Domestic Season Review | Adult Rugby

27th May 2026 By The Editor

Highfield’s Jamie Shanahan lifts the trophy ©INPHO

It has been a fantastic season for adult rugby throughout the province with a huge number of exciting games and finals taking place over the last year.

Here, we take a look back at the winners from the 2025/26 season, highlighting the stand-out moments and clubs who performed exceptionally across the province.

Senior Clubs

Cork Constitution were the top Munster team in Division 1A of this season’s Energia All Ireland League. They finished the year out in fifth place with 53 points from ten wins and eight losses.

Young Munster finished just four points behind the Cork side with 49 points from eight wins and ten losses.

Nenagh Ormond rounded out the Division 1A table in tenth place with just four points from their 18 losses.

Garryowen saw out Division 1B in fourth place on 52 points from their nine wins, one draw and eight losses.

Highfield finished just six points behind Garryowen with 46 points from their nine wins and nine losses, while UCC finished the season in ninth with 40 points.

Shannon saw out Division 2A in second place with 59 points and will remain in the division for another season after being defeated by UCC in their promotion/relegation final.

Elsewhere in 2A, Cashel finished in sixth with forty four points while Old Crescent rounded out the season in ninth with 29 points.

UL Bohemian will play Division 2A rugby next season as they finished their regular season in second place before defeating Sligo 58-33 in the promotion/relegation final.

In Division 2C, Clonmel finished in second with 69 points, Thomond were third on 59 points, Dolphin saw out the season in fourth with 56 points, Midleton finished seventh while Bruff ended the season in eight place.

Highfield were this year’s winners of the Bank Of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup as they beat Limerick side Shannon 19-17 to secure their first title in 50 years.

©INPHO

UL Bohemian were once again winners in this season’s Energia Women’s All Ireland League. A try from Catríona Finn just before the final whistle saw the Limerick natives take the win with a score line of 32-29.

Elsewhere in the league, Ennis finished out their inaugural season in seventh place with 32 points from six wins, one draw and eleven losses. While Ballincollig finished in eighth on 26 points.

Junior Rugby

©INPHO

Cork Constitution retained the Bank Of Ireland Munster Junior Cup title this season as they defeated Nenagh Ormond 38-20 in Dooradoyle.

Ennis were this season’s Bank Of Ireland Munster Senior Plate winners, while Bruff defeated Scariff to obtain the Junior Bowl.

In the Junior League, Kilfeacle & District were victorious in Division 1, Crosshaven took the spoils in Division 2 and Killarney took the Division 3 crown.

Kilfeacle & District were also winners of the Junior Clubs Challenge Cup while Kinsale took home the Shield.