#EnergiaAIL Men’s Divisions 1A & 1B: Round 12 Previews

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1A – ROUND 12:

Saturday, January 25

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

CITY OF ARMAGH (8th) v YOUNG MUNSTER (6th), Palace Grounds

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: City of Armagh: LLWLWLWLLL; Young Munster: WWLLWLLLWWL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – City of Armagh: Points: Kyle Faloon 82; Tries: Sam Cunningham 5; Young Munster: Points: Julian Leszczynski 83; Tries: Stephen McLoughlin 7

Preview: City of Armagh have lost by 4, 10 and 8 points in the last three rounds, so getting back to winning ways is vital here with only three points now separating them from the relegation play-off spot. Winger Sam Cunningham picked up his fifth try of the season away to Lansdowne.

Armagh have beaten tomorrow’s opponents, Young Munster, twice in the last year, including November’s 31-24 success in Greenfields. The Cookies led by 12 points at half-time against St. Mary’s College last Saturday, but leaked four tries in an eventual 15-point defeat.

Captain Alan Kennedy makes a welcome return to Munsters’ starting line-up, with former Ireland Under-19 winger Ihechi Oji and front rowers Christian Foley and Aaron Roulston completing the changes. They won up in Ballynahinch last season and are hoping for a similar result.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, January 27, 2024: City of Armagh 29 Young Munster 21, Palace Grounds; Saturday, November 16, 2024: Young Munster 24 City of Armagh 31, Tom Clifford Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Young Munster to win

CLONTARF (2nd) v LANSDOWNE (7th), Castle Avenue

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Clontarf: WWWLWWLWWW; Lansdowne: LWLWLLWWLWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Clontarf: Points: Conor Kelly 115; Tries: Tadhg Bird 7; Lansdowne: Points: Stephen Madigan 47; Tries: Andy Marks 7

Preview: A massive Dublin derby to bring these teams two-thirds of the way into the regular season. Clontarf put six tries past Ballynahinch to make it three wins on the trot, but they are without Ireland development player Hugh Cooney and Leinster’s Alex Soroka and Brian Deeny tomorrow.

Mark O’Sullivan and Stephen Ryan are added to ‘Tarf’s back-three, with James Conroy switching to outside centre. Jim Peters and Callum Smith come into the Dylan Donnellan-led pack. Winning at Castle Avenue could be huge for Lansdowne’s play-off hopes.

The headquarters club managed to win 29-26 away to the north Dubliners twelve months ago, thanks to a late Rory Parata try. For this rematch, Andy Marks, the division’s joint-top try scorer (7), and Hugo McLaughlin return behind a pack which includes Jerry Cahir, Chris Poole, and Hardus van Eeden as changes.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, January 20, 2024: Clontarf 26 Lansdowne 29, Castle Avenue; Saturday, November 16, 2024: Lansdowne 26 Clontarf 17, Aviva Stadium back pitch

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Clontarf to win

GARRYOWEN (10th) v TERENURE COLLEGE (4th), Dooradoyle

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Garryowen: WLLLLLLLLLL; Terenure College: WLWWLLWWWDW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Garryowen: Points: Dylan Hicks 33; Tries: Donnacha Byrne 4; Terenure College: Points: Chris Cosgrave 73; Tries: Craig Adams 6

Preview: Bottom side Garryowen were well beaten by Cork Constitution last Saturday, outscored by seven tries to one in the end. Kelvin Langan and Ronan Quinn move to out-half and full-back respectively for the visit of Terenure College, who ran out 42-26 winners of November’s encounter.

Josh Boland, Lars Linnenbank, and Visiano Vaohea are all promoted from the bench for the Light Blues. Tightening up their defence is a must for the Limerick men as fourth-placed Terenure are currently the second highest scores in the division, averaging 27.3 points per game.

Unbeaten in their last five outings, including last week’s 25-11 success against UCD, ‘Nure make three changes in personnel. Conor Phillips comes in on the right wing for Henry McErlean who starts for Leinster tomorrow, and scrum half Chris O’Connor and hooker Max Russell also feature.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, March 25, 2023: Terenure College 52 Garryowen 0, Lakelands Park; Saturday, November 16, 2024: Terenure College 42 Garryowen 26, Lakelands Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Terenure College to win

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE (1st) v CORK CONSTITUTION (3rd), Templeville Road

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: St. Mary’s College: LWLWWWDWWLW; Cork Constitution: LWWLLWDWWWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – St. Mary’s College: Points: Conor Hayes 77; Tries: Mark Fogarty 6; Cork Constitution: Points: James Taylor 62; Tries: Sean French 6

Preview: Leaders St. Mary’s College entertain Cork Constitution in a league fixture for the first time in seven years. Last season’s champions in the top two tiers go head-to-head, and the teams, who played out an absorbing 27-all draw in November, are only currently split by three points in the table.

Daniel Hurley, a late withdrawal last week, and Aidan Moynihan are Cork Con’s only changes, with Danny Sheahan’s involvement with Munster seeing George Good drafted onto the bench. St. Mary’s are eager to improve their home form after losses to Clontarf and Lansdowne.

This is an acid test of Mary’s title credentials, and former Leinster winger Michael Silvester dons the number 11 jersey in their only change to the team that won 35-20 at Young Munster. Captains Ronan Watters and David Hyland are set for a key individual match-up between the number 8s.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, January 27, 2018: St. Mary’s College 18 Cork Constitution 16, Templeville Road; Saturday, November 16, 2024: Cork Constitution 27 St. Mary’s College 27, Temple Hill

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Cork Constitution to win

UCD (9th) v BALLYNAHINCH (5th), UCD Bowl

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: UCD: LLLWLWLLLLL; Ballynahinch: WLWWWWWLLDL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – UCD: Points: James Tarrant 51; Tries: Bobby Sheehan 5; Ballynahinch: Points: Conor Rankin 62; Tries: Claytan Milligan 7

Preview: Both of these teams hit a sticky patch either side of Christmas. Second-from-bottom UCD have lost five straight matches, while former table toppers Ballynahinch are without a win in four outings. Another tight tussle is likely, judging by November’s hotly-contested first meeting.

George Pringle’s last-gasp try was enough for ‘Hinch to take a 24-19 verdict despite a below-par performance. Leinster Academy centre Ben Brownlee starts tomorrow for a revenge-seeking UCD, and most of their changes are up front where Hugo O’Malley, Michael Colreavy, Gerry Hill, and Conor Tonge are all brought in.

Injuries are having an impact on ‘Hinch’s selection options, and tomorrow will see Paul Kerr replace Pringle at inside centre. Ulster’s James Humphreys and Conor McKee lead the back-line again, while their provincial colleague Reuben Crothers resumes in a back that has Bryn Ward at number 8.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, January 27, 2024: Ballynahinch 40 UCD 13, Ballymacarn Park; Saturday, November 16, 2024: Ballynahinch 24 UCD 19, Ballymacarn Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Ballynahinch to win

Dublin University combine their Dudley Cup defence with the pursuit of much-needed Energia All-Ireland League points, as UCC pay them a visit. Elsewhere in Division 1B, Nenagh Ormond and Shannon meet in a Munster derby in Lisatunny.

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1B – ROUND 12:

Saturday, January 25

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

BLACKROCK COLLEGE (4th) v NAAS (7th), Stradbrook, 2pm

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Blackrock College: LLWWLWWWLWL; Naas: LWWLWLLLLLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Blackrock College: Points: Conor O’Shaughnessy 87; Tries: Ciarán Mangan 5; Naas: Points: Peter Osborne 83; Tries: Jack Sheridan, Paddy Taylor 6 each

Preview: A Leinster derby with a lot on the line. Losing two of their last three games means Blackrock College have UCC snapping at their heels for fourth place. Naas, meanwhile, gave themselves a timely lift by beating high-flying Nenagh Ormond, leaving them nine points behind Blackrock.

Captain Roy Whelan returns in the second row for the Dubliners, with former skipper Brian Colclough also back in the full-back position, and centre Matthew McCarthy is the third and final change. ‘Rock were 31-24 winners when they last visited Forenaughts almost a year ago.

After the Naas pack impressed against a highly-rated Nenagh eight, Cobras head Johne Murphy has freshened things up with Stephen Lackey, Eoin Walsh, and Darragh Murphy, who starts at number 8, all drafted in. Coming in at full-back, Peter Osborne is set for his 164th AIL appearance for the club.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, February 10, 2024: Naas 24 Blackrock College 31, Forenaughts; Saturday, November 16, 2024: Naas 10 Blackrock College 38, Forenaughts

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Blackrock College to win

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY (8th) v UCC (5th), College Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Dublin University: LLWWLWLLWLL; UCC: LWWWLLWLLLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Dublin University: Points: Matty Lynch 39; Tries: Oscar Cawley 5; UCC: Points: Daniel Squires 75; Tries: Sean Condon 6

Preview: Captain Louis McDonough (pictured above) made his 50th AIL appearance for Dublin University last week against Old Wesley. Results have not been going their way, but the all-action McDonough is the type of player who could get them out of their current bind, beginning with retaining the Dudley Cup.

The winners of the blue riband senior intervarsity competition for this season will be decided at College Park, and Trinity will face a stiff test from UCC, the 26-17 conquerors of Blackrock. The Cork students’ pack is unchanged, but Dave Cogan replaces Rory O’Shaughnessy at inside centre.

Meanwhile, Tony Smeeth’s young guns, who lost 25-20 at the Mardyke in November, will line out with a rejigged back-line, which has Matty Lynch reverting to the full-back role and Hugh O’Kennedy slotting back in at out-half. There are also starts for Noah Byrne, Mark Walsh, and Conall Henchy.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, January 15, 2022: UCC 0 Dublin University 55, the Mardyke; Saturday, November 16, 2024: UCC 25 Dublin University 20, the Mardyke

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: UCC to win

HIGHFIELD (9th) v OLD WESLEY (3rd), Woodleigh Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Highfield: WLLLLLLLWWL; Old Wesley: WLDWLWWWLWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Highfield: Points: Shane O’Riordan 65; Tries: Travis Coomey 7; Old Wesley: Points: Ian Cassidy 105; Tries: Paidi Farrell 6

Preview: Old Wesley have had the measure of Highfield in the last three meetings, including a convincing 55-14 home victory in mid-November. Ireland Under-20 squad member Paidi Farrell scored a brace of tries during that game, and added his sixth away to Trinity last week.

Australian scrum half Willem Johnstone and Tipperary youngster Cathal Kelly, who starts at blindside flanker, are Wesley’s two changes in personnel. Highfield’s defence continues to be porous, with Queen’s University outscoring them by eight tries to four in the last round.

Rob Murphy, Miah Cronin, and Mark Dorgan are all promoted from the Highfield bench to start in the capital. Colin O’Neill, who has only played twice earlier on in the campaign, will wear the number 15 jersey. Flanker Dave O’Connell is their top lineout jumper with 46 lineout takes and five steals.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, January 20, 2024: Old Wesley 38 Highfield 17, Energia Park; Saturday, November 16, 2024: Old Wesley 55 Highfield 14, Energia Park

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Wesley to win

NENAGH ORMOND (2nd) v SHANNON (10th), New Ormond Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Nenagh Ormond: WWDLWWWWWWL; Shannon: LWLLWLLLLLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Nenagh Ormond: Points: Conor McMahon 114; Tries: Dylan Murphy 5; Shannon: Points: John O’Sullivan 46; Tries: Oisin Minogue 4

Preview: Since being promoted to the second tier, Nenagh Ormond had only lost one league match up until last Saturday in Naas. They responded to that first setback with seven wins on the bounce, and beating Shannon tomorrow would similarly put them back on the right track.

Conor McMahon, the division’s top scorer with 114 points, is reunited with his regular centre partner Angus Blackmore, while the Nenagh selection also sees Josh Rowland, Brian O’Rourke, and Joe Coffey come in as starters. Player/head coach Derek Corcoran is on the bench.

Bottom side Shannon fought back for a losing bonus point against table toppers Old Belvedere, and they took a lot out of that display both individually and collectively. Young back rower Oisin Minogue, an Ireland U-19 international season, swept over for a hat-trick of second half tries.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 16, 2024: Shannon 15 Nenagh Ormond 42, Thomond Park back pitch

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Nenagh Ormond to win

OLD BELVEDERE (1st) v QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY (6th), Ollie Campbell Park

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Old Belvedere: WWLWWWWWWWW; Queen’s University: WLLLWLLWWLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Old Belvedere: Points: Sam Wisniewski 109; Tries: Calum Dowling 13; Queen’s University: Points: Jack Murphy 65; Tries: Lorcan McLoughlin 7

Preview: Jack Keating, the division’s joint-second leading try scorer with seven, will be hoping to add to his tally when Old Belvedere clash with Queen’s University. Prop Adam Howard is the only other change as Belvedere look to seal a season’s double over the Belfast outfit.

Queen’s are again missing some of their Ulster talent, including Lorcan McLoughlin who makes his first senior start for the province at the age of 22. However, there are eight Ulster Academy players retained, led by captain Charlie Irvine, and Ulster prop recruit Bryan O’Connor is part of the front row.

Queen’s forwards Zac Solomon and Tom Brigg are among the most effective tacklers in the division, with 284 successful tackles between them. Brigg has also made a division-high 17 dominant tackles, two ahead of Belvedere’s Jayden Beckett, who is also the second leading offloader with 15.

Recent League Meetings – Saturday, January 20, 2024: Queen’s University 19 Old Belvedere 22, Dub Lane; Saturday, November 16, 2024: Queen’s University 24 Old Belvedere 43, Dub Lane

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Belvedere to win

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