Locals in busy Energia All-Ireland League games
- Updated: 25/01/2026
THE weekend’s action in the Energia All-Ireland League delivered drama, late twists and several momentum-shifting results as the title and playoff races tightened further across the Men’s and Women’s Divisions, while Seapoint scooped the Energia All-Ireland Men’s Junior Cup.
At Castle Avenue, Clontarf edged an entertaining contest with Nenagh Ormond emerging 35-24 winners after a breathless first half set the tone. Jordan Coghlan was the standout, crossing for a first-half hat-trick as Clontarf raced into a 28-17 interval lead. Nenagh Ormond stayed in touch through tries from Willie Coffey and Matthew Burke, while Angus Blackmore crossed in the second half, Alex O’Grady’s second half try and Conor Kelly’s reliable boot ensured Clontarf kept their noses in front.
Old Belvedere claimed a hard-earned 18-12 victory over Cork Constitution at Ollie Campbell Park in a tense, physical encounter. Belvedere made full use of their opportunities in the opening half, with tries from Justin Leonard and captain Calum Dowling helping them establish an 18-5 lead. Cork Con pushed strongly after the break and were rewarded with a Danny Sheahan try, but Belvedere’s defence stood firm in the closing stages to secure a vital home win, denting Con’s top four ambitions.
There was a second half turnaround at the UCD Bowl, where UCD overturned a half time deficit to defeat Lansdowne 20-15. Lansdowne led 15-7 at the break thanks to tries from Bobby Sheehan and Harry Van Eaden, but UCD grew in authority as the contest wore on. Evan Moynihan and Eoghan Walsh crossed in the final quarter, with Paddy Clancy’s kicking proving decisive as UCD claimed an important victory for their survival hopes.
Young Munster produced a strong attacking display at Tom Clifford Park, defeating Terenure College 37-20 to move to third in the table. Leading 17-6 at half-time, the home side added further tries through Leo Langbridge and Bailey Faloon to pull clear. Terenure kept the pressure on throughout, but the Cookies ability to convert pressure into tries proved the difference, as Nure dropped out of the top four race.
At Lakelands Park, St Mary’s College and Ballynahinch played out a gripping 16-16 draw. Mary’s trailed narrowly at the interval but struck late through Michael McCormack, with Mick O’Gara’s conversion levelling matters. Ballynahinch had looked set for victory after Bradley Luney’s try and a series of penalties from Conor Rankin, but had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Round 12 of the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division delivered a mix of emphatic statements, gritty away wins, and crucial points as the business end of the season approaches.
Blackrock College pulled away in the second half to defeat Ennis RFC 38-12 in Drumbiggle Locked at 12–12 at the interval, the visitors showed their class after the break, running in five unanswered tries. Hannah O’Connor led the way with a brace and three conversions, while Sarah Farley, Samantha Brackett, Andrea Murphy and a penalty try completed a dominant second-half display. Ennis impressed early through tries from Annie Lynch and Orna Moynihan but couldn’t maintain the intensity.
Galwegians claimed a hard fought 15-10 win away to Old Belvedere at Energia Park. Belvedere led 10-3 at half-time thanks to Hannah Wilson’s try and Ellen Jane O’Sullivan Sexton’s boot, but the Connacht side rallied strongly. Tries from Gemma Faulkner and Megan Connolly, combined with Nicole Fowley’s accurate kicking, saw Galwegians turn the game around to secure a valuable away victory, their first against Belvo since 2018.
Railway Union were utterly dominant at the Aviva Stadium back pitch, running in thirteen tries in a ruthless 73-0 win over Cooke. Caitlin Kelly grabbed a hat-trick off the bench, while Emily Gavin, Heidi Lyons and Hannah Johnston all crossed twice. Lyons added four conversions as Railway led 44-0 at the break and never relented.
UL Bohemian made it eleven wins in a row with a 41-7 win over Wicklow at the UL 4G pitch. The hosts built a 22-7 half-time lead and powered on after the break, with Maddy Kushner scoring twice late on. Wicklow’s only reply came through Faye O’Neill’s first-half try.
Ballincollig made the trip for a home game in Fethard Town Park worthwhile, defeating Tullow RFC 19-5. Tries from Emma Connolly, Vivienne O’Donovan and Awatere McLean-Wanoa, along with two Connolly conversions, proved enough to secure a solid win.
In Division 1B Blackrock College picked up a big upset with a 20-7 win over Instonians, while City of Armagh impressed at the Palace Grounds with a 26-5 victory over UCC to move up into fourth spot. Highfield defeated Trinity 21-17 in a tightly fought contest at Woodleigh Park, Nicky Greene scoring twice for the Cork side.
Garryowen dominated early at Rathoe Road to defeat Naas 28-14, building an unassailable first-half lead. Old Wesley turned a tight first half into a rout after the break, scoring five second-half tries to beat Queen’s University 36-7 at The Dub.
In Division 2A Ballymena claimed the Ulster derby bragging rights over Banbridge winning 26-22, while Cashel ground out a 12-5 win over Corinthians in a tight affair at Spafield to open a gap from the drop zone.
Dungannon claimed a narrow 17-13 home victory over Old Crescent, while leaders MU Barnhall defeated Greystones 11-3 to record their 11th straight win in a row, and Shannon’s attacking efficiency guided them to a 34-17 win over Wanderers.
In 2B Clogher Valley shut out Skerries 26-0, leaders Galwegians ran in eight tries in a 50-15 win over Navan to make it eleven bonus point wins in a row, while Rainey defeated Buccaneers 23-22 thanks to a late Jody McMurray try. Sligo overturned a half-time deficit to beat Enniscorthy 39-15, while UL Bohemian impressed with a 40-17 victory over Malone.
In Division 2C Ballyclare moved up the table overcoming Malahide 31-27, Bruff snatched a dramatic 19-18 Limerick derby win over Clonmel, while Dolphin secured a bonus-point 36-14 victory against Monkstown, putting them outside the top four race. Thomond defeated Midleton 13-11, while Bective Rangers claimed a 37-14 win over Belfast Harlequins.
At Ashbourne, Seapoint captured the Energia Junior Cup with a tense 13-10 victory over Dromore. Early tries from Oisin McKenna and Donal McMahon gave Seapoint a foothold, and although Dromore fought back to level matters at the break, Sam O’Donovan’s late penalty proved decisive in a tightly contested final.
Results:
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A
Clontarf 35-24 Nenagh Ormond, Castle Avenue
Old Belvedere 18-12 Cork Constitution, Ollie Campbell Park
UCD 20-15 Lansdowne, Belfield
Young Munster 37-20 Terenure College, Tom Clifford Park
St Mary’s College 16-16 Ballynahinch, Lakelands Park
Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division
Ennis 12-38 Blackrock College, Drumbiggle
Old Belvedere 10-15 Galwegians, Energia Park
Railway Union 73-0 Cooke, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch
UL Bohemian 41-7 Wicklow, UL 4G
Ballincollig v Tullow, Fethard Town Park
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B
Blackrock College 20-7 Instonians, Blackrock College School Pitch
City Of Armagh 26-5 UCC, Palace Grounds
Highfield 21-17 Dublin University, Woodleigh Park
Naas 14-28 Garryowen, Rathoe Road
Queen’s University 7-36 Old Wesley, Dub Lane
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A
Banbridge 22-26 Ballymena, Rifle Park
Cashel 12-5 Galway Corinthians, Spafield
Dungannon 17-13 Old Crescent, Stevenson Park
MU Barnhall 11-3 Greystones, Parsonstown
Shannon 34-17 Wanderers, Thomond Park Back Pitch
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B
Clogher Valley 26-0 Skerries, The Cran
Galwegians 50-15 Navan, Crowley Park
Rainey 23-22 Buccaneers, Hatrick Park
Sligo 39-15 Enniscorthy, Hamilton Park
UL Bohemian 40-17 Malone, UL 4G
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2C
Ballyclare 31-27 Malahide, The Cloughan
Bective Rangers 37-14 Belfast Harlequins, Energia Park
Bruff 19-18 Clonmel, Kilballyowen Park
Dolphin 36-14 Monkstown, Virgin Media Park
Midleton 11-13 Thomond, Town’s Park
Energia All-Ireland Men’s Junior Cup Final
Dromore 10-13 Seapoint, Ashbourne
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