Club rugby maps out a new era of competition

A NEW era for club rugby dawns on the first weekend of October with the opening round of games in the restructured AIB League Division 1A and Division 1B.

The IRFU hope the new Division One format, the details of which were finalised in September 2008, provide more competitive game time for young aspiring professional players as well as providing greater intensity of competition and more quality matches.

The two eight team sections for the 2009/10 season were determined on the Division One league table ranking at end of last season. However, there won’t be an All-Ireland feel to the make-up of Division 1A containing only Munster (five) and Leinster (three) teams.

Both Division One sections will play home and away matches (14 matches per team) with the existing points system in place to rank the teams at the conclusion of the sectional matches (4 points for win, 1 point for draw, bonus points for 4 try/losing within 7 points). The top three teams in Division 1A along with the winner of Division 1B go into the play-offs to contest the Division One final.

Promotion and Relegation occurs as follows: Division 1A’s bottom two teams are relegated to Division 1B; Division 1B’s top two teams are promoted to Division 1A; Division 1B’s bottom two teams are relegated to Division Two and Division Two’s top two teams promoted to Division 1B.

Derbies dominate the opening weekend of games in Division 1A with champions Shannon facing Garryowen at Dooradoyle while Dolphin host neighbours Cork Constitution at Musgrave Park.

In Dublin, St Mary’s College host last season’s runners-up Clontarf, while there is a mouth-watering Munster-Leinster clash between UL Bohemian and Blackrock College in Limerick, a fixture that produced seven tries last season.

Newly-promoted UCC will be aiming to make a mark in Division 1B as the highest ranked of the College sides, while Ballynahinch will be hoping to add to their amazing silverware haul from last season.

The students face Old Belvedere in their first game of the season, while Ballynahinch face Ulster rivals Ballymena. Young Munster host Buccaneers at Clifford Park while Galwegians face a tricky opener at home to Dungannon.

Lansdowne will be keen to top Division Two this season and open their account with a trip to Old Wesley who captured the AIB League Division Three title and promotion last season.

Terenure and UCD will be hoping to bounce back to top flight status after a disappointing 08/09 campaign. Terenure College will get their campaign underway away to Dublin University while UCD will host the newly promoted Galway Corinthians.

In AIB League Division Three, newcomers to the senior ranks, Navan will set out their stall with a trip to provincial rivals Co. Carlow.

Meanwhile Queen’s will be hoping to mount a strong promotion challenge again this season. Their first game is at home to Banbridge.

Instonians and Wanderers, both of whom dropped down from AIB League Division 2 last season, face opening day clashes with local provincial rivals. The Inst’ boys face Portadown while Wanderers will be at home to Suttonians.

The semi finals for all three AIB League Divisions will take place on April 17 with the finals down for decision on May 8.