A vital week-end for Energia All-Ireland League

By Diarmuid Kearney
IT is the penultimate weekend of the Energia All-Ireland League season, and with silverware, survival, and promotion all on the line, the stakes could hardly be higher. Across the Men’s divisions, semi-finals and play-off battles will define the closing chapter, while in the Women’s Division, the Conference title will be decided.
Division 1A takes centre stage, with the race to the Aviva Stadium reaching a dramatic climax. Two all-Dublin semi-finals headline the action, beginning with a D6W derby as St Mary’s College welcome Terenure College to Templeville Road. Mary’s, league leaders at the end of the regular season, are chasing a first final appearance since their 2011/12 triumph. Back in the top flight for just a second season, they have once again positioned themselves as serious contenders and will look to make home advantage count, having already beaten Terenure here earlier in the campaign.
Terenure, however, arrive with a point to prove. Having missed out on the semi-finals last year, they have responded with resilience, securing a top-four finish despite a mid-season coaching change. Their physical edge and big-game experience ensure this will be far from straightforward.
Elsewhere, defending champions Clontarf host Lansdowne in Castle Avenue. Clontarf may enter on the back of consecutive defeats, including a loss to Lansdowne, but their pedigree at this stage is undeniable. Four finals in the last five seasons underline their consistency, and the hunger to retain the title remains strong. Lansdowne, chasing a first final since 2018, have often threatened in recent years without breaking through. With fine margins separating these sides, another tightly contested encounter is expected.
Survival is the priority for UCD as they face Garryowen in Belfield. Their rivalry has recent history, with Garryowen relegated at the end of last season, and lost here in their last trip. Now pushing for an immediate return, the Limerick side will look to turn the tables, while UCD aim to preserve their top-flight status.
Elsewhere, promotion dreams are alive. Dublin University, narrowly missing out on the 1B title, host an ambitious Instonians side whose rapid rise continues. In the Division 1B/2A play-offs, UCC battle Galway Corinthians, while Shannon face Dungannon, both ties finely poised between emerging and experienced outfits.
In the Division 2A/2B play-offs, Old Crescent fight to avoid the drop against an in-form Sligo, while UL Bohemian and Clogher Valley clash in a high-quality semi-final. Bohs home win earlier in the season adds intrigue to a contest between two evenly matched sides.
The Division 2C semi-finals add further excitement. Clonmel host Dolphin in a Munster derby, with recent results suggesting little between them, while Bective Rangers take on Thomond in Donnybrook, renewing a rivalry that has already produced fireworks this season.
Finally, attention turns to Mullingar, where Wicklow and Galwegians meet in the Women’s Conference Final. With recent encounters producing both a draw and narrow victories, another tight, fiercely contested battle is in store to crown the champions.
Fixtures:
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A Semi Finals
St Marys College v Terenure College, Templeville Road, 2pm
Clontarf v Lansdowne, Castle Avenue 4pm
Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division Conference Final
Wicklow v Galwegians, Mullingar, 1pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A/1B Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Semi Finals
UCD v Garryowen, Belfield, 2.30pm
Dublin University v Instonians, College Park, 2.30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B/2A Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Semi Finals
UCC v Galway Corinthians, The Mardyke, 2.30pm
Shannon v Dungannon, Thomond Park Back Pitch 2.30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A/2B Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Semi Finals
Old Crescent v Sligo, Takumin Park, 2.30pm
UL Bohemians v Clogher Valley, UL 4G, 2.30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2C Semi Finals
Clonmel v Dolphin, Ard Gaoithe, 2.30pm
Bective Rangers v Thomond, Energia Park, 2.30pm
The 2026 Energia All-Ireland League Double Header final will take place in Aviva Stadium on Sunday 26th April, with the Women’s Division final kicking off at 1.30pm, followed by the Men’s Division 1A final at 4pm.
The IRFU will be holding a content capture day for the Energia All-Ireland League Finals, on Monday 20th April, with four players, from both teams, in the women’s and men’s 1A division final.
If you would like to avail of this media opportunity, teams calls can be set up with a player/players on Monday evening, please confirm by email to lisa.doyle@irfu.ie, by Sunday 19th April.
If you cannot attend I will send on quotes, if you would like contact for any of the other teams who make finals next weekend just let me know.

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