#EnergiaAIL Men’s Divisions 1A & 1B: Round 4 Previews

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1A – ROUND 4:

Saturday, October 19

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

CITY OF ARMAGH (9th) v UCD (10th), Palace Grounds

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: City of Armagh: LLW; UCD: LLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – City of Armagh: Points: Kyle Faloon 20; Tries: Evin Crummie, Kyle Faloon, Lewis Finlay, Neil Faloon 1 each; UCD: Points: Michael Moloney 10; Tries: Andrew Osborne, Bobby Sheehan, Charlie Molony, Michael Moloney, Ruairi Shields, Ruben Moloney, Tom Murtagh 1 each

Preview: History repeated itself for City of Armagh who, like last season, had two tight defeats first up before winning in Limerick. It was at Shannon last year, and a fortnight ago they prevailed 13-6 at Garryowen where scrum half Lewis Finlay scored the only try.

Watch out for Armagh captain Nigel Simpson with a division-leading four breakdown steals so far. UCD are still searching for their opening win of the campaign, but showed enough against leaders Clontarf to suggest that they should be further up the table.

Emerging Ireland lock Conor O’Tighearnaigh will start for the students, along with fellow Leinster Academy players, Ruben Moloney, Ben Brownlee, Rory McGuire, and Alan Spicer. However, injured half-back Michael Moloney, last season’s top points scorer, remains an absentee.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 18, 2023: City of Armagh 18 UCD 25, Palace Grounds; Saturday, February 10, 2024: UCD 32 City of Armagh 22, UCD Bowl

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: UCD to win

CLONTARF (1st) v TERENURE COLLEGE (2nd), Castle Avenue

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Clontarf: WWW; Terenure College: WLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Clontarf: Points: Conor Kelly 30; Tries: Dylan Donnellan 3; Terenure College: Points: Aran Egan 22; Tries: Fintan Gunne, Henry McErlean 2 each

Preview: Having played the two promoted clubs and UCD during the first block, Clontarf face their biggest test of the new season to date with the visit of last season’s table toppers. Terenure College are certainly battle-hardened, having outlasted Lansdowne for their second victory.

Clontarf captain Dylan Donnellan already has three tries to his name, adding to his incredible 61-try haul from the last three seasons. Terenure’s Adam La Grue remains a classy operator at full-back, leading the division with almost 300 running metres, while also making 25 carries and 11 tackle breaks.

Looking forward to this heavyweight encounter, ‘Tarf second row Fionn Gilbert said: “We’ve always had some great battles with Terenure, especially in the last year. They are a quality team and obviously I was lucky to be coached by Sean (Skehan with the Ireland Club XV), so I know how he preps the lads.”

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 14, 2023: Clontarf 26 Terenure College 16, Castle Avenue; Saturday, March 30, 2024: Terenure College 29 Clontarf 15, Lakelands Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Clontarf to win

LANSDOWNE (7th) v CORK CONSTITUTION (3rd), Aviva Stadium back pitch

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Lansdowne: LWL; Cork Constitution: LWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Lansdowne: Points: Stephen Madigan 20; Tries: Andy Marks 3; Cork Constitution: Points: James Taylor 26; Tries: Scott Buckley 3

Preview: Emerging Ireland duo Charlie Tector and Cormac Foley are Lansdowne’s starting half-backs, as head coach Declan Fassbender makes five changes for the visit of the defending champions. Greg McGrath, Juan Beukes, and Donough Lawlor are added to the pack.

Cork Constitution won the corresponding fixture 25-19 last March thanks to a Matthew Bowen hat-trick. They also had six points to spare at home the previous November, so another tight tussle looks likely here, especially with Lansdowne determined to bounce back from losing at ‘Nure.

Back from the Emerging Ireland tour, Munster Academy hooker Danny Sheahan joins his cousin Jacob on the Cork Con bench. Daniel Hurley and Louis Kahn are the two back-line changes made by Jonny Holland, while Luke Kerr and former captain Aidan Moynihan come in as replacements.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 4, 2023: Cork Constitution 23 Lansdowne 17, Temple Hill; Saturday, March 2, 2024: Lansdowne 19 Cork Constitution 25, Aviva Stadium back pitch

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Cork Constitution to win

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE (4th) v GARRYOWEN (8th), Templeville Road

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: St. Mary’s College: LWL; Garryowen: WLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – St. Mary’s College: Points: Mick O’Gara 25; Tries: Leandro Ramirez 2; Garryowen: Points: Kelvin Langan 21; Tries: Colm Hogan, Gordon Wood 2 each

Preview: St. Mary’s College had the edge over Garryowen last season, as a hard-earned double helped them on their way to the Division 1B title and automatic promotion. The Light Blues used the play-off route to join the Dubliners in the top flight, and precious points are on offer tomorrow.

Bryan Fitzgerald, who made his first two Munster appearances in the last three weeks, returns to co-captain Garryowen. There are also starts for Emerging Ireland prop George Hadden, Munster’s Jack Daly, and Hadden’s 19-year-old Munster Academy colleague, Dylan Hicks, at out-half.

St. Mary’s only have one win on the board but, tellingly, their fistful of bonus points – five in all – has them in the top four currently. They are playing some bright attacking rugby under Mark McHugh, and Dan Goggin and Jack Nelson (four each) are two of the division’s leading offloaders.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 18, 2023: Garryowen 22 St. Mary’s College 31, Dooradoyle; Saturday, February 10, 2024: St. Mary’s College 28 Garryowen 27, Templeville Road

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: St. Mary’s College to win

YOUNG MUNSTER (5th) v BALLYNAHINCH (6th), Tom Clifford Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Young Munster: WWL; Ballynahinch: WLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Young Munster: Points: Julian Leszczynski 23; Tries: Shay McCarthy 2; Ballynahinch: Points: Conor Rankin 14; Tries: Aaron Sexton, Ethan Graham 2 each

Preview: These teams had two engrossing battles last season, with Young Munster emerging victorious on both occasions. They won 16-13 at Ballymacarn Park last December, courtesy of a last-minute penalty from Shane O’Leary, who starts tomorrow at outside centre.

Munster’s Tony Butler takes the reins at out-half, so Argentinian Julian Leszczynski switches to full-back for the Cookies. Shay McCarthy slots back in on the left wing, and captain Alan Kennedy also returns at blindside flanker. Connacht’s Adam McBurney is given a bench role.

Ballynahinch make the trip to Limerick with some exciting Ulster talent included. Wingers Aaron Sexton and Ethan Graham are both chasing their third tries of the campaign. Reuben Crothers is brought in at blindside flanker, and Kyle McCall, Will Hopes, and Ronan McCusker are the other changes up front.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, December 9, 2023: Ballynahinch 13 Young Munster 16, Ballymacarn Park; Saturday, January 20, 2024: Young Munster 26 Ballynahinch 25, Tom Clifford Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Young Munster to win

Another busy round of Division 1B action in the Energia All-Ireland League is headlined by the top of the table showdown between unbeaten leaders Nenagh Ormond and second-placed Old Belvedere. Elsewhere, Queen’s University visit student rivals Dublin University.

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1B – ROUND 4:

Saturday, October 19

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

BLACKROCK COLLEGE (7th) v HIGHFIELD (8th), Stradbrook

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Blackrock College: LLW; Highfield: WLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Blackrock College: Points: Conor O’Shaughnessy 34; Tries: Derry Moloney, Ciaran Mangan 2 each; Highfield: Points: Shane O’Riordan 18; Tries: Travis Coomey 3

Preview: Ireland Under-19 international Ciarán Mangan was central to Blackrock College’s first win of the campaign, scoring two tries in a thrilling one-point defeat of Old Belvedere last time out. They host a Highfield team that has suffered back-to-back losses to University sides.

Blackrock head coach James Blaney makes four changes, bringing former captain Brian Colclough and Derry Moloney into the back-three, and handing starts to prop Andrew Savage and flanker Dave Fortune.

Highfield, who won the corresponding fixture 24-21 at Stradbrook twelve months ago, restore ex-skipper Miah Cronin to the number 8 berth. Jamie Shanahan and Mark Dorgan come into a rejigged back-line, and Conor Kennelly gets the nod to partner David O’Halloran in the engine room.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 14, 2023: Blackrock College 21 Highfield 24, Stradbrook; Saturday, March 30, 2024: Highfield 21 Blackrock College 7, Woodleigh Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Blackrock College to win

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY (9th) v QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY (10th), College Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Dublin University: LLW; Queen’s University: WLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Dublin University: Points: Oscar Cawley 15; Tries: Oscar Cawley 3; Queen’s University: Points: Ben McFarlane 11; Tries: Henry Walker, Ryan Street 2 each

Preview: Oscar Cawley was the hero last weekend as Trinity ended their losing streak, picking up a bonus point in Woodleigh Park. Looking to build on that, they face Queen’s in this Dudley Cup encounter.

A win that saw the hosts leapfrog Queen’s at the basement end of the table, this will remain a clash of the bottom two sides aside from their University bragging rights. With the confidence coming off last weekend, Tony Smeeth’s youngsters will be poised to jump out of the relegation zone.

For Queen’s this is a second successive student derby having suffered a heavy loss to UCC two weeks ago. Hoping to avoid a third loss of the season in succession, Queen’s will be looking to be a lot tighter in defence after two heavy defeats.

Recent League Meetings – N/A

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Dublin University to win

NAAS (3rd) v OLD WESLEY (5th), Forenaughts

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Naas: LWW; Old Wesley: WLD
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Naas: Points: Peter Osborne 41; Tries: Charlie Sheridan, Cormac King, Eoin Walsh, Jack Sheridan, Paddy Taylor 2 each; Old Wesley: Points: Ian Cassidy 31; Tries: Cathal Kelly 2

Preview: Two places and four points currently separate these regular rivals in the second tier. Naas are chasing their third win on the trot, and have revenge on their minds after going down twice to Old Wesley last season, including a 19-point reversal at their Forenaughts base back in March.

Naas stalwart Peter Osborne landed five successful kicks at Shannon to take his season’s haul to a division-leading 41 points. Michal Haznar comes in for his sixth league appearance, starting in midfield with Paddy Taylor switching to out-half and Osborne reverting to full-back.

John King also makes his AIL debut for the Cobras at loosehead prop, while fifth-placed Old Wesley, fresh from a 22-all draw with table toppers Nenagh Ormond, have two of the running metres leaders in the division in backs Tom Larke (328.2 metres) and Alex Molloy (308.7).

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 21, 2023: Old Wesley 48 Naas 26, Energia Park; Saturday, March 23, 2024: Naas 20 Old Wesley 39, Forenaughts

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Naas to win

NENAGH ORMOND (1st) v OLD BELVEDERE (2nd), New Ormond Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Nenagh Ormond: WWD; Old Belvedere: WWL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Nenagh Ormond: Points: Conor McMahon 32; Tries: Angus Blackmore 3; Old Belvedere: Points: Sam Wisniewski 33; Tries: Jack Keating 4

Preview: The big game of the weekend in 1B is certainly the clash of the top two, Nenagh have had the storied run so far in 1B in this their debut season in this competition, to keep up this run, they have to get past the heavyweights from Dublin in Old Belvedere.

Ormond through Patrick Scully’s late try left the capital with the share of the spoils two weeks ago and aim to remain on that unbeaten course this weekend. The Tipperary men have been in great form since the promotion with wins over Trinity and Blackrock. A fourth Dublin team in a row is on the agenda this weekend.

Belvo battled until the very end in Ollie Campbell Park as they fell to a one point defeat against rivals Blackrock two weeks ago. Sitting three points behind Nenagh in the standings, they have visions of snatching that top spot by Saturday evening. With the try scoring form of Jack Keating, along with the boot of Sam Wisniewski, they will fancy their chances.

Recent League Meetings – N/A

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Nenagh Ormond to win

UCC (4th) v SHANNON (6th), the Mardyke

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: UCC: LWW; Shannon: LWL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – UCC: Points: Daniel Squires 39; Tries: Jack Casey 2; Shannon: Points: John O’Sullivan 21; Tries: Adam Moloney 2

Preview: A massive Munster Derby on the banks of the River Lee, as UCC welcome Shannon to The Mardyke on Saturday afternoon. UCC will be brimming with confidence coming into this tie off the back consecutive wins in recent weeks.

Sean Edogbo is in for his first start of the season, while former PBC Captain Rory O’Shaughnessy is again named in reserve as former Ireland and Munster scrum-half Tomás O’Leary’s chagres look in strong form to begin the season.

Shannon could end the weekend inside the top four if they can take the spoils over the students. A first trip since March of 2019 for the Limerick men to face UCC in the AIL, that day the hosts left 15-3 winners, a season that saw Shannon relegated from 1A. Defeat at home to Naas was a bitter pill to swallow.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 3, 2018: Shannon 31 UCC 20, Thomond Park back pitch; Saturday, March 2, 2019: UCC 15 Shannon 3, the Mardyke

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: UCC to win