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Energia All-Ireland League kicks off this weekend

19th September 2024

The Energia All-Ireland is back this weekend with plenty of action to look forward to. With exciting Ulster derbies, AIL newcomers, this weekend holds a lot to be excited for.

Ballynahinch v Armagh, Ballymacarn Park

One of the standout fixtures of the weekend is the clash between Ballynahinch and City of Armagh in Division 1A. Both teams have been rivals for many years and this derby is sure to be a hard-fought affair. Ballynahinch finished fifth in the league last season, while Armagh were eighth. The two sides split their encounters last year, with Ballynahinch winning both home and away.

Ahead of the game, Ballynahinch 1XV captain Bradley Luney expressed his excited for the season. "There’s been a great buzz around training for the whole of preseason. A lot of lads have got an opportunity in the Ulster League and the first AIL selection is always pretty highly anticipated so the excitement is building.

"There are a lot of new faces round the place so it’s been a balance of helping them get up to speed as well as getting fit. The new guys have brought a bit of freshness and competition to the squad, including Mike Bentley who has taken our S&C to the next level.

"We’re happy to be kicking off the season at home, there’s no better place than Ballymacarn on an AIL Saturday, and it’s a bonus that it’s an Ulster derby to start things off. There’s always a bit more bite in these fixtures so we’re relishing the opportunity."

Head Coach, Adam Craig added, "We are really excited to get going. We’ve worked hard over the off season to give us the best shot at starting well.

No better way to start the season than with an Ulster derby! There is a much respected rivalry there with Armagh, 2 country clubs competing at the top of the All Ireland League. We are excited to get the first fixture at home and hopefully it will be a great day at the club with the two 2nd’s kicking off earlier.

City of Armagh captain, Nigel Simpson highlighted his excitement for the AIL kick-off: "We are hugely excited as a squad to kick off the AIL this weekend, coming off the back of a successful Ulster League campaign. We got a taste for rugby in the top division in Ireland last year and we enjoyed the challenge against the best in the country. We’re looking to build on our performances from last year.

"We’ve had a good preseason, a lot of work has been put in both on and off the pitch. The coaches have challenged us and the boys have reacted well, so hopefully that will show in our performances this year. There has been a few changes both from a coaching point of view and a few new faces in the squad so we’re hoping this, together with the work we’ve put in throughout preseason, will help take our game to the next level.

"There aren’t many better ways to start the season than an Ulster derby, especially at Ballymacarn Park. It’s a tough place to go, so we’re expecting a huge challenge but one we’re really looking forward to. We came out on the wrong side of the results when we met last year, so we’re looking to change that this season."

Chris Parker, City of Armagh's head coach, added: "Everybody is excited about the start of the AIL, the group has worked incredibly hard since we got back out on the pitch in July. The Ulster senior league was great to get minutes in lads legs and test the depth of the squad but the main focus is always the AIL and allowing the players to test themselves against the best clubs and players in Ireland.

"Training has been excellent, which is a credit to the players, who have really driven everything up a level. This season we brought in two new coaches, that has freshened the environment up and the playing group have really bought into the new ideas and philosophies that the guys are trying to implement.

"The derbies are the first fixture that anybody associated to a club looks for when the fixtures are released, to visit Ballymacarn Park first up is fantastic. Ballynahinch for well over a decade have been the top side in Ulster, we have a lot of respect for them as a playing squad and as a club. There is always a lot of excitement when AIL rolls around but I feel the Ulster derby first up has really added to that this season."

Buccaneers v Instonians, Dubarry Park

Another team with plenty to play for is Instonians, who have been promoted to Division 2A after a successful season last year. The Belfast side will be looking to make a statement in their first season at this level and will face Buccaneers in their opening game.

Malone v Clogher Valley, Gibson Park

Clogher Valley are also a newly promoted team this season, beginning their Division 2B campaign with a tough test against Malone. Clogher Valley finished top of the table in Division 2C last year, winning 14 from 18 games. Malone were relegated from Division 2A last season.

Tullamore v Ballyclare, Spollanstown

Ballyclare will be making their debut in the AIL this weekend when they travel to Tullamore. The Ulster side won the All-Ireland Junior Cup last season and then secured promotion to senior rugby with a dramatic 33-28 win over Monkstown.

Captain Joel McBride said: " ⁠The squad is feeling good, it’s an exciting time for the club & players going into AIL for the first time. We are looking forward to the challenge & playing new opposition than we are used to.

"We have had a great pre-season, we’ve been working hard on the pitch and with gym work. We had two good hit outs vs Ballymena & Quins, but now we are excited to get the AIL campaign underway.

"The mood in camp is very positive, trainings been good and we are well prepared going into the season."

Head coach Mike Orchin-McKeever added: "⁠It’s a later start to a league season than what we are used to previously, so it feels like we have had a very long preseason but continued exactly how we left off. Very excited for the opportunity to play new teams, and visit grounds we haven’t ever. A season of “first Evers” awaits.

"Training has been encouraging aiming to develop the strength in the depth of our squad. We focused on a structured conditioning program along side gym to increase strength, assist with injury prevention. It's been great to add a few new faces to the squad, Ryan McNeil, Fergus Canning and Jacob Scarlett and hugely delighted to welcome a few back from what could have been long term injury and those who had taken a break; Ross Johnston, Owen Warren, Jack Black, Josh Cowan and Josh Young returning from New Zealand.

"The environment is brilliantly well connected, it’s our superpower. We enjoy our rugby and being around each other. The effort and work off the pitch by so many is fantastic with the addition of the “Ronnie Lamont Stand” and new dugouts, the Wylie Simms 250 club, the Cowan Joker plus so much around the grounds with Paul McDowell and so many involved in the clubhouse."