THE level of competition in the All Ireland League will, of course, be more intense than ever before for this is a league with a difference as 14 clubs will contest the first and 14 the second divisions. The clubs that emerge as champions of the two divisions at the end of that long and arduous journey next April will have earned their rewards.
The desire and anxiety of clubs to get off to a good start will be profound. One could scarcely ask for a more appealing engagement as an opening offering in the first division than the meeting of the champions Shannon and Young Munster at Tom Clifford Park this afternoon.
That is one of seven Division One ties with last season's runners up Garryowen at home to Blackrock College and that, too, is a very appealing fixture. Terenure College and Old Crescent will be playing their initial matches in the Division One and both have away ties - Terenure at Ballymena and Old Crescent at St Mary's College. Dungannon, who regained first division status last season, take on Lansdowne at Lansdowne Road. Instonians make the long journey to Cork to play Cork Constitution and there is an all Dublin clash at Donnybrook where Old Wesley meet Old Belvedere.
No fewer than six clubs will be experiencing life in Division Two for the first time, the six clubs promoted from the third division last seasons. Monkstown, third division champions last season, take on fellow second division newcomers DLSP at Sydney Parade. Two more of the new second division sextet Skerries and City of Derry meet at Holmpatrick, while the other two both Cork clubs Highfield and UCC will be at home to Bective Rangers and away to Clontarf respectively. Greystones and Malone both of whom will fancy their chances of promotion, meet at Dr Hickey Park. But here Malone will be without international centre Mauruice Field as well as Stuart Porter and Willie Duncan both injured. NIFC meet Sunday's Well at Ormeau and Dolphin entertain Wanderers at Musgrave Park.
Portadown, who won the Division Four title last season, are the only club who will not be engaged in the third division series this afternoon. They are the odd club out this week among the 11 who constitute this division. UCD already have two points on the board after their win over Trinity in the Colours match and they travel to one of the clubs favoured to win promotion, Bohemians. Trinity travel to meet Collegians and another newly promoted club Queen's University make the short journey to Bangor. There is a meeting between long standing rivals Corinthians and Galwegians at Corinthian Park. Buccaneers with two internationals in their squad, forwards Brian Rigney and Noel Mannion, will meet Waterpark at Dr Keane Park.
It is a very big day for Ballynahinch, Richmond, Creggs and Suttonians. They will all be playing in the AIL for the first time this afternoon. They won promotion from their provincial leagues last season to Division Four.
Ballynahich will entertain Richmond; Suttonians will have. CIYMS as Visitors to McDowell Memorial Park and Creggs travel to meet Armagh. Ards will be at home to Sligo and UCG, who withdrew from the league last season, are happily back in the league family and have a home match against Ballina.
