All Ireland League Division 1A Preview | Munster Clubs
4th October 2018 By The Editor
L/R: Daire Feeney (UCC), Mick Noone (Clontarf), Alan Fitzgerald (Garryowen), Colm Hogan (TCD), Alan Kennedy (Young Munster), Jack O Sullivan (Lansdowne), Will Leonard (Shannon), Stephen McVeigh (UCD), Michael Melia (Terenure College) and Gary Bradley (Cork Constitution)
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: 6th 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
