Heineken Cup finalist Phil Murphy is backing Ballymena to take the All Ireland League title back to the north after their showdown with Dublin-based Clontarf.
Perpignan back row man Murphy has already booked his cup final date at Lansdowne Road on 24 May with the French club when they will meet Toulouse in the Heineken Cup final.
The Canadian international No 8 was a winner at the home of Irish rugby in the semi-finals when Perpignan shocked Leinster Lions to reach their first European final.
Although born in Canada, Murphy's parents hail from Dublin and sent him to Belfast for his teenage schooling. It was while he was there he played Irish Schools.
'I still have a lot of good memories of playing in Blefast and it would be great if Ballymena could follow Dungannon's example and take the AIL title back to the north,' said Murphy.
'That would be the second part of a hat-trick I've got in mind for Lansdowne Road. Beating Leinster was the first part, that would be the second and the crowning glory would be Perpignan winning the Heineken Cup in two weeks time.
'That is going to be a massive game and I know a lot of my friends from Belfast will be coming down to support me. I can't be there in person to back Ballymena this weekend, but I'll be crossing my fingers for them.'
Clontarf will be hoping to become the first Dublin-based side to win the title since Trevor Brennan's St Mary's side took the crown. Ironically, Brennan will be back at Lansdowne Road to oppose Murphy on 24 May when he arrives back in his home town as a key figure in the Toulouse side.
Brennan will be playing for the French club in their championship match against reigning champions Biarritz Olympique this weekend. Murphy, however, has been forced to sit-out Perpignan's home clash with Agen because of injury.
