All Ireland League | Munster Clubs Review
19th March 2020 By The Editor
Cork Constitution's Gerry Hurley in action.
With Irish Rugby, and the province’s 2019/20 domestic season set to conclude with immediate effect due to ongoing concerns over coronavirus, we take a look back at the performances of Munster clubs across the All Ireland League divisions.
Click here to read the IRFU announcement in full.
All Ireland League – Division 1A
Cork Constitution
Cork Con enjoyed a terrific season. The reigning All Ireland League Division 1A champions secured the top spot and were undefeated with 14 wins from 14.
Sitting on 61 points overall, the Cork club secured five try-scoring bonuses to go 12 points clear of Munster rivals Garryowen who finished in second.
The table-toppers also booked their place in the Bateman Cup final with a comprehensive win over Sligo in the semi-final, having previously lifted the Cup five consecutive times between 2013-2017.
The Temple Hill side claimed silverware in the early stages of the season, securing the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup for the 30th time after defeating Young Munster in the final at Irish Independent Park.
Garryowen
The Limerick club finished second in the table following some impressive performances over the likes of Clontarf, Terenure College and UCC in the latter stages of this season’s competition.
Of Garryowen’s 14 matches played, the ‘Light Blues’ recorded 10 wins having only lost four with six try-scoring bonuses positioning them behind leaders Cork Con and five points clear of UCD who finished in third.
Young Munster
Young Munster climbed up the table in recent months to settle just one point below Lansdowne in fifth position.
A narrow win over Garryowen last month was a stand-out moment for ‘The Cookies’ who won seven matches, as they drew 9-9 with UCD back in November.
UCC
Promoted from Division 1B last season, UCC got off to a flying start.
The students recorded wins over Dublin University, Ballynahinch and Young Munster in the opening rounds to prove their status in the top-flight.
Unfortunately, performances didn’t go their way as of late with UCC coming up against stiff competition and finding themselves second from bottom.
Women’s All Ireland League
UL Bohemian
UL Bohemian were the dominant force in the Women’s All Ireland League. The Limerick club maintained an unbeaten record, winning 12 from 12 to finish nine points clear at the top of the table.
UL Bohs’ were on course for a record 14th Women’s All Ireland League title last season after booking their place in the final against Railway Union.
However, a dramatic 13-8 scoreline went the way of the first-time finalists Railway Union.
UL Bohs’ continued to impress and claimed silverware following victory in the Women’s All Ireland Cup final.
The club were crowned All Ireland Cup champions for a record sixth time with a win over Blackrock at Ashbourne RFC.
UL Bohs’ secured their spot in this season’s final, overcoming Railway Union 18-12 in the semi-final, to set-up a showdown with Old Belvedere.
All Ireland League – Division 1B
Highfield
The Division 1B newcomers finished top of the league after impressing across the rounds.
Assured performances and comprehensive victories over Malone, Banbridge and Naas set the tone for Highfield early on and the Cork club continued their winning streak.
Highfield went nine points clear of Old Wesley, having lost only two games this season, while recording four try-scoring bonuses to accumulate 54 points in total.
Shannon
Shannon maintained a level of consistency despite recording some losses throughout the first half of the season.
Sitting in third, the Limerick club showed their Division 1A experience with recent wins over Naas, Old Wesley and provincial rivals Highfield.
All Ireland League – Division 2A
Cashel
The Tipperary club enjoyed a run of form in Division 2A which positioned them in third, having claimed 10 wins out of 14.
It settled on a matter of points difference between Cashel and Queen’s University, who finished in second.
Old Crescent
Old Crescent concluded their season seven points behind Cashel, having claimed nine victories across the rounds.
Although it was tight between second, third and fourth, there was breathing room between Old Crescent and Rainey Old Boys, who finished three points short of the Limerick club in fifth.
UL Bohemian
UL Bohemian experienced a mixed bag of results despite some impressive performances.
Winning five of the 14 rounds up for grabs they also recorded nine defeats to finish in seventh position.
Nenagh Ormond
Nenagh concluded their season in ninth position as an away win over Munster rivals Dolphin kept them from propping up the bottom of the table.
Dolphin
The Cork club found themselves four points behind Nenagh with a victory over the Tipperary club earlier in the season their only ‘W.’
All Ireland League – Division 2C
Clonmel
Clonmel gained senior rugby status last season after regaining the Munster Junior Division 1 title which led them to victory over Seapoint in the relegation play-off decider.
The Tipperary club impressed in Division 2C this season and maintained a well-deserved fourth spot in the table.
Sunday’s Well
A mid-table position for the Well’ who recorded some notable wins over Clonmel, City of Derry and Omagh to name a few.
Bruff
Bruff finished just one point behind Munster rivals Sunday’s Well, hovering above the danger zone, with competition rife within the latter half of the table.
Midleton
Despite winning five games, Midleton found themselves at the bottom of the table – two points short of Bangor who finished in ninth position.
