2025–26 All-Ireland League (rugby union)

2025–26 All-Ireland League
Countries Ireland
Number of teams50
Date27 September 2025 – 26 April 2026
Top point scorer1A Mick O'Gara (St Mary's College) – 168 points
1B Tom Larke (Old Wesley) – 150 points
2A Neil Byrne (MU Barnhall) – 133 points
2B Scott McLean (Rainey) – 121 points
2C Joey O'Connor (Clonmel) – 167 points
Top try scorer1A Dylan Donnellan (Clontarf) – 16 tries
1B Bradley McNamara (Instonians) – 12 tries
2A Shane Mallon (MU Barnhall) – 12 tries
2B Rob Deacy (Galwegians), Mark McGlynn (Sligo) – 13 tries
2C Cian O'Donoghue (Monkstown) – 15 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 Clontarf (Q) 16 13 0 3 477 368 +109 70 49 10 1 63 Play-off semi-finals
2 St Mary's College (Q) 16 12 1 3 464 262 +202 62 37 8 2 60
3 Lansdowne 16 10 0 6 439 328 +111 60 42 7 4 51
4 Terenure College 16 9 0 7 439 368 +71 64 51 9 3 48
5 Cork Constitution 16 9 0 7 387 358 +29 57 50 8 4 48
6 Young Munster 16 6 0 10 489 414 +75 70 60 10 7 41
7 Old Belvedere 16 8 0 8 370 390 −20 47 56 5 3 40
8 Ballynahinch 16 7 1 8 384 363 +21 53 48 6 3 39
9 UCD (Q) 16 5 0 11 353 569 −216 51 85 5 1 26 Division 1B Play-offs
10 Nenagh Ormond (R) 16 0 0 16 272 654 −382 39 94 3 0 3 Relegation to Division 1B
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 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]
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated

Results & fixtures

Home \ Away BNH CTF CON LAN NOR OBV STM TER UCD YMS
Ballynahinch — 20–24 28–26 34–13 47–0 28 Mar
2026 		0–14 12–52 57–19 35–33
Clontarf 21–16 — 24–27 20–17 35–24 54–51 4 Apr
2026 		29–24 29–12 28–26
Cork Constitution 12–25 3–17 — 4 Apr
2026 		42–19 21–15 19–57 42–14 26–7 19–18
Lansdowne 18–10 27 Mar
2026 		27–22 — 62–17 41–34 7–13 13–34 38–43 31–13
Nenagh Ormond 3–24 12–28 17–25 19–45 — 13–23 27–49 31–40 28 Mar
2026 		31–43
Old Belvedere 32–17 12–34 18–12 11–36 4 Apr
2026 		— 21–14 30–24 36–12 19–15
St Mary's College 16–16 32–21 27–26 0–14 49–15 34–17 — 28–21 59–12 28 Mar
2026
Terenure College 52–22 31–15 28 Mar
2026 		3–22 40–12 27–19 14–12 — 4 Apr
2026 		19–29
UCD 28–21 28–48 19–36 20–15 45–22 14–19 24–45 15–24 — 34–12
Young Munster 4 Apr
2026 		33–50 26–29 35–40 57–10 22–13 8–15 37–20 82–21 —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 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 (X) 16 12 0 4 460 333 +127 65 47 9 2 59 Promotion to Division 1A
2 Dublin University (X) 16 12 0 4 448 327 +121 61 46 8 2 58 Division 1B Play-offs
3 Instonians 16 9 0 7 435 364 +71 65 50 10 5 51
4 Garryowen 16 8 1 7 402 377 +25 60 57 8 5 47
5 City of Armagh 16 9 0 7 395 366 +29 56 54 7 2 45
6 Highfield 16 9 0 7 339 318 +21 46 44 4 5 45
7 Blackrock College 16 7 0 9 350 382 −32 50 54 6 5 39
8 Naas 16 6 0 10 397 461 −64 58 66 9 3 36
9 UCC 16 6 0 10 331 365 −34 46 50 5 5 34 Division 2A Play-offs
10 Queen's University (R) 16 1 1 14 263 527 −264 40 78 4 5 15 Relegation to Division 2A
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 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]
(R) Relegated; (X) Assured of at least a Play-off place but may yet gain promotion directly

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 29–21 14–19
City of Armagh 12–27 — 28–19 15–29 25–12 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 13–12
Garryowen 31–28 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 21–24 17–21 21–14 22–13
Instonians 42–18 29–14 12–29 33–36 17–15 — 32–13 36–14 29–22 28 Mar
2026
Naas 32–20 24–17 26–40 14–28 19–14 4 Apr
2026 		— 15–33 46–28 24–34
Old Wesley 27–21 21–12 30–16 19–24 19–17 32–35 28 Mar
2026 		— 63–5 31–29
Queen's University 18–20 12–31 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 		15–21 17–31 41–28 35–40 27–12 —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 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 (P) 16 15 0 1 431 254 +177 60 33 9 1 70 Promotion to Division 1B
2 Shannon 16 10 0 6 386 256 +130 48 33 5 5 50 Division 2A Play-offs
3 Dungannon 16 10 1 5 375 370 +5 51 47 6 2 50
4 Wanderers 16 10 0 6 373 350 +23 51 50 5 2 47
5 Galway Corinthians 16 9 0 7 313 279 +34 44 37 5 4 45
6 Cashel 16 6 1 9 396 348 +48 56 47 6 7 39
7 Greystones 16 6 0 10 327 366 −39 45 51 5 6 35
8 Ballymena 16 7 0 9 286 379 −93 37 54 3 4 35
9 Old Crescent 16 5 0 11 269 321 −52 35 0 3 6 29 Division 2B Play-offs
10 Banbridge (R) 16 1 0 15 244 477 −233 35 67 3 5 12 Relegation to Division 2B
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 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]
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Results & fixtures

Home \ Away BMA BAN CAS DUN GYC GRE MUB OCR SHN WAN
Ballymena — 24–10 29–23 15–7 5–28 28–26 12–19 4 Apr
2026 		16–10 17–38
Banbridge 22–26 — 14–24 25–28 4 Apr
2026 		10–18 14–28 15–7 0–38 7–18
Cashel 20–22 73–14 — 25–25 12–5 19–25 15–41 10–18 4 Apr
2026 		19–26
Dungannon 30–10 24–21 33–21 — 18–17 4 Apr
2026 		7–28 17–13 22–14 32–38
Galway Corinthians 31–29 45–8 10–9 28 Mar
2026 		— 15–14 9–18 38–27 27–22 19–18
Greystones 28 Mar
2026 		29–19 7–26 24–31 36–27 — 24–31 10–13 7–10 36–26
MU Barnhall 41–20 32–12 35–40 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 21–24 — 10–21 22–17
Shannon 41–10 37–31 19–26 23–19 21–0 30–10 28 Mar
2026 		27–12 — 34–17
Wanderers 17–12 28 Mar
2026 		25–24 17–31 17–14 38–21 14–23 22–17 25–22 —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 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 (P) 16 15 0 1 558 215 +343 86 30 13 0 73 Promotion to Division 2A
2 Clogher Valley (Q) 16 12 0 4 433 235 +198 65 32 12 2 62 Division 2B Play-offs
3 UL Bohemians (Q) 16 11 0 5 503 339 +164 74 48 11 3 58
4 Sligo 16 8 0 8 377 399 −22 54 54 9 3 44
5 Rainey 16 9 0 7 345 367 −22 46 52 5 2 43
6 Malone 16 8 0 8 388 425 −37 56 63 8 3 43
7 Buccaneers 16 5 0 11 302 464 −162 43 68 5 4 29
8 Enniscorthy 16 4 0 12 354 457 −103 51 65 5 1 22
9 Skerries 16 4 1 11 277 509 −232 36 77 2 2 22 Division 2C Play-offs
10 Navan 16 3 1 12 296 431 −135 42 64 3 4 21 Relegation to Division 2C
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 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]
(P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Results & fixtures

Home \ Away BUC CLV ENS GLW MLN NAV RAI SKR SLG ULB
Buccaneers — 7–45 26–33 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 27–26 21–29
Enniscorthy 21–29 20–26 — 14–28 4 Apr
2026 		45–5 34–24 52–19 12–42 10–21
Galwegians 4 Apr
2026 		0–31 41–24 — 24–15 50–15 40–12 61–0 48–8 19–14
Malone 22–27 28 Mar
2026 		26–17 15–40 — 22–17 20–37 14–17 29–25 30–29
Navan 38–10 14–24 28 Mar
2026 		3–24 34–35 — 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 26–24
Skerries 25–23 10–28 38–26 14–52 31–52 20–17 14–17 — 17–31 28 Mar
2026
Sligo 29–12 0–24 39–15 0–19 19–35 35–18 31–21 4 Apr
2026 		— 24–13
UL Bohemians 70–22 35–28 31–17 21–43 40–17 4 Apr
2026 		53–17 24–17 52–17 —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 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 (X) 16 13 0 3 500 328 +172 70 47 10 2 64 Promotion to Division 2B
2 Bective Rangers (X) 16 11 0 5 509 362 +147 80 50 13 3 60 Division 2C Play-offs
3 Thomond (X) 16 11 0 5 451 361 +90 65 49 9 2 55
4 Dolphin 16 9 0 7 428 392 +36 63 57 8 2 46
5 Monkstown 16 9 0 7 446 363 +83 64 0 6 2 44
6 Ballyclare 16 7 1 8 421 431 −10 60 63 9 3 42
7 Bruff 16 7 0 9 359 426 −67 46 60 5 4 37
8 Midleton 16 5 0 11 353 377 −24 51 52 4 6 30
9 Belfast Harlequins 16 5 1 10 302 554 −252 44 83 4 2 28 Provincial League Play-off
10 Malahide 16 2 0 14 342 517 −175 47 76 5 5 18 Relegation to Provincial League
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 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]
(X) Assured of at least a Play-off place but may yet gain promotion directly

Results & fixtures

Home \ Away BCL BEC BHQ BRF CML DOL MLD MID MNK THO
Ballyclare — 45–42 34–19 37–7 4 Apr
2026 		38–48 31–27 27–22 34–43 5–29
Bective Rangers 36–17 — 37–14 57–40 34–33 29–24 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 29–21 12–15
Bruff 19–34 25–15 30–25 — 19–18 21–15 32–31 4 Apr
2026 		28–19 17–20
Clonmel 33–27 24–20 66–14 22–20 — 28 Mar
2026 		39–14 31–17 35–11 24–22
Dolphin 28–7 14–35 4 Apr
2026 		22–3 32–19 — 25–22 26–19 36–14 54–28
Malahide 8–21 17–52 17–19 21–15 36–42 24–15 — 15–24 4 Apr
2026 		25–35
Midleton 25–23 28 Mar
2026 		48–5 40–25 21–29 17–20 43–34 — 15–19 11–13
Monkstown 21–17 21–28 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 19–29 54–32 34–24 31–17 17–19 —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 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
13:00 WET (UTC+0)
Semi-final 1
Boyne
(Leinster )		v Kilfeacle & District
( Munster)
Shay Murtagh Park, Mullingar
Referee: Chris Elliott (IRFU)


28 March 2026
15:00 WET (UTC+0)
Semi-final 2
Enniskillen
(Ulster )		v Creggs
( Connacht)
Shay Murtagh Park, Mullingar
Referee: Brían Bennett (IRFU)


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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