This season sees a completely new league structure for Junior Rugby in Leinster. In place of the old system of J1, J2, J3 etc, there will now be eleven divisions covering all grades of Junior Rugby, with straight promotion and relegation. Each division will contain eight teams, who will play each other home and away. The composition of each division will be based largely on where each team finished last season, eg the top eight teams in the  J1 league last season will be in Division 1, and the bottom eight teams at J5 level last year will be in the new Division 11.

At the end of the season, there will be play-offs for both promotion and relegation. For promotion, second and third place will play off in a semi-final (second place will be at home). The winner will play the first placed team for the league title and promotion (the first placed team will have home advantage). Meanwhile, the bottom two will face each other to decide who finishes last and is relegated.

Why the changes? Basically it’s to make Junior Rugby more transparent and competitive. It will mean that every side will find it’s own level in a division in which they can compete on a level playing field. It also means that at the end of each season, all but three teams in each division (4th, 5th and 6th) will have a further match in the play-offs, making dead rubbers a thing of the past.

So far, so simple. However, there is one complication. There can only be ONE team from each club in each division. So, Terenure Seconds and Terenure Thirds cannot be in the same league.

So… If a club wins a division and gets promoted, but that club already has a team in the division above, they will stay in their own division, while the team that came second will get promoted – unless they also have another team in the division above, in which case no-one gets promoted and no-one gets relegated from the division above.

It’s similar for relegation. For example, if Terenure Fourths were in Division 5 and got relegated, and Terenure Fifths were already in Division 6, then both teams would be relegated from their divisions. So Terenure Fourths would drop to Division 6, and Terenure Fifths would drop to Division 7, and so on and so on until all Terenure’s teams are accommodated.

Got that? Good. Now the good news – no Terenure sides are in consecutive divisions, so at least for this year, we don’t have to worry about our sides clashing! However, it might come into play for some teams around us.

The leagues and cups will run on similar dates as always, with the cup you play in decided by which league you played in during the season. Although there may be minor changes during the season, the cups will be as follows:

• Divisions 1 and 2 – Metropolitan Cup

• Divisions 3 and 4 – Albert O’Connell Cup

• Divisions 5 and 6 – Moran Cup

• Divisions 7,8 and 9 – Winters Cup

• Divisions 10 and 11 – O’Connor Cup

FAQ:

• What are our teams called now? Our teams our now simply called the firsts, seconds, thirds and so on.

• What Division is my team in? What day are we playing on? The divisions themselves are available on the Leinster Domestic website, along with all the season’s fixtures.

• Why can’t two teams from the same club be in the same league? This is to make sure that nobody stacks a lower side with players from a higher level. In reality, it will only come into play on a very few occasions when teams get promoted or relegated- this season it could only possibly happen in three divisions

Into the Great (1B)eyond

After last year’s success at Division 2A level, the 1st XV take a step up to Division 1B this Autumn. It’s our first appearance in 1B, as the league split the same year that we dropped down from Division 1 in 2009. With only ten teams in the division, and two promoted and relegated each season, it can be hard to predict how the table will look. Playing each team home and away only means further unpredictability.

Despite the presence of some of Irish rugby’s blue bloods, head coach James Blaney is confident that Terenure will be able to compete at a high level. With so much change in the league from season to season, every side will be thinking that they can challenge for the top, and James commented that every match is going to be of a step up in intensity from last year.

This Season’s Opponents

Dropping down from Division 1A last season are Limerick duo UL Bohemians and Shannon. The students in University of Limerick are sure to provide a stern test, while Shannon will seek to regroup after their shock relegation. This is the first time since the formation of the All Ireland League that the nine-times winners have been outside the top tier, and they will be strong favourites to bounce back up.

From the six sides that remain in the division from last season, Dublin University and Buccaneers will be the ones gunning for the top after narrowly missing out on promotion last year. Trinity were pipped at the post by UCD for a promotion play-off, and will provide us with one of our two Dublin derbies. We will also face the students in the Leinster league – so expect fireworks! Buccs are perennially strong, while their Galway compatriots Corinthians won’t forget that they were one of only two sides to defeat us last season.

Up north, we will face Dungannon, Belfast Harlequins and Malone. The northern sides bring their own brand of tough rugby, and all three away trips will be visits to the lion’s den.

Last but certainly not least, we have our second Dublin derby, against Blackrock. Like Shannon, Rock are in a rebuilding phase, but steadied the ship impressively last year, and will be sure to build on that solidity and kick on this season.

What about us?

James and his fellow coaches have worked hard over the summer to prepare the squad to the rigours of Division 1 rugby. They have strengthened their squad in key areas, in order to cope with the tougher physical demands of Division 1B. Three extra games and better prepared teams will mean a higher workload on the players, so strength in depth will be essential. Additions to last year’s squad include Fergal Walsh from Shannon in the second row, Kiwi Richie Smyth and fellow backs Ryan Roopnarinesingh and Fran Cooney. Pre-season has been it’s usual hellish mix of strength and fitness training, although in truth, the lads didn’t take much of a break at all – the trip to Marbella aside!

The Club Captain for this season is our openside flanker, James O’Neill. James was a hugely influential figure for the 1st XV last season, demonstrating a true openside’s ability to be at the heart of everything. Originally from Limerick, James has become a true Terenure man, teaching in the College as well as starring for the Rugby Club. James teaches English and Geography in the Senior School, and is an equally popular figure on both sides of the lake.

Educated in St Munchin’s, James then continued his rugby in Young Munster, before joining Terenure last season, playing a huge part in the club winning promotion to Division 1B. Looking forward to this season, James is understandably looking forward to facing the two Limerick clubs, and to the challenge of leading the side over the next 12 months.

So far, the season has gotten off to a dream start, with Leinster League wins against two division 1A sides (Tarf and Mary’s) as well as wins over Bective and Trinity – who we face again in the league. Both Captain and Coach had the same message for the supporters – we need you! It’s going to be a long, hard season, with it’s ups and downs, so the lads will need the same great support they received last season. Nine away games, two derbies, a chance to take on some of the biggest names in Irish rugby – it’s going to be a cracker of a season!

Full fixture list
1st XV v UL Bohemians     Saturday    Lakelands     2.30pm
2nd XV v Clontarf        Sunday    Lakelands    3pm
Rathdrum v 3rd XV        Saturday    Rathdrum    3pm
Monkstown v 4th XV        Tuesday     Away        7.45pm
5th XV v UCD         Saturday    Lakelands    3pm