The All-Ireland League (AIL) is set to crown its champions in a thrilling final showdown between St Mary's and Clontarf at the Aviva Stadium next Sunday. This highly anticipated match promises to be a nail-biter, with both teams showcasing their prowess in a tightly contested league. The build-up to this final is nothing short of electric, with the 1A/1B playoff adding an extra layer of excitement.
St Mary's and Clontarf's home advantage was evident as they attracted record crowds, with the D6W derby at Templeville Road drawing over 4,000 spectators. The match itself was a tense, physical affair, with both teams trading blows and never allowing their opponents to gain more than a single score ahead. St Mary's' power in the red zones proved decisive, with Daniel Leane's close-range try and Conor Dean's smartly taken try giving them a 12-10 lead at halftime.
Richie Bergin's try extended St Mary's' lead, and despite Adam La Grue's try for Terenure, the final score of 20-13 secured St Mary's' place in the final. Clontarf, seeking to avoid a fifth semi-final defeat since 2019, faced a formidable challenge from Lansdowne. The match was a try-fest, with Fionn Gilbert's early try for Lansdowne countered by Clontarf's Jordan Coughlan and Hugh Cooney. Clontarf's dominance in the second half, with tries by Dan Magner and Dylan Donnellan, sealed their 39-28 victory.
The 1A/1B playoff between UCD and Dublin University at the UCD Bowl is shaping up to be a battle for top-flight status. Both coaches, Emmet MacMahon and Tony Smeeth, agree that this match is the biggest in history. The stakes are high, as the winner will secure a place in the top division. UCD's comeback from a nervy start, helped by Max Doyle's impact, resulted in a 35-24 victory over Garryowen, setting up an intriguing final against Clontarf.
In other matches, Trinity defeated Instonians 32-21, UCC trounced Corinthians 40-10, and Shannon's Oisin Minogue scored all four tries in their win over Dungannon. Sligo's surprise victory over Old Crescent relegated the latter to regional divisions, and UL Bohs' win over Clogher Valley set up a final against UCC. The women's division conference final between Wicklow and Galwegians ended in a 17-12 victory for Wicklow.
The playoff fixtures for the upcoming weekend include promotion/relegation matches for divisions 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2C, as well as the final showdown between St Mary's and Clontarf. The AIL's final will be a testament to the league's competitiveness and the skill of its players, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the outcome.
