The Energia All-Ireland League returns on Saturday, 10 October, with clubs across the men’s divisions facing a crucial third round before the competition pauses for a week. Several early leaders are protecting perfect records, while a number of well-known sides are still chasing their first points of the campaign.
Energia All-Ireland League Round 3 spotlight
In Division 1A, Old Belvedere sit at the top of the table and will attempt to make it three wins from three when they travel to the Aviva Stadium to face Lansdowne. Belvo produced a high-scoring performance against Ballynahinch last weekend, but Lansdowne are still waiting for their first victory after successive Dublin derby defeats.
The hosts can take encouragement from their 41-34 win in the corresponding fixture last February. However, Old Belvedere’s early form makes them one of the weekend’s teams to watch.
UCD are also unbeaten and face a demanding trip to Castle Avenue to meet Clontarf. The students impressed in their victory over Lansdowne, while Clontarf will be keen to respond after losing to St Mary’s College. The previous meeting at the venue ended in a 29-12 win for Tarf, adding extra interest to a fixture between two ambitious sides.
Champions St Mary’s target another victory
Defending champions St Mary’s College travel to Cork Constitution seeking a third consecutive win. Their opening victories over Lansdowne and Clontarf have made an immediate statement, while Cork Constitution are under pressure after losing their first two matches.
Young Munster host Ballynahinch at Tom Clifford Park in the other Division 1A contest. The Cookies will carry confidence from their win over Terenure, while Ballynahinch need a positive result to move off the bottom of the table.
Division 1B brings several important contests
Nenagh Ormond lead Division 1B and will look to protect their perfect start when Instonians visit New Ormond Park. Nenagh impressed against Naas last weekend, while Instonians are still searching for their first win.
Blackrock College, also unbeaten, face Naas in a Leinster derby. Blackrock edged UCC in a hard-fought contest, whereas Naas will be looking for a response after their defeat to Nenagh.
Dublin University and Highfield meet in Cork after both claimed their first wins of the season. Highfield’s 21-17 victory in the previous meeting at this venue suggests another close game could be in store.
Elsewhere, City of Armagh host UCC, while MU Barnhall travel to Garryowen after securing their first Division 1B win since promotion.
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Strong early form in Division 2A
Cashel are one of the weekend’s leading stories in Division 2A. They have collected bonus-point victories over UL Bohemian and Queen’s University and now welcome winless Galwegians to Spafield.
The most intriguing fixture may be Galway Corinthians against Dungannon. Both clubs have won their opening two matches, with Corinthians collecting maximum points. Their recent home record against Dungannon adds further weight to the western side’s credentials.
Ballymena host Queen’s University in an Ulster derby, while Shannon welcome Wanderers. Greystones and UL Bohemian will both be seeking their first success when they meet at Dr Hickey Park.
Unbeaten sides collide in Division 2B
In Division 2B North, Clogher Valley face Banbridge in the first All-Ireland League meeting between the clubs. Clogher Valley have taken maximum points from their opening fixtures, but Banbridge have shown enough in narrow defeats to suggest they can compete.
Malone and Skerries meet in another unbeaten contest. Both have collected 10 points from 10, making this one of the round’s clearest tests of early-season form. Ballyclare will also defend a perfect record against Malahide, while newcomers Enniskillen chase a third straight win in their debut campaign when Navan visit.
Sligo and Rainey complete the Division 2B North programme, with both clubs aiming to open their accounts.
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Clonmel aim to maintain perfect record
Clonmel lead Division 2B South after two bonus-point wins and travel to Enniscorthy seeking another strong result. The hosts are still without a victory, but their home win over Clonmel last January shows they have already proved capable of causing a surprise in this fixture.
Old Crescent visit Dolphin in an all-Munster encounter, with the Limerick side also chasing a third successive bonus-point victory. Midleton, meanwhile, travel to Bective Rangers after an impressive win over Buccaneers.
Thomond host Buccaneers in a meeting between clubs who have not faced one another since 2008. Thomond will aim to build on their high-scoring victory over Enniscorthy, while Buccaneers are searching for their first win. Monkstown and Bruff round off the division’s programme at Sydney Parade.
What to watch in Round 3
- Can Old Belvedere and UCD remain unbeaten in Division 1A?
- Will St Mary’s College continue their impressive title defence?
- Which side will emerge from the Malone-Skerries unbeaten clash?
- Can Enniskillen make it three wins from three in their debut campaign?
- Will Clonmel preserve their perfect start away to Enniscorthy?
Round 3 should provide an early guide to the promotion race, title challenge and relegation battles across the Energia All-Ireland League. With several unbeaten teams facing one another, Saturday’s results could quickly reshape the standings before the scheduled one-week pause.
Article/Image Courtesy: Irish Rugby
