Monivea face their final and deciding round-robin AIB League qualifier on Saturday when they host fellow promotion hopefuls Seapoint at Judges Road (2.30pm ).
The home side is facing up uphill battle after falling to favourites City of Derry last weekend by 33 - 1. Derry play Richmond in their final game, and given that Monivea also disposed of the Munster Junior champions with a convincing four-try victory, the Ulster champs can be expected to do the same - thereby claiming a possible top spot if Monivea deny leaders Seapoint.
Monivea’s opponents on Saturday are also sitting reasonably comfortably - with nine points from their wins over City of Derry and Richmond. That means the Connacht flagbearers must win, claim a bonus point, and deny their opponents any point to finish with 10 points - one ahead of Seapoint.
In that scenario City of Derry, currently with a superior points difference, look likely to take the promotion spot, with Monivea to face a play-off against Portadown who finished second bottom of division three. Seapoint also have a superior scoring difference, so Monivea’s task is a tough one.
Connacht senior rugby clubs concluded a satisfactory AIB League season last Saturday, with all four maintaining their status in the respective divisions.
In division 1B the highlight of the weekend was Buccaneers’ superb victory over divison runners-up Young Munster. Facing relegation, Buccaneers grabbed their fourth victory on the trot to secure the points and move up the table to fifth. Galwegians lost out to Dungannon but finished in fourth place.
Corinthians finished a highly satisfactory division two campaign in seventh place after promotion from division three last season. A fine 31 - 9 away win over DLSP was testament to their determined effort throughout the season.
Connemara survived a late relegation battle to maintain their division three status next season.
