Five Munster clubs for top tier

CORK CON will lead the charge from the Munster clubs in the Ulster Bank League Division 1A next season once again, when they look to win back their title from recent winners Lansdowne.

Con won their fifth 1A title in 2017 but Lansdowne beat them 19-17 in the final on May 6, to back up their Bateman Cup victory over the Cork outfit previous to that.

The Cork outfit, Garryowen and Young Munster will be joined in the top tier next term by Shannon and UCC, as Munster and Leinster both make up half of the Division 1A standings.

But with the strongest Munster contingent since 2012-’13 in 1A, there will be no Munster clubs in Division 1B, after both UL Bohemians and Dolphin were relegated this season.

In Division 2A, Highfield will hope they can make up for their missed opportunity next season. They finished second in the standings but lost their play-off against City of Armagh.

Nenagh Ormond went one better, and they advanced to the 2A promotion play-off, but they lost

33-23 against the Armagh side too. All of that means Highfield and Nenagh Ormond will battle it out with Cashel RFC and Old Crescent, along with the relegated sides from

1B, in an exciting Division 2A. In Division 2B, Sunday’s Well are the sole representatives from Munster after they could only finish mid-table this season. They will look to push on and replicate champions Old Crescent. Thomond came close to joining the 2B ranks but they lost their play-off 34-13 away to Omagh.

Thomond, Midleton and Bruff will take part in the bottom division in 2018-’19. Bruff only survived after they defeated Bandon 24-17 in the round robin play-off.