The Energia All-Ireland League returns for Round 2 with early momentum already at stake across the men’s divisions. From a repeat of last season’s Division 1A final to a series of intriguing provincial and Ulster contests, this weekend’s Irish rugby schedule offers plenty for supporters to follow.
Every match kicks off at 2.30pm unless otherwise stated, with clubs chasing valuable points, a second successive win or a quick response after opening-day disappointment.
Irish rugby spotlight falls on St Mary’s and Clontarf
The standout Division 1A fixture takes place at Templeville Road, where defending champions St Mary’s College welcome Clontarf in a repeat of last season’s final. Mary’s opened their title defence with victory over Lansdowne, while Clontarf began with a win against Old Wesley.
The hosts will have good memories of this fixture after beating Clontarf 32-21 at the same venue during last season’s campaign. Clontarf, however, sit above Mary’s in the early table and will be keen to underline their own title ambitions. The match will be available to watch on IrishRugby+.
Elsewhere, UCD entertain Lansdowne at the UCD Bowl. UCD made one of the strongest starts of the opening round with a convincing away win over Ballynahinch, while Lansdowne must regroup after losing to Mary’s. UCD also won the previous meeting at Belfield, edging Lansdowne 20-15 in January.
History awaits at Energia Park
Old Wesley will host their first top-flight fixture since 1997 when Cork Constitution visit Energia Park. Both sides are seeking their first points after opening defeats, although the historical record gives Wesley encouragement: their last meeting, in March 1997, ended in a 23-18 win for the Dublin club.
Early leaders Old Belvedere face Ballynahinch at Ollie Campbell Park, while Terenure College host Young Munster at Lakelands Park. Terenure impressed in their opening victory over Cork Constitution, but Young Munster won both meetings between the sides last season.
Division 1B features another battle between early contenders
Nenagh Ormond and Naas meet at New Ormond Park in one of the weekend’s most appealing Division 1B fixtures. Both clubs won on the opening day, and recent meetings suggest a closely fought contest. Nenagh won 19-18 at home in December 2024 before Naas responded with a 27-21 victory weeks later.
Dublin University welcome Garryowen to College Park after drawing with City of Armagh, while Garryowen began with a win against Instonians. Trinity won both meetings last season, including a dramatic 31-29 home success.
Instonians host Highfield at Shaw’s Bridge, with both teams searching for their first win. MU Barnhall make history by staging their first Division 1B home fixture at Parsonstown, where City of Armagh provide the opposition. UCC and Blackrock College complete the division’s programme at the Mardyke.
Promotion ambitions take centre stage in Division 2A
Queen’s University and Cashel meet at The Dub with the early top two facing off. Queen’s impressed against Shannon, while Cashel overcame newly promoted UL Bohemian. Queen’s won the last meeting at this venue in December 2022 and will hope to strengthen their promotion credentials.
Galwegians return to Crowley Park for the first Division 2A game there in seven years, hosting Shannon. Galway Corinthians travel to Greystones, while Ballymena head to UL Bohemian after a positive opening win. Wanderers and Dungannon meet at Merrion Road, with Dungannon aiming to make it two victories from two.
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Ulster and Munster clubs pursue early momentum
In Division 2B North, Clogher Valley travel to Navan seeking a second successive victory. Clogher have won both previous meetings, including a 24-14 success at Balreask Old in January.
Skerries visit Banbridge after an impressive opening result, while Enniskillen make their first AIL away trip against Malahide following a bonus-point debut. Rainey host Ballyclare in an Ulster derby, and Sligo welcome Malone to Hamilton Park.
Bruff have home advantage against Bective Rangers in Division 2B South after an impressive opening win over Buccaneers. Dolphin travel to Clonmel in a meeting between two early contenders, although Clonmel won 44-17 in last season’s semi-final at Ard Gaoithe.
Old Crescent host Monkstown, Midleton welcome Buccaneers and Enniscorthy face Thomond in three further fixtures involving clubs looking to establish themselves in the restructured division.
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Energia All-Ireland League Round 2 fixtures
- Division 1A: Old Belvedere v Ballynahinch; Old Wesley v Cork Constitution; St Mary’s College v Clontarf; Terenure College v Young Munster; UCD v Lansdowne.
- Division 1B: Dublin University v Garryowen; Instonians v Highfield; MU Barnhall v City of Armagh; Nenagh Ormond v Naas; UCC v Blackrock College.
- Division 2A: Galwegians v Shannon; Greystones v Galway Corinthians; Queen’s University v Cashel; UL Bohemian v Ballymena; Wanderers v Dungannon.
- Division 2B North: Banbridge v Skerries; Malahide v Enniskillen; Navan v Clogher Valley; Rainey v Ballyclare; Sligo v Malone.
- Division 2B South: Bruff v Bective Rangers; Clonmel v Dolphin; Enniscorthy v Thomond; Midleton v Buccaneers; Old Crescent v Monkstown.
Round 2 should provide an early indication of which clubs can turn a strong opening weekend into sustained form. The St Mary’s-Clontarf rematch leads the Irish rugby conversation, but every division contains a fixture capable of shifting the early standings.
Article/Image Courtesy: Irish Rugby
