Leinster League 2024/2025

[Lobber Brennan]

The League is back on this weekend, Anyone fancy calling Division Winners Yet.

Div 1A - Saturday 21st @ 15:00
Bective V Wicklow
Seapoint V Co Carlow
Suttonians V Athy
Tullow V Ashbourne

Div 1B - Sunday 22nd @15:00
Dundalk V Cill Dara
Gorey V De La Salle Palmerston
Mullingar RFC V Kilkenny
Wexford Wanderers V Boyne

DIV 2A - Sunday 22nd @ 15:00
Balbriggan V Coolmine
Clondalkin V Longford
Edenderry V New Ross
North Kildare V Roscrea

Qualifier Div 2B/3 - Saturday 21st @ 17:00
Newbridge V Clane

Sunday 22nd @ 15:00
Midland Warriors V Birr
North Meath V Arklow
Portarlington V Garda Westmanstown
Ratoath V Portlaoise

[the spoofer]

The League is back on this weekend, Anyone fancy calling Division Winners Yet.

Div 1A - Saturday 21st @ 15:00
Bective V Wicklow
Seapoint V Co Carlow
Suttonians V Athy
Tullow V Ashbourne
Bective


Div 1B - Sunday 22nd @15:00
Dundalk V Cill Dara
Gorey V De La Salle Palmerston
Mullingar RFC V Kilkenny
Wexford Wanderers V Boyne
Gorey

DIV 2A - Sunday 22nd @ 15:00
Balbriggan V Coolmine
Clondalkin V Longford
Edenderry V New Ross
North Kildare V Roscrea
Longford or Coolmine

Qualifier Div 2B/3 - Saturday 21st @ 17:00
Newbridge V Clane

Sunday 22nd @ 15:00
Midland Warriors V Birr
North Meath V Arklow
Portarlington V Garda Westmanstown
Ratoath V Portlaoise
Newbridge or Portlaoise

[Lobber Brennan]

Some Big clashes this weekend

In 1A Suttonians host Seapoint on Saturday in a cracker at the top of the table. 3 wins a piece, each win with a try bonus. They are only separated by a 19 point points difference. This has the making of a real make or break match. Impossible to call this game.

Also in 1A Tullow host Co. Carlow with both looking for the first win of the Season. Local bragging rights will on the line as well an all important W.

The other standout game of the weekend is in Mullingar, where newly promoted Mullingar look to continue their winning run as the host recently relegated Gorey, looking to bounce straight back to LL1A.

[the spoofer]

Some Big clashes this weekend

In 1A Suttonians host Seapoint on Saturday in a cracker at the top of the table. 3 wins a piece, each win with a try bonus. They are only separated by a 19 point points difference. This has the making of a real make or break match. Impossible to call this game.

Also in 1A Tullow host Co. Carlow with both looking for the first win of the Season. Local bragging rights will on the line as well an all important W.

The other standout game of the weekend is in Mullingar, where newly promoted Mullingar look to continue their winning run as the host recently relegated Gorey, looking to bounce straight back to LL1A.

Tullow and Carlow is a strange one as it depends who is still playing football. Mullingar have had some start, 14/15 points. Their facilities are the best of any club in Ireland and if they continue to get things right on the pitch they could be looking at double promotions.

Disappointing to see 1B clubs unable to field a 2's. It's a common theme with some clubs, all the effort goes in to 1's and thats it.

[Lobber Brennan]

Only a penalty separated Suttionians from Seapoint on Saturday. The North Dublin outfit now have control of the league as the only unbeaten team so far. Their next match is against Bective (currently 3rd) and the following week they play Wicklow (currently 4th). Three tough fixtures back to back. The winner will definitely come from those 4 teams as the league is already showing two clear groups.

Tullow got the early season bragging rights in what looks like a 9 try triller in Blackgates against Co Carlow. In the next round they get the pleasure of travelling to Seapoint. It is a long time since the South Dublin team lost two games on the trot, it will be a big ask for Tullow.

If Carlow are to avoid a return to 1B they will have start picking up points, especially at home in two weeks, they face Athy in what is now a must win game. Last Season Co. Carlow won LL1B with a slim 2 points over Athy, winning their respective home games against each other. A win at home isn't going to be enough to prevent relegation but it will go a long way to building some confidence for this former AIL Club.

[the spoofer]

Only a penalty separated Suttionians from Seapoint on Saturday. The North Dublin outfit now have control of the league as the only unbeaten team so far. Their next match is against Bective (currently 3rd) and the following week they play Wicklow (currently 4th). Three tough fixtures back to back. The winner will definitely come from those 4 teams as the league is already showing two clear groups.

Tullow got the early season bragging rights in what looks like a 9 try triller in Blackgates against Co Carlow. In the next round they get the pleasure of travelling to Seapoint. It is a long time since the South Dublin team lost two games on the trot, it will be a big ask for Tullow.

If Carlow are to avoid a return to 1B they will have start picking up points, especially at home in two weeks, they face Athy in what is now a must win game. Last Season Co. Carlow won LL1B with a slim 2 points over Athy, winning their respective home games against each other. A win at home isn't going to be enough to prevent relegation but it will go a long way to building some confidence for this former AIL Club.

Both Carlow and Athy have good seconds teams which will stand to them as injuries mount up. Other clubs will struggle including Tullow.

Amazing start to the season for Mullingar pulling 18/20 points so far and fair dues to Wexford. I'd never have predicted that.

[Lobber Brennan]

Seapoint may be top of the table, but shipping 4 tries to Tullow on Saturday will not help their confidence. The men from Blackgates fought back to leave Killiney with 2 bonus points which will help them put a little daylight from those relegation spots.
Suttionians reign at the top of LL1A did not last too long, as were overturned in Energia by Bective. It was a must win for the Donnybrook Rangers, but the big story from this fixture was the North Dubliners were sent packing without a losing bonus point. That will cost Suttionians title ambitions.
Wicklow took maximum points at home to Ashbourne, who look in trouble. Ashbourne J2’s have yet to win a League match this season and the trip to the Garden County was a fruitless experience for both sides.
Athy’s win over the men from Co Carlow has pushed them a little clear, as the best of the rest. A win next week in Black Gates is now a massive fixture for both Tullow and Athy.
Ashbourne host Carlow on Saturday and this is the best chance the former AIL1 Club has to start a survival run, a loss in Meath, is effectively return to Sunday Rugby.
The Top 4 sides play each other this weekend, with Suttionians hosting Wicklow and for a second week, Bective playing the League Leaders. Both matches are too tight to call, but if you are in Killiney or Sutton on Saturday both matches are likely to showcase the best of Junior Rugby in Leinster.
The divide in Division 1B is not as even. With Cill Dara and DLSP yet to record a victory. They play each other this week in a match that is hard to get excited about. Cill Dara the worst points difference and have failed to field a 2nds team twice already this season. All is not well for this Kildare outfit and it is difficult to see anything to get excited about in Silken Thomas Park.
Mullingar are still the team to beat with what looks like a hard fought victory away to Wexford to maintain their unbeaten record. For the second week in a row, they face the second team in the League when the men from the Boyne come to town. Boyne look like a tough team, but with their only try bonus of the season against Cill Dara they will hard pressed to stop this Mullingar side going in One Direction.
Gorey host Wexford in a tough local Derby on Saturday night with the winner still in with a chance of the LL1B title.
The Cats have the longest journey of their season to Dundalk on Sunday. The winner here will most likely be uncatchable by the bottom 2.

Also next weekend in LL2A
Sun 10/11/2024
14:30
Balbriggan V North Kildare (Bowhill Balrothery)
Clondalkin V Roscrea (Baldonnel Farm)
Edenderry V Longford (Coolavacoose Carbury)
New Ross V Coolmine (FBD Park

And in LL2B/LL3 Qualifers
Sun 10/11/2024
14:30
Arklow V Portlaoise (The Oval)
Birr V North Meath (Riverside)
Garda Westmanstown V Clane (Westmanstown)
Midland Warriors V Newbridge (The Showgrounds Moate)
Portarlington V Ratoath (Lea Rd)

[the spoofer]

Mullingar could be looking at two promotions in two years. That would be incredible with their thinnish squad. Have to applaud the One Direction reference!

Coolmine look home and hosed even at this early stage. Too much class in the squad with lots of AIL experience and Sean Kearns pulling the strings at 10. He'd surely play AIL 1A for a top team if he wanted to.

LL1A looks like being a great dog fight and I expect it will come down to the last day.

[Lobber Brennan]

Mullingar could be looking at two promotions in two years. That would be incredible with their thinnish squad. Have to applaud the One Direction reference!

Coolmine look home and hosed even at this early stage. Too much class in the squad with lots of AIL experience and Sean Kearns pulling the strings at 10. He'd surely play AIL 1A for a top team if he wanted to.

LL1A looks like being a great dog fight and I expect it will come down to the last day.

Coolmine are away to New Ross, currently third, and then have to skip down the M50 to Baldonnel to Clondalkin, currently second. They secure those two results and then they might have enough daylight to start planning for life in LL1B.

[the spoofer]

Mullingar could be looking at two promotions in two years. That would be incredible with their thinnish squad. Have to applaud the One Direction reference!

Coolmine look home and hosed even at this early stage. Too much class in the squad with lots of AIL experience and Sean Kearns pulling the strings at 10. He'd surely play AIL 1A for a top team if he wanted to.

LL1A looks like being a great dog fight and I expect it will come down to the last day.

Coolmine are away to New Ross, currently third, and then have to skip down the M50 to Baldonnel to Clondalkin, currently second. They secure those two results and then they might have enough daylight to start planning for life in LL1B.

Fair dues to Clondalkin. They are developing a super set up. Their new pitch is as good as I've seen and the other two pitches are excellent too.

Very welcoming club too. Do things the right way.

[Lobber Brennan]

Excluding the Fab 4 at the Top of 1A there is not a lot between the next 20 teams in the League. The bottom half of 1A is beginning to look like a survival reality show. Mullingar and Wexford (2A) last season have shown the gap between the top of 2A and the top of 1B is not all that overwhelming and Gorey, having gone down from 1A last season are currently in fourth and may have misjudged the task of bouncing straight back up.

Leinster League 1A is taking the rest of November off with the All-Ireland Junior Cup next weekend as we apporoach the half way point in the league. 4 points separate top of the league and fourth.

At the other end Co. Carlow men took maximum points off Ashbourne and left them with nothing on Saturday evening. 10 tries in 6 matches and not a single losing bonus, it is hard to see this squad having the capabilities to improve from the bottom of the table. Carlow’s bonus point haul in Meath may have come at a good time for the men from Oak Park.

Tullow’s try bonus in their draw with Athy keeps them 3 points clear of their County Neighbours who will be chasing hard to try avoid the relagation playoff spot.

It is very hard to separate the FAB 4 on League Data alone. Bective have the meanest defence in the League and last weekends trip to Killiney proved that. Holding Seapoint try-less for the first time in this league campaign needs to be recognised. Bective are on equal points with Suttionians and only the Head to head separates them.
Suttionians to their credit clocked up 4 tries and a 20 point margin over the Wicklow men at home.
Wicklow now get a break and an opportunity to build into the few matches before Christmas while the remaining fab 4 have to play All Ireland Junior Cup next week.

Wexford have, for now anyway, the local bragging rights with a 3-point win over Gorey in Clonattin and the Wanderers also have a game in hand.

They play the only fixture next weekend when they travel to Kirwan Park to take on DLSP. A tough 2 point win over Cill Dara last weekend has given DLSP their first victory of the league and very valuable 4 points.

At the Top of 1B Mullingar entertained the home crowd with a 5 try, 21 point victory over Boyne while Kilkenny had a long drive home on Sunday, with nothing to show from their trip to the Dundalk. Hard to see anyone catching Mullingar, with Boyne and Wexford in a tussle for the promotion playoff spot.

[the spoofer]

Leinster leagues are hugely competitive and the standard is rising year by year. Great to see.

[Lobber Brennan]

Only 2 matches this weekend, 2 Wexford clubs, both on the road to the bottom team in each of their respective leagues. I expect the Wanderers to return to Park Lane with 5 points from De La Salle Palmerstown and put a little daylight between them and 3 place in LL1B. New Ross travel to Roscrea, and I expect them to close the gap on Clondalkin with another 5 points in LL2A.

[the spoofer]

Only 2 matches this weekend, 2 Wexford clubs, both on the road to the bottom team in each of their respective leagues. I expect the Wanderers to return to Park Lane with 5 points from De La Salle Palmerstown and put a little daylight between them and 3 place in LL1B. New Ross travel to Roscrea, and I expect them to close the gap on Clondalkin with another 5 points in LL2A.

Hope you aren't a betting man!

Mullingar travel to DLSP this week and that will be really interesting. If they get another away win then it is hard to see how they will be caught.

[Conaucht contingent]

Leinster leagues are hugely competitive and the standard is rising year by year. Great to see.

[Lobber Brennan]

Only 2 matches this weekend, 2 Wexford clubs, both on the road to the bottom team in each of their respective leagues. I expect the Wanderers to return to Park Lane with 5 points from De La Salle Palmerstown and put a little daylight between them and 3 place in LL1B. New Ross travel to Roscrea, and I expect them to close the gap on Clondalkin with another 5 points in LL2A.

Hope you aren't a betting man!

Mullingar travel to DLSP this week and that will be really interesting. If they get another away win then it is hard to see how they will be caught.

Lesson learnt......

[the spoofer]

Only 2 matches this weekend, 2 Wexford clubs, both on the road to the bottom team in each of their respective leagues. I expect the Wanderers to return to Park Lane with 5 points from De La Salle Palmerstown and put a little daylight between them and 3 place in LL1B. New Ross travel to Roscrea, and I expect them to close the gap on Clondalkin with another 5 points in LL2A.

Hope you aren't a betting man!

Mullingar travel to DLSP this week and that will be really interesting. If they get another away win then it is hard to see how they will be caught.

Lesson learnt......

What are this weeks predictions.....so I know who not to bet on!!!!

[Lobber Brennan]

With a little help from the Spoofer I have been forced to remember that the Leinster Leagues are a fantastic product, with very few matches decided before the final whistle. DLSP have really shuck up 1B. The 5 points against Wexford has put them 6 points clear of Cill Dara but sending the Wanderers home with null point has made the league a real fascinating watch over the next few weeks.

Can DLSP back up last weeks heroics against the meanest defence in the league, highly unlikely. But I will not be betting too much against them 2 weeks in a row. Mullingar travel to Kirwan Park in the first of three matches this side of Christmas. Mullingar's three matches are against the bottom three teams in the league.

The race behind Mullingar is far more interesting with only 2 points separating second to fifth. with each of those sides playing each other on several occasions over the next 3 match weekends. With the likelihood of two to five taking points off each other, Mullingar might have the X factor to successfully secure their second league title in two seasons.

Cill Dara are now in for a tough few months. The weight of pending relegation can be hard to shake off, and Cill Dara will need to target something from their trip to the Marble city on Sunday. Kilkenny are only 2 points clear of DLSP and will need a victory to stay in the 'safe zone'. This fixture is all about survival as neither side has any prospect of reaching the promotion playoff spot.

Wexford host Dundalk, the journey to the South East might be a bridge to far for the wee lads from Dundalk as the Wanderers look to get their promotion ambitions back on track.

The Gorey lads will be passing the Dundalk bus on their way to Boyne in another mid table cracker. Both Teams come into this fixture on the back of losses with the only way to separate them may be home advantage. Boyne have yet to lose at home and Gorey are yet to win on the road.

[Lobber Brennan]

Hope you aren't a betting man!

Mullingar travel to DLSP this week and that will be really interesting. If they get another away win then it is hard to see how they will be caught.

Lesson learnt......

What are this weeks predictions.....so I know who not to bet on!!!!

Mullingar, Wexford, Kilkenny, Boyne

[the spoofer]

Lesson learnt......

What are this weeks predictions.....so I know who not to bet on!!!!

Mullingar, Wexford, Kilkenny, Boyne

Wouldn't be surprised to see Mullingar have their first slip up. Think Gorey will take Boyne.