#EnergiaAIL Men’s Divisions 2A, 2B & 2C: Round 1 Previews

The Energia All Ireland League returns this weekend, and Ballyclare and Monkstown are the newcomers in Division 2C aiming to make a splash. Clogher Valley and Instonians, last season’s respective champions in the bottom two tiers, make the step up looking to continue their winning form.

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 2A – ROUND 1:

Division 2A will certainly be even more competitive this year with Buccaneers, Galway Corinthians, and Instonians all lining out in the third tier for the 2024/25 season.

Two of those will meet in the opening round as Buccaneers welcome Instonians to Dubarry Park for the first meeting in their history.

Buccs are celebrating their 30th year this season and aim to bounce back from relegation last term. Inst, meanwhile, have been all-conquering and are eyeing up another promotion.

Galway Corinthians added injured Connacht out-half JJ Hanrahan to their coaching team for the new season, after the positives of their successful Division 2B campaign last season.

First up is a tricky trip to Eaton Park to face Ballymena, who narrowly avoided relegation last year. John Nicholl has returned as head coach of the Braidmen, as they aim to finish in the top half of the table.

The honours were shared between Banbridge and MU Barnhall last season, each taking a win at the other’s home venue. No question, their first round tussle is sure to be ultra competitive at Rifle Park, as the race for promotion begins in earnest.

Greystones recorded a final day win at Dr Hickey Park last April to remain in this division. First up for the new season is the visit of Navan, whom they defeated earlier this year to derail their momentum in the second half of the season.

Greystones have added to their squad, with Gerhard Zdunek and Ben Stephens both moving from within the league. Navan are celebrating 100 years and will look to begin a special season with a win.

Takumi Park has been a happy hunting ground for Cashel the last three seasons, and an opening day Munster derby match against Old Crescent is a tie to get their teeth into.

Cashel, who have former Shannon player Alan Flannery starting at outside centre, have a 100% record against their Limerick opponents in the last number of years, which will give them confidence going into this meeting.

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 2B – ROUND 1:

Proving to be one of the most competitive divisions over the last number of years, the Energia All Ireland League Division 2B landscape will continue to be even more challenging for this season.

Playing at this level for the first time in their history, Clogher Valley’s first test is a trip to Ulster rivals Malone. The Cregagh Red Sox have played in Divisions 1B and 2A since 2011, but suffered consecutive relegations to drop down from the second tier.

Meanwhile, for Malahide, two of their last three occasions to visit Dungannon have resulted in defeat. It has been a testing venue in the past for the Dubliners as they look to start the year with a win, similar to their last victory at this venue in 2022.

Dungannon have enjoyed a three-match winning run in the Ulster Rugby Premiership, including taking the scalps of Ballynahinch and Queen’s University, and definitely have promotion on their minds.

Galwegians are back in Division 2B this season and their first home tie is against unfamiliar opposition in Skerries. ‘Wegians had to go through the play-offs last year and are well prepared for the new campaign, adding new faces like Éanna McCarthy, the former CBC Cork captain who has joined the Connacht Academy.

Skerries have hooker Kieran ‘Cheddar’ Leonard as their skipper this season, and their return to Division 2B last year proved testing as they almost ended up in the relegation zone. The Goats have picked themselves up and look to be a more competitive force currently.

Having faced off in the last two Division 2A promotion/relegation play-offs semi-finals on Shannonside, UL Bohemian and Sligo meet in Division 2B for the first time on the 4G pitch in UL.

Paddy Pearson’s Sligo outfit had an impressive early season spell, retaining their Connacht Senior League crown for the first time. The Red Robins, meanwhile, have had time to dust themselves off from relegation last season to prepare for another competitive campaign.

Rainey have appointed a familiar face as head coach this year, with Tim Barker taking on the role. He has brought in Nicky Stirling, a former winger with Rainey as his backs coach.

Having finished seventh last season, the Magherafelt men have their sights set on the top four, according to captain Daniel O’Neill.

“I’m looking forward to this season, hopefully trying to get into that top four position, and that’s our main focus and goal to try kick off a season with a couple of wins,” explained O’Neill. “Try get a few points on the board (and) that leads into a better position at the end of the season as well.”

Rainey are on the road to Wanderers this weekend, for a intriguing battle on the Aviva Stadium back pitch. Wanderers made the semi-final stage of the play-offs last April, and won the sides’ last four meetings, including their 58-24 and 40-17 triumphs last season.

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 2C – ROUND 1:

A tale of two different newcomers to Division 2C as Ballyclare make their Energia All-Ireland League debut, while Monkstown are ending a 21-year absence from the senior ranks. Both teams are on the road this weekend.

Ballyclare begin their campaign with a trip to Spollanstown to face Tullamore. The south Antrim club had plenty of players involved with the Ulster Junior team that tasted Interprovincial success earlier this year, with captain Joel McBride skippering them that day.

David Hanlon is Tullamore’s head coach for the new season as they aim to return to promotion contention. The Offaly outfit ended last year in sixth place, and Hanlon has a talented squad at his disposal as they strive to finish even higher.

Monkstown will travel to Leeside to meet Midleton at Towns Park. The south Dubliners are hoping to marking their long-awaited return with a first AIL win since March 30, 2002.

They are raring to go for the new season, with vice-captain Ruadhán McDonnell saying: “There’s a huge buzz around the club now the last year and throughout pre-season. We just can’t wait to get going down to Midleton now away, and hit the ground running and really give it our all.”

Midleton almost dropped down to the junior ranks at the end of the 2022/23 season, but they survived the dreaded promotion/relegation play-off and bounced back to finish fifth last season.

The Cork side are a stern test and have proven that in the past, so a positive start here can be a solid foundation for a promotion charge.

Dolphin are one of two teams who dropped down to Division 2C this season. A hard-edged Munster derby with Bruff at Kilballyowen Park is a mouth-watering contest to start the campaign.

Bruff have been promotion candidates the last two seasons and, following some semi-final heartache, are back with a purpose. Dolphin are coming off back-to-back relegations, so getting some early wins on the board is very much a priority.

Belfast Harlequins also dropped down from Division 2B and head to Alcast Park on Saturday to play Enniscorthy. This first outing for Harlequins in Division 2C should be a good indicator of how they might shape up this season.

Brett Igoe’s ‘Scorthy charges were fourth last year and have promotion on their minds once again. A first trip to this venue since 2022 for ‘Quins, and they left that day as 30-10 winners. Talented brothers Daniel and Adam Bennett will start in the visitors’ back-line.

Meanwhile, Omagh Academicals and Clonmel have had plenty of entertaining encounters in recent years, and the clubs begin the new season by playing each other at Thomas Mellon Playing Fields.

Having both flirted with relegation last term, finishing in the top half of the table will certainly be the target. Clonmel defeated the Accies in both of their 2023/24 meetings, the latter one a 21-8 success in Omagh in February when Joey O’Connor landed seven penalties.

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