All-Ireland League Preview:AIL League leaders Cork Constitution are guaranteed a home semi-final regardless of the outcome of their final match against Ballymena, who are safely out of the relegation zone. The real issues for the top teams in the final weekend of AIB All-Ireland League are which side ends up in the top four for the play-offs and which will occupy the second home-venue position.
As it stands, UL Bohemians are in best position to hold on to second place and their meeting with Blackrock College at Stradbrook should bring out the best in them.
Blackrock are at a disadvantage in that they are mid-table and not in reach of either qualifying or relegation. And so it's difficult to gauge how competitive they can be.
The teams have met twice in the AIL, Blackrock edging it with one win. The last meeting between the sides, in 2005, ended 20-20, but Bohemians' recent form has been better: four wins from their last five games compared to Blackrock's two wins from five.
Third-placed Clontarf also have their destiny in their own hands, and depending on what happens at Stradbrook, could gain a home semi-final by beating Dungannon. In their last meeting, at Stevenson Park in 2005, Phil Werahiko's side lost 6-3 to the Ulster men. But Dungannon are out of contention for the play-offs and Clontarf need the win to add to their three victories from their last four outings. Qualification seems likely, followed by an away semi-final.
Shannon and Garryowen occupy fourth and fifth in the table on 43 points each so both will be seeking wins and bonus points.
Garryowen meet Galwegians in another game with little at stake for one team, the Crowley Park outfit, and Garryowen needing everything they can get and hoping Dolphin do them a favour against Shannon.
Garryowen have won their last four league matches, Galwegians just one from their last five. Garryowen should get the win but Shannon should too and will have to go for the bonus point. The holders have lost just one of their last five games while Dolphin have lost four of their last five.
Buccaneers are relegated, and the big relegation game of the weekend involves the young UCD team and the Alan Solomons-coached Belfast Harlequins.
The former Ulster coach came in after Harlequins lost their first eight games but they have a final throw of the dice to stay in Division One. Harlequins lost in the final of the AIL Cup last week and have shown better form over the last five matches, winning four of them and losing one. UCD have been more erratic and have won only one of their last four outings. This is a must-win match for UCD, though a draw would be good enough to keep Quins up.
