By Brendan Cole
St Mary’s coach Peter Smyth knows that either his team or Clontarf will have suffered a near-fatal blow by the end of Saturday afternoon’s Ulster Bank League decider at Castle Avenue (live on RTÉ Two from 1pm).
The two Dublin sides have forged clear of the pack in recent weeks and while the format has changed from a play-off system to a straight league, the fixture list has thrown up this decisive encounter in the second last week.
There are some scenarios in which the team that loses on Saturday could still claim League success, but Smyth admits: "Someone is going to be disappointed on Saturday evening."
Mary’s have arrived at this pass after a long, hard League season in which there have already been more fixtures than would have happened under the old play-off format.
Two games in particular – a November encounter with Blackrock and February clash with Garryowen – saw last-minute misses by opposition kickers let Mary’s off the hook and saw them collect priceless victories.
But that is part and parcel of the new format.
Smyth says: "To be in contention in any league the latter stages, you are bound to have had a bit of luck at some stage along the way during the season."
The League format has also seen the strength in depth in Mary’s squad that includes a mix of fringe Leinster players like prop Jack McGrath and club stalwarts such as club captain Hugh Hogan, who has turned out almost every week.
Getting that blend right has been the basis for a successful season to date.
"The big advantage we have had this year has been that we have a squad of 26 or 27 players. Guys have come in and kept the whole season going by scoring tries or making big plays. The squad has been brilliant this season."
Mary’s edged the last meeting between the two sides 25-22, but Smyth does not expect that victory in early December to provide any psychological edge.
"Over the years we have come up against them so many times. They have had their victories and we have had ours. But that game seems like a long time ago now.
Mary’s edged the last meeting between the two sides 25-22, but Smyth does not expect that victory in early December to provide any psychological edge.
"Over the years we have come up against them so many times. They have had their victories and we have had ours. But that game seems like a long time ago now.
"It was at our ground and every club in the League wants to win on at home. I’m sure they will be confident that they can get the win over us at their ground on Saturday."
Smyth is also aware of the danger men and that Clontarf have several experienced southern recruits in their rank, but he expects a well-balanced opponent.
"Barry O’Mahony, their captain, is top class and played for Munster ‘A’ against Leinster ‘A’ last week. They also have Frank Cogan and Evan Ryan who have won League medals in previous seasons with Cork Con and guys who have been there a long time like Niall Treston and Simon Crawford, who have played professional rugby. They are strong across the board."
Even though this match is being built up as a ‘final’ in all but name, a win on Saturday might not be enough for Mary’s to claim a second League title to add the one he won as a player back in 2000.
"We are not even thinking about what happens afterwards and all our focus is on Saturday but both teams could be waking up on Sunday morning and realising they still have a job to do the following week. There are so many permutations. It is going to go until 21 April more than likely."
But there is no doubt that 80 minutes after the whistle blows at 1.15pm on Saturday, somebody will be disappointed.
