AIL 25/26

CBC14

yeah it’s definitely a tough challenge to go back to back. Just think Tarf seem to have the best squad and most stable coaching group. Getting Jordan Coghlan + a lot of the better UCD players to come into the club is fantastic recruitment. I think Nenagh will do well, very cohesive club from what I can tell, hopefully they will have enough power in the pack. Who would be peoples picks for top 4? I think Tarf, Cork Con, Lansdowne as the top 3, then a battle between the likes of St. Mary’s, Hinch, Nenagh (dark horse) and Terenure. Belvedere & UCD to struggle I think.

luke9311

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123669622#Comment_123669622

personally think its gonna be alot more like last year to be honest with you for the most part right up to business end of the season last year league was wide open any team as we had season had an off day and the other team would make them pay the price and was very hard for the most part to call a winner for most fixtures so hard to call predictions. But i think nure do ok like they wont struggle but unless they bring in a decent crop of players which for the most part i havent heard of many other than bennie jordan and their main players and michaels lads all leaving be hard to keep up the same standards they being setting even in recent years. They have a big name in as coach sure but without the right resources that can only get you so far. Think outside that hinch and cookies would do ok one of which probably avoid the drop. The usual tarf con lansdowne and in recent years marys u probably expect them to be there or there abouts come easter time next year tbh

arsebiscuits1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123669622#Comment_123669622

Historically if teams didn't bolster their front 5 when they go up to 1A they don't tend to survive.

Marys preempted their promotion by bolstering their pack when they were still in 1B.

Nenagh and Belvo both were decent in this regard last season but I haven't heard much in the way of recruitment for both of them this summer. I can see both packs struggling in 1A.

Belvo also losing Wisniewski to ProD2. While he struggled at U20s (like most of the team) he was absolutely excellent in 1B last year. Big loss.

I don't see how UCD stay up this season with the players they've lost. So whoever finishes second from bottom will just need to survive the relegation playoff

Lost Ormond

Any more news on transfers. provincial cups/leagues starting in around 2 weeks.

Lost Ormond

IRFU have few pieces on coaching changes for clubs

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2025/07/25/thompson-and-lyttle-take-on-key-leadership-roles-with-banbridge/

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2025/07/28/navan-install-new-senior-mens-coaching-and-management-group/

CBC14

1A

Lansdowne: Tom Daly, James Tarrant, Bobby Sheehan, had heard a few others but unsure for certain.

Clontarf: Alan Spicer, Jordan Coghlan, Michael Maloney, a few more UCD backs, some very strong 20s coming through.

Con: Rob Hedderman back, a few of the UCC lads, I think Dave Hyland brother but not 100%.

St. Mary’s: Will Reilly from Clontarf, Andrew Sparrow from UCD, Aaron O’Sullivan 7s

Ballynahinch: Haven’t heard much from up north:

Terenure: Sean Rigney, Argentinian 10 from Young Munster, lots of young lads out of school apparently, John Devine centre from Connacht Academy.

Young Munster: Lots of foreigners I’d imagine, some of the Shannon lads I was told, don’t know the Limerick players too well.

UCD: A few of the Michael’s Terenure players, Jim White, Tom Stewart, Mikey O’Reilly etc. Dylan McNiece

Old Belvo: Haven’t heard much there except for Chris Cosgrave.

Nenagh: No idea

Lost Ormond

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123701643#Comment_123701643

Nenagh signed Darragh McSweeney, academy prop. few nenagh guys returned from other division 1 clubs Kevin Seymour from Garryowen, Cronan Gleeson from Wesley, Matthew Hodgins from Lansdowne. few other signings as well

Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3

Any idea where the following players are playing this season:

Max Doyle(Prop/Clongowes)
Sam Bisthi(Prop/Blackrock)
Duinn Maguire(Prop/St. Michaels)
Adam Cooper(Prop/Terenure)
Luke Murtagh(Prop/Clongowes)
Dylan McNeice(Lock-Backrow/St. Michaels)
Arthur Smykovskiy(Lock/Blackrock)
Ben Blaney(Backrow/Terenure)
Michael Walsh(Backrow/Blackrock)
Brian Walsh(Backrow/Blackrock)
James O'Dwyer(Scrumhalf/Gonzaga)
Daragh O'Dwyer(Outhalf/Gonzaga)
Charlie Hempenstall(Outhalf/Wesley)
Paddy Clancy(Outhalf/Blackrock)
Ethan Black(Centre/St. Michaels)
Charlie McConnell(Centre/St. Michaels)
Ross Doyle(Centre/Clongowes)
Johnny O'Sullivan(Wing/Blackrock)

bingobango12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123701643#Comment_123701643

That's very strong recruitment from Tarf with just the 3 players you named.

jimbob955

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123663184#Comment_123663184

what about Dylan hicks? I don’t see any reason why wood and hicks competing for the #10 jersey?

Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3

Max Doyle, Duinn Maguire, Paddy Clancy and Ethan Black all headed to UCD from school.

Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123709517#Comment_123709517

Hicks has moved to Cork Con or at least that was the rumour.

Lost Ormond

Ulster competitions to start season have fictures published

senior cup in 2 groups of 4 and a senior shield group of 4. games start on 30th

Chirpo123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123714590#Comment_123714590

They have ditched the Senior League and just running Senior Cup now.

Teams weren't taking it seriously towards the end of the season because it interfered with AIL prep. Likes of Armagh and Ballymena conceded semi finals in order to prepare for AIL Playoff games.

Limerick 37.5

Just wondering who are favourites for 2025/26 Div 1A & 1B. Will it be s/f of Clontarf, Con, Ter, Lans or can Marys/YM/Balnahinch/UCD break in to the top 4. How competitve will Nenagh & Belov be, it is a big step up, I see Nenagh have recruited but is there enough depth in the squad. Would be great to hear different views on the season ahead. In 1B can Garryowen return to the top tier?

RuPi

Heard Jordan Conroy may be playing for Wanderers this season, they have to be favourites to win 2A.

For Petes Sake

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123725313#Comment_123725313

Don’t know why you ask if Mary’s can ‘break in’ considering they were top 4 last season.

Lost Ormond

Nenagh on pre season tour to la rochelle. Doing sessions with pro set up with thanks to donnacha Ryan links.

Any Pre season games played yet or will they all be kicking off this week?

Stainalert

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123730189#Comment_123730189

Wednesday

UCD v St Marys

Thursday

Clontarf v Old Wesley

Old Belvedere v Lansdowne

Sunday

UCD v Terenure

Lost Ormond

Any predictions for the 5 divisions?

promotion or relegation?

How will Nenagh do in 1A? Will Instonians get yet another consecutive promotion and go from junior to 1A in consecutive seasons?

How will Shannon adapt to being in division 2 for first time ever. How will Bective and Thomond do in first senior season in a decade.

Chico Flores

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123738948#Comment_123738948

At a real guess

1A

Winners: Clontarf
Relegated: UCD

1B

Winners: Blackrock
Relegated: Trinity

2A

Winners: Wanderers
Relegated: Ballymena

2B:

Winners: Galwegians
Relegated: Buccaneers

2C:

Winners: Belfast Quins
Relegated: ???

Limerick-Kid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123738948#Comment_123738948

1A: Think Nenagh might surprise people, especially if they get a couple of players from Munster. Expect them to hold their own in 1A. Clontarf and Con will be strong again. St Marys too. UCD could struggle to stay up this year.

1B: Blackrock or Garryowen likely to be there or thereabouts. Armagh will be looking to get back to 1A. UCC have lost a few players and will find it hard going.

2A: Think Shannon could find it a lot tougher than they might think to get back up to 1B. This is a tricky division. Wanderers for me are favourites. Old Crescent could struggle.

2B: Galwegians will be strong but Bohs have a good coaching ticket and have recruited well so putting them down as dark horses to go up. Skerries will be fighting to stay in 2B.

2C: Midleton look like possible favourites and Thomond will be strong with the recruitment they have done in Limerick. Keith Earls lining out for them will bring the crowds to the games as well. Malahide could struggle to stay senior.

Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3

UCD side that lost to Marys:

1 Tom O'Riordan

2 Lucas Maguire

3 Sean Egan

4 Alexander Muir

5 Daniel Barron

6 Sam Corrigan

7 James White

8 Michael Colreavy

9 Thomas Quinn

10 Daragh Gilbourne

11 Eoghan Walsh

12 Evan Moynihan

13 Tom Murtagh

14 Luka Hassett

15 Joe Reddan - u20

16 Dúinn Maguire - u20

17 Jack Spencer

18.Riain Coogan

19 Oran Handley

20 Jack Molony

21 James Sherwin

22 Patrick Clancy - u20

23 Mark Canniffe

Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3

St Marys College RFC

1 Oisin Michel

2 Richie Bergin

3 Michael McCormack

4 Daniel Leane

5 Liam Corcoran

6 David Leane

7 Ethan Baxter

8 Conor Pierce

9 Robert Gilsenan

10 Conor Dean

11 Ruairi Shields

12 Mick O'Gara

13 Myles Carey

14 Aaron O'Sullivan

15 Craig Kennedy

16 Jack Nelson

17 Adam Mulvihill

18 Oisín Kearney

20 Shane McGrath

21 Aaron O'Neill

22 Ramirez Leandro

23 Conor Hayes

arsebiscuits1

Decent recruitment for Belvo over the summer.

Hugh O'Malley (Prop) - UCD

Jack Dunne (Second Row) - Exeter

Ronan O'Sullivan (Back Row) - Con

Chris O'Connor (Scrumhalf) - Terenure

James Dillon (Back 3) - Trinity/7s

A few other players but these are the more notable ones

Chico Flores

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123741135#Comment_123741135

Chris O'Connor is a scrum half. Thought I saw online Jack Dunne has gone to Japan

Belvo have a 9 called Jack Dunne, could you be mixing that up?

Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123741158#Comment_123741158

No Jack Dunne the lock is playing with Belvo before he heads to Japan.

arsebiscuits1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123741158#Comment_123741158

Dead on. I meant to type scrum half. Pasting error or pre coffee error. One of the 2 😂

And no I mean Jack Dunne the second row. He was togging out for Belvo at the open session.

Afaik he's not playing today but there'll presumably be rotation in the Leinster league as most clubs use it to prep for AIL

Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3

• Lansdowne side

1. Jerry Cahir
2. Jack Treanor
3. George Morris
4. Ruair Clarke
5. Juan Buekes
6. Jack Cooke
7. Paul Wilson
8. Harry Van Eeden
9. Jack Matthews
10. Stephen Madigan
11. Cian Eddy
12. Harry O'Riordan
13. Andy Marks
14. Mark Roche
15. Cathal Eddy
16. Juilen Valleise
17. Tom Barry
18. Evan Shelley - u20
19. Barry Fitzpatrick
20. Matthew Healy
21. Mikey Wall
22. Jack Connolly
23. James Tarrant

bingobango12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123741135#Comment_123741135

CBC14 above mentioned Chris Cosgrave signing with Belvo also. I assumed he was still out in Japan. Have you heard if he is joining OB also?