Division One (Today)

DLSP v Cork Constitution - Kilternan (6.00).

Already assured of a semi-final, Constitution know that another four points (indeed most probably three given their differential) will copper-fasten first place and with it a home semi-final. There is a slight doubt about Ronan O'Gara pending dialogue with the player and Lions management while Ultan O'Callaghan is still out. Otherwise the side should be at full strength with Anthony Horgan also travelling by air with the squad. "You don't wait for a second chance," explains team manager Pat O'Keefe.

DLSP, one point away from the safety zone, will probably draw from the same team which won Saturday's 69-point thriller against Clontarf save for the injured Andy Wood.

Their typical end-of-season improvement underlines DLSP's effectiveness as a top-of-the-ground team and with Constitution also cutting loose of late (16 tries in their last four), this could be another high scoring affair. However, mindful of their mugging here last season and in Clontarf a fortnight ago, Constitution are thus less likely to be caught off guard.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet, didn't meet, DLSP 34 Constitution 30.

Five-game formguide: DLSP - L L L W W; Constitution - L W W L W.

Leading try scorers: DLSP - Mihai Vioreanu 7; Constitution - Craig Taylor 6, Brian Walsh, Conor Mahony, Derek Dillon 5 each.

Leading points scorers: DLSP - Damien McCabe 62; Constitution - Ronan O'Gara 93.

Referee: Tony Redmond (IRFU).

Odds (all courtesy of Paddy Powers): 3/1 DLSP, 18/1 draw, 1/5 Constitution. Handicap odds (= DLSP + 13 pts): 10/11 DLSP, 16/1 draw, 10/11 Constitution.

Forecast: Constitution to win.

Dungannon v Ballymena - Stevenson Park (7.30).

A fascinating Ulster derby, which should draw the biggest crowd in years to an AIB League match north of the border, is given added piquancy by being a probable a two-way play-off for the play-offs. There's also the off-the-field edge between the two clubs, its many individual head-to-heads in a quasi Ulster trial, plus the attacking styles of both teams which has made them the leading try scorers in the top flight this season with 84 between them. Thus, this should be a cracking game.

Neither side is likely to deviate too much from last Saturday's victorious selections, with a more settled Dungannon also proving more consistent of late. They have won five of their last six and are on fire, having put together three five-point hauls in a row during which they have scored 20 tries. David Humphreys is at his brilliant best while Tyrone Howe has scored a brace in each of the last three games, Ryan Constable has scored in six successive games and Jan Cunningham in five of the last six.

Ballymena are pretty potent themselves with the Rhys Botha-Shane Stewart midfield axis leading the way and Ballymena possibly have more power up front. Yet it's hard not to see this being ultimately decided between two glittering backlines.

Last three seasons: Ballymena 27 Dungannon 12, didn't meet, Ballymena 40 Dungannon 28.

Five-game formguide: Dungannon - W L W W W; Ballymena - W W L L W.

Leading try scorers: Dungannon - Jan Cunningham, Ryan Constable, Tyrone Howe 8 each; Ballymena - Shane Stewart 7, Rhys Botha 6, Russell Nelson, Scott Young, James Topping 5 each.

Leading points scorers: Dungannon - David Humphreys 168; Ballymena - Neil Doak 114.

Referee: Ronnie McDowell (IRFU).

Odds: 4/7 Dungannon, 16/1 draw, 5/4 Ballymena. Handicap odds (= Ballymena + 4pts): 10/11 Dungannon, 16/1 draw, 10/11 Ballymena.

Forecast: Dungannon to win.

Lansdowne v Shannon - Lansdowne Road (5.30).

Suddenly, Lansdowne's need is altogether greater in the light of them being sucked further into the relegation quagmire while Shannon were surprisingly eclipsed comprehensively by Ballymena to extinguish their top-four hopes. Flanker Gareth Molloy (away on business) is added to Lansdowne's lengthy absentee list but unsurprisingly the return of Angus McKeen along with Mark Woods' reinstatement as outhalf met with an improved performance at Blackrock and they are likely to retain faith in the bulk of that starting line-up.

By contrast, Shannon are definitely without Anthony Foley and Andrew Thompson, while there is a question mark about Peter Stringer although team manager Niall O'Shea expects that "the rest will be available."

Last three seasons: Lansdowne 18 Shannon 14, Shannon 35 Lansdowne 0, Lansdowne 25 Shannon 14.

Five-game formguide: Lansdowne - L W L L L; Shannon - L L W W L.

Leading try scorers: Lansdowne - Lorcan O'Brien, Aidan McCullen, Shane Whelan, Colin McEntee 2 each; Shannon - John Lacey 11, Mossie Lawlor 6, Marcus Horan 5.

Leading points scorers: Lansdowne - Dave Quigley 96; Shannon - Andrew Thompson 111.

Referee: Alan Lewis (IRFU).

Odds: 11/10 Lansdowne, 16/1 draw, 4/6 Shannon. Handicap odds (= Lansdowne + 3pts): 10/11 Lansdowne, 16/1 draw, 10/11 Shannon.

Forecast: Lansdowne to win.

Old Crescent v St Mary's - Rosbrien (6.15).

Last-chance saloon for Old Crescent if they are to avoid a second relegation after one year in the top flight and so arrest their yo-yo existence, while the holders also must win to maintain their interest in the top four and most probably by belatedly waking up to the prevailing need for bonus points as well. Both sides are expected to be close to unchanged and of course the stew is given added seasoning by the memory of their bad-tempered clash here three seasons ago. Hence Owen Doyle had the good sense to appoint a strong referee, Dave McHugh, for this encounter. Crescent's plight is a riddle even to some of Limerick's cognoscenti but in any event, eight defeats in a row have left them on the precipice. St Mary's, without exactly setting the world alight, have won six of their last seven. Although Trevor Brennan might have constituted a red rag to a bull hereabouts, his presence would have seemed tailor-made for the visitors' needs tonight but even so the contrasting form figures and their seemingly greater weaponry should count for something. You'd think.

Last three seasons: Old Crescent 16 St Mary's 17, didn't meet, didn't meet.

Five-game formguide: Old Crescent - L L L L L; St Mary's - W W W L W.

Leading try scorers: Old Crescent - Wayne Munn 4; St Mary's - Peter McKenna 5, Denis Hickie, Eddie Hekenui 4 each.

Leading points scorers: Old Crescent - Billy Treacy 93; St Mary's - Mark McHugh 104.

Referee: Dave McHugh (IRFU).

Odds: 11/5 Old Crescent, 16/1 draw, 1/3 St Mary's. Handicap odds (= Old Crescent +8pts) 10/11 Old Crescent, 16/1 draw, 10/11 St Mary's.

Forecast: St Mary's to win.