Venues Confirmed For AIB League Finals

AIB and the IRFU are delighted to announce that the venues and dates have been confirmed for the 2006/07 AIB League finals in Divisions One, Two and Three.

Dublin club St. Mary’s College RFC will host the AIB League Division Two and Division Three finals, at their Templeville Road ground on Saturday, 28 April. The Division Three final will kick off at 2pm, while the Division Two decider will have a 4pm start.

The AIB League Division One final will be played at Musgrave Park in Cork on Saturday, May 5, with a 2.30pm kick-off time.

It is still all to play for in all three divisions of the AIB League. The final round of games in Division One are being played this Saturday. Five teams are in the running to qualify for the Division One semi-finals on Saturday, April 28. Cork Constitution have already booked their place in the play-offs, and could be joined by UL Bohemians, Clontarf, Shannon or Garryowen.

Shannon and Garryowen are neck and neck at the moment with 43 points, so it will be interesting to see how they fare in their final games on Saturday. Shannon host Cork side Dolphin at Coonagh, while Garryowen, fresh from their AIB Cup final win over Belfast Harlequins, take on Galwegians at Dooradoyle.

The Division Two semi-finals are also being played this Saturday – Old Belvedere and Young Munster clash in Dublin, while Greystones and Clonakilty will be in action in Wicklow. The Division Three play-offs bring Wanderers and Instonians head to head, and Ballynahinch will face a stiff challenge from Limerick side Bruff.

Speaking on behalf of AIB, Maurice Crowley said: “The AIB League finals are one of the highlights of the club rugby calendar, and I am confident that there will be a great atmosphere in Dublin and in Cork on both days. We are delighted that the Division Two and Three finals will be played in St. Mary’s College. The club has fantastic facilities and the day should prove to be a huge success.

“Likewise in Cork, Musgrave Park boasts an excellent pitch and the ground has a great rugby heritage attached to it, so it is fitting to play the Division One final there.”

** Tickets for the AIB League Division Two and Three finals in St Mary’s College will cost: EUR10 (adult) and EUR3 (school boys and girls). Tickets for the AIB League Division One final will cost: EUR10 (Stand entrance), EUR7 (Ground entrance) and EUR3 (school boys and girls) **