All Ireland League Division 1A Preview | Munster Clubs

This weekend sees the return of top-flight action in the All Ireland League Division 1A with five Munster clubs getting their campaigns underway. Shannon, who won promotion after securing the Division 1B title, mark their return to the top league when they take on last season’s runners-up and former champions, Cork Constitution, at Temple Hill. UCC are the other promoted club after the Students gained Division 1A status in last season’s promotion play-off with Banbridge, they face UCD away in their opener. Garryowen, who have recently secured their place in the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup final, will look to build on last season’s semi-final loss to current champions, Lansdowne, as they host Dublin University at Dooradoyle. Young Munster are also at home when they welcome one of last season’s top four contenders, Terenure College, to Tom Clifford Park. The Cookies secured a mid-table finish at the end of the 2017/18 season and will be pushing for semi-final qualification this time around. MunsterRugby.ie recently caught up with all of the clubs representing the province in this weekend's opening round of matches.  With five clubs in this season’s league, there will be plenty of opportunities for members of the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy to develop their rugby within the Cork (2) and Limerick (3) clubs. 

Shannon RFC

  Last Season… League Finish: 1st in Division 1B Most Memorable Moment: Winning 1B   This Season… Head Coach: Tom Hayes Captain: Lee Nicholas - Number 8  One To Watch: We can’t name one particular player for that one, we’re stumped - they are all ones to watch in our eyes!  Home Ground: Thomond Park League Aspirations: We want to continue developing our players and rugby in general.  

UCC RFC

  Last Season… League Finish: 4th in Division 1B & promotion to Division 1A Most Memorable Moment: Winning promotion play-off away to Banbridge This Season… Head Coach: Brian Walsh Assistant Coach: Conor Twomey Captain: Daire Feeney - Back-row / Number 8  One To Watch: James Taylor - Out-half  Home Ground: The Mardyke League Aspirations: Maintain Division 1A status  

 

Cork Constitution FC

  Last Season… League Finish: 3rd in Division 1A Most Memorable Moment: Defeating Terenure in semi-final This Season… Head Coach: Brian Hickey Captain: Niall Kenneally - Centre  One To Watch: Dave Hyland - Back-row  Home Ground: Temple Hill League Aspirations: Top four play-offs  

Garryowen FC

  Last Season… League Finish: 4th in Division 1A Most Memorable Moment: Winning Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup This Season… Head Coach: Conan Doyle Captain: Dean Moore - Second-row  One To Watch: Kevin Seymour - Second-row  Home Ground: Dooradoyle League Aspirations: Maximise our potential  

 

 

Young Munster RFC

  Last Season… League Finish: 6^th in Division 1A Most Memorable Moment: Ben Kilkenny’s try away to Cork Con – super team effort with the front-row showing their skills!    This Season… Head Coach: Gearoid Prendergast Captain: Alan Kennedy - Back-row  One To Watch: Dan Walsh - Flanker  Home Ground: Tom Clifford Park League Aspirations: Top four at first then it’s Cup rugby          

All Ireland League Division 1A Opening Round Fixtures – Munster Clubs

  Saturday 6 October 2018 Cork Constitution v Shannon, Temple Hill, 2.30pm Referee: Joy Neville Garryowen v Dublin University, Dooradoyle, 2.30pm Referee: Mark Patton UCD v UCC, Belfield, 2.30pm Referee: John Lacey Young Munster v Terenure College, Tom Clifford Park, 2.30pm Referee: Frank Murphy  

#AIL #MunsterStartsHere