Aidan Moynihan: The craic is back as Ireland’s club rugby stars return to AIL action

AIL players will be making up for lost time on and off the field, according to Cork Constitution fly-half Moynihan, who has taken over the captaincy at the 2019 champions from Niall Kenneally

IRFU Rugby Committee chairman Greg Barrett, Cork Constitution captain Aidan Moynihan, and Energia key account manager Aidan Brennan were on hand as defending champions Cork Con host a photocall at their club grounds to mark the commencement of the 2021/22 Energia All-Ireland League season. Picture: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

There will be smiling faces on team buses up and down the land on Saturday as the majority of clubs get their Energia All-Ireland League 2021-22 campaign under way and players return to action for the first time in 19 months.

And there was no grin wider than Cork Constitution’s new captain Aidan Moynihan, who will lead his side to Dublin and a tough season-opening assignment at Lansdowne (2.30pm) on the Aviva Stadium Back Pitch.