Mary's and Clontarf face early final rematch

Final rematch the headline fixture in this weekend's Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A programe. 

St. Mary's College's Rob Gilsenan is blocked by Fionn Gilbert of Clontarf. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Champions St Mary’s College welcome Clontarf to Templeville Road for a rematch of last season’s final in the headline fixture in this weekend's Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A programe. 

Mary’s prevailed in that decider and also won an absorbing 32-21 contest when the sides met at the same venue in the opening round last season. Clontarf arrive sitting third after defeating Old Wesley, while fifth placed Mary’s opened their campaign with a derby victory over Lansdowne.

Fourth placed UCD welcome Lansdowne to Belfield in another Dublin derby, with the students looking to build on an impressive opening win away to Ballynahinch. Old Wesley, meanwhile, play their first top flight home fixture since 1997 when Cork Constitution visit Energia Park. Remarkably, their last meeting was in March of that year, with Wesley winning 23-18 on Leeside.

Leaders Old Belvedere host Ballynahinch at Ollie Campbell Park, Belvo recorded victory here in Round 2 last season over Hinch, and aim for a similar outcome this time around. Second placed Terenure College welcome Young Munster to Lakelands Park. The Cookies won both meetings between the sides last season, including a 29-19 victory at Lakelands in December.

Division 1B serves up an early meeting of two unbeaten sides as third placed Nenagh Ormond welcome leaders Naas to New Ormond Park. Nenagh won 19-18 when the sides met there in December 2024 before Naas prevailed 27-21 in the return fixture, time has changed since then but expect another closely fought game.

Garryowen travel to College Park to face Dublin University, while Instonians and Highfield both chase their first win at Shaw’s Bridge. MU Barnhall will play their first Division 1B home fixture when City of Armagh visit Parsonstown, nine years on from their last meeting in Division 2B. Blackrock College meanwhile travel to the Mardyke to face UCC.

ENERGIA AIL MEN'S DIVISION 1A (All 2:30pm Sat)

Old Belvedere v Ballynahinch, Ollie Campbell Park

Old Wesley v Cork Con, Energia Park 

St. Mary's Col. v Clontarf, Templeville Road 

Terenure Col. v Young Munster, Lakelands Park 

UCD v Lansdowne, UCD Bowl 

ENERGIA AIL MEN'S DIVISION 1B (All 2:30pm Sat)

Dublin Uni. v Garryowen, College Park 

Instonians v Highfield RFC, Shaw's Bridge 

MU Barnhall v City of Armagh, Parsonstown 

Nenagh Ormond v Naas, New Ormond Park 

UCC Rugby v Blackrock Col., The Mardyke