Energia Men’s All-Ireland League: Division 1A Previews

ENERGIA MEN’S ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE – DIVISION 1A:

ROUND 2: Saturday, October 9

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

UCD (7th) v DUBLIN UNIVERSITY (10th), Belfield Bowl, tonight, 8pm

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: UCD: L; Dublin University: L
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – UCD: Points: Jack Ringrose, David Heavey 5 each; Tries: Jack Ringrose, David Heavey 1 each; Dublin University: Points: Mark Nicholson, Aran Egan 5 each; Tries: Mark Nicholson, Aran Egan 1 each

Preview: Leinster’s Liam Turner is back from recent Ireland Sevens duty as Dublin University look to recover from a disappointing first day out. Turner comes in at outside centre, with Luis Faria moving to full-back.

Cian Crotty, former Naas back Marcus Kiely and Ronan Murphy are the other Trinity changes. Hosts UCD are hoping for a repeat of their 30-19 win when they last hosted Tony Smeeth’s side two years ago.

There are a number of individual battles to look forward to, especially the match-up of hookers Bobby Sheehan and Mark ‘Sparky’ Nicholson who have both started the season impressively.

Recent League Meetings – Thursday, April 4, 2019: UCD 12 Dublin University 18, Belfield Bowl; Saturday, October 12, 2019: UCD 30 Dublin University 19, Belfield Bowl

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: UCD to win

BALLYNAHINCH (8th) v CLONTARF (4th), Ballymacarn Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Ballynahinch: L; Clontarf: W
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Ballynahinch: Points: Chris Gibson 5; Tries: Chris Gibson 1; Clontarf: Points: David Hawkshaw 14; Tries: David Hawkshaw, Conor Kearns, Dylan Donnellan, Jordan Mulvaney 1 each

Preview: Only a point separated these teams when Ballynahinch last entertained Clontarf in January 2020. An Aaron Cairns try was the difference, ‘Hinch being good value for an 11-10 triumph.

However, judging by last week’s four-try dismissal of UCD, ‘Tarf have taken their attack up a few notches since then. Leinster’s David Hawkshaw enjoyed his chance to shine, scoring 14 points.

‘Hinch will have been working hard on their maul defence and tackling out wide, as Young Munster hurt them in both areas. With those improvements, they could make it a tough afternoon for Andy Wood’s men.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, December 14, 2019: Clontarf 47 Ballynahinch 21, Castle Avenue; Saturday, January 11, 2020: Ballynahinch 11 Clontarf 10, Ballymacarn Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Clontarf to win

CORK CONSTITUTION (6th) v YOUNG MUNSTER (3rd), Temple Hill

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Cork Constitution: L; Young Munster: W
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Cork Constitution: Points: Aidan Moynihan 6; Tries: Duncan Williams 1; Young Munster: Points: Evan Cusack 9; Tries: Conor Hayes, Shay McCarthy, Adam Maher, Aaron Hennessy 1 each

Preview: Following their late loss at Lansdowne, this is a fascinating test for Cork Constitution. The defending champions need a performance at home, or it could be a shaky first fortnight for them.

They have stalwart back rower Luke Cahill back involved after a spell in Australia. Con did the double over Young Munster in the league in 2019/20, while the Cookies can boast two Munster Senior Cup wins.

Winning at Temple Hill would be huge for Gearoid Prendergast’s young squad. David Begley, Pa Ryan and Dan Walsh are all promoted from the bench to start this mouthwatering Munster derby.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, December 14, 2019: Young Munster 15 Cork Constitution 16, Tom Clifford Park; Saturday, January 11, 2020: Cork Constitution 18 Young Munster 3, Temple Hill

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Young Munster to win

GARRYOWEN (1st) v UCC (9th), Dooradoyle

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Garryowen: W; UCC: L
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Garryowen: Points: Tony Butler 15; Tries: Liam Coombes 2; UCC: Points: Rob Hedderman 8; Tries: Richard Thompson 1

Preview: Garryowen will have some enforced changes as Munster have called up Liam Coombes, Neil Cronin and Jack Daly for URC duty. Coombes starred with a try double at Trinity, from the right wing.

UCC could benefit from John Hodnett’s presence, the 22-year-old Munster back rower is hoping to put a run of games together after his long-term Achilles tendon injury.

Tony Butler and Cian Whooley, two of the province’s emerging out-half talents, are set to face off at Dooradoyle. Ennis youngster Butler kicked a crisp 15 points for Garryowen last week, while Whooley is back looking sharp after missing Ireland Under-20 selection due to injury.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, December 7, 2019: Garryowen 25 UCC 10, Dooradoyle; Saturday, January 25, 2020: UCC 7 Garryowen 15, the Mardyke

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Garryowen to win

TERENURE COLLEGE (2nd) v LANSDOWNE (5th), Lakelands Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Terenure College: W; Lansdowne: W
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Terenure College: Points: Stephen O’Neill 10; Tries: Stephen O’Neill 2; Lansdowne: Points: Peter Hastie 6; Tries: Mark Boyle, Paul Kiernan 1 each

Preview: Terenure College impressed on the road against UCC, recovering from a slow start to run in five tries. Much-changed Lansdowne are tomorrow’s visitors, with scrum half Alan Bennie set to face his former club.

Bennie thrived last week behind ‘Nure’s new back row of Harrison Brewer, James Connolly and Jordan Coghlan. Lansdowne also boast one of the league’s best set of loose forwards in Clive Ross, Jack O’Sullivan and Mark Boyle.

Leinster Under-20 Development prop Ben Popplewell, son of Nick, will make his full AIL debut at loosehead for Lansdowne, with Leinster-capped backs Michael Silvester and Cormac Foley also drafted in.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, December 7, 2019: Lansdowne 46 Terenure College 17, Aviva Stadium back pitch; Saturday, January 25, 2020: Terenure College 16 Lansdowne 17, Lakelands Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Terenure College to win