Munster's dominance of the AIB League continued over the weekend as Cork Constitution and Shannon all but guaranteed themselves the top two slots with victories over the best Ulster and Leinster have to offer.
Eleven points separate Shannon from third-place Buccaneers, who were free this weekend, with Con a further point clear. And guess what? The Corkmen's decisive score didn't arrive until the closing stages.
This week it was Ballymena's turn to suffer as a 78th-minute penalty from Pat McCarthy handed the Ulster side their third home defeat of the year.
Shannon also fashioned a late comeback at Castle Avenue and in the process put a huge dent in Clontarf's play-off aspirations. Centre Brian Tuohy crossed for the injury-time try in a 14-12 victory.
Clontarf shouldn't feel so bad. Every club has had to play these two teams in successive weeks this season and bar UCD, who recorded a remarkable draw and win, all have come come up short. It seems Shannon use the Con results as the standard they too must reach in each round.
Most seasons a club makes a late run from the pack to challenge for honours. This year it could be Steve McIvor's Blackrock. Their 19-7 victory, away to Belfast Harlequins, ensured the last play-off spot is still accessible to several clubs.
"Resilience-wise, it was our best performance of the year," said McIvor. "At 11-7, we defended for 35 minutes of the second half in our own 22, with a gale-force wind in our faces. It was immense work from the lads."
Blackrock have now played everyone above them and look in a prime position to push for one of the two remaining semi-final slots.
Meanwhile, the students leapfrogged Clontarf thanks to a 20-13 win over Dolphin at Belfield. Co Carlow and Garryowen remain in the safety of mid-table after they both recorded victories, with bonus points, on the road.
Carlow ended a six-game run without a win in their 27-17 demolition of Dungannon, while former Irish international Dominic Crotty was among the try scorers for Garryowen in their defeat of Galwegians, which leaves the westerners seven points adrift at the bottom.
