Cork Con have become the first side in the AIB All-Ireland League Division One to progress to the semi-finals after an 18-13 victory over struggling DSLP. Cons coach Brian Hickie believes that this victory will give his team the upper hand in the next round. He said: "It guarantees us a home semi-final, which is very important. I think only once in the history of the AIL playoffs has an away team got to the final, so that is very important to us."
Hickie paid tribute to his struggling opponents, saying, "We knew it wouldn't be easy up here. We were beaten by De La Salle last year, and I think they showed a lot of the qualities tonight that we saw from them last year and in the last few games. They are definitely one of the most skilful and exciting teams in the division and I think the style of rugby that they play is to be applauded. Unfortunately they have found themselves down at the bottom of the table, but even right to the very end of the match, we knew that the game was far from safe, even though we were down on their line." DSLP did pick up a vital bonus point against the league leaders and are now level on points with Belfast Harlequins. Their next game is against Lansdowne on Saturday.
It remains unclear who will be joining Constitution in the other semi-final places. Dungannon have moved into third spot after a 25-12 win over Ballymena, who have been pushed out of the top four and face a crucial game against Constitution on Saturday. Defending champions St Mary's are highly unlikely to make the play-offs after they lost 34-24 to Old Crescent, who picked up a bonus point. Shannon lost 33-17 to Landsdowne.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
