireland at underage level and played for Leinster, but he now devotes his time to coaching - he assists Steve Hennessy - with obvious success. Connacht duo Conor McPhillips and Mark McHugh are expected to be included on the bench. The AN Other vacancy at blindside flanker could be filled by Ciarán Potts.
Outhalf Jonathan Sexton has huge potential and his performance should be of interest.
Hennessy, born in Limerick and educated at St Munchin's, will try to plot the downfall of the team, Bohemians as they were at the time, with whom he played in Munster Senior League and Senior Cup finals (1979-80).
This should be a good contest between teams that like to mix and match their patterns.
There is little doubt that St Mary's have some heavy hitters on their bench (including captain Dave Clare just back after injury) and that could prove pivotal.
UL Bohemian have contested two Division Two finals and lost both; that run might continue today.
UL BOHEMIAN: C Garvey; I Hanley, C Finn, M McPhail, K Matthews; B Martin, A Rees; M Harty, G Ryan, M Storey, B Madigan, A Hartigan, A O'Gorman (capt), P van Esbeck, J O'Neill.
ST MARY'S COLLEGE: D Hughes; B Lynn, J McWeeney, C Fifield, P Brophy; J Sexton, J Kilbride; C O'Byrne, P Smyth, P Coyle, J Ellis, G Logan, AN Other, G Hickie, A Copeland.
