Nenagh were the pace setters in Round 1 and will hope to hold off Greystones, Banbridge, Navan and Old Crescent to keep onto top spot.
UL Bohemian v Banbridge, Saturday October 14th, Annacotty, 1pm
Banbrige began life with the optimum result at home last weekend, heading to Shannonside a consecutive win they will hope follows against bottom placed UL Bohemians in the early kick-off.
The Red Robins were beaten 39-15 in their meeting with Nenagh last time out, BJ Botha’s opener as head coach was a tough one but with a home tie renewed optimism will be there for a home result. It was a sense of deja vu losing to Nenagh once again, Banbridge are a new challenge for the side that narrowly avoided the drop last season.
It was the perfect start for Banbridge since dropping down a Division last weekend, a bonus point win in a very commanding result on home soil can give them the confidence to come to Annacotty and expect to leave with another five. In his first full season in charge Rob Logan has started with the right result and looks to continue that going forward.
Cashel v Malone, Saturday October 14th, Spafield, 2pm
Following opening day defeats, Cashel and Malone will look to bounce back in their first home and respective away meetings of the 23-24 campaign.
Ray Moloney was tasked with guiding Cashel into the top four after they narrowly missed out last season, following their opening day defeat they cannot slip into the same form as last year which saw the Tipp side miss the play-offs by two points. It was a solid performance but just unable to hold out against a tough Banbridge side, a return to winning ways is needed this year.
Malone’s start to life in 2A was also far from ideal, following a four year-long stint in 1B they struggled against Greystones in the opening day especially in the second half. It will be a return to Spafield for the first time since an 18-16 win for the Ulster side back in September of 2017, can they pick up their first win of the season we will have to wait and see.
Greystones v Ballymena, Saturday October 14th, Dr Hickey Park, 2:30pm
Greystones bonus point result last time out was the ideal start for their 2A campaign but off the back of a narrow defeat Ballymena are out to avenge their opening round loss.
It may have been a new look starting 15 by the Wicklow outfit but it was business as usual on the field, another impressive bonus point win on the road, the 2B champions last term having started in ideal fashion.
Standing in their way of consecutive wins is a Ballymena side that were defeated in a stunning second half comeback by Navan last weekend. Andy Hughes’ second AIL campaign as Ballymena head coach began with defeat, his opener last season also came in defeat as the Ulster side finished 15 points off the pace for promotion.
MU Barnhall v Nenagh Ormond, Saturday October 14th, Parsonstown, 2:30pm
Nenagh were unlucky not to get promoted for their first taste of 1b rugby last year, with an opening round win under their belts, they travel to Kildare hoping to inflict a second defeat on MU Barnhall.
Barnhall finished in the play-offs last season and despite that were unable to score an opening round success falling to Old Crescent. Barnhall squandered a half time lead in that one and need a result like the 26-10 win they picked up in April last against their Tipperary opponents.
Conor McMahon led the charge for Nenagh last weekend in their 39-15 bonus point win over UL Bohemians, four conversions, two penalties and a try the Winger was a man on a mission, Nenagh have a nice blend of experience and youth, Ben Pope, Colm Skehan and Charlie O’Doherty all got their first caps last weekend, this squad looks a solid unit to challenge for the title this season.
Navan v Old Crescent, Saturday October 14th, Balreask Old, 2:30pm
It was a victorious opening round for both sides head coaches in their first game in charge with their respective clubs, can they continue that trend this weekend in Navan.
Former Leinster and Connacht hooker Jason Harris-Wright moved up from assistant to head coach at Navan and oversaw a strong second half comeback to defeat Ballymena on the road last weekend. An ideal start for Navan to build on finishing above mid table, they were 15-9 winners when the pair met shy of 12 months ago.
Shane Mullally’s first league game as Old Crescent head coach was also a successful one for the Shannon men, it was a real test for Crescent on the opening day but they shone in the second half. Jed O’Dwyer and Evan Conlon both scored tries on their AIL debuts, in a team that had six debutants, O’Dwyer joined Cillian Kelly having came through the academy, while Conlon, Evan Creaven, Sean Donnarumma and Cormac Doyle have all joined to boost their ranks.
Information on 2A available here.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.