Fixtures
| Date | R | Home vs Away | - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/20 13:30 | 2 |
Shannon vs Old Belvedere
|
View |
| 04/20 13:30 | 2 |
Old Wesley vs Garryowen
|
View |
| 04/20 13:30 | 2 |
Terenure vs Lansdowne
|
View |
| 04/20 13:30 | 2 |
Cork Constitution vs Clontarf
|
View |
| 04/20 13:30 | 2 |
Queens University vs Banbridge
|
View |
Results
| Date | R | Home vs Away | - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/06 13:30 | 18 |
Blackrock College vs Ucc
|
19-26 |
| 04/06 13:30 | 18 |
Clontarf vs Dublin University
|
31-12 |
| 04/06 13:30 | 18 |
Young Munster vs Lansdowne
|
24-29 |
| 04/06 13:30 | 18 |
UCD vs Shannon
|
33-17 |
| 04/06 13:30 | 18 |
Armagh vs Cork Constitution
|
24-40 |
| 04/06 13:30 | 18 |
Ballynahinch vs Terenure
|
15-34 |
| 04/06 13:30 | 18 |
Old Wesley vs Queens University
|
52-15 |
| 04/06 13:30 | 18 |
Naas vs Old Belvedere
|
29-34 |
| 04/06 13:30 | 18 |
Garryowen vs Highfield
|
31-10 |
| 04/06 13:30 | 18 |
Buccaneers vs St Mary's
|
12-32 |
| 03/31 16:00 | 17 |
Shannon vs Young Munster
|
37-22 |
| 03/30 17:30 | 17 |
Dublin University vs UCD
|
22-13 |
Malone
Ballymena
Navan RFC
Wikipedia - All-Ireland League (rugby union)
The All-Ireland League (AIL), known for sponsorship reasons as the Energia All-Ireland League, is the national league system for the 50 senior rugby union clubs in Ireland, covering both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The league was inaugurated in the 1990–91 season.
Cork Constitution F.C are the only club to have constantly retained their status in Division 1 since 1990/91. All other clubs in the league have experienced relegation.
The league is the second highest level of rugby union in Ireland, as professional teams representing the four provinces of Ireland play in the United Rugby Championship.
Division 1 sides may field no more than two professional players in their matchday sides, and only one may be a forward. Division 2 sides may not field professional players. Foreign professional players may not play in the League. Cork Constitution, the inaugural winners, are the only club to have retained top division status since the inception of the league.
History
Prior to 1990, there was no national league in Ireland. Each of the four provincial unions had its own cup and league tournament. In 1991, after almost five years of discussion and consultation with clubs, the All-Ireland League (AIL) was introduced with two divisions, division 1 with 9 clubs and division 2 with 10 clubs. The AIL was expanded to four divisions in 1993–94, with small variations in the numbers of teams per division in subsequent seasons.
In 2000–01 the league was restructured to three divisions, each with 16 teams. After the 1995 introduction of professionalism in rugby union, the IRFU increased the importance of the provinces, which from 2002 participated in the Celtic League (now the United Rugby Championship) as full-time teams rather than ad hoc selections of club players. Therefore, the best Irish players no longer played in the AIL. In 2004 the IRFU proposed scrapping the All-Ireland League and reintroducing a provincial league system in 2005–06 which would act as qualifiers for a curtailed three division AIL structure in the second half of the season, but this model did not receive the support of clubs or rugby pundits. In 2007 the IRFU agreed that the structure of the All-Ireland League would remain as three divisions with 16 clubs each for seasons 2008–09 and 2009–10. In 2009–10, division 1 was split into 1A and 1B with eight teams in each as a trial and then continued in season 2010–11. In 2011–12 division 1A and 1B had 10 clubs each and divisions 2 and 3 were reformatted as divisions 2A and 2B with 16 clubs in each division.
The tournament features teams from all four provinces of Ireland - Leinster, Munster, Ulster, and Connacht. These teams are known for their rich rugby traditions and passionate fan bases, creating an electric atmosphere at every match.
The All-Ireland League showcases the highest level of rugby talent in Ireland, with players from both the professional and amateur ranks participating. It serves as a platform for young and aspiring players to showcase their skills and potentially catch the attention of national team selectors.
The tournament follows a league format, where teams compete against each other in a round-robin system. Each team plays a home and away fixture against every other team in their respective division. The top teams from each division then progress to the knockout stages, culminating in a thrilling final to determine the overall champion.
The All-Ireland League not only promotes fierce competition on the field but also fosters camaraderie and sportsmanship among the participating clubs. It is a celebration of Irish rugby culture, with fans from all corners of the country coming together to support their teams and enjoy the spectacle of the game.
The tournament has a rich history, dating back several decades, and has produced some of Ireland's finest rugby talents. It serves as a breeding ground for future international stars, with many players going on to represent Ireland at the highest level.
The All-Ireland League is a must-watch event for rugby enthusiasts, offering a thrilling display of skill, passion, and determination. It encapsulates the essence of Irish rugby and showcases the country's love for the sport.