All-Ireland League Division One final/Cork Constitution v Garryowen:Sport doesn't always adhere to the meritocracy system but on this occasion it appears the best two teams have deservedly qualified for this encounter. Cork Constitution have been the form team this season, putting together a marvellous run in the league proper, that included a 12-11 victory over today's opponents at Dooradoyle.
If current rude health is the barometer, Garryowen must be considered the in-form team. The Limerick side have been superb in recent matches and demonstrated a steely demeanour in muscling their way first into the play-offs and then into the final, twice eclipsing Clontarf in their north Dublin citadel. It's no mean feat.
Those of a statistical inclination will delight in the fact these sides have met 19 times in the AIB All Ireland League over the years and are locked at nine wins apiece with one draw. Something has to give this afternoon.
In a sense, though, history is irrelevant as this final is contested by two young teams with little or no baggage.
Garryowen have already won the Munster Senior and Junior Cups that nestle in the trophy cabinet alongside the AIB Cup. Apparently there is still room for further silverware. Indeed the Limerick side beat Con in the Munster Senior Cup final last December, a triumph surprisingly followed by a post-Christmas mini-slump.
Coach Paul Cunningham cited the extra- time AIB Cup victory over St Mary's as a turning point, having endured a succession of poor results: "That seemed to be the catalyst. We then had a week off and then won an important league game against UL Bohs and haven't looked back since.
"That was an important time for us because we'd had a poor run in January and was probably the catalyst for the end of season run. We've had the players for the last couple of seasons but this year they have matured into a very good team.
"They are young and adventurous and, as they showed when coming back from 15-3 down against Clontarf, have plenty of character. There are good heads on broad shoulders and to be honest, it's the players that run the show. We give them a few patterns but they play the heads-up rugby where it matters, on the pitch.
"Con are a very good side who had a fabulous run throughout the league campaign. They were worthy winners of the league phase and it's going to be incredibly tough playing Con at home," he laughed.
Cunningham's tongue-in-cheek reference to the venue may be a "ball-hop", but this does not diminish his team's determination to take the trophy home and give their coach a fitting send-off - his assistant Killian Keane also steps down - after three years in charge.
Kevin Hartigan has recovered from a knock. John Staunton - Jeremy's elder brother - made a major impact in the last couple of games.
In Eoghan Hickey, Garryowen have both a consummate place-kicker and a player who can dominate a game, especially in tandem with the promising Gerry Hurley at scrumhalf. The back row is arguably the best in the competition.
Con are equally well equipped and have made one alteration from their semi-final side, with Australian Daniel Nethery back after injury having missed the last two games. Merle O'Connell has been the pick of a fine tearaway trio, while in Ross Noonan and Shane O'Connor they have athletic, mobile secondrows.
Tom Gleeson is a real talent, while the former Under-21 World Cup finalist Richie Lane has been accurate with the placed ball.
Con play an open game under the baton of Brian Walsh and Terry Kingston.
It promises to be a tight encounter, much like their league meeting, and if current form is the arbiter of success then Garryowen may have that slight edge.
CORK CONSTITUTION: D Hurley; R Lane, T Gleeson, D Nethery, C Healy; D Lyons, P McKee; C Murphy, D Murray, T Ryan; R Noonan, S O'Connor; M O'Connell, B Cuttriss, F Cogan (capt).
GARRYOWEN: C Kilroy; A O'Loughlin, K Hartigan, C Doyle, Ciaran O'Boyle; E Hickey, G Hurley; R Brosnan, D Varley, J Staunton; M Melbourne, E Mackey; P Neville (capt), P Malone, A Kavanagh.
Referee: A Lewis (IRFU).
