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2025–26 All-Ireland League (rugby union)

2025–26 All-Ireland League
CountriesIreland Ireland
Number of teams50
Date27 September 2025 – 26 April 2026
Top point scorer1A Mick O'Gara (St Mary's College) – 137 points
1B Tom Larke (Old Wesley) – 119 points
2A Neil Byrne (MU Barnhall) – 112 points
2B Matthew Rae (Malone) – 94 points
2C Joey O'Connor (Clonmel) – 124 points
Top try scorer1A Shay McCarthy (Young Munster), Dylan Donnellan (Clontarf) – 10 tries
1B Bradley McNamara (Instonians), Paddy Taylor (Naas), Kieran O'Shea (Old Wesley) – 9 tries
2A Shane Mallon (MU Barnhall) – 10 tries
2B Rob Deacy (Galwegians) – 12 tries
2C Cian O'Donoghue (Monkstown) – 14 tries
Official website
www.irishrugby.ie/all-ireland-leagues-old/men/

The 2025–26 All-Ireland League, known as the Energia All-Ireland League for sponsorship reasons,[1] is the 34th season of Irish Rugby's top level domestic competition. The League began on 27 September 2025 and is scheduled to finish with the League final at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on 26 April 2026.[2]

Clontarf are the defending champions having won their 4th title by defeating reigning champions Cork Constitution in the 2024–25 League Final.[3]

Bective Rangers (after a 7-year absence) and Thomond (after a 6-year absence) make a return to the A.I.L. having been promoted from the Junior Provincial leagues replacing Tullamore and Omagh Academicals who were relegated.[4][5]

Format

The League consists of 5 divisions of 10 teams each playing a double round-robin competition using the standard Rugby union bonus points system. At the completion of the league phase the top 4 teams in Division 1A will qualify for the play-off semi-finals, with the two winners meeting in the final.

The 10th placed teams in Divisions 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B are to be relegated to Divisions 1B, 2A, 2B and 2C respectively while the winners of Divisions 1B, 2A, 2B and 2C are to be promoted up one division. The 9th placed team in Division 1A along with the 2nd to 4th placed teams in Division 1B will enter a play-off competition with the winner to play in Division 1A for 2026–27. This same play-off competition applied to the other divisions also.

The 10th placed team in Division 2C are to be relegated from the A.I.L. to their respective Provincial qualifying league and be replaced by the winner of the All-Ireland Provincial League Championship. The 9th placed team in Division 2C are to play the runner-up of the All-Ireland Provincial League Championship with the winner to play in Division 2C for 2026–27.[6]

All-Ireland Provincial League Championship

The All-Ireland Provincial League Championship is to be contested by the winners of the four provincial qualifying leagues in Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster. They will play in two semi-finals with the winners meeting in the final, with all matches played at neutral venues. The winner will play in Division 2C of the A.I.L. for 2026–27. The runners-up are to play away against the 9th place team in Division 2C and the winner of this play-off will also play in Division 2C of the A.I.L. for 2026–27.

Team changes

The following promotions and relegations occurred at the end of the 2024–25 season:[7]

Promoted Relegated
Division 1A — Garryowen, City of Armagh*
Division 1B Old Belvedere, Nenagh Ormond* Shannon
Division 2A Instonians Buccaneers, Navan*
Division 2B Wanderers, Dungannon* Malahide
Division 2C Enniscorthy Tullamore, Omagh Academicals*
A-I PLC Bective Rangers, Thomond* —

* via play-offs

Division 1A

Clontarf begin their 13th consecutive season in the top division as reigning champions while last season's runners-up, Cork Constitution continue their ever presence in the league's topflight. Old Belvedere are back in Division 1A after 6 seasons[8] while Nenagh Ormond become the first County Tipperary club to play in the league's top division.[9]

Teams

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 St Mary's College 13 10 1 2 334 210 +124 42 29 6 1 49 Play-off semi-finals
2 Clontarf 13 10 0 3 325 256 +69 46 34 7 1 48
3 Cork Constitution 13 8 0 5 300 254 +46 44 34 6 3 41
4 Young Munster 13 6 0 7 428 314 +114 62 44 9 6 39
5 Terenure College 13 7 0 6 344 293 +51 50 40 7 3 38
6 Lansdowne 13 7 0 6 341 293 +48 45 38 5 4 37
7 Ballynahinch 13 6 1 6 313 257 +56 43 32 5 2 33
8 Old Belvedere 13 6 0 7 279 307 −28 35 44 4 2 30
9 UCD 13 4 0 9 285 441 −156 41 65 3 1 20 Division 1B Play-offs
10 Nenagh Ormond 13 0 0 13 203 527 −324 28 75 2 0 2 Relegation to Division 1B
Updated to match(es) played on 7 February 2026. Source: 2025–26 AIL Tables
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Difference between points for and against; 2) Number of matches won; 3) Number of matches drawn; 4) Most tries scored; 5) Most league points in matches involving tied teams.[6]

Results & fixtures

Home \ Away BNH CTF CON LAN NOR OBV STM TER UCD YMS
Ballynahinch — 20–24 7 Mar
2026 		34–13 47–0 28 Mar
2026 		0–14 12–52 57–19 35–33
Clontarf 21–16 — 24–27 20–17 35–24 7 Mar
2026 		4 Apr
2026 		29–24 29–12 28–26
Cork Constitution 12–25 3–17 — 4 Apr
2026 		21 Mar
2026 		21–15 28 Feb
2026 		42–14 26–7 19–18
Lansdowne 18–10 27 Mar
2026 		27–22 — 62–17 41–34 7–13 13–34 38–43 7 Mar
2026
Nenagh Ormond 3–24 12–28 17–25 28 Feb
2026 		— 13–23 27–49 7 Mar
2026 		28 Mar
2026 		31–43
Old Belvedere 32–17 12–34 18–12 11–36 4 Apr
2026 		— 21 Mar
2026 		30–24 36–12 28 Feb
2026
St Mary's College 16–16 32–21 27–26 0–14 49–15 34–17 — 28–21 7 Mar
2026 		28 Mar
2026
Terenure College 28 Feb
2026 		31–15 28 Mar
2026 		21 Mar
2026 		40–12 27–19 14–12 — 4 Apr
2026 		19–29
UCD 21 Mar
2026 		28 Feb
2026 		19–36 20–15 45–22 14–19 24–45 15–24 — 34–12
Young Munster 4 Apr
2026 		21 Mar
2026 		26–29 35–40 57–10 22–13 8–15 37–20 82–21 —
Updated to match(es) played on 7 February 2026. Source: 2025–26 AIL fixtures & results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Division 1B

Garryowen are back in Division 1B as they continue to yo-yo between the league's top two divisions. Also making the drop from Division 1A are City of Armagh after just 2 seasons in the topflight. Instonians play at this level for the first time since 2009 as they continued their remarkable run of four consecutive promotions last season.[10]

Teams

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Old Wesley 13 11 0 2 369 239 +130 52 33 7 0 51 Promotion to Division 1A
2 Dublin University 13 9 0 4 366 277 +89 50 38 6 2 44 Division 1B Play-offs
3 Instonians 13 8 0 5 355 267 +88 53 37 8 4 44
4 Highfield 13 8 0 5 285 254 +31 40 36 4 4 40
5 City of Armagh 13 7 0 6 327 315 +12 46 48 6 2 36
6 Garryowen 13 5 1 7 311 297 +14 46 45 5 5 32
7 UCC 13 6 0 7 269 291 −22 37 40 4 2 30
8 Blackrock College 13 5 0 8 266 318 −52 38 44 3 4 27
9 Naas 13 4 0 9 301 372 −71 43 53 7 3 26 Division 2A Play-offs
10 Queen's University 13 1 1 11 202 421 −219 31 61 3 5 14 Relegation to Division 2A
Updated to match(es) played on 7 February 2026. Source: 2025–26 AIL Tables
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Difference between points for and against; 2) Number of matches won; 3) Number of matches drawn; 4) Most tries scored; 5) Most league points in matches involving tied teams.[6]

Results & fixtures

Home \ Away BLK ARM DBU GAR HIF INS NAS OWS QUB UCC
Blackrock College — 31–24 4 Apr
2026 		18–15 15–27 20–7 30–26 20–26 21 Mar
2026 		14–19
City of Armagh 28 Feb
2026 		— 28–19 15–29 21 Mar
2026 		23–17 47–33 4 Apr
2026 		22–16 26–5
Dublin University 36–26 28 Mar
2026 		— 31–29 19–26 29–26 21–18 27–7 48–26 7 Mar
2026
Garryowen 7 Mar
2026 		48–29 21–27 — 10–15 37–14 19–24 17–41 28 Mar
2026 		22–19
Highfield 28 Mar
2026 		19–36 21–17 33–19 — 38–35 7 Mar
2026 		17–21 21–14 22–13
Instonians 42–18 29–14 28 Feb
2026 		21 Mar
2026 		17–15 — 32–13 36–14 29–22 28 Mar
2026
Naas 32–20 24–17 21 Mar
2026 		14–28 19–14 4 Apr
2026 		— 15–33 28 Feb
2026 		24–34
Old Wesley 27–21 21–12 30–16 28 Feb
2026 		19–17 7 Mar
2026 		28 Mar
2026 		— 63–5 31–29
Queen's University 18–20 7 Mar
2026 		12–52 17–17 4 Apr
2026 		7–40 36–31 7–36 — 10–15
UCC 19–13 24–34 7–24 4 Apr
2026 		28 Feb
2026 		17–31 41–28 21 Mar
2026 		27–12 —
Updated to match(es) played on 7 February 2026. Source: 2025–26 AIL fixtures & results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Division 2A

After two successive relegations Shannon will play in the third tier of the A.I.L. for the first time in their history.[11] Promoted up from Division 2B are Dungannon who return to this level for the first time since the league was restructured 10 years ago, while Wanderers will play at their highest level since returning to the league in 2014.[12][13]

Teams

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 MU Barnhall 13 13 0 0 344 179 +165 48 22 7 0 59 Promotion to Division 1B
2 Dungannon 13 9 1 3 291 278 +13 38 34 4 0 42 Division 2A Play-offs
3 Shannon 13 8 0 5 315 221 +94 37 28 4 4 40
4 Wanderers 13 8 0 5 292 270 +22 40 37 3 2 37
5 Galway Corinthians 13 6 0 7 232 233 −1 31 30 3 4 31
6 Ballymena 13 6 0 7 253 324 −71 32 46 3 3 30
7 Greystones 13 5 0 8 267 312 −45 35 43 4 4 28
8 Cashel 13 4 1 8 252 266 −14 34 35 3 6 27
9 Old Crescent 13 4 0 9 208 249 −41 27 0 2 5 23 Division 2B Play-offs
10 Banbridge 13 1 0 12 216 338 −122 31 46 3 5 12 Relegation to Division 2B
Updated to match(es) played on 7 February 2026. Source: 2025–26 AIL Tables
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Difference between points for and against; 2) Number of matches won; 3) Number of matches drawn; 4) Most tries scored; 5) Most league points in matches involving tied teams.[6]

Results & fixtures

Home \ Away BMA BAN CAS DUN GYC GRE MUB OCR SHN WAN
Ballymena — 24–10 29–23 15–7 21 Mar
2026 		28–26 12–19 4 Apr
2026 		28 Feb
2026 		17–38
Banbridge 22–26 — 14–24 25–28 4 Apr
2026 		10–18 28 Feb
2026 		15–7 21 Mar
2026 		7–18
Cashel 20–22 7 Mar
2026 		— 25–25 12–5 19–25 15–41 10–18 4 Apr
2026 		19–26
Dungannon 30–10 24–21 28 Feb
2026 		— 18–17 4 Apr
2026 		7–28 17–13 22–14 21 Mar
2026
Galway Corinthians 31–29 45–8 10–9 28 Mar
2026 		— 7 Mar
2026 		9–18 28 Feb
2026 		27–22 19–18
Greystones 28 Mar
2026 		29–19 7–26 24–31 36–27 — 24–31 21 Mar
2026 		7–10 28 Feb
2026
MU Barnhall 41–20 32–12 21 Mar
2026 		51–31 15–8 11–3 — 10–7 24–17 4 Apr
2026
Old Crescent 16–11 26–22 28 Mar
2026 		18–20 10–20 32–37 7 Mar
2026 		— 10–21 22–17
Shannon 41–10 37–31 19–26 7 Mar
2026 		21–0 30–10 28 Mar
2026 		27–12 — 34–17
Wanderers 7 Mar
2026 		28 Mar
2026 		25–24 17–31 17–14 38–21 14–23 22–17 25–22 —
Updated to match(es) played on 7 February 2026. Source: 2025–26 AIL fixtures & results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Division 2B

Back-to-back relegations see Buccaneers drop to 2B along with Navan who lost out in a play-off to Dungannon.[12] After 2 seasons in the bottom division Enniscorthy return to 2B.[14]

Teams

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Galwegians 13 13 0 0 499 169 +330 77 23 12 0 64 Promotion to Division 2A
2 Clogher Valley 13 10 0 3 347 174 +173 53 23 9 1 50 Division 2B Play-offs
3 UL Bohemians 13 9 0 4 374 263 +111 55 38 8 2 46
4 Rainey 13 8 0 5 274 278 −4 38 38 5 2 39
5 Sligo 13 7 0 6 320 324 −4 45 44 7 2 37
6 Malone 13 6 0 7 286 320 −34 40 48 6 3 33
7 Buccaneers 13 5 0 8 244 323 −79 33 47 3 3 26
8 Skerries 13 3 1 9 207 388 −181 27 58 1 2 17
9 Navan 13 2 1 10 207 366 −159 28 55 1 2 13 Division 2C Play-offs
10 Enniscorthy 13 1 0 12 235 388 −153 33 55 2 1 7 Relegation to Division 2C
Updated to match(es) played on 7 February 2026. Source: 2025–26 AIL Tables
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Difference between points for and against; 2) Number of matches won; 3) Number of matches drawn; 4) Most tries scored; 5) Most league points in matches involving tied teams.[6]

Results & fixtures

Home \ Away BUC CLV ENS GLW MLN NAV RAI SKR SLG ULB
Buccaneers — 7–45 7 Mar
2026 		17–38 27–22 8–20 15–7 33–14 28 Mar
2026 		10–14
Clogher Valley 43–14 — 31–0 12–31 19–21 33–15 4 Apr
2026 		26–0 7 Mar
2026 		21–29
Enniscorthy 21–29 20–26 — 14–28 4 Apr
2026 		45–5 28 Feb
2026 		21 Mar
2026 		12–42 10–21
Galwegians 4 Apr
2026 		21 Mar
2026 		41–24 — 24–15 50–15 40–12 61–0 48–8 19–14
Malone 22–27 28 Mar
2026 		26–17 7 Mar
2026 		— 22–17 20–37 14–17 29–25 30–29
Navan 28 Feb
2026 		14–24 28 Mar
2026 		3–24 21 Mar
2026 		— 10–19 20–20 30–29 21–33
Rainey 23–22 13–15 31–14 28 Mar
2026 		22–13 24–19 — 33–21 19–22 7 Mar
2026
Skerries 25–23 10–28 38–26 14–52 28 Feb
2026 		7 Mar
2026 		14–17 — 17–31 28 Mar
2026
Sligo 29–12 0–24 39–15 28 Feb
2026 		19–35 35–18 21 Mar
2026 		4 Apr
2026 		— 24–13
UL Bohemians 21 Mar
2026 		28 Feb
2026 		31–17 21–43 40–17 4 Apr
2026 		53–17 24–17 52–17 —
Updated to match(es) played on 7 February 2026. Source: 2025–26 AIL fixtures & results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Division 2C

After 4 seasons in 2B Malahide return to the bottom division[15] while Bective Rangers and Thomond return to the A.I.L. after 7 and 6 years respectively in the Junior leagues.[4][5]

Teams

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Clonmel 13 10 0 3 357 267 +90 49 39 7 2 49 Promotion to Division 2B
2 Thomond 13 9 0 4 374 271 +103 54 36 7 2 45 Division 2C Play-offs
3 Monkstown 13 9 0 4 393 271 +122 57 0 6 1 43
4 Bective Rangers 12 8 0 4 330 239 +91 53 31 9 2 43
5 Bruff 13 7 0 6 297 313 −16 37 44 4 4 36
6 Dolphin 13 6 0 7 332 344 −12 49 51 7 2 33
7 Ballyclare 13 4 1 8 315 348 −33 45 51 6 3 27
8 Midleton 13 4 0 9 290 315 −25 43 43 4 4 24
9 Belfast Harlequins 13 4 1 8 247 452 −205 36 68 3 1 22 Provincial League Play-off
10 Malahide 12 2 0 10 250 365 −115 34 54 4 4 16 Relegation to Provincial League
Updated to match(es) played on 7 February 2026. Source: 2025–26 AIL Tables
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Difference between points for and against; 2) Number of matches won; 3) Number of matches drawn; 4) Most tries scored; 5) Most league points in matches involving tied teams.[6]

Results & fixtures

Home \ Away BCL BEC BHQ BRF CML DOL MLD MID MNK THO
Ballyclare — 28 Feb
2026 		34–19 37–7 4 Apr
2026 		38–48 31–27 21 Mar
2026 		34–43 5–29
Bective Rangers 36–17 — 37–14 21 Mar
2026 		34–33 7 Feb
2026 		33–7 22–7 34–21 4 Apr
2026
Belfast Harlequins 24–24 24–13 — 28–38 12–42 33–24 28 Mar
2026 		24–22 21 Mar
2026 		28 Feb
2026
Bruff 7 Mar
2026 		25–15 30–25 — 19–18 21–15 7 Feb
2026 		4 Apr
2026 		28–19 17–20
Clonmel 33–27 24–20 7 Mar
2026 		22–20 — 28 Mar
2026 		39–14 31–17 28 Feb
2026 		24–22
Dolphin 28–7 14–35 4 Apr
2026 		28 Feb
2026 		32–19 — 25–22 26–19 36–14 21 Mar
2026
Malahide 8–21 P–P 17–19 21–15 21 Mar
2026 		24–15 — 28 Feb
2026 		4 Apr
2026 		25–35
Midleton 25–23 28 Mar
2026 		7 Feb
2026 		40–25 21–29 7 Mar
2026 		43–34 — 15–19 11–13
Monkstown 7 Feb
2026 		7 Mar
2026 		68–10 28 Mar
2026 		10–14 29–13 57–20 33–5 — 40–28
Thomond 28 Mar
2026 		29–22 55–10 22–20 7 Feb
2026 		54–32 7 Mar
2026 		31–17 17–19 —
Updated to match(es) played on 31 January 2026. Source: 2025–26 AIL fixtures & results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Play-offs

Division 1A Play-offs

Semi-finals

18 April 2026
Semi-final 1
1st Division 1Av4th Division 1A


18 April 2026
Semi-final 2
2nd Division 1Av3rd Division 1A


All-Ireland League Final
See below.

Division 1B Play-offs

Semi-finals

18 April 2026
Semi-final 1
9th Division 1Av4th Division 1B


18 April 2026
Semi-final 2
2nd Division 1Bv3rd Division 1B


Play-off Final

25 April 2026
Final
Winner Semi-final 1vWinner Semi-final 2

Division 2A Play-offs

Semi-finals

18 April 2026
Semi-final 1
9th Division 1Bv4th Division 2A


18 April 2026
Semi-final 2
2nd Division 2Av3rd Division 2A


Play-off Final

25 April 2026
Final
Winner Semi-final 1vWinner Semi-final 2

Division 2B Play-offs

Semi-finals

18 April 2026
Semi-final 1
9th Division 2Av4th Division 2B


18 April 2026
Semi-final 2
2nd Division 2Bv3rd Division 2B


Play-off Final

25 April 2026
Final
Winner Semi-final 1vWinner Semi-final 2

Division 2C Play-offs

Semi-finals

18 April 2026
Semi-final 1
9th Division 2Bv4th Division 2C


18 April 2026
Semi-final 2
2nd Division 2Cv3rd Division 2C


Play-off Final

25 April 2026
Final
Winner Semi-final 1vWinner Semi-final 2

Provincial League Championship

Semi-finals

28 March 2026
Semi-final 1
Provincial Champions
(Ulster )		vProvincial Champions
( Leinster)


28 March 2026
Semi-final 2
Provincial Champions
(Munster )		vProvincial Champions
( Connacht)


Final

11 April 2026
Final
Winner Semi-final 1vWinner Semi-final 2


Play-off

25 April 2026
Play-off
9th Division 2CvLoser of Final

Final

The All-Ireland League final is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 26 April 2026, at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

All-Ireland League Final

26 April 2025
Winner Div. 1A Semi-final 1vWinner Div. 1A Semi-final 2
Aviva Stadium


See also

References

  1. ^ "Energia extends partnership with the IRFU until 2029". irishrugby.ie. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Season Plan Confirmed for 2025/26 Men's Energia AIL Competitions". irishrugbu.ie. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  3. ^ Lewis, Simon (27 April 2025). "Clontarf edge Cork Con by one point in tense AIL final to regain title". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  4. ^ a b Kearney, Diarmuid (12 April 2025). "Bective Rangers Book Return To Energia All-Ireland League Ranks". irishrugby.ie. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b Kinsella, Colm (26 April 2025). "Thomond RFC celebrate return to All-Ireland League ranks". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "A.I.L. Regulations 2025–26" (PDF). irishrugby.ie. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Energia All-Ireland League Men's Divisions – 2024/25 Ups & Downs". irishrugby.ie. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  8. ^ Kearney, Diarmuid (21 March 2025). "Dowling On Old Belvedere Clinching Promotion". irishrugby.ie. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  9. ^ Thornley, Gerry (27 April 2025). "Nenagh Ormond make history as they earn promotion to Division 1A of All-Ireland League". The Irish Times. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  10. ^ Donaghy, Ciaran (23 March 2025). "Instonians' title delight after battling comeback in Division 2A clash against Greystones secures fourth successive All Ireland League promotion". News Letter. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  11. ^ Kinsella, Colm (5 April 2025). "Shannon score only Limerick win but are relegated in All-Ireland League". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  12. ^ a b Sadlier, Michael (26 April 2025). "Dungannon secure promotion to AIL Division 2A". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  13. ^ Kearney, Diarmuid (11 April 2025). "Mullan Signs Off With Long-Awaited Title Win For Wanderers". irishrugby.ie. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  14. ^ Kearney, Diarmuid (18 April 2025). "'Rollercoaster Of A Season' Ends With #EnergiaAIL Title Joy For Enniscorthy". irishrugby.ie. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  15. ^ Kearney, Diarmuid (20 May 2025). "Malahide's Journey Back From Relegation Begins With Kenny Appointment". Retrieved 10 September 2025.
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