The sole undefeated team in Division 1A of the Energia AIL, Clontarf, prepares to welcome Terenure, currently positioned second, in a high-stakes clash that echoes the finals of both two and three seasons prior. This reinvigorated rivalry is poised to be a modern classic.
Following their victories over newly promoted teams and UCD, Clontarf faces its steepest challenge yet. There’s only a single adjustment to the lineup, with Andy Wood reinstating loose-head prop Alex Usanov, just one of the many Emerging Ireland and academy stars to feature in today’s fourth round.
Terenure, under the direction of Sean Skehan, introduces four new changes from the team that overpowered Lansdowne two weeks ago. The squad will feature the debut AIL start of 19-year-old Austrian outhalf Casper Gabriel, partnered with Conor McKeon. Max Russell makes a comeback as a hooker, and skipper Luke Clohessy will play his first game of the season.
In another anticipated duel among ‘the big four’, Lansdowne faces reigning champions Cork Con. The half-backs slot is taken up by the Emerging Ireland/Leinster academy pair, Cormac Foley and Charlie Tector. Three valued members, Greg McGrath, Juan Beukes, and Donough Lawlor, will be joining the forwards.
Last year’s double victors, Con, are glad to have welcomed back Emerging Ireland/Munster academy hooker Danny Sheahan, who sits with his relative Jacob on the bench. Daniel Hurley and Louis Kahn are set to return, along with former skipper and renowned club player Aidan Moynihan, who will be on reserves.
UCD gears up to welcome the return of Emerging Ireland lock Conor O’Tighearnaigh, joined by fellow Leinster Academy members, Ruben Moloney, Ben Brownlee, Rory McGuire, and Alan Spicer in a bolstered forwards team for their clash with City Of Armagh at the lower end of the league.
In other matches, Nenagh Ormond gets ready to host Old Belvedere in a 1B premier confrontation. Meanwhile, the leading 2A quartet, all with a perfect record of 15 points, have home matches. Corinthians, the frontrunners, prepare to host Old Crescent at half-past four, marking their first clash in over a decade. Preceding that, Cashel, Instonians and Barnhall are expected to maintain their impenetrable records against Ballymena, Navan and Greystones in their Energia All-Ireland League games.
The schedule for the upcoming Men’s and Women’s divisions is as follows:
In Division 1A for men, UCD will face off against the City of Armagh at the Palace Grounds, while Clontarf squares off against Terenure College at Castle Avenue. Lansdowne is set to compete against Cork Constitution on the Aviva Stadium Back Pitch, and St. Mary’s College will play against Garryowen on Templeville Road. Young Munster will also meet Ballynahinch at Tom Clifford Park, with all matches starting at 2:30pm unless specified.
In the following Division 1B: Blackrock College will encounter Highfield at Stradbrook, Dublin University encounters Queens at College Park. Forenaughts will host the match between Naas and Old Wesley. Nenagh Ormond and Old Belvedere will face each other at New Ormond Park, while Shannon and UCC are set to compete at The Mardyke.
Division 2A will see the likes of Banbridge against Buccaneers at Rifle Park, Cashel challenging Ballymena at Spafield, and Instonians squaring up against Navan at Shaws Bridge. At Parsonstown, MU Barnhall will pit against Greystones, while Galway Corinthians have Old Crescent as rivals at Corinthian Park, this match to commence at 4:30 pm.
Division 2B matches includes Clogher Valley versus UL Bohemian at The Cran, Rainey competing against Dungannon at Hatrick Park, and Skerries up against Malahide at Holmpatrick. At Hamilton Park, Sligo will challenge Malone, and the Wanderers will compete against Galwegians on Merrion Road.
In Division 2C, Ballyclare will be up against Bruff at The Cloughan, with Belfast Harlequins facing Omagh Academicals at Deramore Park, and Dolphin will meet Tullamore at Virgin Media Park. Enniscorthy is scheduled to play against Midleton at Alcast Park, and Monkstown will compete against Clonmel at Sydney Parade.
For the Women’s Division, Old Belvedere will go against UL Bohemian at Ollie Campbell Park at 1 pm. Other matches include Blackrock College contesting Railway Union at Stradbrook, Galwegians versus Cooke at Crowley Park, Suttonians up against Wicklow at JJ McDowell Memorial Grounds, and a match between Tullow and Ballincollig at The Black Gates, with all these matches beginning at 5pm unless indicated.