Club rugby is set to return with a bang this weekend with the launch of another highly anticipated season of the Bank of Ireland Leinster League. Division 1A kicks off on Saturday, 12 September while divisions 1B, 2A and 2B return on Sunday, 20 September.

Leinster League Division 1A represents the pinnacle of provincial club rugby in Leinster and features some of the most historic and fiercely competitive grassroots clubs across the region. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as the Division 1A Champions earn the chance to represent the province in the round-robin tournament against other provincial league champions, all vying for promotion to the Energia All-Ireland League (AIL).

This season’s Division 1A campaign features eight clubs:

Athy RFC
Boyne RFC
Seapoint RC
Dundalk RFC
Suttonians RFC
Tullamore RFC
Tullow RFC
Wicklow RFC

Following a fantastic 2025/26 season, which saw Suttonians RFC win both the Bank of Ireland Spencer Cup and Bank of Ireland Metro Cup in the same season for the first time in the club’s history, they are looking forward to building on that success.

The ambition for Suttonians this year is clear: to win the Division and to secure a place in the AIL playoffs. They know it will be a challenge, but they have a strong squad, a great club spirit and plenty to be excited about.

For the Seapoint Rugby Club faithful, the 2025/26 season was one of highs and lows. The ecstasy of winning the AIL Junior Cup was followed by a disappointing run of league results and left them out of the top four for the first time in many years. The summer break rang the changes and sees the arrival of head coach Stan McDowell and forwards coach Rory Geelon. They will bring a fresh perspective to a squad that will feel they have something to prove this season.

The squad rebuild continues with a number of their U-20 side moving up. Seapoint supporters will dream that this could be the season to return to the AIL. No doubt the seven other serious contenders in this massively competitive league will have something to say about that.

Tullamore RFC head into the season with plenty of momentum and a refreshed squad. Colm Heffernan takes over as captain bringing his work rate, physicality and consistency to the leadership role. Tullamore retain a strong core from last season, with Karl Dunne, Conor Dunne, Sam Burns and Ciaran Ennis all pivotal figures in the side. Their experience and influence will be central as Tullamore look to challenge at the top end of Division 1A.

The Offaly club have also welcomed several new faces into the senior squad. Early signs have been encouraging, with Tullamore beginning the new campaign in impressive fashion. A convincing 52-0 victory over Mullingar in the Midland League Final secured the first silverware of the season and laid down an early marker ahead of the Leinster League campaign.

Despite securing back-to-back Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup titles, Athy RFC have failed to fire on a consistent basis in the last two league campaigns. The core of the squad has been retained and are bolstered by the return of Shane Fata and the elevation of several players from the club’s Academy. The captain for the 2024/25 season, Tadhg Foley, has moved into a coaching role and the addition of Cathal “Bomber” Bannon as forwards coach should also give a boost.

Another new coaching team takes the reins at Wicklow RFC with the arrival of head coach Darragh Mullins and forwards coach Aaron Withy. Wicklow’s young squad are captained this year by Ben Watson and will be bolstered by the return of a number of players including Mark Nicholson from Terenure. They also will hope to see their fantastic work at U-20 level over the past two years begin to pay dividends.

Dundalk RFC are delighted to be back in Division 1A again in the club’s 150th year. Thomas “TC” Campbell returns as head coach, and he will hope to build on last year’s triumph in division 1B. Joshua O’Hare returns as forwards player/coach and Dermot Lennon as backs/2nds coach.

Tullow RFC will be hoping to find greater consistency in the league this season and establish themselves among the leading contenders. There is a fresh look to the coaching set-up, with Dermot Dunne, Liam McGovern and Aho Bloomfield taking the reins. The new coaching team should bring fresh impetus to the squad as Tullow look to hit the ground running, build momentum through the opening rounds and mount a sustained league challenge.

Boyne RFC are the defending champions and are looking to build on the success of last season. They have a proper blend of youth and experience. Importantly, they know what it takes to win this competition and will have serious designs on going one better this year and securing promotion back to the AIL for the first time since the 2016/17 season.

The fixtures this weekend are as follows:

Athy v Tullow — The Showgrounds Athy (KO: 3pm)

Seapoint v Dundalk —Kilbogget Park (KO: 3pm)

Tullamore v Suttonians — Spollenstown (KO: 3pm)

Wicklow v Boyne — Ashtown Lane (KO: 3pm)

With J2 games taking place at 1.30pm directly before J1 games, this brilliant competition creates a series of double headers across the province on any given weekend.

Supporters can expect tightly-contested fixtures with large crowds as local rivalries renew and where home advantage can be everything.

Why not get down to your local club this weekend and give them your support?

The post Bank of Ireland Leinster League to kick off this weekend appeared first on Leinster Rugby.

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