Clontarf's Dylan Donnellan expecting 'well-rounded' Cork Con for AIL Division 1A final
Clontarf captain Dylan Donnellan is expecting to encounter a 'well-rounded' Cork Constitution outfit when the two sides clash in the Men's All-Ireland League Division 1A final at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 4pm).
The competition's defending champions, Cork Con come into this weekend's decider on the back of a 16-8 semi-final victory over St Mary's College at Templeville Road last Saturday. 'Tarf had two points to spare (17-15) against Lansdowne in their last-four showdown at Castle Avenue on the same day and after they previously claimed AIL top-tier titles in 2014, 2016 and 2022, Donnellan is hopeful of continuing a strong club legacy at Irish Rugby HQ.
'They're a really well-rounded team. Good, physical pack. Run a good line-out, good scrum. Dangerous backs. I suppose that's what you need now to get to an AIL final. You're not going to get there with just one set or the other set being good. A good battle all around the pitch and it should be a great game,' Donnellan acknowledged.
'The recent history [of Clontarf] in the last 10 or 12 years, it has been a very successful time for the club. You kind of just want to breathe more life into that and just drive that on. Bringing back a trophy would be the pinnacle of that. Hopefully we go one more on Sunday.' While he is a stalwart of the domestic scene – having also lined out for Galway Corinthians and Lansdowne in the past – the beginning of the 2023/24 season saw Donnellan making two appearances for Leinster in the United Rugby Championship after being drafted into their squad as short-term injury cover at hooker.
Clontarf's Dylan Donnellan and Conor Kelly celebrate after victory against Lansdowne. File picture: Tommy Grealy/Inpho
His front-row partner at Clontarf Ivan Soroka also picked up a brace of Leinster caps under similar circumstances last month and with the eastern province often releasing players to clubs for game time, Donnellan believes the strong connection between the amateur and professional sides of rugby has helped to raise the standard of the All-Ireland League.
'I think over the last two or three years in particular, the link with the clubs and the branch has probably gotten a little bit closer. You see more lads getting released, whether that be academy or professional guys.
'Which obviously raises the standard and then raises the standard of the players who aren't professional themselves. That has probably just had a rolling effect over the last couple of years and it is reflected in the quality of the league now and how good some of the games are.' A native of Salthill in Galway, Donnellan admits he was the 'odd one out' in his family when it came to choosing rugby as his sporting pursuit. His twin sisters Amie and Sarah have both been heavily involved in Gaelic football with the latter representing her county in an All-Ireland Minor 'A' Football Championship final in 2015 before winning an All-Ireland junior club title with Salthill/Knocknacarra seven years later.
His cousin Céin D'Arcy is also a key player for the Galway senior footballers at the moment and Donnellan tries to keep a close watch on his progress with the Tribesmen.
'I kind of keep an eye on him more so than anything, but the little bits I have seen of the new [Gaelic football] rules obviously suit him. I think it's great for the game as well. Even the whole two points outside the Big 'D' now is a great addition to the game,' Donnellan added.
'Céin is going well, it suits him down to the ground. A fine big, tall young fella. I wish I had gotten the height genes, but I missed out on that side!'
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