Andy Marks was Lansdowne's late try-scoring hero during their closely-fought Division 1A clash with City of Armagh last Saturday ©Ken Redpath
The first half of an enthralling Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 1A season wraps up with two local derbies in Dublin and Limerick bringing plenty of festive cheer.
Saturday, December 14
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Lansdowne: LWLWLLWW; St. Mary’s College: LWLWWWDW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Lansdowne: Points: Stephen Madigan 35; Tries: Andy Marks 6; St. Mary’s College: Conor Hayes 50; Tries: Myles Carey 5
Preview: The round 9 action kicks off with what is sure to be a keenly-contested Dublin derby. St. Mary’s College venture to headquarters on the back of a five-match unbeaten run, which includes a draw away to defending champions Cork Constitution and last week’s win over Young Munster.
Andy Marks’ sixth try of the season sealed a hard-fought victory for Lansdowne in Armagh, and they are boosted tonight by the inclusion of Leinster Academy star Charlie Tector at half-back alongside his provincial colleague, Cormac Foley. Back rowers Barry Fitzpatrick and Hardus van Eeden also start.
As well as moving to the top of the table, St. Mary’s have the division’s leading lineout stealer in former Ulster forward Greg Jones (7). He has been their most used player apart from another ex-professional, out-half Conor Dean, who has played all bar five minutes of their eight matches to date.
Recent League Meetings – Friday, October 27, 2017: St. Mary’s College 7 Lansdowne 33, Templeville Road; Friday, February 16, 2018: Lansdowne 16 St. Mary’s College 9, Aviva Stadium back pitch
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: St. Mary’s College to win
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Clontarf: WWWLWWLW; City of Armagh: LLWLWLWL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Clontarf: Points: Conor Kelly 80; Tries: Tadhg Bird 6; City of Armagh: Kyle Faloon 63; Tries: Sam Cunningham 3
Preview: The result and manner of Clontarf’s performance in Ballynahinch last week would have seen plenty of other teams sit up and take note. Centre Tadhg Bird touched down twice at Ballymacarn Park, and Conor Kelly remained top of the scoring charts with a dozen points from the tee.
Andy Wood’s men are chasing a quick-fire Ulster double, and managed to beat City of Armagh twice last season. However, Armagh will take encouragement from the sides’ most recent clash last February, when they matched ‘Tarf all the way before Kelly kicked a last-minute match winner.
Armagh head coach Chris Parker has made three personnel changes from their narrow defeat to Lansdowne. Matthew Hooks returns in midfield with New Zealander Rocky Olsen reverting to out-half, where he lines out against Kelly. Neil Faloon and Ulster Academy prop Cameron Doak are added to the pack.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 11, 2023: Clontarf 35 City of Armagh 17, Castle Avenue; Saturday, February 17, 2024: City of Armagh 12 Clontarf 15, Palace Grounds
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Clontarf to win
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Cork Constitution: LWWLLWDW; UCD: LLLWLWLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Cork Constitution: Points: James Taylor 46; Tries: Scott Buckley 5; UCD: James Tarrant 30; Tries: Bobby Sheehan 4
Preview: Cork Constitution’s final game before the Christmas break sees them entertain UCD. Jonny Holland’s charges will be hoping for a convincing win over the ninth-placed students, having had to battle back from two yellow cards to snatch a late victory over bottom side Garryowen.
Their set-piece strength was crucial in that Munster derby, with provincial hooker Scott Buckley scoring his fifth try of the season. UCD’s own lineout has also been delivering the goods, with former captain Bobby Sheehan notching four tries, as well as making four breakdown steals.
Ireland Under-20 internationals Mikey Yarr and Andrew Sparrow will start in the UCD front row on Leeside, with Sheehan moving to the back row. Out-half Daragh Gilbourne and lock Matt Healy complete the personnel changes, while captain James Tarrant switches to inside centre.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, December 9, 2023: Cork Constitution 38 UCD 25, Temple Hill; Saturday, January 20, 2024: UCD 24 Cork Constitution 34, UCD Bowl
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Cork Constitution to win
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Terenure College: WLWWLLWW; Ballynahinch: WLWWWWWL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Terenure College: Points: Chris Cosgrave 59; Tries: Craig Adams 5; Ballynahinch: Conor Rankin 39; Tries: Claytan Milligan 6
Preview: Having outlasted UCD in Belfield, fourth-placed Terenure College are chasing their third win in a row heading into the New Year. Last year’s corresponding fixture at home to Ballynahinch was a nail-biter, as ‘Hinch’s two-try second half comeback fell just short in a 16-13 defeat.
Ulster’s Conor McKee and Academy back rower Bryn Ward come into the recent leaders’ starting XV, with captain Bradley Luney a notable absentee. Reuben Crothers and Ward feature in the back row, and Declan Horrox slots back into the engine room alongside Will Hopes.
Henry McErlean returns on the right wing for Terenure, along with fellow Leinster Academy talent Caspar Gabriel, who partners the experienced Alan Bennie at half-back. Adam Tuite, Levi Vaughan, and Jordan Coghlan are the changes up front in a rejigged forwards unit.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 7, 2023: Terenure College 16 Ballynahinch 13, Lakelands Park; Saturday, April 6, 2024: Ballynahinch 15 Terenure College 34, Ballymacarn Park
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Terenure College to win
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Young Munster: WWLLWLLL; Garryowen: WLLLLLLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Young Munster: Points: Julian Leszczynski 62; Tries: Hubert Gilvarry 5; Garryowen: Kelvin Langan 31; Tries: Brian Gleeson, Donnacha Byrne, Gordon Wood 3 each
Preview: There is traditionally very little between these great Limerick rivals. You only have to look at the most recent league encounters in 2022/23 which saw Young Munster win 26-23 at home before Garryowen avenged that result with a 28-22 triumph at Dooradoyle in the spring.
The Light Blues are without Brian Gleeson, who makes his first Investec Champions Cup start for Munster tonight. He almost inspired an end to their losing run against Cork Con, while Academy centre Gordon Wood continues to impress with three tries, nine offloads, nine line breaks, and 27 tackle breaks.
Stephen Lyons and Samson Seinafo swap in from the Young Munster bench to start in a back-line led by Argentinian ace Julian Leszczynski, their leading scorer with 62 points. Munster Academy back rower Ruadhan Quinn and David Begley also feature, the former at number 8.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 8, 2022: Young Munster 26 Garryowen 23, Tom Clifford Park; Saturday, April 1, 2023: Garryowen 28 Young Munster 22, Dooradoyle
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Young Munster to win
Leinster and Ireland forward Ryan Baird is set to feature off the bench for Dublin University against Blackrock College, as Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 1B is poised to see out 2024 with a bang.
Saturday, December 14
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Shannon: LWLLWLLL; Highfield: WLLLLLLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Shannon: Points: John O’Sullivan 38; Tries: Adam Moloney, Cian O’Halloran, Eoghan Clarke, Jack O’Donnell, Stephen Kiely 2 each; Highfield: Shane O’Riordan 44; Tries: Richard Cassidy 4
Preview: A big Munster Derby that also serves as the meeting of the bottom two in the Division, as a win for Shannon could put them out of the drop zone by Saturday evening.
The hosts are winless in their last three games and with this the last game going into the Christmas break, they will want to end on a high before they travel to Cork in early January. Shannon did look strong against Belvedere last weekend grabbing a bonus point in the process.
Highfield have recorded seven losses in succession and against another team down around the bottom end of the table, they don’t want to drop further points. Queen’s was another relegation clash last weekend that did not go their way, their ;ast trips here have also ended in defeat.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, April 23, 2022: Highfield 19 Shannon 25, Woodleigh Park; Saturday, May 6, 2023: Shannon 32 Highfield 12, Thomond Park back pitch
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Shannon to win
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Dublin University: LLWWLWLL; Blackrock College: LLWWLWWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Dublin University: Points: Hugh O’Kennedy 28; Tries: Oscar Cawley 5; Blackrock College: Conor O’Shaughnessy 65; Tries: Barry Galvin, Ciarán Mangan, Liam McMahon 4 each
Preview: A mouth-watering Dublin derby between Trinity and Blackrock, the pair at opposite ends in the table want those points ahead of the break.
When last these two met in the All Ireland League, Trinity ran home 55-21 winners that day. The hosts have suffered defeats in consecutive away outings, at home however they did defeat Naas and Queen’s to build a hot streak of home form. Ryan Baird is named on the Trinity bench.
Rock on the form guide are ahead of their opponents. Winning their last three games they regained a spot in the top four and now it is all about holding firm. Conor O’Shaughnessy remains one of the most potent number 10’s in the Division, it has been a debut season to remember.
Recent League Meetings – Friday, September 11, 2015: Blackrock College 11 Dublin University 10, Stradbrook; Saturday, April 16, 2016: Dublin University 55 Blackrock College 21, College Park
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Blackrock College to win
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Naas: LWWLWLLL; Old Belvedere: WWLWWWWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Naas: Points: Peter Osborne 73; Tries: Jack Sheridan 6; Old Belvedere: Sam Wisniewski 85; Tries: Calum Dowling 12
Preview: With the leaders making their way to Forenaughts for this Leinster derby clash, Naas could claim a massive scalp and boost their hopes of a promotion in the process.
Mixed form has been the case for Naas this season so far and with three defeats in succession, they do want to turn things around this weekend to reignite their spark for promotion. Last weekend was a bitter disappointment to lose by a single point to Nenagh, that can give them big encouragement for this clash.
Belvo have a four point lead at the summit and have ambitions of remaining there over the break. Forenaughts has been a tough place to visit in recent years, Belvedere winning their recent clash in April 34-29. With how they are doing right now they are fancied to win but you never know with this Division.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 7, 2023: Old Belvedere 18 Naas 20, Ollie Campbell Park; Saturday, April 6, 2024: Naas 29 Old Belvedere 34, Forenaughts
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Belvedere to win
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Queen’s University: WLLLWLLW; Old Wesley: WLDWLWWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Queen’s University: Points: Jack Murphy 56; Tries: Ben McFarlane, Flynn Longstaff, Henry Walker 3 each; Old Wesley: Ian Cassidy 82; Tries: Paidi Farrell 4
Preview: Three games unbeaten, Old Wesley aim to stretch that winning run going into this weekend as they make the journey to Belfast. Queen’s will be boosted by last weekend as they hope to pick up further points.
Getting out of the relegation zone was one thing for Queen’s last weekend, this weekend it is all about pushing to move further up the table. Naas are only two ahead and with four points keeping them safe, another win is high on the priority list this weekend.
Wesley will be a tricky customer for sure. The Dubliners are motoring well in third place and have Blackrock right on their heels, with UCC a team that could snatch their spot in the top four with a defeat. Wesley delivered a powerful showing to start last season off, with a 38-20 win last October during their last trip to The Dub.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 7, 2023: Queen’s University 20 Old Wesley 38, Dub Lane; Saturday, April 6, 2024: Old Wesley 52 Queen’s University 15, Energia Park
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Wesley to win
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: UCC: LWWWLLWL; Nenagh Ormond: WWDLWWWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – UCC: Points: Daniel Squires 75; Tries: Sean Condon 5; Nenagh Ormond: Conor McMahon 100; Tries: Angus Blackmore, Conor McMahon, Josh Rowland 3 each
Preview: The second of the Munster derby offerings is a potential game of the weekend, Nenagh Ormond travelling to face UCC in a crucial eight pointer for both.
For the first time since April of 2016 the sides clash in the All Ireland League. Back then the pair were in 2A and UCC went push on to reach 1A, before returning to 1B where they set out a target for promotion the last three seasons. Coming into this game off a defeat, Tomas O’Leary’s troops are hopeful for a win, only one defeat is a blemish to their otherwise perfect home form.
Nenagh have been one of the stories of the season so far as they have shown no fear of getting promoted to 1B. Six wins from eight, they have tasted defeat just once, and had a thrilling draw with Wesley also. The Tipp men could end the year on a five game unbeaten run, which would give them big confidence going into the new year.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 10, 2015: Nenagh Ormond 20 UCC 0, New Ormond Park; Saturday, April 2, 2016: UCC 13 Nenagh Ormond 0, the Mardyke
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Nenagh Ormond to win
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