Entering the 18th and final round of the marathon six-month Energia All-Ireland regular season campaign, all bar four of the Division 1A sides still have something tangible to play for. The best squads have prevailed but with little to separate them, as Terenure (65 points), Cork Constitution (65) and Clontarf (63) take the fight for home semi-finals to the last day.
On the back of last week’s crucial 11th win, Terenure overtook Clontarf and the champions will secure a third home semi-final in succession a fortnight hence if they can make it 12 victories in a row away to Ballynahinch, whom they beat 16-13 in the league’s opening round in early October.
They bring back lock Mikey Reilly and winger Craig Adams, with Harrison Brewer reverting to backrow in the absence of the injured Luke Clohessy.
Cork Con travel to City of Armagh, who sit above Shannon in the fight to avoid the relegation playoffs, while Clontarf, who need to better Con’s result and perhaps make up the 13-point gap in their respective points’ differential, host already-relegated Trinity.
While first place has been secured in the other four divisions by St Mary’s, Nenagh Ormond, Instonians and Clogher Valley, the play-offs are unresolved.
In 1B, Old Wesley are best placed to secure a home semi-final. They host Queens, who admittedly have to win to avoid a relegation play-off and hope Naas lose at home to Old Belvedere. Third-placed Garryowen, seeking a ninth win in a row, will jostle for positions with Highfield, both of whom need only a point to ensure their playoff place.
Similarly, in 2A Cashel (2nd) are assured of a semi-final and seek to secure a home tie when they entertain Banbridge (4th), while Barnhall (3rd) are also through to the play-offs before they host Old Crescent (5th).
To avoid the relegation play-off, Greystones need to beat relegated Malone at Dr Hickey Park, and hope either UL Bohemian (home to champions Nenagh Ormond) or Ballymena (away to Navan) lose, and the latter without a bonus point.
It’s a straight shoot-out for a home semi-final in two weeks’ time between Wanderers and Corinthians in Merrion Road in 2B. Malahide (8th) can avoid the relegation playoffs by beating Belfast Harlequins (9th), in which case Dolphin (10th) need to beat Dungannon (5th) to avoid automatic relegation.
The three-way battle to avoid the drop into the provincial leagues in 2C reaches a climax when Ballina (10th) host Midleton while, a point above them, Ballina travel to Clogher Valley and Omagh Academicals, ahead of Ballina on points’ difference, host Enniscorthy (3rd).
Energia All-Ireland League (2.30 unless stated)
Men’s Division 1A: Ballynahinch v Terenure College, Ballymacarn Park; City of Armagh v Cork Constitution, Palace Grounds; Clontarf v Dublin University, Castle Avenue; UCD v Shannon, Belfield; Young Munster v Lansdowne, Tom Clifford Park.
Division 1B: Blackrock College v UCC, Stradbrook; Buccaneers v St Mary’s College, Dubarry Park; Garryowen v Highfield, Dooradoyle; Naas v Old Belvedere, Forenaughts; Old Wesley v Queens, Energia Park.
Division 2A: Cashel v Banbridge, Spafield; Greystones v Malone, Dr Hickey Park; MU Barnhall v Old Crescent, Parsonstown; Navan v Ballymena, Balreask Old; UL Bohemian v Nenagh Ormond.
Division 2B: Dolphin v Dungannon, Virgin Media Park; Instonians v Skerries, Shaw’s Bridge; Malahide v Belfast Harlequins, Estuary Road; Sligo v Rainey, Hamilton Park; Wanderers v Galway Corinthians, Merrion Road.
Division 2C: Bangor v Midleton, Upritchard Park; Bruff v Clonmel, Killballyowen Park; Clogher Valley v Ballina, The Cran; Galwegians v Tullamore, Crowley Park; Omagh Academicals v Enniscorthy, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields.
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