Three games into Division 1A of the Energia All‑Ireland League, no side remains unbeaten and St Mary’s face a familiar local test when they welcome Terenure to Templeville Road. The fixture, a staple of rugby in Dublin 6W, comes after St Mary’s suffered a late defeat to Cork Constitution at the venue two weeks ago and will carry importance both for momentum and local pride.
Selection changes and bench strategy at Templeville Road
St Mary’s have made notable alterations to their pack and bench for the derby. The club has promoted former Young Munster forward Stephen McLoughlin into the backrow and included new Australian Michael Icely as part of what is described as a 5‑1 split on the replacements bench. There is also a swap among the front‑row, with Oisin Michel and Ronan McCormack named to start and Thomas O’Reilly and Andrew Sparrow moving to the bench.
Terenure, by contrast, are unchanged from the side that claimed a bonus‑point victory last time out after seeing off an Old Wesley comeback. That continuity will be seen as an asset against a St Mary’s side reshuffling ahead of the Dublin derby.
"Any clash between local rivals St Mary’s and Terenure is never less than crucial in Dublin 6W."
Home advantage and attendance factors
History favours the hosts at Templeville Road: since St Mary’s return to Division 1A, all five meetings between the sides have been won by the home team. Terenure’s last victory in Templeville Road dates back to 2017, underlining the challenge they face in breaking the pattern.
Weather and other fixtures may affect the crowd. The report notes a grim forecast for the day and the concurrent Leinster‑Munster fixture will reduce numbers at Templeville Road, though the derby should remain the day’s primary attraction for local rugby followers.
- St Mary’s: promoted Stephen McLoughlin to the backrow; Michael Icely part of a 5‑1 bench split; Oisin Michel and Ronan McCormack start in the front row.
- Terenure: unchanged from the side that secured a bonus‑point win last time out.
- Templeville Road: home side unbeaten in the five meetings since St Mary’s returned to 1A; Terenure last won there in 2017.
Other Dublin derbies and selection notes across the division
The weekend features further Dublin clashes. Old Belvedere host Clontarf at Ollie Campbell Park. Belvedere make attacking positional changes with James Dillon switching to full‑back and Andre Ryan named on the wing, while Peter O’Beirn starts at scrum‑half. The selection of O’Beirn is highlighted as a notable first: it is believed to be the first time a son of a sitting IRFU president, Tony O’Beirn, has started an AIL game during his father’s tenure.
Clontarf travel without several regular try‑scorers and forwards who featured in their 61‑15 win over UCD: Brian Deeny, Daniel Hawkshaw, tight‑head Niall Smyth and Alex Soroka are absent. In response, Clontarf bring in Charlie Ward, Jim Peters, former Connacht flanker Oisin McCormack and Alex O’Grady to bolster the pack and midfield.
At Donnybrook, Old Wesley have made two changes for their match against Young Munster, with Luke O’Connor at eight and Lachlan Stewart at ten. The Cookies welcome back veteran prop Paul Allen, alongside reinforcements including Munster lock Evan O’Connell.
Local consequences and what to watch
For St Mary’s, the derby presents a chance to arrest a mini wobble and reassert themselves in a division where early results have left very few teams unblemished. The selection moves signal a desire for impact from the forwards and versatility from the bench. For Terenure, maintaining the unchanged side may pay dividends if continuity and cohesion can overcome the Templeville Road hoodoo.
| Fixture | Notable selection/notes |
|---|---|
| St Mary’s v Terenure | McLoughlin promoted to backrow; Icely on bench; Terenure unchanged |
| Old Belvedere v Clontarf | Dillon to 15; Clontarf missing Deeny, Hawkshaw, Smyth, Soroka |
| Old Wesley v Young Munster | O’Connor at 8, Stewart at 10; Paul Allen returns |
Locally, the match will be an important marker of St Mary’s season after a close loss to Cork Constitution, and supporters will be keen to see whether the home advantage and fresh selection approach can return the champions to winning ways in this storied Dublin derby.
