Mike Ruddock has picked up the first leg of what could be an incredible quadruple triumph this season in Ireland.
The former Wales coach guided Lansdowne to success in the all-Ireland Bateman Cup at the weekend after the Dublin club beat Cork Constitution, 32-12 in the final.
Ruddock’s team have already won the Leinster League title and having finished top of the all-Ireland Ulster Bank League, they now play Garryowen in the play-off semi-final on Saturday.
Their last trophy hunt is in the Leinster Cup final, meaning three more wins would ensure Lansdowne an unprecedented four titles in one season – two all-Ireland competitions and two provincial – for a side who have lost just twice this season.
For Grand Slam winner Ruddock, four trophies at the club he joined in 2011 would take his career total to 16, adding to the 14 won so far:
Corkman Scott Deasy claimed the Man of the Match award in @LansdowneFC ‘s 32-12 #BatemanCup victory over @CorkConRugby in Temple Hill on Saturday.
The @LansdowneFC out-half is pictured receiving his award from George Mansfield, Ulster Bank, Relationship Manager. pic.twitter.com/rgPJsw7F5q
— UlsterBankRugby (@UlsterBankRugby) April 23, 2018
- Monmouthshire Premier League and Ben Francis Cup with Blaina.
- Two Welsh league titles and Welsh Cup with Swansea.
- Irish Inter-provincial Championship with Leinster.
- Triple Crown and Six Nations titles with Wales
- WRU Division Three South-West with Mumbles
- Two all-Ireland league titles with Lansdowne
- All-Ireland (Bateman) Cup
- Leinster League title
- Leinster Cup
Cork had won the Bateman Cup five times in a row, but Lansdowne took control in the second-half at the Temple Hill home of their opponents to gain the club’s first win all-Ireland Cup triumph since 1931.
“We had a clear game plan which we executed very well,” said Ruddock whose last involvement in regional rugby in Wales was a third-place Celtic League finish with the Dragons, before his spells in charge of Wales and then Worcester.
“It’s very difficult to go there and get a result. We have found that so many times in the league. But this time we were spot on and there was a good mix to our game – knowing when to kick, when to pass, when to attack good lines wide and short. Our defence was also top draw.
“We had age-group and mini rugby sections down to support us, which underlines how we are a family club and a club that is very together. We started the season off my going on a pre-season tour in Wales, with a game in Swansea, and that enabled us to bond really well.
“We have only lost two games all season and to win the Bateman Cup is a great feather in our cap. It’s an all-Ireland competition, so it’s a great honour.
“We have to now prepare to play Garryowen, who are one of only two teams to beat us this season.”