#EnergiaAIL Men’s Divisions 1A & 1B: Round 6 Previews

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1A – ROUND 6:

Saturday, November 9

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

CITY OF ARMAGH (8th) v CORK CONSTITUTION (6th), Palace Grounds

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: City of Armagh: LLWLW; Cork Constitution: LWWLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – City of Armagh: Points: Kyle Faloon 41; Tries: Kyle Faloon 2; Cork Constitution: Points: James Taylor 40; Tries: Scott Buckley, Sean French 3 each

Preview: Having overcome Terenure College in Dublin in thrilling fashion, City of Armagh are now tasked with taking down defending champions Cork Constitution. Ulster’s James McNabney was a tower of strength a fortnight ago, delivering a player-of-the-match performance.

Armagh full-back Kyle Faloon is the division’s second top scorer with 41 points, while John Glasgow and captain Nigel Simpson have nabbed nine breakdown steals between them so far. Statistically, these are the top flight’s two leading defences after five rounds.

While disappointed to lose at home to Clontarf, Cork Con’s John Forde leads the way with nine dominant tackles to date. Con won 40-24 when they last visited the Palace Grounds, but a victory by any margin will suffice on Saturday after suffering successive defeats in recent weeks.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 7, 2023: Cork Constitution 28 City of Armagh 21, Temple Hill; Saturday, April 6, 2024: City of Armagh 24 Cork Constitution 40, Palace Grounds

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Cork Constitution to win

CLONTARF (1st) v YOUNG MUNSTER (5th), Castle Avenue

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Clontarf: WWWLW; Young Munster: WWLLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Clontarf: Points: Conor Kelly 40; Tries: Dylan Donnellan 3; Young Munster: Points: Julian Leszczynski 44; Tries: Stephen McLoughlin 3

Preview: Clontarf will want to lay down a marker here after losing their most recent home game to Terenure. Second half tries from Tadhg Bird and Aitzol Arenzana-King saw them overhaul Cork Con, aided by the work-rate of number 8 John Vinson, the division’s leading ball carrier ((75).

Young Munster may be fifth in the table, but leaders ‘Tarf are only four points better off. Ger Slattery’s men have earned a hat-trick of wins over Dublin opposition already this season, their latest one a well-judged five-try triumph over Lansdowne.

Fresh from making his Munster senior debut last week against the All Blacks XV, Evan O’Connell will don the Young Munster colours when he joins Sean Rigney in the second row. Oisin Pepper and Conor Bartley will also start, along with Connacht hooker Adam McBurney.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 4, 2023: Young Munster 39 Clontarf 44, Tom Clifford Park; Saturday, March 2, 2024: Clontarf 31 Young Munster 12, Castle Avenue

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Clontarf to win

GARRYOWEN (9th) v UCD (10th), Dooradoyle

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Garryowen: WLLLL; UCD: LLLWL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Garryowen: Points: Kelvin Langan 23; Tries: Gordon Wood 3; UCD: Points: James Tarrant 21; Tries: Bobby Sheehan, Evan Moynihan, Ruben Moloney 2 each

Preview: Garryowen were well beaten by Ballynahinch a fortnight ago, and need to bounce back after four defeats on the bounce. They has shaken up their starting XV significantly, with their eight personnel changes including a start for Ireland Under-18 Schools out-half Tom Wood.

He is partnered at half-back by player/attack coach Neil Cronin, while Oisin Cooke and Visiano Vaohea are also promoted from the Light Blues’ bench. This is UCD’s first trip to Dooradoyle in two years, and James Tarrant, their current captain, was a try scorer back then in a 47-22 win.

Emmet MacMahon’s students, beaten 29-21 by St. Mary’s College most recently, have Ross Deegan back on the right wing. Andrew Sparrow and Conor Tonge come in up front, and Sparrow’s Leinster Academy colleagues, Ruben Moloney, Ben Brownlee, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, and Diarmuid Mangan, also start.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 12, 2022: Garryowen 22 UCD 47, Dooradoyle; Saturday, February 18, 2023: UCD 52 Garryowen 12, UCD Bowl

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Garryowen to win

LANSDOWNE (7th) v BALLYNAHINCH (2nd), Aviva Stadium back pitch

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Lansdowne: LWLWL; Ballynahinch: WLWWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Lansdowne: Points: Charlie Tector 22; Tries: Andy Marks 3; Ballynahinch: Points: Conor Rankin 28; Tries: Aaron Sexton, Claytan Milligan 3 each

Preview: Leinster scrum half Cormac Foley will join Stephen Madigan at half-back for Lansdowne’s encounter with high-flying Ballynahinch. Tom Connolly, Rory Suttor, and Hardus van Eeden complete the changes, with captain Jack Cooke reverting to the second row.

Lansdowne had plenty to spare when these sides met on the Aviva Stadium’s main pitch last year, winning 45-19 thanks to a Rory Parata hat-trick of tries. However, based on recent results, Ballynahinch look well capable of extending their current run to four wins in a row.

Ulster triallist and Emerging Ireland’s Zac Ward gets another start for ‘Hinch on the left wing, following his two-try performance against Garryowen. Ulster’s Jake Flannery returns from a finger injury, featuring at out-half, and prop Tom McAllister and flanker Peter Heasley step up from bench duty.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 21, 2023: Lansdowne 45 Ballynahinch 19, Aviva Stadium main pitch; Saturday, March 23, 2024: Ballynahinch 10 Lansdowne 5, Ballymacarn Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Ballynahinch to win

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE (3rd) v TERENURE COLLEGE (4th), Templeville Road (live on irishrugby+)

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: St. Mary’s College: LWLWW; Terenure College: WLWWL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – St. Mary’s College: Points: Mick O’Gara 31; Tries: Leandro Ramirez 3; Terenure College: Points: Chris Cosgrave 40; Tries: Craig Adams, Henry McErlean 4 each

Preview: A massive occasion for these two clubs and the local rugby community. Just two points currently separate these neighbouring teams in the table, courtesy of the four try-scoring bonus points that St. Mary’s College registered during the opening five rounds of the season.

Mark Fogarty and Ethan Baxter are the two personnel changes to the Mary’s side that won at UCD. Leandro Ramirez, their leading try scorer with three, misses out through injury. Terenure’s Craig Adams and Henry McErlean are the division’s top try scorers with four each.

McErlean is a notable absentee from Terenure’s teamsheet. Jules Fenelon starts on the right wing, and the only other change from their loss to Armagh is Ben Howard’s inclusion at loosehead prop. Leinster Academy duo Caspar Gabriel and Fintan Gunne lead the back-line again.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, September 30, 2017: St. Mary’s College 21 Terenure College 32, Templeville Road; Saturday, March 24, 2018: Terenure College 35 St. Mary’s College 5, Lakelands Park

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

Six points cover the leading four teams in Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 1B as they face into back-to-back rounds. Highfield, who visit leaders Old Belvedere, have four points to make up on their rivals at the bottom end of the table.

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1B – ROUND 6:

Saturday, November 9

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

BLACKROCK COLLEGE (6th) v SHANNON (7th), Stradbrook

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Blackrock College: LLWWL; Shannon: LWLLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Blackrock College: Points: Conor O’Shaughnessy 49; Tries: Ciarán Mangan 4; Shannon: Points: John O’Sullivan 33; Tries: Adam Moloney 2

Preview: Former captain Brian Colclough and Jack Ringrose bookend Blackrock College’s back-line for this home date with Shannon. They are the only two changes to the team that lost 38-22 at Queen’s University, which was their first defeat in three outings.

Blackrock centre Ciarán Mangan remains the division’s joint-second try scorer with four so far. Shannon have won two of their last four league fixtures, both at home, and have not visited Stradbrook since losing 21-19 back in April 2016.

Out-half John O’Sullivan had four successful kicks against Dublin University as Shannon won a tight four-try contest. He took his season’s haul to 33 points, while ex-skipper Lee Nicholas leads the division with 27 lineout takes across the opening five rounds.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, September 19, 2015: Shannon 16 Blackrock College 21, Thomond Park back pitch; Saturday, April 2, 2016: Blackrock College 21 Shannon 19, Stradbrook

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Blackrock College to win

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY (8th) v NAAS (4th), College Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Dublin University: LLWWL; Naas: LWWLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Dublin University: Points: Oscar Cawley 20; Tries: Oscar Cawley 4; Naas: Points: Peter Osborne 60; Tries: Eoin Walsh, Paddy Taylor 3 each

Preview: Noah Byrne, an Ireland Under-18 Schools representative last season, slots in at full-back as Dublin University resume their campaign at home to Naas. Davy Colbert switches to the right wing, and Steve Woods starts at lock with Tom Davidson moved to the back row.

Naas moved back into the top four two weeks ago thanks to a rousing 34-30 success against in-form UCC. An Eoin Walsh try and two closing penalties from ace place-kicker Peter Osborne did the business, but Osborne is absent tomorrow, meaning a move to full-back for Jack Sheridan.

Winger David O’Sullivan makes his third AIL appearance for the Cobras, and prop Adam Deay comes in for his fifth. Trinity half-backs Hugh O’Kennedy, with seven kicks from seven for a 100% record, and Oscar Cawley (four tries) have impressed in terms of contributing important scores.

Recent League Meetings – N/A

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Naas to win

NENAGH ORMOND (2nd) v QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY (9th), New Ormond Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Nenagh Ormond: WWDLW; Queen’s University: WLLLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Nenagh Ormond: Points: Conor McMahon 57; Tries: Angus Blackmore 3; Queen’s University: Points: Jack Murphy 28; Tries: Henry Walker, Jack Murphy, Michael McDonald, Ryan Street, Zac Solomon 2 each

Preview: Nenagh Ormond joined Queen’s University in the second tier this season, having lifted the Division 2A trophy a year on from the students’ own title success. The Tipperary men did the double over Queen’s in 2022/23, taking a 32-24 verdict at home before winning 24-15 in Belfast.

Despite sitting second-from-bottom, Queen’s look capable of shooting up the standings, especially with Ulster Academy players like Jack Murphy and Wilhelm de Klerk, and recent Ulster signing Bryan O’Connor, bedding themselves into the side. Nenagh will give their pack a thorough test.

Conor McMahon fired over 16 points as Nenagh won 31-22 at Highfield, with the winger’s tally for the season now standing at 57 points. Rob Buckley is added to the back row for tomorrow, with John O’Flaherty switching to number 8. Player-coach Derek Corcoran could make a cameo appearance off the bench.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 26, 2022: Nenagh Ormond 32 Queen’s University 24, New Ormond Park; Saturday, January 28, 2023: Queen’s University 15 Nenagh Ormond 24, Dub Lane

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Nenagh Ormond to win

OLD BELVEDERE (1st) v HIGHFIELD (10th), Ollie Campbell Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Old Belvedere: WWLWW; Highfield: WLLLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Old Belvedere: Points: Sam Wisniewski 61; Tries: Calum Dowling 6; Highfield: Points: Shane O’Riordan 34; Tries: Richard Cassidy, Travis Coomey 3 each

Preview: Old Belvedere return home after two narrow wins over Nenagh and neighbours Old Wesley. Unsurprisingly given their table-topping form, Belvedere out-half Sam Wisniewski (61 points) and captain Calum Dowling (6 tries) are the division’s leading points and try scorers respectively.

Winger Hugh Reddan and flanker James Ruddy are ‘Belvo’s two changes in personnel, with Kale Thatcher reverting to a lock role tomorrow. Since beating Naas in the opening round, Highfield have lost four on the bounce, but had a losing margin of six or less points on two occasions.

Ronan O’Keeffe and David O’Sullivan come into a rejigged Highfield back-line, which has Jamie Shanahan shifting to inside centre to accommodate O’Sullivan’s inclusion. Behind a workmanlike pack, out-half Shane O’Riordan has over 1000 kicking metres so far from 32 kicks.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 18, 2023: Highfield 14 Old Belvedere 29, Woodleigh Park; Saturday, February 10, 2024: Old Belvedere 27 Highfield 27, Ollie Campbell Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Belvedere to win

UCC (3rd) v OLD WESLEY (5th), the Mardyke

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: UCC: LWWWL; Old Wesley: WLDWL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – UCC: Points: Daniel Squires 55; Tries: Adam Wrona 4; Old Wesley: Points: Ian Cassidy 49; Tries: Cathal Kelly, Paidi Farrell 2 each

Preview: A four-try display at Forenaughts was not enough to keep UCC on the winning trail. The Sam O’Sullivan-led students will bid to bounce back tomorrow against Old Wesley, a team sitting two places and six points behind them in the table.

For the visit of Morgan Lennon’s men, Munster Academy duo Ben O’Connor, who starts at full-back, and Gene O’Leary Kareem come into UCC’s matchday squad. Jason Aherne, at openside flanker, has a division-leading 13 lineout steals so far.

Old Wesley have happy memories of a 35-10 bonus point triumph at the Mardyke last January. Centres Alex Molloy and Eoin Deegan scored a try each that day, and Molloy has already chalked up 450.3 running metres this season, closely followed by his team-mate Tom Larke (432.4).

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, December 2, 2023: Old Wesley 27 UCC 26, Energia Park; Saturday, January 27, 2024: UCC 10 Old Wesley 35, the Mardyke

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: UCC to win

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