One win for Limerick sides from Saturday's All-Ireland League action

YOUNG MUNSTER were the only Limerick team to taste victory in what was a tough day at the office for Limerick's All-Ireland League sides.

Munsters' boosted their Division 1A play-off hopes with a hard-earned 23-17 win over UCD at Tom Clifford Park. Elsewhere, in 1A both Shannon and Garryowen fell to defeats.

There were also losses for Old Crescent and UL Bohemian in Division 2A, while Bruff also tasted defeat in their Division 2C game with Skerries.

Young Munster are now nine points clear of fifth placed Ballynahinch with two fixtures remaining after Saturday's round 16 fixtures. UCD made a flying start to the game with a converted try but the home side got back into the game by virtue of a Conor Hayes penalty.

However, the college side were soon back in command with a second converted try to leave the score at 14-3 midway through the first half.

Gearoid Prendergast's side eventually got things together with a Ronan O'Sullivan try that was converted by Hayes to cut UCD's lead to four.

Another powerful maul had the Cookies in front for the first time in the lead up to half time. This time it was George Jacobs that touched down. A Hayes conversion saw Young Munster 17-14 up at the break.

Two further efforts from the kicking tee by Hayes put Munsters nine clear in the second half but UCD earned a bonus point from a penalty with the last kick of the game.

That bonus point could have ramifications for Shannon as it puts the Dublin side three points clear of Stephen Keogh's side at the wrong end of the table.

Shannon fell to a 36-19 loss against Cork Constitution at Templehill and they remain in the relegation play-off spot. Con dominated the first half to go in 15-0 up after three unconverted tries.

Things didn't get any better in the early stages of the second half for Shannon with Con going in for two more five pointers inside 15 minutes.

Alex Long got Shannon on the board with a score that Mike Cooke converted but another Con try put pay to any hopes of a Shannon comeback.

The Parish did finish the game strongly with Kelvin Brown and Cian O'Halloran tries but it was Con that came out victorious.

Garryowen remain rooted to the bottom of the 1A table following a 52-0 loss to second placed Terenure at Lakelands. 'Nure led 26-0 at the break with four tries scored and they doubled that tally after the break with another four to condemn Garryowen to their 15th defeat of the season.

In Division 2A, Old Crescent remain in the middle of the table following a 38-24 loss to Blackrock in Rosbrien. The defeat keeps Crescent with one eye on the relegation play-off position.

A Ronan McKenna penalty saw Crescent take a 14th minute lead but three tries without reply saw Blackrock in firm control heading towards the break. However, a penalty try brought Crescent back into the contest - 21-10 at the break.

Blackrock continued to dominate proceedings in the second half with a penalty and two further tries seeing them into a 17-point lead on 63 minutes.

Another penalty try and a converted Lee O'Grady try put a gloss on the scoreline from Crescent's point of view but 'Rock were full value for the win.

UL Bohs are five points from safety following a heartbreaking 25-22 loss to Ballymena at Eaton Park. The defeat and Navan's win over bottom placed Dolphin puts the Red Robins in a precarious position with two games remaining.

Bohs had a fantastic start to the game with two converted tries and that helped them to a 14-10 half time advantage. An early second half try saw Ballymena go ahead for the first time but Rory White's try put Bohs back in front.

A converted Ballymena try put them 22-19 to the good but a Harry Byrne penalty set up a grandstand finish. It was the home side that nicked the win thanks to a Callum Patterson penalty.

In Division 2C, Bruff's hopes of reaching the play-off places took a hit following a 30-17 defeat to second placed Skerries at Holmpatrick.

Bruff got the scoring underway with an early penalty but the home side hit back with a penalty and two tries to go in at the break 15-3 ahead.

Skerries started the second half with their third five-pointer before Bruff got their first of the contest. Another home try secured the bonus point before Bruff bagged their second try. A fifth Skerries score sealed the win late on.