Garryowen's ability to conjure victories in away matches has finally catapulted them into pivotal position for not only a place in the league play-offs but for home advantage to boot. A superb victory in Eaton Park, by virtue of three late tries saw them overturn a 13-0 deficit, finishing 19-13 victors over Ballymena.
That victory puts Garryowen at the top of the table on an identical number of points, 12, with Lansdowne and Buccaneers but with a superior points differential. Two matches remain for John Hall's charges, a home fixture against a struggling Blackrock College and a short trip across Limerick for a clash with Young Munster at Clifford Park.
One win might be enough to secure a play-off place, but grabbing four points is a task well within Garryowen's compass. Their main challengers for pre-eminence at the end of the league stage are ostensibly Buccaneers, at present on the same number of points but with one game less played.
Eddie O'Sullivan's side continues to confound the doubters, but their three remaining matches will offer a decent indication of how they will fare should they, as expected, make the play-offs. Young Munster and Lansdowne have to make the trip to Athlone/Ballinasloe while Buccaneers will travel to Thomond Park for their refixed game against Shannon. One win is probable, two very possible, and that might be enough to secure home advantage in a semi-final.
Lansdowne coach Mick Cosgrave spoke in the aftermath of his side's disappointing 8-3 defeat to Young Munster at the weekend of the need to win next time out against Ballymena at Lansdowne Road. "We don't want to be going to Buccaneers in the last game looking for something."
Andre Bester's Ballymena are now in serious trouble and they will need a couple of inspirational away performances in Lansdowne Road and Temple Hill to arrest a season that has nosedived in the last few weeks. The return from injury of Jan Cunningham, James Topping and Stanley McDowell would be a huge boost. The Northern club has five matches left, too many for a side suffering from the hangover of Ulster's European Cup triumph.
Cork Constitution's recent excellent form, coinciding with the return from injury of key players, marks them as strong contenders for the play-offs. They must win at least two of their remaining three matches and that would appear possible in the fixtures against Ballymena (home) and Clontarf (away). They also face Shannon at home in their final game in the league stages.
St Mary's College and Shannon are not without hope. St Mary's must hope that their current injury crisis abates, so that they can overcome bogey side Terenure College in their next match. Four-time champions Shannon could still make it, but face two tricky assignments, Buccaneers, at home, and Cork Constitution, away, in their final three games.
