Seven Limerick clubs open All-Ireland League campaign this Saturday

THE new 2025/2026 energia All-Ireland League season kicks off this Saturday with seven Limerick clubs competing following Thomond RFCs promotion to league ranks.

In Division 1A, Limerick's only representatives in the top flight, Young Munster, make the long trip to Ballymacarn Park to take on Ballynahinch.

In Division 1B, Garryowen, who were relegated from the top flight at the end of last season, will entertain UCC at Dooradoyle in their opening league fixture.

READ MORE: Seven Limerick players nominated for 2025 PwC GAA/GPA Hurling All-Stars

There are now two Limerick sides competing in Division 2A of the AIL.

Shannon, who were relegated down from Division 1B at the end of last season, will host Cashel on the back pitch at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Also in Division 2A, Old Crescent entertain Ballymena at Takumi Park. In Division 2B, UL-Bohemian are on the road to Balreask Old to take on Navan RFC.

There are also two Limerick sides competing in Division 2C this season.

Newly promoted Thomond entertain Bective Rangers at Fitzgerald Park on Saturday, while Bruff make the trip to Towns Park to take on Midleton. All games in the All-Ireland League get underway at 2.30pm on Saturday.

This weekend's fixtures is the first of three successive weekends of games in the All-Ireland League.

The Men's Division of energia AIL will feature two ‘No Rugby Weekends’. These weekends are separate to reserve weekends in the calendar to allow players, coaches and volunteers to manage their time away from rugby.

The first ’No Rugby Weekend’ will coincide with the men’s final Autumn Nations Series game, against South Africa on November 22.

Provision has also been made for the successful Club International Series, for the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division players, to continue this season with the intention to play the fixture in March 2026.

The Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division has 18 rounds of regular season competition ahead of the semi-final and playoff promotion/relegation rounds on the weekend of April 18 and the Energia AIL Final is set for the following weekend on the weekend of April 25, in Aviva Stadium.

The semi-finals of the Energia Bateman Cup will be played on Sunday, November 9, with the final scheduled for January 3.
In the energia Women's All-Ireland League this weekend, champions UL-Bohemians travel to Stradbrook to face Blackrock College on Saturday, 1.30pm.