Saturday sees reigning champions Cork Constitution square off against Clontarf at Temple Hill in a rematch of last April’s unforgettable semi-final when the hosting team triumphed 40-34, albeit under very distinct circumstances this time. Clontarf leads the table, showing a six-point lead over Con in the number seven spot; both teams are aiming to recover from their disappointing defeats against Terenure and Lansdowne respectively, in the preceding week.
Con introduces Danny Sheahan from the Munster academy and Emerging Ireland as hooker, while Killian Coughlan is moved up at outside centre and Seán Duffy at lock. Matthew Bowen continues as fullback. Alternatively, Andy Wood has spun his entire frontrow, with Barry Gray headlining and the high-scoring Dylan Donnellan on the substitutes list. He is also advancing lock Jim Peters and centre Victor Allen.
Trailing Clontarf by one, Terenure positions Fintan Gunne alongside fellow academy halfback Casper Gabriel for the first time playing against City of Armagh at home. This pairing is seen as notably promising. Loosehead Marcus Hanan starts while Armagh introduces Evin Crummie at outhalf, prop Niall Carville, and backrower Barry Finn to a squad showcasing centre Sam Berman whose performance last season with Terenure landed him a spot on the Ulster academy team.
Young Munster and Lansdowne, the 6th and 5th place holders boasting 10 points each, will clash at Tom Clifford Park. Munsters, having lost last week’s home match against Ballynahinch 26-25 resulting in a complete defeat for all six Limerick teams, are adding scrumhalf Jake O’Riordon and loosehead Peter Meyer to the roster. With the absences of Cormac Foley and Charlie Tector, Lansdowne recruits James Kenny and James McMahon as halfbacks.
A thrilling face-off is on the horizon in the Ballynahinch-Garryowen match, with Ireland Athletics winger Zac Ward squaring off against Diarmuid Kilgallen who’s recently signed by Munster from Connacht post his hamstring injury recovery. Garryowen is also fielding Brian Gleeson alongside Academy pairs Jack Oliver and Dylan Hicks.
Ben Brownlee, a centre, and Diarmuid Mangan, a number eight, are back to strengthen the UCD side which includes fellow Leinster academy players Rory McGuire, Ruben Moloney, Conor Ó Tighearnaigh, and Alan Spicer as they prepare for St Mary’s visit. The opposition have made three alterations in the forward line although their imposing backline remains unchanged. Fresh from a decisive win at Nenagh Ormond which saw them ascend to the 1B top spot, Old Belvedere are once again on the move, this time taking a short trip to confront Old Wesley in Donnybrook.
In another match, second-place UCC travels to Naas, while Nenagh plays host to Highfield and Blackrock is bound for Queen’s -mediating a division that is both fiercely contested and highly volatile. This is notably displayed in the Thomond Park encounter between recently relegated foes, Shannon and Trinity, currently placed ninth and seventh respectively.
This season’s standout 2A fixture sees a group of Corinthians, sporting an average age just shy of 20, hosting Instonians at Tuam Road, each team having pocketed four bonus point victories to their name. Despite suffering only two losses in their last 40 AIL encounters at Corinthian Park, Instonians was dealt one of these blows last season by the versatile playing style of Corinthians, led by outhalf Seán Naughton. However, Instonians can boast a strong maul, demonstrated by hooker Neil Saulters’s seven tries to date.
Saturday’s All-Ireland League line-up (kick-off at 2.30 unless otherwise specified) includes:
Men’s
Division 1A: Terenure vs City of Armagh at Lakelands Park, Ballynahinch vs Garryowen at Ballymacarn Park, UCD against St. Mary’s College at Belfield, Cork Constitution facing Clontarf at Temple Hill, and Young Munster vs Lansdowne at Tom Clifford Park.
Division 1B: Naas vs UCC at Forenaughts, Queen’s against Blackrock College at Dub Lane, Shannon vs Dublin University at Thomond Park, Highfield vs Nenagh Ormond at Towns Park, and Old Wesley facing off against Old Belvedere at Energia Park.
Division 2A: Competitions at Eaton Park between Ballymena and Banbridge, Navan and MU Barnhall at Balreask Old, Galway Corinthians against Instonians at Corinthian Park, matches at Dr. Hickey Park featuring Greystones and Cashel, and Old Crescent against Buccaneers at Takumi Park.
In the Division 2B match line-up, Dungannon is set to compete against Clogher Valley at Stevenson Park, whilst Malahide faces off against Rainey on the Estuary Road pitch. Moreover, Galwegians achieve a tilt with Malone at Gibson Park, and Sligo squares off with Skerries at Hamilton Park. In another duel, Wanderers will aim to best UL Bohemian at the UL 4G arena.
Over in Division 2C, Kilballyowen Park will see Bruff clashing with Enniscorthy. Simultaneously, Hometown Clonmel confronts Belfast Harlequins at Ardgaoithe. Dolphin would like to outdo Monkstown, with the challenge taking place at Virgin Media Park while Omagh Academicals will grapple with Ballyclare at Thomas Mellon Playing Fields. Furthermore, Midleton meets their match in Tullamore at Spollanstown.
The Women’s Division, with games commencing at 5 pm unless otherwise noted, have Ballincollig pitted against Old Belvedere at Tanner Park (notably at 3 pm). In other matches, Cooke takes on UL Bohemian at Shaws Bridge, Willow Lodge hosts a showdown between Railway Union and Suttonians, while Wicklow is up against Blackrock College at Ashtown Lane.
In the schedule for the Men’s All-Ireland Junior Cup’s first round, with matches kicking off at 2.30 pm unless informed otherwise, Connemara will lock horns with City of Derry at Monastery Field, with Kilfeacle & District versus Cooke taking place at Shaws Bridge. Other face-offs include Dunmore against Seapoint on Fairgreen Pitches, Enniskillen tangling with Tuam at Ardgart, Mallow challenging Bective Rangers at The Beeches, Newcastle West aiming to take down Suttonians at JJ McDowell Memorial Ground, Dromore squaring off with Thomond at Liam Fitzgerald Park, and Tullow playing against Creggs on Rathoe Road.