Video: Cork Con Target All Ireland League Title

Cork Constitution will travel to the capital this Sunday to take on Dublin side Clontarf for the All Ireland League title at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 2.30pm).

The Leesiders have been a powerhouse of the All Ireland Leagues since their inception in 1990. The Temple Hill outfit won the inaugural division 1 title topping the table ahead of Garryowen in the 1990/91 season.

Since then Con have recorded three further Ulster Bank League titles and have been runners-up on seven occasions. Their last title came in the 2009/10 season but they also featured in the 2010/11 final losing out to Old Belvedere at Donnybrook.

Although the Cork city club have not claimed a league title in the past six seasons they have not been lacking in silverware, having claimed the Bateman Cup last Saturday for their four in a row title. Over the years Con has been a breeding ground for Munster and Ireland internationals, the likes of current players Stephen Archer, Peter O'Mahony and Simon Zebo, who have all featured for the club in the league.

The Cork side will also set out to retain the prestigious Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup title on Saturday, 14^th May at Thomond Park Stadium against Young Munster, who they defeated in the All Ireland play-off semi final to book Sunday’s meeting against Clontarf.


Clontarf on the other hand achieved All Ireland League status in 1991/92 winning promotion to Division 2. They were relegated to the expanded Division 3 the following year but started a drive up the divisions under Brent Pope in 1995 and reached Division 1 for the 1997/98 season.

Following a few rocky years in the top flight Clontarf began to establish themselves as serial contenders. Runners-up on five occasions from the early 2000's onwards they claimed their first Division 1 title in 2014 beating Dublin rivals Old Belvedere to the title on the final day of the league.

Despite Con and Clontarf featuring in 12 finals between them they have never met in a league final. During the regular season both sides claimed the spoils in the away fixture with Con edging a 15-14 victory at Castle Avenue in October while Clontarf left Temple Hill with the spoils in an 18-12 win for the visitors.

Both sides boast exciting young talented players that are involved in provincial squads. Con's Darren Sweetnam has seen regular PRO12 action for Munster while Tomas Quinlan, Max Abbott, Shane Daly and John Poland have all represented Ireland at U20 level in the past couple of seasons.

Clontarf have a number of players on Leinster's books including Ed Byrne, Mick McGrath and Tony Ryan with Joey Carbery in the provincial academy and Ireland U20 international Conor O'Brien also featuring regularly for the Bulls.

Tickets available now from www.ticketmaster.ie and from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. Tickets will also be available from 12.30pm on Sunday from Ticketmaster vans beside Gate A on Lansdowne Road.'