We are almost a quarter of the way through the regular season and things are already getting interesting. Forget the Autumn Internationals for a minute, there is still lots of exciting games taking place across the AIL.
Shannon V Garryowen, Friday November 4th, Thomond Park Main Pitch, 7:30pm
It’s a Limerick derby on Friday night between Shannon and Garryowen. This already could have big implications for the bottom half of the table, neither team having picked up any wins yet.
Shannon sit at the foot of the table, still looking for their first points of the campaign. Pat O’Connor’s men have looked good in patches, but past the sixty minute mark, they tend to drop off, maybe struggling with the physicality of 1A rugby. The match on Friday is very winnable and it’s definitely one they’ll be targeting.
Similar to Shannon, things haven’t gone according to plan for Garryowen. They also have struggled to put in a full eighty-minute performance. They will be hoping to add to Shannon’s woes tomorrow evening.
These are the games these teams need to win if they are to survive.
Lansdowne V Terenure College, Friday November 4th, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch, 8pm
Lansdowne will be hoping to build on last week’s win, by upsetting the applecart and giving Terenure their first defeat of the season.
It’s Friday night rugby when Lansdowne welcome an inform Terenure to the Aviva Stadium back pitch, a curtain raiser for a big weekend of rugby in Lansdowne Road. These two teams played out a very competitive and super physical game just before the start of the AIL, with Terenure edging Lansdowne in the Leinster Senior League Division 1 final that day.
Sean Skehan’s Nure look unstoppable at the minute, averaging 46 points a game. The speed of which they play at makes it very difficult for teams to deal with their relentless attacks. They haven’t dropped a point yet, confidence is very high and they’ll be hungry to keep this momentum going on Friday.
It’s going to be a tough game for Mark McHugh’s charges. Their only hope in beating Nure is to somehow find a way in slowing the ball down at the ruck, cutting off the supply of quick front foot ball.
If Lansdowne win it could prove to be turning point in their season, but it’s hard to bet against this Terenure outfit.
Clontarf V Dublin University, Sat November 5th, Castle Avenue, 2:30pm
There’s only one place to start and that is in Castle Avenue on Saturday afternoon. It’s second against third. They are two teams that are yet to lose in the league this season.
Many believe this is the acid test for Tony Smeeth’s side. If they could get victories over Clontarf or Terenure College it would be a statement of intent and they’d have to be considered as genuine title contenders.
Clontarf have been setting the standards in recent times. This weekend will mark a year since they last lost a league game, an incredible achievement in an exceptionally tough division. They’ve just been going through the gears, not really needing to hit top form yet. Could this be their toughest test in a while?
Andy Wood has one of the best forward packs you’ll see, they could probably do battle with many of the professional clubs and international teams out there. Rowers Dylan Donnellan and Ben Griffin are as tough as teak. Cormac Daly and Tony Ryan are machines and new signing JJ O’Dea has fit in really well since moving from Old Wesley.
The team that wins this game is the team that wins the tough front up collisions. It has been a real area of improvement for Trinity, with Ireland U20 hopeful Paddy McCarthy, Ulster’s Harry Sheridan and Max Dunne all looking impressive and ready to take on anyone put in front of them.
A win for the students would be massive, instilling a belief that they can really beat anyone this season, but Clontarf are not going to let that long winning streak go easily.
Ballynahinch V Young Munster, Sat November 5th, Ballymacarn Park, 2:30pm
It’s a mid-table clash between Ballynahinch and Young Munster this weekend. It is an Important game for them both, as a defeat makes them a fair bit behind the leading pack.
For Ballynahinch, they’ve lost their last two outings, failing to claim any points. However, there has been glimpses of positives for them in those games, playing very well for the opening thirty minutes against Trinity in College Park last Saturday. Number eight, Jamie McCartney is also playing very well, but they’ll have to improve if they’re going to get a result on Saturday.
The Cookies have had a similar enough start to the season as Saturday’s opponents, two wins and two defeats. They have dangermen in their backline especially Fionn Gibbons and Conor Hayes. A powerful scrum is another tool they like to use to their advantage.
Level on 10 points each, who will come out on top in this game?
University College Dublin V Cork Constitution, Sat November 5th, Belfield, 2:30pm
Cork Con will be hoping to make it three wins on the bounce when they head to South Dublin on Saturday afternoon.
UCD haven’t hit the heights of their first performance of the season, where they ran champions Clontarf pretty close. They can throw it around with the best of them, but the defence seems to be where they have a few issues.
Credit must go to Cork Con, who have improved since that poor defeat to Terenure in round two. They now sit in the top four and they’ll fancy their chances to get another win this weekend.
