Details

Date Time Competition Season
1 October 2022 2:30 pm AIL Division 2A 2022/23

Match Report

AIL Preview: Division 2A

The Energia All-Ireland League returns this weekend and one of the most competitive divisions this season must be 2A.

Last year, Queen’s University looked destined for promotion after a fantastic league campaign, but ultimately fell short after a loss in the 2A final against Buccaneers.

2A newcomers Blackrock College sealed promotion from Division 2B, while Navan also take part this campaign after relegation from 1B

Blackrock College v Ballymena, Saturday October 1st, Stradbrook, 2:30pm

A last minute try from Matthew Dwan sealed a massive win for Blackrock College in the Division 2B final over Greystones, securing promotion to 2A. This weekend, they kick off their 2022/23 campaign at home to Ballymena who made it to the final four last season, being defeated by Queen’s university in the semi-final.

MU Barnhall v Old Crescent, Saturday October 1st, Parsonstown, 2:30pm

Two of last season’s mid table sides meet on matchday one, with MU Barnhall hosting Old Crescent. Old Crescent came agonisingly close to finishing in the final four last time around, with Ballymena taking the spot in the semi-final by a single point. MU Barnhall finished four points back in sixth place and both teams will be eager to kick on and earn a valuable, opening day win.

Navan v Cashel, Saturday October 1st, Balreask Old, 2:30pm.

Navan endured a difficult Division 1B campaign, finishing bottom of the table before being beaten by Banbridge in the relegation play-off. The Meath based club won just three games all season but will fancy their chances at returning to the division this season. 

Their opponents this weekend come in the form of Cashel, who finished in second place of Division 2A last year. 

Cashel were ultimately defeated by promotion winners Buccaneers in the semi-final but will be hoping to show the same sort of form this time around.

Queen’s University v Dolphin, Saturday October 1st, Dub Lane, 2:30pm.

With the format of the competition changing last year due to the pandemic, it saw just one team from each division promoted. Queen’s University ended their Division 2A league campaign at the summit of the table, with 15 wins from their 18 games. 

Sadly, for Queen’s, they had to enter a four-way play-off for promotion and were beaten in the final by Buccaneers. Dolphin finished in 8th place last year and know that improvement will be needed should they survive the drop this time around.

UL Bohemian v Nenagh Ormond, Saturday October 1st, UL Arena, 2:30pm.

Nenagh Ormond narrowly avoided the drop to Division 2B last year after beating Rainey Old Boys in the relegation play-off. After winning just five games all season, they finished in 9th place. 

UL Bohemian will also be hoping to build on their 7th place finish last season, when they host their fellow Munster club this weekend.

Ground

Balreask Old
Navan Rugby Club, Swan Lane, Navan Rural ED, The Municipal District of Navan, County Meath, Leinster, C15XK64, Ireland

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