#EnergiaAIL Men’s Divisions 1A & 1B: Round 11 Previews

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1A – ROUND 11:

Saturday, January 18

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

CLONTARF (2nd) v BALLYNAHINCH (5th), Castle Avenue

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Clontarf: WWWLWWLWW; Ballynahinch: WLWWWWWLLD
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Clontarf: Points: Conor Kelly 95; Tries: Tadhg Bird 7; Ballynahinch: Points: Conor Rankin 51; Tries: Claytan Milligan 7

Preview: Clontarf missed out on playing last week due to an unplayable pitch in Armagh, so will be itching to resume their title challenge on home soil. They had Ballynahinch’s number when the teams met before Christmas, aided by classy out-half Conor Kelly’s 17-point contribution.

Hugh Cooney, who has been called up as a development player for the Ireland Men’s Six Nations campaign, will start for Clontarf at outside centre. Leinster’s Brian Deeny and Alex Soroka both feature up front, with the latter’s older brother, Ivan, packing down at loosehead prop.

Ballynahinch will be not be lacking in motivation, especially with flanker Zack McCall making his 100th All-Ireland League appearance tomorrow. Ulster’s James Humphreys moves from full-back to out-half, following this week’s announcement of his new one-year senior deal with the province.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, February 10, 2024: Clontarf 45 Ballynahinch 24, Castle Avenue; Saturday, December 7, 2024: Ballynahinch 12 Clontarf 32, Ballymacarn Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Clontarf to win

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

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Cork Constitution: LWWLLWDWWW; Garryowen: WLLLLLLLLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Cork Constitution: Points: James Taylor 54; Tries: Sean French 6; Garryowen: Points: Dylan Hicks 33; Tries: Brian Gleeson, Donnacha Byrne, Gordon Wood 3 each

Preview: A three-try first-half display at UCD set Cork Constitution up to extend their unbeaten run to five matches. They will no doubt need an improved performance in this Munster derby though, as bottom side Garryowen are more desperate for points with each passing week.

Garryowen player/attack coach Neil Cronin moves to out-half to play alongside Jack Oliver, while the latter’s Munster Academy colleague, George Hadden, and Connacht’s Oisin McCormack are the two forward changes following last week’s 26-10 defeat to Young Munster.

Eoghan Smyth’s involvement with the Ireland Under-20s sees Rob Jermyn slot in at inside centre for Cork Con, who had to dig deep for a 19-17 victory at Dooradoyle last month. James Taylor, their leading points scorer this season with 54 points, and hooker Billy Scannell complete the changes.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, March 4, 2023: Garryowen 21 Cork Constitution 29, Dooradoyle; Saturday, December 7, 2024: Garryowen 17 Cork Constitution 19, Dooradoyle

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Cork Constitution to win

TERENURE COLLEGE (3rd) v UCD (9th), Lakelands Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Terenure College: WLWWLLWWWD; UCD: LLLWLWLLLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Terenure College: Points: Chris Cosgrave 63; Tries: Craig Adams, Henry McErlean 5 each; UCD: Points: James Tarrant 48; Tries: Bobby Sheehan, Diarmuid Mangan, Ruben Moloney 4 each

Preview: Leinster hooker John McKee will get game-time with Terenure College as they look to complete a season’s double over UCD. The students may be struggling down in ninth place, but ‘Nure needed Chris Cosgrave’s last-minute penalty in order to win at Belfield before Christmas.

Sean Skehan’s men scored late too at Ballynahinch last Saturday, with a closing penalty from Aran Egan enough for a 24-all draw. Egan reverts to out-half tomorrow, with the aforementioned Cosgrave returning at full-back. Craig Adams and provincial talent McKee are the only other alterations.

UCD will field six Leinster Academy players in their starting XV, including Andrew Osborne who replaces Ireland U-20 call-up Charlie Molony on the left wing. Forwards Chris Hennessy, Andrew Sparrow and Matt Healy are promoted from the bench to start, along with openside Dan Campbell.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, March 2, 2024: Terenure College 19 UCD 12, Lakelands Park; Saturday, December 7, 2024: UCD 24 Terenure College 27, UCD Bowl

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Terenure College to win

YOUNG MUNSTER (6th) v ST. MARY’S COLLEGE (1st), Tom Clifford Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Young Munster: WWLLWLLLWW; St. Mary’s College: LWLWWWDWWL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Young Munster: Points: Julian Leszczynski 78; Tries: Stephen McLoughlin 7; St. Mary’s College: Points: Conor Hayes 62; Tries: Mark Fogarty, Myles Carey 5 each

Preview: Things are so tight at the business end of the table that a bonus point win here for Young Munster, and nothing for St. Mary’s College, would see the Cookies draw level on points with the league leaders. They need to make Greenfields a fortress again.

Ger Slattery’s side have suffered defeats to Ballynahinch and City of Armagh this season, a couple of blemishes on their proud home record. Stephen McLoughlin, their versatile seven-try forward, captains them from number 8, with Donnchadh O’Callaghan starting at scrum half.

St. Mary’s slipped up last week against Lansdowne, but are yet to lose successive games this season. Two of their leading lights, Conor Hayes and Dan Goggin, are sure to get a ‘warm’ welcome back to Tom Clifford Park. Greg Jones switches to the back row due to Aaron O’Brien’s Ireland U-20 call-up.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, February 3, 2018: St. Mary’s College 26 Young Munster 38, Templeville Road; Saturday, December 7, 2024: St. Mary’s College 26 Young Munster 24, Templeville Road

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Young Munster to win

LANSDOWNE (7th) v CITY OF ARMAGH (8th), Aviva Stadium back pitch, Sunday, 2.30pm

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Lansdowne: LWLWLLWWLW; City of Armagh: LLWLWLWLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Lansdowne: Points: Charlie Tector 44; Tries: Andy Marks 7; City of Armagh: Points: Kyle Faloon 78; Tries: Sam Cunningham 4

Preview: Lansdowne have certainly started 2025 with a spring in their step. After regaining the Energia Bateman Cup and then toppling St. Mary’s College with a ruthlessly efficient away performance, they are back at home on Sunday, pressing for a season’s double over City of Armagh.

Chris Parker’s men have revenge on their minds following last month’s 19-15 defeat. With last Saturday’s clash with Clontarf postponed, Parker said: “The players have had a good rest and trained hard in the lead up to this game. We’re hoping that freshness will help on the 4G pitch.”

Ulster front rowers James McCormick and Cameron Doak are set to start for Armagh, while sharpshooting back Kyle Faloon will be keen to add to his 78-point tally. Lansdowne centre Andy Marks also continues to catch the eye, scoring seven tries and racking up 931.2 running metres so far.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, March 30, 2024: Lansdowne 64 City of Armagh 31, Aviva Stadium back pitch; Saturday, December 7, 2024: City of Armagh 15 Lansdowne 19, Palace Grounds

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Lansdowne to win

With just one defeat each so far, Old Belvedere and Nenagh Ormond continue to set an impressive pace at Division 1B’s summit. They are both on their travels this weekend, visiting Shannon and Naas respectively.

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1B – ROUND 11:

Saturday, January 18

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY (6th) v OLD WESLEY (3rd), College Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Dublin University: LLWWLWLLWL; Old Wesley: WLDWLWWWLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Dublin University: Points: Matty Lynch 37; Tries: Oscar Cawley 5; Old Wesley: Points: Ian Cassidy 98; Tries: Paidi Farrell 5

Preview: A fourth Dublin derby in a row now for Trinity, with one win from three in those previous games they will be out to pick up points here for their promotion fight.

Last weekend they got so close but only managed a late penalty try to reduce their deficit against Blackrock. Trin have seen the gap increase to those top four places, with Wesely who sit third 12 points clear, a win here can help claw their way up the standings. Matty Lynch was a man inform last weekend and has been this term.

Wesley took five points when the pair met in Energia Park in early December, but have a win and a loss on the board since. Dropped points have seen the teams above pull away and while they have seven points between them and UCC in fifth, they will be aiming for consistency in this important block of games.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, February 20, 2016: Dublin University 43 Old Wesley 17, College Park; Saturday, December 7, 2024: Old Wesley 38 Dublin University 17, Energia Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Wesley to win

NAAS (8th) v NENAGH ORMOND (2nd), Forenaughts

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Naas: LWWLWLLLLL; Nenagh Ormond: WWDLWWWWWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Naas: Points: Peter Osborne 83; Tries: Jack Sheridan 6; Nenagh Ormond: Points: Conor McMahon 114; Tries: Dylan Murphy 4

Preview: Still breathing down the necks of leaders Old Belvedere, Nenagh Ormond are away in Naas this weekend, aiming to keep this stellar title run on course.

The hosts currently sit two points outside of the relegation zone, having lost their last five games. Having narrowly lost to Nenagh in the reverse tie 19-18, they had two tough defeats against Old Belvedere. A tough team on their day, Naas will need an improved performance to distance themselves from the foot of the table.

Ormond have had a debut season to remember and they show no signs of slowing down. Six wins in succession have increased their hopes not only of a title by the end of the season, but also promotion to 1A. The Tipp men had to weather a late storm in reverse tie and are one of the teams to beat now across the All Ireland League.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, January 2, 2016: Nenagh Ormond 3 Naas 8, New Ormond Park; Saturday, December 7, 2024: Nenagh Ormond 19 Naas 18, New Ormond Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Nenagh Ormond to win

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY (7th) v HIGHFIELD (9th), Dub Lane

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Queen’s University: WLLLWLLWWL; Highfield: WLLLLLLLWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Queen’s University: Points: Jack Murphy 65; Tries: Ben McFarlane, Flynn Longstaff, Lorcan McLoughlin 4 each; Highfield: Points: Shane O’Riordan 61; Tries: Travis Coomey 6

Preview: A big eight-pointer at the Dub, Queen’s are just five points clear of the drop zone, while a win here for Highfield could well put them outside of the relegation zone, for the first time since the early days of the season.

The students had got some good form under their belt to end the first half of the season, but fell to a 51-38 defeat last weekend away to Wesley. When they made a long journey down to Woodleigh Park in early December, it brought a much needed win to help them avert the threat of relegation. Now just over a month later, they need to do the same in their home patch.

Highfield made it back to back wins for the first time this season last time out. The Cork outfit delivered an impressive clinical display to get past Shannon and looked to have turned a corner from their turbulent start to the campaign. Shane O’Riordan was deadly with the boot last weekend, while Travis Coomey dotted down three tries.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, January 27, 2024: Highfield 22 Queen’s University 19, Woodleigh Park; Saturday, December 7, 2024: Highfield 17 Queen’s University 35, Woodleigh Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Queen’s University to win

SHANNON (10th) v OLD BELVEDERE (1st), Thomond Park back pitch

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Shannon: LWLLWLLLLL; Old Belvedere: WWLWWWWWWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Shannon: Points: John O’Sullivan 46; Tries: Adam Moloney, Alex Long, Cian O’Halloran, Eoghan Clarke, Jack O’Donnell, Stephen Kiely 2 each; Old Belvedere: Points: Sam Wisniewski 109; Tries: Calum Dowling 13

Preview: Top play bottom on Shannonside this weekend, as Old Belvedere make the trip down to face Shannon.

Shannon dropped to the basement of the standings last weekend after consecutive defeats at the hands of Highfield. Winless since round 5, they cannot afford to drop more points and allow those above to pull away. Belvo won by 15 points when the pair last men and the hosts will no doubt aim for a tighter performance.

The only way is up for Belvo of late. While they cannot climb any further up the 1B table, they are doing their business well to mount a charge for 1A. Seven wins now in a row for the Ollie Campbell faithful have them a real force to be reckoned with, Shannon can be a tough place to go and with Ormond three points behind, they can’t afford to slip up.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, April 20, 2024: Shannon 8 Old Belvedere 46, Thomond Park back pitch; Saturday, December 7, 2024: Old Belvedere 39 Shannon 24, Ollie Campbell Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Belvedere to win

UCC (5th) v BLACKROCK COLLEGE (4th), the Mardyke

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: UCC: LWWWLLWLLL; Blackrock College: LLWWLWWWLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – UCC: Points: Daniel Squires 75; Tries: Sean Condon 6; Blackrock College: Points: Conor O’Shaughnessy 87; Tries: Ciarán Mangan 5

Preview: Another big eight-pointer this weekend will be down at The Mardyke, UCC have been out to reclaim their spot in the top four and a win over fourth placed Blackrock can further their hopes.

The Leesiders are six adrift of Rock in the standings having suffered three defeats in as many games. It had looked like they would get a result over Nenagh last weekend, but fell painfully short. Tomas O’Leary’s young guns aim for an improved performance, but have just one win in their last three meetings with Rock, suffering defeat in this home game last season.

Blackrock had to dig deep to get the better of Trinity last Saturday, another tie in which Conor O’Shaughnessy shined, tallying 17 points of his team’s 27 point haul. Had we not seen a second half comeback by Trinity in their tie from Round 9, we could be talking about a five game winning run for Rock. Points here can further their hopes at a top four finish.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, April 6, 2024: Blackrock College 19 UCC 26, Stradbrook; Saturday, December 7, 2024: Blackrock College 25 UCC 5, Stradbrook

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Blackrock College to win

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