The Energia All-Ireland League Round 10 Preview
- Updated: 08/01/2026
By Diarmuid Kearney <diarmuid.kearney@finalwhistle.ie>
THE Energia All-Ireland League roars back into life this weekend as the second half of the season gets underway, with derby clashes, title implications and survival battles spread across every division. Friday night lights at the Aviva Stadium set the tone in Division 1A, while momentum gained or lost now could shape the run-in to spring.
Division 1A resumes on Friday night with a Dublin derby as Lansdowne host St Mary’s College on the Aviva back pitch. Lansdowne’s 14-0 win before the break showcased their defensive strength and lifted them into third place after four wins from five. Mary’s were blunted on that occasion and will be eager to respond, having shown all season an ability to bounce back quickly.
Saturday sees Clontarf travel to Ballymacarn Park to face Ballynahinch just weeks after defeating them in the Bateman Cup final. Hinch, buoyed by Ulster Senior Cup success, need league points to revive top-four hopes, while Clontarf arrive on an eight-game winning run and firmly in control at the summit.
Cork Constitution host UCD at Temple Hill chasing a fourth straight win, while UCD will hope past narrow defeats there can finally turn into an upset. A Munster derby in New Ormond Park pits Nenagh Ormond against Young Munster, with the Cookies eyeing back-to-back derby wins as Nenagh continue their search for a first point. Terenure and Old Belvedere also renew rivalries in Lakelands Park, Belvo got the better of Nure before the break, and are hoping for more of the same this weekend.
The Women’s Division returns with plenty at stake. Old Belvedere welcome Ennis after a dramatic draw before the break, with Belvo looking to protect their top-four place against the impressive newcomers. Galwegians host Railway Union in a key clash in Crowley Park, with Railway having overtaken Wegians before Christmas.
Blackrock College entertain Cooke in Stradbrook despite Celtic Challenge absences, while champions UL Bohemian continue their title defence against Ballincollig aiming for a tenth straight win. Wicklow host Tullow in Ashtown Lane, hoping to close the gap on the play-off places.
In Division 1B, Instonians host City of Armagh at Shaw’s Bridge in a clash with major top-end implications, while Dublin University and Queen’s University renew their intervarsity rivalry at College Park. Elsewhere, Garryowen face Highfield in Dooradoyle, Old Wesley welcome Blackrock College to Energia Park, and UCC entertain Naas at The Mardyke as teams jostle for position across the table.
Division 2A gets underway on Friday night with Old Crescent hosting Shannon under the lights in Takumi Park. Saturday’s programme includes Ballymena meeting Dungannon in an Ulster derby, Galway Corinthians hosting MU Barnhall in a huge top four showdown, Greystones take on Banbridge, and Wanderers face Cashel.
Division 2B sees Buccaneers host Clogher Valley, Enniscorthy welcome UL Bohemian, Malone face Rainey, Navan play Sligo, and Skerries entertain Galwegians.
Division 2C completes the weekend with fixtures including Belfast Harlequins meeting Ballyclare in an all Ulster tie, second placed Clonmel host third placed Bective Rangers, Malahide host Dolphin, Monkstown take on Midleton, and leaders Thomond meet Bruff in a Limerick derby.
Fixtures:
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A
Lansdowne v St Mary’s College, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch, 7:30pm (Friday night)Ballynahinch v Clontarf, Ballymacarn Park, 2:30pm
Cork Constitution v UCD, Temple Hill, 2:30pm
Nenagh Ormond v Young Munster, New Ormond Park, 2:30pm
Terenure College v Old Belvedere, Lakelands Park, 2:30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division
Old Belvedere v Ennis, Ollie Campbell Park, 1:30pm
Galwegians v Railway Union, Crowley Park, 2:30pm
Blackrock College v Cooke, Stradbrook, 5pm
UL Bohemian v Ballincollig, UL 4G, 5pm
Wicklow v Tullow, Ashtown Lane, 5pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B
Instonians v City Of Armagh, Shaw’s Bridge, 2pm
Dublin University v Queen’s University, College Park, 2:30pm
Garryowen v Highfield, Dooradoyle, 2:30pm
Old Wesley v Blackrock College, Energia Park, 2:30pm
UCC v Naas, The Mardyle, 2:30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A
Old Crescent v Shannon, Takumi Park, 7:30pm (Friday night)
Ballymena v Dungannon, Eaton Park, 2:30pm
Galway Corinthians v MU Barnhall, Corinthian Park, 2:30pm
Greystones v Banbridge, Dr Hickey Park, 2:30pm
Wanderers v Cashel, Merrion Road, 2:30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B
Buccaneers v Clogher Valley, Dubarry Park, 2:30pm
Enniscorthy v UL Bohemian, Alcast Park, 2:30pm
Malone v Rainey, Gibson Park, 2:30pm
Navan v Sligo, Balreask Old, 2:30pm
Skerries v Galwegians, Holmpatrick, 2:30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2C
Belfast Harlequins v Ballyclare, Deramore Park, 2:30pm
Clonmel v Bective Rangers, Ard Gaoithe, 2:30pm
Malahide v Dolphin, Estuary Road, 2:30pm
Monkstown v Midleton, Sydney Parade, 2:30pm
Thomond v Bruff, Liam Fitzgerald Park, 2:30pm
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