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

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

Saturday, September 28

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

CITY OF ARMAGH (9th) v ST. MARY’S COLLEGE (6th), Palace Grounds

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: City of Armagh: L; St. Mary’s College: L
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – City of Armagh: Points: -; Tries: -; St. Mary’s College: Points: Mick O’Gara 7; Tries: Mark Fogarty, Lucas Culliton, Leandro Ramirez, Conor Hayes 1 each

Preview: Evin Crommie and James Anderson have both been promoted from the bench for City of Armagh’s second round showdown with reigning Division 1B champions St. Mary’s College. This is the teams’ first meeting since they were in the second tier, two seasons ago.

The inclusion of the 20-year-old Anderson in the back row sees John Glasgow switch to lock, and Crummie pairs up in midfield with Sam Berman, Armagh’s player-of-the-match last week at Ballynahinch. Griffin Phillipson, a Canada Selects prop, joins the replacements.

Conor Dean will captain St. Mary’s from out-half, due to regular skipper Ronan Watters’ suspension for his red card during their narrow loss to Clontarf. Jack Reidy Walsh and Ethan Baxter are the changes up front, and Mark McHugh also gives a start to former Leinster winger Michael Silvester.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 29, 2022: St. Mary’s College 39 City of Armagh 22, Templeville Road; Saturday, March 4, 2023: City of Armagh 23 St. Mary’s College 20, Palace Grounds

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: City of Armagh to win

CLONTARF (1st) v GARRYOWEN (2nd), Castle Avenue

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Clontarf: W; Garryowen: W
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Clontarf: Points: Conor Kelly 11; Tries: Dylan Donnellan 2; Garryowen: Points: Kelvin Langan 9; Tries: Ronan Quinn, Colm Hogan, George Hadden, Gordon Wood 1 each

Preview: Clontarf will field a freshened-up back-three for Garryowen’s first trip to Castle Avenue in almost two years. Peter Maher and Seni Reilly Ashiru join forces with Connacht’s Andrew Smith, who moves to full-back following ‘Tarf’s hard-earned opening 31-27 win at St. Mary’s.

Hugh Cooney’s absence due to the Emerging Ireland tour sees Victor Allen start at outside centre for the table toppers. Garryowen are just behind them in second place, having struck late through Gordon Wood to overhaul Lansdowne last Saturday.

Notably, former Ireland captain Keith Wood’s three sons, starting centre Gordon and replacement backs Tom and Alex, are all included together in a Garryowen AIL squad for the first time. Some enforced changes sees Jamie Houston, Jack Delaney, and Colm Quilligan added to the back-line.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, December 10, 2022: Clontarf 36 Garryowen 10, Castle Avenue; Saturday, January 14, 2023: Garryowen 13 Clontarf 19, Dooradoyle

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Clontarf to win

CORK CONSTITUTION (10th) v BALLYNAHINCH (4th), Temple Hill

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Cork Constitution: L; Ballynahinch: W
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Cork Constitution: Points: James Taylor, Scott Buckley, Alessandro Heaney 5 each; Tries: Scott Buckley, Alessandro Heaney 1 each; Ballynahinch: Points: Matthew Booth 5; Tries: Matthew Booth 1

Preview: It is strange to see Cork Constitution lying at the foot of the table just five months after lifting the Division 1A trophy. Only one round in, there will certainly be no sense of panic from Cork Con, especially with a dose of home comforts this weekend.

Mark Donnelly’s Emerging Ireland involvement sees Alessandro Heaney slot in at loosehead prop. Former Highfield starlet Eoghan Smyth (19) also makes his Division 1A debut, taking over from Killian Coghlan at inside centre.

Ballynahinch only lost by three points at Temple Hill last March, having won 31-28 when Con visited them earlier in the season. Ulster speedster Aaron Sexton comes in to strengthen their back-line, along with fellow provincial player Conor McKee, and centres George Pringle and Mark Best.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 14, 2023: Ballynahinch 31 Cork Constitution 28, Ballymacarn Park; Saturday, March 30, 2024: Cork Constitution 10 Ballynahinch 7, Temple Hill

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Cork Constitution to win

LANSDOWNE (7th) v UCD (8th), Aviva Stadium back pitch

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Lansdowne: L; UCD: L
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Lansdowne: Points: Stephen Madigan 10; Tries: Jack Cooke, Andy Marks 1 each; UCD: Points: Michael Moloney 10; Tries: Andrew Osborne, Michael Moloney, Ruairi Shields 1 each

Preview: This looks set to be another humdinger of a match between these two. Last season they piled on the tries in their two tussles – scoring 19 between them. UCD won their home tie, 44-40, before Lansdowne prevailed 30-26 in the return fixture in the New Year.

Paul Wilson, who lifted the Leinster Schools Senior Cup for Gonzaga College in 2023, is one of two changes for Lansdowne. He will pack down at openside flanker for Declan Fassbender’s men, with Cathal Eddy also getting the nod on the right wing.

Both of these sides suffered tight defeats on the opening day, and injuries have impacted UCD’s selection. Prolific points scorer Michael Moloney is a big absentee, so Thomas Quinn joins captain James Tarrant at half-back. Ireland Under-20 hooker Mikey Yarr starts against his former club.

Recent League Meetings – Friday, December 15, 2023: UCD 44 Lansdowne 40, UCD Bowl; Friday, January 12, 2024: Lansdowne 30 UCD 26, Aviva Stadium back pitch

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Lansdowne to win

YOUNG MUNSTER (5th) v TERENURE COLLEGE (3rd), Tom Clifford Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Young Munster: W; Terenure College: W
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Young Munster: Points: Shay McCarthy 10; Tries: Shay McCarthy 2; Terenure College: Points: Fintan Gunne, Aran Egan 10 each; Tries: Fintan Gunne 2

Preview: An encouraging start for both of these teams last week, and Young Munster, with their new signings making an impact, are hoping to beat Terenure College at home for a sixth successive time. A very enviable record considering Terenure’s success in recent years.

‘Nure last won at Tom Clifford Park back in February 2017, when Harrison Brewer scored a late try to secure a 28-17 victory. For tomorrow’s rematch, Chris Cosgrave pairs up with Alan Bennie at half-back, and Aran Egan combines with Craig Adams in the centre.

The absence of Patrick Campbell (shoulder) and Munster call-up Shay McCarthy sees the Cookies bring Shane O’Leary and Oisin Pepper into their back-line, along with Jack Shaw and Munster Academy scrum half Jake O’Riordan. Prop Peter Meyer is the only change to the pack.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 18, 2023: Young Munster 13 Terenure College 6, Tom Clifford Park; Saturday, February 10, 2024: Terenure College 25 Young Munster 10, Lakelands Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Terenure College to win

Nenagh Ormond make the first of four trips to the capital this season, with the reigning Division 2A champions looking to make it two wins out of two in Blackrock. The Cork derby between UCC and Highfield is another standout fixture in round 2.

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

Saturday, September 28

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

BLACKROCK COLLEGE (8th) v NENAGH ORMOND (2nd), Stradbrook

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Blackrock College: L; Nenagh Ormond: W
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Blackrock College: Points: Derry Moloney 10; Tries: Derry Moloney 2; Nenagh Ormond: Points: Conor McMahon 7; Tries: Angus Blackmore, Conor O’Shaughnessy, Dylan Murphy, Josh Rowland 1 each

Preview: As opening fixtures go, Nenagh Ormond had to be happy with a 27-3 dismissal of Dublin University. Four tries, none conceded, and a player-of-the-match performance from captain Kevin O’Flaherty who stole a number of Trinity lineouts.

In contrast, Blackrock College finished 16 points behind Old Wesley under the Energia Park floodlights. Brian Colclough, Barry Galvin, Alex Mullan, Australian recruit Kaylam Tytherleigh, and James Burke all come into their starting XV, with Odhran Ring switching to number 8.

Sean Frawley and Rob Buckley will both start up front for Nenagh this time. A couple of late yellow cards against the students meant Derek Corcoran’s side will have been focusing on their tackle height in training. They were pipped 17-14 on their last visit to Stradbrook in December 2022.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, December 3, 2022: Blackrock College 17 Nenagh Ormond 14, Stradbrook; Saturday, January 21, 2024: Nenagh Ormond 20 Blackrock College 10, New Ormond Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Nenagh Ormond to win

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY (9th) v OLD BELVEDERE (1st), College Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Dublin University: L; Old Belvedere: W
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Dublin University: Points: Matty Lynch 3; Tries: -; Old Belvedere: Points: Sam Wisniewski 13; Tries: Jack Keating 2

Preview: Dublin University’s performance in Nenagh did not reflect the pre-season work they had put in. They had eight debutants involved, so it may be a slowburner of a start. A stronger showing, particularly in attack, is certainly the aim in front of their home support.

Old Belvedere put 26 unanswered second points on UCC to head straight to the top of the table. Unsurprisingly, they have kept the changes to a minimum, as Peter O’Beirne, their captain last season, swaps in for Jack Dunne at scrum half.

For Trinity’s first home league clash with Belvedere in over seven years, ex-USA Under-20 international Hugh O’Kennedy makes his seasonal debut at out-half. There are three changes to the pack as Conall Henchy, Arthur O’Rahilly, and Cuan Doyle are all promoted from the bench.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 12, 2016: Old Belvedere 7 Dublin University 27, Anglesea Road; Friday, February 10, 2017: Dublin University 26 Old Belvedere 15, College Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Belvedere to win

NAAS (6th) v QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY (4th), Forenaughts

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Naas: L; Queen’s University: W
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Naas: Points: Peter Osborne 7; Tries: Paddy Taylor, Eoin Walsh 1 each; Queen’s University: Points: Ryan Street 10; Tries: Ryan Street 2

Preview: Naas and Queen’s University served up two cracking ties last season, full of attacking rugby and breathless try-scoring action with a total of 23 tries scored. Derek Suffern’s students prevailed on both occasions, winning 50-33 at Forenaughts, and then 33-31 at Newforge in March’s penultimate round.

A scoreless second half saw Naas start the new season with a 19-17 defeat at Highfield. Summer signing Koloa Aisake makes his first start for the Cobras at lock tomorrow, with Eoin Walsh reverting to the back row. Paddy Taylor, a try-scoring debutant in Cork, continues at inside centre.

Jack Murphy’s absence due to the Emerging Ireland tour will see Eamonn Rogers don the number 10 jersey for Queen’s. Jack Boal captains the team from the front row, as Charlie Irvine is in South Africa with the Ulster squad. Oliver Hughes and Henry Walker complete the changes.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 14, 2023: Naas 33 Queen’s University 50, Forenaughts; Saturday, March 30, 2024: Queen’s University 33 Naas 31, Newforge Sports Complex

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Naas to win

SHANNON (7th) v OLD WESLEY (3rd), Thomond Park back pitch

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Shannon: L; Old Wesley: W
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Shannon: Points: Adam Moloney, Luke Murphy 5 each; Tries: Adam Moloney, Luke Murphy 1 each; Old Wesley: Points: Ian Cassidy 19; Tries: Cathal Kelly, Tommy O’Callaghan 1 each

Preview: This match-up brings back memories of the 2023 play-off semi-final which Shannon won 24-6 on the way to retaining their Division 1A status for another year. They could not avoid relegation last April, and began the current campaign with a 19-13 loss to Queen’s.

The Limerick men had five All-Ireland League debutants last week, and one of them, second row Christian Storey, will make his first start against Old Wesley. Ciaran Vaughan, John O’Sullivan, and Cillian Corkery also come into the side, along with Ireland Under-19 flanker Oisin Minogue.

Wesley’s confidence levels are high after overcoming Blackrock. Ian Cassidy’s 19 points from the tee mark him out as the division’s leading scorer. Reuben Pim returns in the second row, and Kieran O’Shea starts at hooker in place of Emerging Ireland squad member Stephen Smyth.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, April 9, 2022: Shannon 61 Old Wesley 12, Thomond Park back pitch; Saturday, April 22, 2023: Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Semi-Final: Shannon 24 Old Wesley 6, Thomond Park back pitch

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Wesley to win

UCC (10th) v HIGHFIELD (5th), the Mardyke

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: UCC: L; Highfield: W
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – UCC: Points: Daniel Squires 7; Tries: Kamil Nowak, Jack Casey 1 each; Highfield: Points: Richard Cassidy, Travis Coomey, Max Abbott 5 each; Tries: Richard Cassidy, Travis Coomey, Max Abbott 1 each

Preview: There were four and seven-point winning margins when these Cork rivals met last season, and UCC, smarting from that disappointing second half against Old Belvedere, will be desperate to give Tomás O’Leary a first league win of his tenure.

Neville O’Leary comes in to line out alongside his cousin, Munster Academy newcomer Gene O’Leary Kareem, in the UCC back-line. There are also starts for David Cogan at full-back and Darragh French at out-half, while Paddy Jones joins new captain Sam O’Sullivan in the engine room.

Highfield came good in the second half against Naas, and make two changes with Mark McLoughlin and Patrick McBarron both starting. Their squad depth could be a crucial factor, especially with Max Abbott and Angus Lloyd, two players with plenty of top flight experience, among the replacements.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 4, 2023: UCC 23 Highfield 19, the Mardyke; Saturday, March 2, 2024: Highfield 24 UCC 17, Woodleigh Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Highfield to win