By the end of today’s Energia AIL Division 1A’s second round, only two teams could remain undefeated: the champions of the Clontarf-Garryowen and Young Munster-Terenure contests. Terenure, successful on their first day, hope to replicate their home win against reigning champions, Cork Con, as they visit Young Munster, who themselves enjoyed an away victory against UCD.
Nevertheless, Terenure’s last triumph at Tom Clifford Park dates back to February 2017. Their journey isn’t helped by the absence of their most recent game-changer, Fintan Gunne, due to his commitment to Leinster, and their dependable centre, Peter Sylvester, who left for Miami following his 50th AIL game for the team last week. Alan Bennie’s experience and Conor Phillips’ speed will lead the way, with Craig Adams moving to play midfield alongside Aran Egan. Chris Cosgrave, the former Leinster player, is set to trial at 10. The potent backline may miss Sylvester’s physicality but will be supported by the return of a healthy Jordan Coughlan off an impressive bench.
Similarly, Young Munster will be without their double-point scorer, Shay McCarthy, due to his obligations with Munster in Parma. Additionally, they will miss the injured fullback Patrick Buckley and suspended tighthead Paul Allen. Filling this void are Shane O’Leary, Jack Shaw and Peter Meyer. As Bryan Fitzgerald is also away on Munster duty, Jack Delaney will step into the midfield for Garryowen. This is one of four changes for their journey to Castle Avenue, with Jamie Heuston, Colm Quilligan and Oisin Cooke also starting.
Clontarf, on the other hand, are dealing with the recall of Aitzol King to the Leinster squad and therefore have called upon Sean Reilly, Victor Allen and Peter Maher. Andrew Smith will move to the fullback position while the pack and halves remain the same.
In the forthcoming match at Temple Hill, Ballynahinch, one of the day one victors, will face Con who have introduced Eoghan Smith at centre and Munster loosehead Mark Donnelly. Lansdowne will host UCD at home, having reintroduced Cathal Eddy as winger and upgraded the former Gonzaga captain Paul Wilson to flanker. UCD, suffering injuries to Mark Hernan and both scrumhalves Rob Gilsenan and Michael Moloney, undertake eight modifications and two strategic role changes; notably, Bobby Sheehan shifting from hooker to blindside.
St Mary’s will encounter four adaptations for their match against Armagh, including Ethan Baxter stepping in for suspended team leader Ronan Waters, following the red card he was shown in the Clontarf match.
The five home victors of last week’s 1B matches are all away against the teams that were defeated on their travels. Nenagh Ormond are heading to Blackrock while Shannon and Old Wesley, both semi-final losers last season, are set for a rematch of the promotion decider they played two years ago – a match Shannon emerged victoriously from. Meanwhile, a local Cork contest sees Highfield visiting UCC.
Corinthians will be playing host to Greystones in a 2A match that sees two of last week’s champions face each other. The Galway club, fresh from their promotion, scored a 27-10 away victory against Ballynahinch last week, led by an impressively young team featuring 19-year-old scorer of two tries, Tomás Farthing.
In their first home encounter in 2A after 12 years, high-scoring Instonians will play against Ballymena. While commemorating their hundredth year, Navan will host Old Crescent and after a long gap of 22 years, Sydney Parade is set to host Monkstown and welcome Bruff for their first AIL match.
The men’s divisions of the Energia All-Ireland League are scheduled to commence at 2.30pm unless stated otherwise. The matches in the Division 1A will include: St. Mary’s College against City of Armagh at Palace Grounds; Garryowen versus Clontarf at Castle Avenue; and UCD facing Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium Back Pitch. Additional matches will feature Ballynahinch against Cork Constitution at Temple Hill and a game between Young Munster and Terenure College at Tom Clifford Park.
This is the confirmation of the fixtures across several divisions.
In Division 1B, the games will be as follows: Blackrock College versus Nenagh Ormond at Stradbrook, Dublin University facing off against Old Belvedere in College Park, Naas taking on Queens at Forenaughts, a match between Shannon and Old Wesley at Thomond Park, and lastly, Highfield visiting UCC at The Mardyke.
Moving on to Division 2A, we have Cashel playing Banbridge at Spafield, Galway Corinthians hosting Greystones at Corinthian Park, Instonians battling it out with Ballymena at Shaws Bridge, a game between MU Barnhall and Buccaneers at Parsonstown, and a match between Navan and Old Crescent at Balreask Old.
Division 2B’s schedule includes Clogher Valley versus Wanderers at The Cran, Malone travelling to Malahide at Estuary Road, Rainey dueling with Galwegians at Hatrick Park, Skerries against UL Bohemian at Holmpatrick, and finally, Sligo welcoming Dungannon at Hamilton Park.
Division 2C will witness Enniscorthy challenging Ballyclare at The Cloughan, Midleton against Belfast Harlequins at Deramore Park, Tullamore playing Clonmel at Ardgaoithe, Dolphin taking on Omagh Academicals at Virgin Media Park, and a showdown of Monkstown against Bruff at Sydney Parade.
In the Women’s Division, all contests will start at 5pm. The fixtures include Blackrock College playing against UL Bohemian at Stradbrook, Ballincollig v Galwegians at Crowley Park, a match between Old Belvedere and Railway Union at Willow Lodge, Cooke playing against Suttonians at JJ McDowell Memorial Ground, and Wicklow visiting Tullow at The Black Gates.