Energia AIL Round Six is ready for’take off’

By Diarmuid Kearney
A FULL slate of Energia All-Ireland League action brings intrigue across every Division and with quarter final action in the Energia Junior Cup, different narratives are littered across the country.
In Division 1A, Cork Con host current holders Clontarf in a repeat of last season’s final, a meeting laced with consequence in a table where almost nothing separates second from seventh. Con, two points outside the top four, are desperate for a signature win, while Tarf arrive in flying form after four league victories and a Bateman Cup semi-final success. Their 20-16 win here last October adds another layer to a rivalry that routinely delivers drama.
Nenagh Ormond, still settling into life in 1A, welcome Ballynahinch after contrasting Bateman Cup outings. A competitive showing last weekend showed Nenagh’s potential, but with five straight defeats they urgently need points. Hinch, ruthless in a 78-0 win over Sligo, sit just outside the top four and see this as a chance to push upward.
Old Belvedere and Lansdowne renew a long-dormant derby in Ollie Campbell Park, Belvo aiming to halt a three-game losing streak while Lansdowne chase a third straight victory to solidify a top-four berth.
At the bottom, UCD and Young Munster collide with both needing momentum; the Cookies finally have a win to build from, while the Students are in danger of a fourth straight loss. The D6W derby between Terenure and league leaders St Mary’s closes the day, a meeting of the top two and a fixture steeped in tradition. Mary’s perfect start will be put to the test by a Nure side rejuvenated by three consecutive victories.
In the Women’s Division, UL Bohemians showdown with Galwegians headlines an intriguing weekend. Both sit in the top two, both unbeaten against the rest of the league, and both arriving with ruthless recent form. Bohs, chasing a third straight title, remain one of the competition’s gold standards, while Wegians’ run of five bonus-point victories has marked them as a rising powerhouse.
Railway Union and Wicklow meet in a clash of teams just outside the top four, Railway rebounding from a poor start with back-to-back wins and Wicklow eager to steady themselves after losses to Blackrock and Old Belvedere. Belvo themselves seek a third win to maintain their top-four push when they face Ballincollig, while Blackrock aim to stretch their winning streak to five at home to Tullow. Ennis and Cooke open the round in a meeting of sides trying to shake off heavy recent defeats.
Division 1B’s headline sees leaders Old Wesley meet surging Trinity in Energia Park, the Students riding a three-match winning streak into what could be an early shaping point in the title race. At the other end, UCC and Queens meet in a vital clash for confidence. Highfield’s trip to unbeaten-at-home Instonians, City Of Armagh’s meeting with Garryowen, and Blackrock’s derby with Naas round out a competitive slate.
In 2A, unbeaten leaders MU Barnhall travel to Dungannon for a top-of-the-table showdown, while Galway Corinthians welcome Wanderers in another pivotal encounter. Ballymena host Cashel, Banbridge take on Old Crescent, while Greystones and Shannon meet for the first time since 2008.
UL Bohs and Galwegians also headline 2B as the Division’s two unbeaten giants collide for the first time this season. Sligo host Malone in a top four clash, Skerries take on Buccaneers, Enniscorthy renew acquaintances with Clogher Valley, while Navan meet Rainey in a tough 2B competition.
In 2C, leaders Thomond chase a sixth straight bonus-point win against Clonmel, with Bective, Midleton, Bruff, Dolphin and Monkstown all battling for position in a fiercely competitive early-season landscape.
In the Junior Cup, we have three all provincial encounters, Athy host Suttonians, Seapoint take on Wicklow, while Dromore clash with Enniskillen, elsewhere St Mary’s of Limerick welcome Creggs.
Fixtures:
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A:
Cork Constitution v Clontarf, Temple Hill, 2:30pm
Nenagh Ormond v Ballynahinch, New Ormond Park, 2:30pm
Old Belvedere v Lansdowne, Ollie Campbell Park, 2:30pm
UCD v Young Munster, Belfield, 2:30pm
Terenure College v St Mary’s College, Lakelands Park, 3pm
Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division:
Ennis v Cooke, Drumbiggle, 1pm
Blackrock College v Tullow, Blackrock College School Pitch, 3pm
Old Belvedere v Ballincollig, Ollie Campbell Park, 5pm
Railway Union v Wicklow, Park Avenue, 5pm
UL Bohemian v Galwegians, UL 4G, 5pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B:
City Of Armagh v Garryowen, Palace Grounds, 2:30pm
Instonians v Highfield, Shaw’s Bridge, 2:30pm
Naas v Blackrock College, Forenaughts, 2:30pm
Old Wesley v Dublin University, Energia Park, 2:30pm
UCC v Queens University, The Mardyke, 3pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A:
Ballymena v Cashel, Eaton Park, 2:30pm
Banbridge v Old Crescent, Rifle Park, 2:30pm
Dungannon v MU Barnhall, Stevenson Park, 2:30pm
Galway Corinthians v Wanderers, Corinthian Park, 2:30pm
Greystones v Shannon, Dr Hickey Park, 2:30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B:
Enniscorthy v Clogher Valley, Alcast Park, 2:30pm
Navan v Rainey, Balreask Old, 2:30pm
Skerries v Buccaneers, Holmpatrick, 2:30pm
Sligo v Malone, Hamilton Park, 2:30pm
UL Bohemian v Galwegians, UL 4G, 2:30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2C:
Ballyclare v Monkstown, The Cloughan, 2:30pn
Belfast Harlequins v Midleton, Deramore Park, 2:30pm
Clonmel v Thomond, Ard Gaoithe, 2:30pm
Dolphin v Bective Rangers, Virgin Media Park, 2:30pm
Malahide v Bruff, Estuary Road, 2:30pm
Energia All-Ireland Junior Cup Quarter Finals:
Athy v Suttonians, The Showgrounds, 2:30pm
Dromore v Enniskillem, Dromore, 2:30pm
Seapoint v Wicklow, Kilbogget Park, 2:30pm
St Mary’s v Creggs, Grove Island, 2:30pm

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