Table

For Official Table please visit the Swim Ireland Water Polo Website at: https://irelandwaterpolo.ie/national-leagues/ [Last Accessed 23 October 2022]

Results and Fixtures

For Official Results please visit the Swim Ireland Water Polo Website at: https://irelandwaterpolo.ie/results/ [Last Accessed 23 October 2022]

Weekly Reports

Gameweek 1 (25 September 2022)

With the Women’s League starting the previous weekend it was the turn of the Men’s National League Division 1 on the 25 September 2022. There were wins on the first week back for St. Vincent’s WPC (11-6 versus Sandycove SC in an all-Dublin derby), North Dublin (15-4 versus Clonard WPC in a difficult start for the newly promoted West Belfast team), Cathal Brugha (12-9 versus Drogheda WPC) and Corrib (12-5 versus Clontarf SC in a another tough opening fixture for the other newly promoted club). All matches were played at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin. The games were historic as they were the first ever played in an International Standard 50 metre pool in Ireland, with St. Vincent’s 11-6 victory over Sandycove at the National Aquatic Centre being the first ever game at that Standard in Ireland. [References: 1-2]

Gameweek 2 (15-29 October 2022)

Corrib WPC went top of the Men’s National League Division 1 after the Galway team defeated Drogheda WPC 12-7 at Kingfisher in the University of Galway. [References: 1-2]. Cathal Brugha went joint top of the table with Corrib on 6 points after an arduous battle with North Dublin at Lisnasharragh. [References: S-3] Following Cathal Brugha’s 11-10 victory Sandycove won 11-6 at Clonard to gain their first points of the season. [References: 1-2]

Gameweek 3 (12 November 2022)

Cathal Brugha took over sole leadership of the Swim Ireland Water Polo Men’s National League Division 1 on nine points with a huge 20-4 defeat of Clontarf SC who remained pointless after two games. St. Vincent’s however were right behind them with two wins from two after a 14-3 victory at Clonard WPC who like Clonarf SC were at rock bottom on no points. Both games were played in Lisnacarragh, Castlereagh. In an important match Sandycove SC joined Corrib WPC on six points after three matches each with a narrow 6-5 win in NUIG Kingfisher. [References: 1-2]

Gameweek 4 (26-27 November 2022)

Belfast’s Cathal Brugha and Dublin’s St. Vincent’s continued their 100% records, with Cathal Brugha travelling to Dublin to take on Sandycove (7-5 win) after defeating neighbours Clonard WPC 20-8 in Lisnasharragh. St. Vincent’s kept up the pressure with an 18-8 victory over Clontarf SC. In an important game for third place North Dublin were victorious over Galway visitors Corrib WPC (11-3) and at the bottom of the table winless Drogheda WPC and Clonard WPC met at the National Aquatic Centre with Clonard squeezing out an 11-10 win. [References: 1-2]

Gameweek 5 (3-4 December 2022)

In Kingfisher, Galway, on Saturday 3 December, Corrib WPC moved fourth ahead of Sandycove SC with a 16-13 victory over Clonard WPC. The following day, a triple-header at the National Aquatic Centre, witnessed Drogheda WPC get their first win of the season in a 14-5 victory over another pointless team, Clontarf SC. The next match was a huge encounter between the top two teams, both 100% up to this game, with St. Vincent’s of Glasnevin squeezing victory by a score of 9-8 over Belfast’s Cathal Brugha. The final match of the weekend was a 6-5 win for North Dublin at Sandycove SC in a mid-table battle. [References: 1-2]

Gameweek 6 (11 December 2022)

A full round of matches at the National Aquatic Centre witnessed Drogheda WPC move level with Sandycove SC on six points after an 8-6 victory over the Southsiders. In a big match-up between two teams with one loss North Dublin defeated Belfast’s Cathal Brugha 10-9 to move to 12 points, three behind both Cathal Brugha and St. Vincent’s. The battle between the bottom two teams was a 7-5 victory for Clontarf SC over Clonard WPC as the North Dubliners gained their first points of the season and joined Belfast’s Clonard SC on three points. In the final match of the day St. Vincent’s WPC remained with a 100% record after an 11-7 defeat of Galway’s Corrib WPC who stayed on nine points. [References: 1-2]

Gameweek 7 (8-14 January 2023)

Sandycove SC won their third match of the season 12-6 versus Clontarf SC at the National Aquatic Centre. The win moved them above Corrib WPC who lost at home in Galway 15-19 versus Belfast’s Cathal Brugha, as the Northerners improved to 18 points from 8 games. St. Vincent’s WPC, from the North Dublin suburb of Glasnevin continued to lead with a 100% record as a comprehensive 19-1 victory over Clonard WPC meant they werenow six wins from six. North Dublin remained a win (3 Points) behind the top two with a 14-6 defeat of Drogheda WPC. Both St. Vincent’s WPC and North Dublin were with two games in hand on Cathal Brugha. [References: 1-2]

Gameweek 8 (29 January 2023)

Clontarf SC moved level with Drogheda WPC after prevailing in a close 9-8 match at the NAC in what could have big relegation relevance. At the top end of the table North Dublin moved level with both St. Vincent’s WPC and Cathal Brugha after a 5-4 victory over Sandycove SC. [References: 1-2]

Gameweek 9 (4 February 2023)

At Lisnasharragh in Lisburn & Castlereagh, Drogheda WPC held off home team Clonard WPC 13-12 for an important victory in the relegation fight. It was Drogheda WPC’s third victory of the season and left Clonard in a perilous state with still just the one win. Cathal Brugha meanwhile, the second home team on the night, broke the deadlock at the top between themselves, St. Vincent’s WPC and North Dublin with a 9-7 defeat of Sandycove SC. St. Vincent’s, however, had three games in hand on the Belfast side and North Dublin had two. [References: 1-2]

Gameweek 10 (25-26 February 2023)

In two important games in respect relegation, Clotarf SC traveled to Galway to take on Corrib WPC, losing 21-5 and then returned to Dublin to play Sandycove SC in the NAC, losing again, 14-5. St. Vincent’s WPC meanwhile continued on their winning streak, notching up their seventh win in a row from the start of the 2022-23 season, defeating Drogheda WPC 15-7 [References: 1-2]

Gameweek 11 (4 March 2023)

In Lisnasharragh, Castlereagh, the home side Clonard lost 5-15 to title contenders North Dublin, as fellow Belfast team Cathal Brugha became the first team in 2022-23 to defeat St. Vincent’s WPC men’s team, winning 12-10 to open up the title race. The win left Cathal Brugha three points in front of both St. Vincent’s and North Dublin although having played two games more. [References: 1-2]

About the Swim Ireland Water Polo Men’s National League Division 1 2022-23

The Swim Ireland Men’s National League Division 1 2022-23 features eight teams following the promotion of Clontarf SC from North Dublin / Fingal and Clonard WPC from West Belfast, with only Cú Chulainn from Belfast relegated from the Division in 2021-22. The teams are: North Dublin, Clontarf SC, Sandycove SC and St. Vincent’s WPC from Dublin, Cathal Brugha and Clonard WPC from Belfast, Corrib WPC from Galway and Drogheda WPC from Co. Louth in Leinster Province.

Administrative Map of Ireland Water Polo Teams 2022-23

Stock Photo — Water polo action in a swimming pool

References

Scoreboard References

[S-1] Swim Ireland Water Polo (2021) National Leagues: MNLD1 [Internet] Available from: https://irelandwaterpolo.ie/national-leagues/ [Last Accessed 16 February 2023]

[S-2] Swim Ireland Water Polo (2021) Results [Internet] Available from: https://irelandwaterpolo.ie/results/ [Last Accessed 29 January 2023]

[S-3] Swim Ireland Water Polo (2021) League > MNLD1 > Results [Internet] Available from: https://irelandwaterpolo.ie/league/172821/ [Last Accessed 17 January 2023]

[S-4] Cathal Brugha Water Polo Facebook (2022) video [Internet] Available from: https://fb.watch/gvdg3jvAcZ/ [Accessed 31 October 2022]

[S-5] RTE (2022) Water Polo history made at National Aquatic Centre [Internet] Available from: http://eirball.website/siwp-mnld1-swim-ireland-water-polo-mens-national-league-division-1-2022-23/?preview_id=85551&preview_nonce=4cd4d14f74&preview=true&_thumbnail_id=85594 [Accessed 15 November 2022]

Logo References

[WP-3] Swim Ireland Water Polo (2020) logo [Internet] Available from: https://irelandwaterpolo.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/logo.png [Accessed 12 November 2021]

[WP-4] Cathal Brugha Facebook (2021) Profile Picture, April 5, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/cathal.brugha.5/photos/a.364267086986543/3902679563145260/ [Accessed 12 November 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/169071110_3902679569811926_3710894837944972458_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=Hn5I6aI7DZcAX_PXf6Z&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=04055c985c06d84dbebb07cc91ab7ecc&oe=61B27C93 ][Accessed 12 November 2021]

[WP-5] Corrib Water Polo Facebook (2021) Photo, August 10, 2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/corribwaterpolo/photos/10153746813767967 [Accessed 12 November 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/13988146_10153746813767967_2370473480441892227_o.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=9267fe&_nc_ohc=lWHqR-4393QAX_Izmg0&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=64ac42e47cf1eaabe2816d4fe639f2ae&oe=61B3CCE0 ][Accessed 12 November 2021]

[WP-6] Cú Chulainn Water Polo Facebook (2021) Profile  Picture, August 10, 2017 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/CuChulainnWPC/photos/a.399369360164110/1107713099329729/ [Accessed 12 November 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.18169-9/20708312_1107713099329729_2683211292442685699_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=9RAt3ROE7MEAX9iIM0I&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=be6034238ff475d95642529d7b6f8b7b&oe=61B501E0  ][Accessed 12 November 2021]

[WP-7] Drogheda Water Polo Facebook (2021) Profile  Picture, September 5, 2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/Drogheda-Water-Polo-128154213898539/photos/a.128154857231808/1084719964908621 [Accessed 12 November 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.18169-9/14225589_1084719964908621_1996362524528648376_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=174925&_nc_ohc=ZVevSFuiC7sAX8oBh1i&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=44bdbd2b493a6ea388e2f4ea56332048&oe=61B3DD74 ][Accessed 12 November 2021]

[WP-8] North Dublin Water Polo Facebook (2021) Profile  Picture, February 13, 2017 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/NorthDublinWaterPolo/photos/a.434355086838/10154832842141839/  [Accessed 12 November 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.18169-9/16684338_10154832842141839_4991177064398049390_n.png?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=cO4z42hyFYQAX-A5U_1&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=fb2e3722adccdd591d66c16d422a101d&oe=61B3A339 ][Accessed 12 November 2021]

[WP-9] Sandycove Swimming and Water Polo Club Facebook (2021) Profile  Picture, October 6, 2015 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/SandycoveSwimmingAndWaterpoloClub/photos/a.218012071659967/730829907044845/ [Accessed 12 November 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.18169-9/11231751_730829907044845_4866231303558057894_n.png?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=XIOCA_JKDwEAX_9lCas&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=fa5e733f4c98ef666a3d7b5fabb29ac9&oe=61B44027 ][Accessed 12 November 2021]

[WP-10] St. Vincent’s Water Polo Club Facebook (2021) Profile  Picture, March 8, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=200507198533193&set=a.200507171866529 [Accessed 12 November 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/158872417_200507211866525_6997090323447339313_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=i7lhYT0FFMsAX9QRA2F&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=0f3d4a27820b1360c28161e4a5dc0c73&oe=61B3C402 ][Accessed 12 November 2021]

[WP-11] Clontarf Swimming and Water Polo Club (2022) logo_black [Internet] Available from: http://clontarfscwaterpolo.ie/wp-content/themes/stockholm/img/logo_black.png [Accessed 23 October 2022][Adjusted – Blue Background]

[WP-12] Clonard Water Polo (2022) cropped-Clonard-Waterpolo-Club-Belfast-3-300×128 [Internet] Available from: https://clonardwaterpolo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cropped-Clonard-Waterpolo-Club-Belfast-3-300×128.jpg [Accessed 23 October 2022][Adjusted – cropped]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Laurence O’Toole and Emmett Colleran.

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 6 March 2023

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2022-2023

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only. Eirball is not Officially connected with Swim Ireland Water Polo.