Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Divisions Reach Make Or Break Stage
St. Mary's C0llege will host Lansdowne in the Semi-Final - live on irishrugby+ this week. ©INPHO/Nick Elliot
The Men’s Divisions of the Energia All-Ireland League hit the playoff stages this weekend with two huge semi-finals in Division 1A and exciting promotion/relegation playoffs across the other divisions.
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Divisions
Saturday, April 19, all matches 2.30 unless stated.
Division 1A
In their first season back in Division 1A St. Mary’s (2) have proved to be one of the form teams, playing an exciting brand of rugby. Their reward is a home tie against the reigning Champions and perennial title challengers Cork Constitution (3).
A single point separates them in the table and that was all that separated them in their two meetings this season; a 27-27 draw at Temple Hill and a 29-30 win for Con at Templeville Road. Tune in to irishrugby+ for live coverage of what promises to be a cracking semi-final on Saturday afternoon.
Castle Avenue will provide a raucous backdrop for the other semi-final between Clontarf (1) and Lansdowne (4). Lansdowne won 26-17 back in November while the match in ‘Tarf in January produced 95 points with the home side winning 49-46.
Clontarf won the title in 2022 and lost out to Terenure in 2023; Lansdowne are aiming for their first final since they won in 2018. We’re all set for a big game live on irishrugby+ on Saturday.
Division 1A/1B Playoffs
City of Armagh, who finished 9th in Division 1A, host UCC who edged in to the Top 4 in Division 1B while Nenagh Ormond host Blackrock in the other playoff.
Division 1B/2A Playoffs
Cashel and MU Barnhall are familiar foes in the playoffs having met at this stage last year when the Leinster side pulled off two point win in Cashel before losing to Queens in the promotion final. Can they do the same again and better this season?
College Park is the classic backdrop for Trinity’s Division 1B status match against Greystones, who finished 4th in Division 2B on points difference from Galway Corinthians.
Division 2A/2B Playoffs
Navan, who finsihed 9th in Division 2A, host Galwegians, fourth in Division 2B and there’s an Ulster derby at Stevenson Park as Dungannon face Clogher Valley.
Division 2B/2C Playoffs
Skerries face a difficult task on Saturday afternoon when they face Ballyclare, a club on the rise in their first season in the league. It should be a great day at Holmpatrick for these two well supported sides.
Midleton and Dolphin have met twice already in the league and there was little to choose between the two – a 15 all draw in December followed by an 18-13 win for Midleton at Towns Park. Another tight game in this Cork derby awaits.
