All-Ireland League (rugby union)
| All-Ireland League | |
|---|---|
| 200px | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
| Instituted | 1990 |
| Number of teams | 52 |
| Nations |  Ireland |
| Holders | Lansdowne (2014-15) |
| Most titles | Shannon RFC (9 titles) |
| Website | www.irishrugby.ie |
The All-Ireland League (AIL), known for sponsorship reasons as the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League, is the national league system for the 52 senior rugby union clubs in Ireland, covering both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The league was inaugurated in the 1990–91 season.
The league is the second highest level of rugby union in Ireland, as professional teams representing the four provinces of Ireland play in the Pro12.
Division 1 sides are allowed to field only two professional players in their matchday sides, and only one may be a forward. Professional players may not participate in Division 2 matches. Foreign professional players may not play in the League.[1]
Contents
History
The All-Ireland League has been dominated by teams from Limerick who have won 13 out of 23 titles. Teams from Munster have won 17 out of 23. The All-Ireland League was not sponsored in the initial season, but was sponsored for six years by Insurance Corporation of Ireland. The League was sponsored by Allied Irish Banks from 1998 to 2010.[2] Ulster Bank has sponsored the league since 2010.[3]
Tournament format
The league is divided into five divisions of ten teams each, with teams playing each other twice (once at home and once away).[4] At the end of the season, the top four teams in Division 1A play off semi-finals and a final for the championship and the bottom team in Divisions 1A is replaced by the top team in Division 1B, with the second-bottom team entering a promotion/relegation play-off with the second-placed team in 1B. The bottom two teams in 1B, 2A and 2B are relegated and replaced by the top two teams from Divisions 2A, 2B and 2C respectively. The two teams finishing bottom of Division 2C are relegated to the relevant provincial league and replaced by the two teams finishing top of a "round robin" tournament between the four provincial league winners. The four provincial junior leagues are the Connacht Junior League, the Leinster League, the Munster Junior League and the Ulster Qualifying League.
Previous winners
|
1990-91 Cork Constitution |
2002-03 Ballymena |
Total wins by club
- Shannon 9
- Cork Constitution 4
- Garryowen 3
- St Mary's College 2
- Lansdowne 2
- Young Munster 1
- Dungannon 1
- Ballymena 1
- Old Belvedere 1
- Clontarf 1
Teams
Division placing are from the 2015-16 season.
Division 1A
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballynahinch | Ballynahinch | Ballymacarn Park | 1,000 |
| Clontarf | Dublin (Clontarf) | Castle Avenue | 3,200 |
| Cork Constitution | Cork (Ballintemple) | Temple Hill | 1,000 |
| Galwegians | Galway | Crowley Park | 2,000 |
| Garryowen | Limerick | Dooradoyle | 1,500 |
| Lansdowne | Dublin (Ballsbridge) | Aviva Stadium (Back Pitch) | 1,000 |
| Old Belvedere | Dublin (Ballsbridge) | Anglesea Road | 1,000 |
| Terenure College | Dublin (Terenure) | Lakelands Park | 3,000 |
| UCD | Dublin (Belfield) | UCD Bowl | 3,000 |
| Young Munster | Limerick | Tom Clifford Park | 1,000 |
Division 1B
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast Harlequins | Belfast | Deramore Park | 1,000 |
| Ballymena | Ballymena | Eaton Park | 1,000 |
| Blackrock College | Dublin (Blackrock) | Stradbrook Road | 1,000 |
| Buccaneers | Athlone | Dubarry Park | 10,000 |
| Dolphin | Cork | Musgrave Park | 9,251 |
| Dublin University | Dublin | College Park | 200 |
| Old Wesley | Dublin (Donnybrook) | Donnybrook Rugby Ground | 7,000 |
| St Mary's College | Dublin (Templeogue) | Templeville Road | 4,000 |
| Shannon | Limerick | Thomond Park | 26,500 |
| UL Bohemians | Limerick | Thomond Park | 26,500 |
Division 2A
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banbridge | Banbridge | Rifle Park | 1,000 |
| Cashel | Cashel | Spafield | 2,500 |
| Galway Corinthians | Galway | Corinthian Park | 1,000 |
| Malone | Belfast (Cregagh) | Gibson Park | 1,000 |
| Naas | Naas | Forenaughts | 3,000 |
| Nenagh Ormond | Nenagh | New Ormond Park | 1,000 |
| Queen's University | Belfast | Dub Lane | 1,000 |
| Skerries | Dublin (Skerries) | Holmpatrick | 1,000 |
| Thomond | Limerick | Liam Fitzgerald Park | 1,000 |
| UCC | Cork | Mardyke | 5,000 |
Division 2B
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armagh | Armagh | Palace Grounds | 1,000 |
| Bective Rangers | Dublin (Donnybrook) | Donnybrook Rugby Ground | 7,000 |
| City of Derry | Derry (Strathfoyle) | Judges Road | 1,000 |
| Dungannon | Dungannon | Stevenson Park | 1,000 |
| Greystones | Greystones | Dr Hickey Park | 1,000 |
| Highfield | Cork | Woodleigh Park | 4,000 |
| NUIM Barnhall | Leixlip | Parsonstown | 1,000 |
| Rainey Old Boys | Magherafelt | Hatrick Park | 1,000 |
| Seapoint | Dublin (Killiney) | Kilbogget Park | 4,000 |
| Sundays Well | Cork | Musgrave Park | 9,251 |
Division 2C
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boyne | Drogheda | Shamrock Lodge | 1,000 |
| Bruff | Bruff | Kilballyowen Park | 1,000 |
| Dundalk | Dundalk | Mill Road | 11,000 |
| Kanturk | Kanturk | Knocknacolan | 1,000 |
| Midleton | Midleton | Towns Park | 400 |
| Navan | Navan | Balreask Old | 1,000 |
| Old Crescent | Limerick | Rosbrien | 4,000 |
| Sligo | Strandhill | Hamilton Park | 1,000 |
| Tullamore | Tullamore | Spollanstown | 1,000 |
| Wanderers | Dublin (Ballsbridge) | Merrion Road | 1,000 |
See also
External links
References
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- ↑ Deasy Delivers League Title-Winning Blow For Lansdowne
