RugbyAIL preview

Terenure target third successive win as they host second placed Ballynahinch at Lakelands

City of Armagh recall centre Matthew Hooks for trip to Clontarf

Ballynahinch's Conor McKee taking a kick against Clontarf in a Division 1A match at Castle Avenue, Clontarf, in February 2024. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho
Ballynahinch's Conor McKee taking a kick against Clontarf in a Division 1A match at Castle Avenue, Clontarf, in February 2024. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho
Gerry Thornley
Fri Dec 13 2024 - 21:26

With Lansdowne hosting St Mary’s in one of their Friday night fixtures, the pick of the remaining four games sees fourth placed Terenure host second placed Ballynahinch at Lakelands in the first of the back-to-back rounds which also marks the half way point in the campaign.

Terenure welcome back the Leinster academy duo of Austrian outhalf Casper Gabriel and winger Henry McErlean. Loosehead Adam Tuite and hooker Levi Vaughan are also promoted from the bench, while influential number eight Jordan Coghlan returns from injury.

Ballynahinch’s run of five wins with bonus points which propelled them to the top of the table came to a shuddering halt when well beaten at home by Clontarf last week.

Ulster’s Conor McKee and Academy back rower Bryn Ward come into the starting XV. Backrower Reuben Crothers and lock Declan Horrox also return.

READ SOME MORE

Somewhat inconsistent until now Terenure will be targeting a third successive win but then again pretty much every team in 1A has been relatively up-and-down in the most unpredictable campaign for some time. Nonetheless that 32-12 bonus point win by Clontarf in Ballynahinch did look like one of the loudest statements of the season to date.

Aitzol King moves to fullback as James Conroy and Mark O’Sullivan form a new back three when Clontarf host City of Armagh, while John Vinson returns to number eight with Alex Soroka shifting to blindside and Ben Griffin coming in at loosehead.

Armagh head coach Chris Parker has recalled centre Matthew Hooks, with New Zealander Rocky Olsen reverting to outhalf, while number ‘8′ Neil Faloon and Ulster Academy prop Cameron Doak return up front.

The champions Cork Con shift Ireland 7s player Sean French to fullback in the absence of Billy Crowley for the visit of UCD. Killian Coghlan comes in at centre and James Taylor, last May’s match-winner in the final, is recalled at outhalf behind an unchanged pack.

Ireland under-20 internationals Mikey Yarr and Andrew Sparrow will start in the UCD front row on Leeside, with Bobby Sheehan reverting to the back row. Outhalf Daragh Gilbourne and lock Matt Healy return, while captain James Tarrant switches to inside centre. Con won two high-scoring meetings last season by 38-25 at home and 34-24 in the Bowl last January, while the students’ preparations will not have been helped by their end-of-term exams this week even if some of those were conducted in Cork.

Young Munster and Garryowen meet in the top flight’s first Limerick derby of the season seeking to end losing runs of three and seven games respectively. Julian Leszczynski reverts to his more familiar role of outhalf for the Cookies as Stephen Lyons returns at fullback. Samson Seinafo starts in midfield, while prop David Begley starts at loosehead and a reshuffled back row features Munster’s Ruadhan Quinn.

The Light Blues are without Brian Gleeson due to him being called up for his Munster debut in Castres after scoring three tries in his last two outings.

Energia All-Ireland League, men’s divisions (All matches 2:30 unless stated)

Division 1A: (Lansdowne v St Mary’s College, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch, Friday); Clontarf v City of Armagh, Castle Avenue; Cork Constitution v UCD, Temple Hill; Terenure College v Ballynahinch, Lakelands; Young Munster v Garryowen, Tom Clifford Park.

Division 1B: Shannon v Highfield, Thomond Park, 2pm; Dublin University v Blackrock College, Stradbrook; Naas v Old Belvedere, Forenaughts; Queens v Old Wesley, Dub Lane; UCC v Nenagh Ormond, Mardyke

Division 2A: Corinthians v Buccaneers, Corinthian Park, Friday, 7:30pm; MU Barnhall v Cashel, Parsonstown, 1:45pm; Greystones v Old Crescent, Dr. Hickey Park; Instonians v Banbridge, Shaws Bridge; Navan v Ballymena, Balreask Old

Division 2B: Sligo v Galwegians, Hamilton Park, 2pm; Dungannon v Malone, Stevenson Park; Malahide v UL Bohemian, Estuary Road; Rainey v Clogher Valley, Hatrick Park; Skerries v Wanderers, Holmpatrick

Division 2C: Belfast Harlequins v Ballyclare, Deramore Park; Clonmel v Bruff, Ardgaoithe; Dolphin v Midleton, Virgin Media Park; Monkstown v Enniscorthy, Sydney Parade; Omagh Academicals v Tullamore, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields.

Energia All-Ireland League, Women’s Division, All matches Saturday, December 14th

Blackrock College v Suttonians, Stradbrook, 1pm; Galwegians v UL Bohemian, Crowley Park, 2:30pm; Railway Union v Ballincollig, Willow Lodge, 2:30pm; Old Belvedere v Tullow, Ollie Campbell Park, 5pm; Wicklow v Cooke, Ashtown Lane, 5pm

Gerry Thornley

Gerry Thornley

Gerry Thornley is Rugby Correspondent of The Irish Times

The Counter Ruck

The Counter Ruck

Sign up to the Irish Times weekly rugby digest for the view from the press box with Gerry Thornley