Energia All-Ireland League Men's Divisions: Round 3 Review

Club and Community

10th October 2026

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Round 3 delivered another dramatic afternoon of Energia All-Ireland League action, with unbeaten records falling and the early-season battles gathering momentum across the divisions. Lansdowne handed Old Belvedere their first defeat of the campaign in Division 1A, while defending champions St Mary’s College suffered their first loss away to Cork Constitution.

Nenagh Ormond’s perfect start in 1B came to an end against Instonians, while Cashel, Ballymena and Dungannon maintained their winning runs in 2A. Ballyclare, Enniskillen, Malone and Clogher Valley all made it three victories from three in 2B North, while Clonmel and Old Crescent continued their impressive starts in 2B South with a third successive maximum-point haul.

Clontarf moved to the top of Division 1A with a commanding 61-15 victory over previously unbeaten UCD at Castle Avenue, running in nine tries to collect their second bonus-point victory of the season.

The home side made a blistering start, with Peter Maher crossing after just four minutes before Brian Deeny and Matthew Brennan added further scores inside the opening quarter. A penalty try helped Clontarf establish a 26-3 half-time advantage, leaving UCD with a mountain to climb.

Clontarf continued to dominate after the restart, with Dylan O’Grady, Sam Owens, Dylan Donnellan, Daniel Hawkshaw and Sean Finlay all crossing as the hosts completed an emphatic afternoon. Conor Kelly added seven conversions, while UCD's response came through second half tries from Tom O’Riordan and Joe Christie.

Lansdowne produced one of the standout results of the weekend to record their first win, overturning a 19-7 half-time deficit to defeat Old Belvedere 35-26 at the Aviva Stadium and inflict the visitors first defeat of the campaign.

Belvedere looked well placed at the interval after tries from Edward Byrne, Chris O’Connor and Patrick Dowling, but Lansdowne produced an outstanding second-half response.

Paul Wilson crossed shortly after the restart before Dylan O’Keeffe struck twice in the space of seven minutes to turn the contest around. Juan Beukes added a fifth try in the 76th minute, with Michael Moloney converting all five Lansdowne scores. Fionn McWey grabbed a late bonus point try for Belvedere, but it was Lansdowne who celebrated their first victory of the season.

Defending champions St Mary’s College also tasted defeat for the first time, losing 25-24 to Cork Constitution in a dramatic finish at Temple Hill, as Con recorded their first win of the campaign.

Mary’s led 21-17 at half-time after tries from Ruairi Shields, Myles Carey and Leandro Ramirez, while Michael Hand and Billy Scannell crossed for the hosts during an entertaining opening period.

George Good’s 70th minute try brought Cork Con back into contention before Mick O’Gara landed a penalty four minutes later to give Mary’s a narrow advantage. However, Dylan Hicks had the final say, striking a penalty three minutes into stoppage time to secure Cork Con’s first victory of the campaign.

Terenure College returned to winning ways with a 34-26 victory over Old Wesley at Lakelands Park. Jordan Coghlan, Ben Blaney and Max Russell all crossed during a strong opening half as Terenure established a 27-12 interval advantage.

Old Wesley fought back through tries from Stephen Smyth, Paidi Farrell and David Maher, but Griffin Culver’s 68th minute score ensured Terenure collected the points.

Young Munster also made it back to back victories, defeating Ballynahinch 32-14 at Tom Clifford Park. Benn Dalle Cort crossed late in the opening half before Luke Murphy, Oisin Minogue, Paul Allen and Benjamin Whatley added second-half tries. Ballynahinch responded through Claytan Milligan and Mahon Ronan but remain without a league point after three rounds.

Division 1B produced another series of eye catching results, with Naas and Highfield moving to the top of the standings on ten points, alongside Nenagh Ormond, whose unbeaten start came to an end.

Naas delivered one of the performances of the round, defeating previously unbeaten Blackrock College 54-14 at Forenaughts.

The hosts ran in eight tries, with Paddy Taylor crossing twice and Tadhg Brophy, Cormac King, Charlie Sheridan, Cillian Redmond, David O’Sullivan and Lorenzo Palacio also getting on the scoresheet. Daniel Ticklepenny converted seven of the eight tries as Naas secured their second victory of the season in emphatic fashion.

Highfield were equally impressive, running out 57-29 winners over Dublin University at Woodleigh Park in a contest that produced 13 tries.

Captain Jamie Shanahan completed a first half hat-trick, while Travis Coomey crossed twice as Highfield raced into a 35-12 advantage at the interval. Michael Kennedy, James Brugger and Zach Piper added further scores after the restart, with Trinity responding through five tries of their own.

Nenagh Ormond’s perfect start was halted by Instonians, who secured an impressive 23-21 away victory at New Ormond Park.

The visitors established an 18-7 half-time advantage through tries from Oli Clark and Bevan Prinsloo, while Josh Eagleson contributed with the boot. Adam Boyd added a third Instonians try after the break, but Nenagh fought back through Luke Jamie Graham and Roman Salanoa.

Jonty Stewart converted all three home tries, including Salanoa’s 73rd minute effort, but Instonians held firm to record their first victory of the campaign.

City of Armagh continued their climb up the table with a 24-12 victory over UCC at the Palace Grounds. Fred Harris and Ethan Graham crossed in the opening half before Scott Wilson and Sam Cunningham secured the bonus point after the restart. Jack Casey crossed for both UCC tries.

MU Barnhall also made it two consecutive victories, edging Garryowen 28-24 at Dooradoyle. Neil Byrne was instrumental in the win, contributing 13 points from the tee, while Finn Brien, Dylan Bruton and Oisin O’Neill touched down as Barnhall held off a determined Garryowen challenge.

Cashel remain the only side in Division 2A with a maximum 15 points after making it three bonus point victories from three with a 33-12 win over Galwegians at Spafield.

Philly Ryan opened the scoring after seven minutes before Timothy Townsend crossed in first half stoppage time to establish a 14-5 interval advantage. Townsend completed his double after the restart, with Matias Masetti and Ben Twomey adding further tries as Cashel maintained their excellent start.

Ballymena are just a point behind after extending their unbeaten run with a 26-19 victory over Queen’s University at Eaton Park.

The sides were level at 12-12 at half-time, with Callum Davidson and Ryan McDowell crossing for Ballymena. Queen’s remained in contention through a Connor McVicker double, but late tries from James McClean and Paddy Browne ensured Ballymena collected another bonus-point victory.

Dungannon also made it three wins from three with an impressive 27-7 success away to previously unbeaten Corinthians at Dangan.

The Galway side struck first through Sean Walsh, but Dungannon took control with three tries before the interval. James McMahon and Peter Nelson crossed before John Carroll added a third in first half stoppage time to establish a 21-7 advantage.

Nelson then landed two second half penalties to complete a 17 point personal contribution, helping Dungannon move to 13 points and remain firmly among the early contenders.

Wanderers registered their first victory of the season with a 32-24 win away to Shannon at Thomond Park’s back pitch. Lexi O’Connor crossed twice in the opening half, with Matthew Sherwin adding another as Wanderers led 22-5 at the interval.

Shannon responded through tries from Ryan Duffy, Cian McCann and Cian O’Halloran after the restart, but Jordan Conroy’s 71st minute score and a late Bill Johnson penalty helped Wanderers secure the win.

UL Bohemian also opened their winning account, edging Greystones 38-34 in a high-scoring contest at Dr Hickey Park. The hosts made a flying start and led 21-17 at half-time, but UL Bohs responded with second-half tries from Liam Neilan, Kean Sheehy and Rhys Dixon to claim a bonus point victory.

Division 2B North continues to produce a fiercely competitive early-season picture, with Ballyclare, Enniskillen and Malone all collecting maximum points from their opening three fixtures, while Clogher Valley remain unbeaten just one point behind.

Ballyclare maintained their place at the summit following an extraordinary 62-41 victory over Malahide in a contest that produced 16 tries.

The hosts raced into a 40-15 half-time advantage, with Alex Darrah crossing twice and adding six conversions. Joel McBride also completed a double, while Adam Barron, Peter Gillespie, Luke McIlwrath, Josh Cowan and Jacob Scarlett contributed tries in a nine try performance.

Malahide refused to go quietly, scoring seven tries of their own, including doubles from David O’Halloran and Tom Hogan, but Ballyclare’s attacking display ensured they collected another maximum return.

Enniskillen’s remarkable introduction to Energia AIL rugby continued with a commanding 50-19 victory over Navan, making it three bonus-point wins from their first three matches in the competition.

The hosts were already 38-7 ahead at half-time following a devastating opening period. Henry Keys got the scoring underway after just three minutes before Oisin Timoney, Sam Balfour and James Trotter added further tries.

Michael Rooney crossed twice, while Clarke Balfour and George Foster also touched down as Enniskillen finished with eight tries. Adam Chester added four conversions and Eddie Keys one as the newly promoted side continued their outstanding start to life in the league.

Malone also maintained their perfect record, defeating Skerries 32-26 in an entertaining encounter at Gibson Park.

Skerries led 19-15 at half-time after tries from Hugo Lennox, Kevin McGrath and Peter O’Neill, but Malone responded strongly after the restart.

Sam Green completed a double, while Cameron McCaughey also crossed twice, including a crucial score in the 71st minute. Chris Cosgrave added another try and a penalty as Malone collected their third successive bonus point victory.

Clogher Valley had to dig deep to preserve their unbeaten record, edging Banbridge 25-24 at The Cran in Fivemiletown.

Banbridge led 10-8 at half-time and remained firmly in contention throughout, with Zac Solomon and Daniel Kilpatrick crossing. Clogher responded through tries from Taine Haire, Ryan Stewart and Ewan Haire, but a late Peter Cromie try threatened to give the visitors victory. David Maxwell proved decisive, landing a 79th minute penalty to secure a one-point win.

Sligo recorded their first victory of the season with a 29-10 success over Rainey at Hamilton Park. The sides were level at 10-10 at the break before Sligo pulled clear through second-half tries from Shane O’Hehir, Tane Leatherby and Andrew Ryan. O’Hehir and Leatherby both finished with doubles as Sligo secured the bonus point.

Clonmel and Old Crescent continued their impressive starts to Division 2B South, with both making it three maximum point victories from three.

Clonmel were convincing 40-7 winners away to Enniscorthy at Alcast Park, producing another powerful attacking display to remain unbeaten.

Michael Connellan opened the scoring after six minutes before Jason Monua crossed twice in quick succession. AJ Thomas added the bonus-point try before half-time as Clonmel established a commanding 26-0 interval advantage.

Captain Henry Buttimer crossed twice after the restart, with Joey O’Connor converting five of the six tries. Enniscorthy’s response came through a second half Philip Murphy try, but Clonmel were comfortable winners.

Old Crescent also maintained their perfect start, running in eight tries in a 54-22 victory away to Dolphin at Virgin Media Park.

Ben Daly opened the scoring after five minutes before Brian Molloy and Jed O’Dwyer added further first-half tries to establish a 19-8 advantage.

The visitors accelerated after the restart, with John Lyons crossing twice, while Daly and Molloy also completed doubles. A penalty try rounded off the scoring as Crescent collected another maximum return.

Bective Rangers continued their recovery from an opening-round defeat with a hard fought 15-7 victory over Midleton at Energia Park.

Midleton led 7-3 at half-time after a JB Du Toit try, but Bective turned the contest around after the interval. Chris Poole crossed in the 49th minute before Tiarnan McCloskey added a second try to secure a consecutive victory for the hosts.

Monkstown also recorded their first win of the season, overcoming Bruff 31-16 at Sydney Parade. The visitors led 16-14 at half-time, but Monkstown produced a strong second-half response.

Cian O’Donoghue crossed twice, with Saul O’Carroll and Tom Griffin also touching down, while Andrew O’Leary added two conversions and a penalty to help the hosts pull clear.

Buccaneers produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the afternoon, snatching a 26-24 victory away to Thomond at Liam Fitzgerald Park.

The hosts led 14-12 at half-time following tries from Sam Birrane and Colin Slater, before Kealan McMahon added another in the second period. However, Buccaneers remained in contention through tries from Matthew Zander, James Kelly and Conor Dowling.

An Evan Cusack penalty in the 77th minute edged Thomond ahead, but Jack Quinn held his nerve to land the winning penalty four minutes into stoppage time and secure Buccaneers’ first victory of the campaign.