#EnergiaAIL Men’s Divisions 1A & 1B: Round 8 Previews
Terenure College's Aran Egan is pictured in action against Young Munster during the Energia Bateman Cup final in January 2024 ©INPHO/Ben Brady
The Energia All-Ireland League’s penultimate round before the Christmas break kicks off tonight with Lansdowne entertaining UCD, while Saturday’s schedule includes a tough test for Division 1A leaders St. Mary’s College, away to Ballynahinch.
ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1A – ROUND 8:
Saturday, December 6
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
LANSDOWNE (4th) v UCD (9th), Aviva Stadium back pitch, tonight, 7.30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Lansdowne: WLLWWWW; UCD: LWLLLWL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Lansdowne: Points: Charlie Tector, James Tarrant 33 each; Tries: Andy Marks 5; UCD: Points: Paddy Clancy 38; Tries: Duinn Maguire, Daniel Hurley 4 each
Preview: Leinster Academy back rower Liam Molony will start at openside flanker for Lansdowne in their Friday Night Lights clash with UCD. The 22-year-old is back from injury as the only personnel change to the team that won 18-10 against Ballynahinch. Matt Healy shifts to the second row.
Declan Fassbender’s charges are chasing their fifth straight win, and are the current holders of the Sutherland Cup, which is contested whenever these two sides meet. UCD lost both home and away by similar margins last season (25-10 and 25-7), with Tom Murtagh touching down in both games.
Two of Molony’s provincial Academy colleagues, Ruben Moloney and Conor O’Tighearnaigh, will start for UCD, with the former coming in at full-back as one of five changes. Thomas Quinn swaps in for Andrew O’Mahony at scrum half, and Max Doyle, Conor Tonge, and Paul Gerard have been added to the pack.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, September 28, 2024: Lansdowne 25 UCD 10, Aviva Stadium back pitch; Saturday, March 29, 2025: UCD 7 Lansdowne 25, UCD Bowl
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Lansdowne to win
BALLYNAHINCH (5th) v ST. MARY’S COLLEGE (1st), Ballymacarn Park
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Ballynahinch: WLWWLWL; St. Mary’s College: WWWWWLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Ballynahinch: Points: Conor Rankin 31; Tries: Ethan Graham 6; St. Mary’s College: Points: Mick O’Gara 92; Tries: Aaron O’Sullivan 4
Preview: Having lost two of their last three league matches, Ballynahinch are targeting a big performance against the current table toppers, especially with the Energia Bateman Cup final to come next week. The injury-enforced loss of their top try scorer, Ethan Graham, has been a setback.
The ‘Hinch pack is boosted by the inclusion of Bradley Luney, Zack McCall, and Reuben Crothers, the young Ulster back rower who retired from professional rugby in the summer. James Humphreys is joined at half-back by Ruairi Meharg, and Paul Kerr combines with Matthew Booth in the centre.
St. Mary’s College went close to winning at Ballymacarn Park last season, their second-half comeback falling short at 36-33. Mark McHugh’s men have started the 2025/26 campaign with six wins out of seven, and have ace goal-kicker Mick O’Gara (92 points) closing in on a century of points.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 5, 2024: Ballynahinch 36 St. Mary’s College 33, Ballymacarn Park; Saturday, March 22, 2025: St. Mary’s College 34 Ballynahinch 21, Templeville Road
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: St. Mary’s College to win
CORK CONSTITUTION (6th) v OLD BELVEDERE (7th), Temple Hill
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Cork Constitution: LWWLLLW; Old Belvedere: WWLLLLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Cork Constitution: Points: Dylan Hicks, Aidan Moynihan 26 each; Tries: Jack Kelleher 5; Old Belvedere: Points: David Wilkinson 49; Tries: Ryan McMahon 3
Preview: Cork Constitution have Dublin opposition in the last two rounds of the calendar year, as they bid to break back into the top four. This will be their first time hosting Old Belvedere in a league fixture since March 2017, back when a Niall Kenneally-led side came from behind to win 16-10.
Jonny Holland’s current troops got back on track when winning 29-26 away to Young Munster. There are starts tomorrow for Darragh French, at full-back, and the Munster Academy quartet of Dylan Hicks, Michael Foy, Danny Sheahan, and Eoghan Smyth, who scored two tries against the Cookies.
Fresh from winning the inaugural Evan Hill Cup against UCD, Old Belvedere are seeking a strong performance on the road against last season’s beaten finalists. New Leinster cap Josh Ericson will don the number 8 jersey for ‘Belvo, with former Dublin University winger James Dillon handed his first start.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 29, 2016: Old Belvedere 14 Cork Constitution 20, Anglesea Road; Saturday, March 4, 2017: Cork Constitution 16 Old Belvedere 10, Temple Hill
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Cork Constitution to win
NENAGH ORMOND (10th) v CLONTARF (2nd), New Ormond Park
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Nenagh Ormond: LLLLLLL; Clontarf: LWWWWWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Nenagh Ormond: Points: Conor McMahon 36; Tries: Angus Blackmore 3; Clontarf: Points: Conor Kelly 56; Tries: Dylan Donnellan 7
Preview: Despite this being their first ever Energia All-Ireland League meeting, these teams know each quite well from last month’s Bateman Cup semi-final. Clontarf make the return trip to Lisatunny hoping for a repeat result, although the 34-29 scoreline was a little close for comfort by the finish.
Nenagh Ormond rightly took encouragement from that five-try display, and always present a stiff challenge at home. Munster’s Sean O’Brien, a try-scoring debutant against St. Mary’s, moves to midfield to partner Angus Blackmore. Matthew Burke, Mikey Doran, and John Brislane are among the changes up front.
A week out from their Bateman Cup decider against Ballynahinch, second-placed Clontarf have Connacht’s David Hawkshaw making his return from injury at inside centre. He teams up with Leinster’s Hugh Cooney, while Alex Usanov, Niall Smyth, and Alan Spicer are part of a powerful tight five.
Recent League Meetings – N/A
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Clontarf to win
TERENURE COLLEGE (3rd) v YOUNG MUNSTER (8th), Lakelands Park
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Terenure College: WLWWWWL; Young Munster: LLLLWLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Terenure College: Points: Dan Martin 30; Tries: Dan Martin 6; Young Munster: Points: Hubert Gilvarry 40; Tries: Hubert Gilvarry 8
Preview: Young Munster had Terenure College’s number last season, winning 34-30 at home and 20-12 in the penultimate round at Lakelands Park. But on current form, and with Terenure’s starting XV packing a provincial punch, they look poised to gain some revenge on the Cookies.
The Leinster trio of Caspar Gabriel, John McKee, and Josh Kenny, who scored two tries against the Dragons last week, will all start for Carlos Spencer’s men, along with ex-Clontarf scrum half Will Reilly. ‘Nure are aiming to bounce back from their 29-24 loss to reigning champions ‘Tarf.
Young Munster are in a similar boat, having come out on the wrong side of a tight result against Cork Con. Munster’s Evan O’Connell, Conor Bartley, and Luke Murphy will pack down as starters, while Fionn Gibbons has been added to a back-line that features Hubert Gilvarry, the division’s top try scorer with eight tries.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, September 28, 2024: Young Munster 34 Terenure College 30, Tom Clifford Park; Saturday, March 29, 2025: Terenure College 12 Young Munster 20, Lakelands Park
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Terenure College to win
Garryowen and Dublin University played out a pulsating six-try encounter at Dooradoyle last Saturday ©Michael Power
It is top against bottom in Division 1B as pacesetters Old Wesley are looking to make home advantage count against Queen’s University. Elsewhere, UCC and City of Armagh meet in a repeat of last April’s Division 1A promotion/relegation play-off semi-final.
ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1B – ROUND 8:
Saturday, December 6
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY (3rd) v HIGHFIELD (6th), College Park
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Dublin University: WLWWWLW; Highfield: WWLLWLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Dublin University: Points: Matty Lynch 62; Tries: Noah Byrne 7; Highfield: Points: Shane O’Riordan 37; Tries: Nicky Greene 3
Preview: Highfield have lost back-to-back matches for the second time this season, so there is a lot riding on this trip to the capital for James Cronin’s men. Having claimed the scalp of Garryowen, Dublin University remain nicely position in third place, just four points off the summit.
Trinity’s back-three of Noah Byrne, Davy Colbert, and Johnny O’Sullivan are proving difficult to handle, having run in six tries in their last three games. Highfield can look back to last March’s meeting at College Park for confidence, when Shane O’Riordan converted all four tries in a 28-23 away win.
After losing by four points at home to leaders Old Wesley last week, player-coach Cronin has made three changes in personnel. The 35-year-old former Munster and Ireland prop features at loosehead, while Adam Murphy will start at number 8, and Noah Patterson gets the nod on the left wing.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 12, 2024: Highfield 20 Dublin University 26, Woodleigh Park; Saturday, March 22, 2025: Dublin University 23 Highfield 28, College Park
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Dublin University to win
GARRYOWEN (5th) v NAAS (8th), Dooradoyle
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Garryowen: WDWLLWL; Naas: LLLWLWL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Garryowen: Points: Lachlan Stewart 32; Tries: Alex Wood 5; Naas: Points: Paddy Taylor 61; Tries: Paddy Taylor 6
Preview: Garryowen and Naas play each other for the first time since the 2023/24 season. Both teams are aiming to rebound from losing performances last week, with the Light Blues, who have slipped out of the top four, letting a winning position slip through their grasp at home to Trinity.
Munster Academy out-half Tom Wood is set to play for the first time since going off injured during the Ireland Under-20s’ recent defeat to South Africa. He is one of five changes for Garryowen, including a new second row pairing of Jack Costello and Ireland Sevens international Rory Woods.
Tom Bohan’s absence sees Paddy Taylor, Naas’ leading points and try scorer, revert to the out-half position. Dylan O’Keeffe rejoins Charlie Sheridan in the centre, and in the Cobras’ pack, Eoin Walsh returns at number 8, and loosehead Stephen Lackey is promoted from the bench.
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 11, 2023: Naas 41 Garryowen 38, Forenaughts; Saturday, February 17, 2024: Garryowen 56 Naas 5, Dooradoyle
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Garryowen to win
INSTONIANS (2nd) v BLACKROCK COLLEGE (7th), Shaw’s Bridge
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Instonians: WWLWLWW; Blackrock College: LLWWWLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Instonians: Points: Ruairi O’Farrell 32; Tries: Bradley McNamara 5; Blackrock College: Points: Tim Corkery 44; Tries: Matthew Dwan, Harry Waters, Ciarán Mangan, Eoin de Buitléar, Shane Jennings, Inigo Cruise O’Brien 2 each
Preview: Instonians will certainly be on their toes after Highfield threatened to end their excellent home record a fortnight ago. Inst fought back to make it 30 All-Ireland League wins in-a-row at Shaw’s Bridge, and Blackrock College are the next challengers, hunting for a first victory in three rounds.
The Belfast side have Ian Whitten and Marty Vorster back in their starting line-up, and Bradley McNamara, who has earned an Ulster squad call-up as short-term injury cover, features at full-back. After playing ‘in third gear’ against Queen’s University, player-coach Paul Pritchard wants his team to lift their performance level.
With Shane Jennings starting for Connacht this weekend, Leinster Academy talent Ciarán Mangan switches to full-back for Blackrock, who are smarting from a 19-14 defeat at home to UCC. Jamie Rogan and Alex Simpson both start up front, and former UCC sharpshooter Daniel Squires comes in at inside centre.
Recent League Meetings – N/A
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Instonians to win
OLD WESLEY (1st) v QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY (10th), Energia Park
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: Old Wesley: WWWLWWW; Queen’s University: LDLLWLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Old Wesley: Points: Tom Larke 81; Tries: Kieran O’Shea 5; Queen’s University: Points: Daniel Green, Henry Walker 25 each; Tries: Henry Walker 5
Preview: to follow
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, December 14, 2024: Queen’s University 19 Old Wesley 14, Dub Lane; Saturday, January 11, 2025: Old Wesley 51 Queen’s University 38, Energia Park
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Wesley to win
UCC (9th) v CITY OF ARMAGH (4th), the Mardyke
Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form: UCC: LLLLLWW; City of Armagh: LWWWLLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – UCC: Points: Charlie O’Shea 35; Tries: Stephen O’Shaughnessy, Christopher Barrett, Kamil Nowak 3 each; City of Armagh: Points: Owen O’Kane 47; Tries: James McCormick 6
Preview: to follow
Recent League Meetings – Saturday, April 1, 2023: City of Armagh 24 UCC 20, Palace Grounds; Saturday, April 19, 2025: Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Semi-Final: City of Armagh 10 UCC 17, Palace Grounds
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: City of Armagh to win
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