Energia All-Ireland League: Men's Divisions Round 2 Preview

Club and Community

2nd October 2026

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The Energia All-Ireland League continues this weekend with Round 2 of the Men’s Divisions, and after an entertaining opening weekend, another packed programme of fixtures lies ahead. Clubs who hit the ground running will be looking to build some early momentum, while those who suffered opening-day defeats have an immediate opportunity to respond.

The headline attraction in Division 1A is the meeting of St Mary’s College and Clontarf at Templeville Road, a rematch of last season’s final. Mary’s got the better of Clontarf in that decider and also recorded a 32-21 victory in an absorbing contest at this venue in the opening round last season. Clontarf arrive sitting third following their victory over Old Wesley, while fifth placed Mary’s began their title defence by overcoming Lansdowne.

Their mouth watering showdown is available to watch on IrishRugby+.

There is another all Dublin contest at the UCD Bowl, where fourth placed UCD welcome sixth placed Lansdowne. UCD produced one of the standout performances of the opening weekend with a big victory away to Ballynahinch and will look to carry that momentum into their first home outing. They also have recent success in this fixture, having beaten Lansdowne 20-15 at Belfield in January. Lansdowne meanwhile will be eager to respond after their derby defeat to Mary’s.

History will be made at Energia Park as Old Wesley host their first top flight fixture since 1997, with Cork Constitution providing the opposition. Both sides are looking for their opening win after Wesley fell to Clontarf and Con were beaten by Terenure College. Their last meeting came on March 8th, 1997, when Wesley recorded a 23-18 victory on Leeside.

Early leaders Old Belvedere welcome Ballynahinch to Ollie Campbell Park. Belvo won the corresponding Round 2 fixture 32-17 last season, but Ballynahinch gained revenge with an emphatic 38-12 home victory in March. Hinch will be determined to respond to last weekend’s loss to UCD.

Second placed Terenure College complete the 1A programme by welcoming Young Munster to Lakelands Park. Terenure impressed away to Cork Con last weekend, but the Cookies will travel with confidence having won both meetings last season, including a 29-19 victory at Lakelands in December.

Division 1B has its own early heavyweight headline contest as third placed Nenagh Ormond host leaders Naas at New Ormond Park. Both enjoyed winning starts and there has been little between them in recent meetings. Nenagh won 19-18 at this venue in December 2024 before Naas responded with a 27-21 victory a few weeks later.

Fourth placed Garryowen travel to College Park to face Dublin University after opening with a victory over Instonians. Trinity drew with City of Armagh last weekend and won both meetings with Garryowen last season, including a thrilling 31-29 contest at College Park in January.

Instonians and Highfield are both chasing their first victory when they meet at Shaw’s Bridge. Their encounters last season underline how tight this contest could be, with Instonians winning 17-15 at home before Highfield prevailed 38-35 in the return meeting.

MU Barnhall make more history at Parsonstown as they host their first Division 1B fixture, with City of Armagh visiting for the first meeting between the clubs in nine years. Their previous encounter came in Division 2B, where the visitors won 22-18. Barnhall will look to bounce back from defeat to Blackrock, while the Armagh men arrive after drawing with Trinity.

Blackrock College are on the road after their winning start, travelling to the Mardyke to face UCC. The Cork students are seeking their first points after defeat to Naas, while Blackrock will be looking to maintain their early momentum.

Another headline fixture will see the early top two collide at The Dub in Division 2A, where leaders Queen’s University host second placed Cashel. Queen’s began strongly against Shannon, while Cashel overcame newly promoted UL Bohemian. Queen’s won 38-31 when Cashel last visited in December 2022 and will be looking to strengthen their early promotion credentials.

Crowley Park hosts Division 2A rugby for the first time in seven years when Galwegians welcome Shannon. Both are chasing their opening victory after defeats to Dungannon and Queen’s respectively. Their last meeting at Crowley Park came in Division 1B in December 2016, when Wegians ran out 53-12 winners.

Galway Corinthians travel to Greystones after a bruising opening victory over Wanderers. Greystones are aiming to respond following defeat at Ballymena, having beaten Corinthians 36-27 at Dr Hickey Park last October before losing the return fixture by a single point, they will seek a return to better fortunes.

Ballymena head south to face UL Bohemian, Bohs are searching for their first win following defeat to Cashel, while Ballymena arrive after a strong opening display against Greystones. Wanderers and Dungannon round out the 2A programme at Merrion Road, with the visitors aiming for successive wins and Wanderers hoping to build on the positives from their narrow battle with Corinthians.

Division 2B North leaders Clogher Valley travel to Navan looking to make it two wins from two. Clogher have won both previous meetings, including a 24-14 success at Balreask Old in January.

Second placed Skerries also hit the road to face Banbridge at Rifle Park. Skerries impressed against Navan, while Banbridge will be looking to respond after a late defeat to Malone. The clubs have not met since February 2016, when Banbridge won 26-17 at this venue.

Newcomers Enniskillen make their first AIL away trip following a dream bonus point debut against Rainey. They travel to Estuary Road for a first league meeting with Malahide, who are seeking to avoid consecutive defeats.

Rainey welcome Ballyclare to Hatrick Park for another Ulster derby, with Ballyclare aiming to follow their impressive opening win over Sligo with another positive result. Sligo themselves return to Hamilton Park to face Malone, who arrive buoyed by their victory over Banbridge.

In Division 2B South, leaders Bruff have their first home fixture against Bective Rangers. Bruff impressed in beating Buccaneers last weekend, while Bective will be determined to respond following defeat to Old Crescent.

Second placed Dolphin travel to third placed Clonmel in a particularly intriguing Munster contest. Clonmel won 44-17 when they met in last season’s Division 2C semi-final, although Dolphin had taken their previous encounter 33-21, both games played at this weekend's venue, Ard Gaoithe.

Old Crescent welcome Monkstown to Takumi Park for the clubs first AIL meeting, with Crescent looking to build on their bonus point opening success. Midleton also seek consecutive victories when Buccaneers visit Towns Park for another first ever meeting.

Finally, Enniscorthy and Thomond meet at Alcast Park with both searching for their opening victory. It is another first meeting between two clubs adapting to the newly restructured division, bringing the curtain down on a Round 2 programme packed with history, rivalries and opportunities to build early season momentum.