Clontarf and Terenure look to set up AIL final rematch

Two big Dublin favourites hosting a pair of plucky Munster underdogs.

It's just under a year since Clontarf fended off Terenure College to win a thrilling Energia All-Ireland League final at the Aviva Stadium, and a rematch at Landowne Road on Sunday 7 May is very much on the cards.

Both sides have home advantage this afternoon as the AIL semi-finals go down for decision, and standing in their way of that repeat final are the best that Munster can offer in Young Munster and Cork Constitution.

Elsewhere, Shannon will be hoping they're battle-hardened by a season in Division 1A when they welcome Old Wesley to the Thomond Park back pitch in the semi-final of the promotion/relegation playoff, while on the other side of the draw, the in-form Old Belvedere host Highfield at Ollie Campbell Park, with the winners of those games set to face off for a spot in the top tier next season.

There are playoff semi-finals to be decided and hearts to be broken up and down the divisions this weekend, but Castle Avenue and Lakelands Park top the bill, as the four best club sides in the country stand 160 minutes away from silverware.

Clontarf v Young Munster, Castle Avenue - 2.30pm

For the second season in a row, Andy Wood's Clontarf have topped the regular season table, but in a much different style.

In 2021/22, they seemed destined for the final from a long way out, and after a dominant regular season where they won 17 out of 18, they completed their third AIL Division 1A title by seeing off Cork Con and Terenure in the playoffs.

Their journey back to top spot wasn't as explosive as last season, but it was just as impressive. Approaching the halfway mark of the campaign, the champions looked to be hitting a rut. Despite starting with five wins