AIL 25/26

Hopefully they can turn a corner as Connacht could do with a side in 1B! Is that the Devine who moved to Terenure?

Finn Treacy might still be academy?

Thanks for that! He might be shacked up with a Galway missus and she’s holding him at gunpoint to play for a Galway side…

Kendellen played for UCC last week so no reason to think they won't, unless he's a 24th man.

Ulster likely releasing a few too.

UCD reserved that win based on play alone tonight were just up for it more lansdowne on that game just might have forced it one too many at closing minutes of the game

1A is almost like 2 leagues. Same old every year, top teams pull away. Mary’s look the best from what I’ve seen. Really interesting to see Terenure lose this past weekend, Carlos seeing what the AIL is like in the winter time! Young Munster took a while to get to winning ways but they’ve got a couple of nice results recently. Clontarf have been winning well since their opening day loss. I fear for UCD after Christmas. Lansdowne missing a good few from their clash last Friday. Would hate to see another Munster team go down. It would really

Wesley have gotten their house in order this year, lost heaps of players last year but recruited very well this year.Morgan’s men leading the charges. Fenlon, Black, o Connor and Carrol have really done well for them since coming in. Instonians doing what they’ve done the past few years. Trinity in the top four after a relegation playoff is interesting, new coaching group in Trinity this year. Armagh and Instonians will be a great match up before and after Christmas! UCC & Queens seem like they struggle when they don’t have many lads released.
Blackrock have had a few delayed returns but will be a serious outfit after Christmas I reckon.

Barnhall are flying on two fronts, AIL and 20s, seems like their club is going the right direction. Wanderers back to winnings ways with Sean Skehan.
Hopefully get an ulster or Munster team uo this year! Greystones ran Barnhall close this weekend.

Ormand how was the game this weekend?

Really good win for Belvo today against Nure. McKee and Kenny released from Leinster. Chris Cosgrave was at 10 for them, obviously don’t follow Nure each week so not sure how long he is there but I thought he was out in Japan playing. Thought he was going to be the next big thing at Leinster when he was going through school. Pity it looks like it hasn’t worked out for him in the pro game.

From the games I’ve seen, would say the top 3 in 1A will be making the play offs. 4th a toss up between a few. Nenagh looking doomed. UCD and Belvo likely fighting for 8th.

Tarf looking formidable, good squad depth, they will be tough to stop. Mary’s will be disappointed with being nilled at home. Some response from Lansdowne. Terenure have lost 3 on the bounce and by all accounts very poor yesterday, they seem to be on a slide. Con and Munsters have wind at their backs, I’d expect both to be right in the battle for top 4. Hinch starting to drift, gut punch yesterday, Belvo & UCD will be battling to the death for 8th, both teams I think will be in 1A next season as I think the gap to 1B this year is significant. Nenagh having a very tough year, but hopefully they can regroup over Christmas & get some better performances in 2026. Still can’t see them getting anywhere near 9th. 1 b is very entertaining, Wesley may finally make their breakthrough but Instonians will be breathing down their neck. Naas, Garryowen & particularly Blackrock very disappointing, with all Blackrock signings I expected them to be right in the mix.

in 2 a, Barnhall looks a cert, Wanderers seem to be hitting fine form aswell, could see a few more Dublin / Maynooth clubs in Div 1 next year. Galweigans look too good for 2B, 2C very even

Clontarf at the top of 1A at Christmas after winning the league the year before is impressive. Their squad depth is impressive and they’ve been on a serious run since game week 1.

UCD are also doing very well. Surprising almost considering how many players they have lost to other teams in this league.

The most impressive team has been Mary’s. There is an edge to them this year, they didn’t finish the last block well, but still they possess the best attack and have kept a lot of teams to less than 20 points. Nenagh unfortunately seem doomed. They would be my standouts in 1A so far. The race for fourth will be a slog between Con, Terenure & Cookies who I think will be a dark horse.
It’s important to note that Terenure, Lansdowne & Marys would be toted as the best ball in hand playing sides. It will be interesting to see where they end up once this rough winter weather passes. Has there been any coaching changes in 1A?

In 1B it’s an impressive first half of the year for Wesley. Only one loss and that was to Instonians away. Instonians doing what many expected so not too much of a shock. Wesley, like UCD lost more than half of their side last year. Now, they sit top. It won’t be great for 1A for another Dublin side to come up. Queens have been crippled with injured but aren’t too far away from 7th / 6th so a big second half of the year from them could see them stay up. Unlikely unless they get massive help from ulster though. Trinity have to be the other big shock. From surviving by the skin of their teeth to being in 3rd. Highfield also, they just avoided the drop but have some real momentum, running Wesley and Instonians close. Naas & Blackrock have been really poor considering the quality of sides they have been putting out regularly.
Armagh will have a big say in where this league goes but are doing as expected I would say, Top 4 and have beaten some of the top sides.

tough for Hinch to lose two tight ones to Tarf either side of Christmas. Nenagh obviously went all guns blazing, defensively seems to still be huge issues, but a gutsy display by the looks. UCD well beaten in Con to be expected, Terenure get revenge for their loss to Belvo and right in the thick of top 4 race. Although I Think Con will get in at some point. 1B, Rock in big danger of getting relegated. Wesley look like they will finally make it to the summit. Barnhall, Shannon & Wanderers seem to be the form teams in 2A. Bohs back on a winning run in 2B, great to see Monkstown, Thomond and Bective thriving after years in junior rugby.