There have been mixed fortunes for the nineteen Leinster senior clubs competing across the five divisions of the All-Ireland League so far this season.
In DIVISION 1A it is Terenure College who pave the way with a maximum fifteen points after three games, with wins over Dublin University, an exciting 39-35 victory against last season’s winners Cork Constitution, and they came out on against St. Mary’s College in the D6 Derby by 32 points to 21 last Saturday in Templeville Road.
Lansdowne, who have also won their opening three matches, lie in second position on thirteen points. Their victories have come away to newly promoted Buccaneers, at home to Young Munster, and a bonus point win against Dublin University (52-12).
UCD lie in fifth-place having won two their first two outings, before falling to Cork Constitution last time out (18-5).
Clontarf in sixth place and St. Mary’s in eighth have each recorded one victory apiece. Clontarf accounted for the Templeville outfit (33-16) in round two, with Mary’s sole victory achieved at home against Garryowen by 13-7.
The students of Dublin University have yet to get off the mark but have plenty of time to turn their season around.
Naas, Old Belvedere and Old Wesley compete in DIVISION 1B. Naas lead the challenge for the province lying in second place behind leaders Shannon on 12 points. Bonus point victories over Dolphin and UL Bohemians were followed by a 42-35 defeat away to Banbridge, though they did pick up two losing bonus points.
Old Belvedere, who dropped down from division 1A last season, have also started well with two out of three victories and lie in sixth place. Successes against Ballynahinch and UCC achieved either side of a defeat away to Shannon.
Old Wesley have yet to record a victory this season and lie in 10th place, their only point coming from a 21-18 defeat to Ballymena.
In DIVISION 2A, Leinster are represented by two clubs, Greystones and Blackrock. Unfortunately, both clubs have struggled so far and have yet to record a victory and lie in ninth and tenth place respectively.
Greystones have managed to pick up two losing bonus points while Blackrock have picked up one. Again, both clubs have plenty of time to address their disappointing starts.
Wanderers lead the way in DIVISION 2B with a maximum 15 points from their three outings to-date. Skerries lie in third place on 12 points. The two clubs met under lights in Holmpatrick in round two which produced an exciting 34-27 bonus point win for Wanderers, but which also yielded two bonus points for the seasiders.
Also in this division are MU Barnhall and Navan who lie in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Each team have recorded one victory apiece. They actually played each other last time out with Barnhall prevailing, 21-15.
DIVISION 2C sees newcomers to the All-Ireland League Malahide leading the challenge for the province, lying in third place on 10 points, with two victories, two points adrift of leaders Omagh.
Seapoint lie in eighth position having been successful in one of their three outings so far. Bective Rangers have as yet failed to get off the mark in this season’s campaign.
So, after the opening salvo of games the league tables are starting to take shape. The provinces senior clubs now know what has to be done to maintain challenges for titles, improve positions, and move away from the dreaded relegation dogfights that will occur as the season unfolds.
This weekend’s fixtures – Leinster teams in action
Division 1A
UCD 22 St Mary’s College 23 (Friday, 6th October, KO 7.30pm, Belfield)
Clontarf v Buccaneers (Saturday, 7th October, KO 2.30pm, Castle Avenue)
Terenure College v Garryowen (Saturday, 7th October, KO 2.30pm, Lakelands)
Young Munster v Dublin University (Saturday, 7th October, KO 2.30pm, Tom Clifford Park)
Lansdowne v Cork Constitution (Sunday, 8th October, KO 2.30pm, Aviva Stadium)
Division 1B
Old Belvedere v Old Wesley (Friday, 6th October, KO 7.30pm, Anglesea Road)
Naas v UCC (Saturday, 7th October, KO 2.30pm, Forenaughts)
Division 2A
Blackrock College RFC v City of Armagh (Saturday, 7th October, KO 2.30pm, Stradbrook)
Greystones v Highfield (Saturday, 7th October, KO 2.30pm, Dr Hickey Park)
Division 2B
Navan RFC v Dungannon (Saturday, 7th October, KO 2.30pm, Balreask Old)
Old Crescent v Wanderers (Saturday, 7th October, KO 2.30pm, Rosbrien)
Rainey OB v MU Barnhall (Saturday, 7th October, KO 2.30pm, Hatrick Park)
Skerries v Belfast Harlequins (Saturday, 7th October, KO 2.30pm, Holmpatrick)
Division 2C
Bective Rangers v Midleton (Saturday, 7th October, KO 2.30pm, Donnybrook Stadium)
Tullamore v Bruff (Saturday, 7th October, KO 2.30pm, Spollanstown)
Seapoint v Malahide (Saturday, 7th October, KO 4pm, Kilbogget Park)
