IRFU mum on Wanderers

Following their executive meeting last night, the IRFU declined to make any statement regarding the cancellation of the Wanderers-Buccaneers match last weekend which has thrown the second division relegation and play-off picture into chaos.

Although they are not expected to make an announcement before Monday, it is believed they are set on awarding the points to Buccaneers.

If so, Bective Rangers would survive, Wanderers would be relegated, and Malone would play Ballynahinch in a play-off. The delay is believed to ensure that the union have a watertight legal case should Wanderers feel inclined to take the matter to court.

Meantime, a spokesperson for Blackrock has revealed that George Hook will not be remaining with the club as coach. "George Hook was recruited for the AIL campaign for the season just gone, and he himself has indicated that he doesn't want to be considered for next season."

Hook confirmed the news, saying: "When Blackrock asked me to do this the primary objective was to avoid relegation. My view of avoiding relegation was to finish fifth last. Their view might be that we should have avoided it like Shannon did." Hook added that next season he would engage "in a slightly less stressful activity, like capping fires on oil wells".

Hook believes he has benefited from his return to "the coalface" of the game as coach at Blackrock and with the USA squad. "This was my 30th year as a rugby coach, a national, world and Olympic record," he quipped. "I've even outlasted Roly Meates, but I think that's it. I won't try to outlast Frank Sinatra."

Bolstered by four members of the triumphant Ireland Under-19 squad, UCD had too much class to call on for a battling Bective Rangers as the students ran out 29-15 winners in this J P Fanagan Cup semi-final at Donnybrook last night.

Bective temporarily snatched the lead in the 16th minute when Thomas Sheehy cut through the UCD defence from a rehearsed backline movement to give Bective a 10-7 lead.

That triggered UCD into rear action. Centre Brian O'Driscoll and full back Dara Kearney went over for tries in the first half, while Ciaran Scally barged his way over under the posts in the 59th minute.