Crunch weekend for Limerick's All-Ireland League clubs

ACTION in the Energia All-Ireland League continues this Saturday with another full round of fixtures for the Limerick's six senior clubs.

In Division 1A, both Young Munster and Shannon are in action. Ger Slattery's Young Munster side are hoping to re-ignite their push for the top four when they welcome Ballynahinch to Tom Clifford Park.

Munster's lost out to Cork Constitution last weekend when the AIL returned after its Christmas break. They fell to a 23-13 defeat at Temple Hill, while 'Hinch had a 34-12 win over bottom placed City of Armagh.

The win puts the northern side nine points clear of fifth placed Munster's. Slattery and his coaching team will know that a victory on Saturday is a must if they are to retain any hopes of reaching the end of season play-offs.

The sides played out a cracking game when they met before the Christmas break with Young Munster earning a 16-13 win in Down.

Shannon also face a vital fixture in the top division when they make the trip to Dublin to take on Trinity. A win for Shannon would see them move well clear of the relegation play-off spot that Trinity currently occupy.

They come into the game on the back of a four-point defeat to top of the table Clontarf last time out. A win could see them jump up to seventh. When the sides met before Christmas, Shannon came out victorious on a 14-13 scoreline.

In Division 1B, Garryowen welcome Buccaneers to Dooradoyle. The Light Blues are in with a chance of getting into the top four with victory.

Garryowen welcome a Buccs outfit that currently sit in ninth place in the Division 1B table and come to Limerick on the back of a defeat to Blackrock at the weekend.

The Dooradoyle side are coming into the contest after a big win over UCC in their last game and also had a 14-0 win over Buccanneers in the reverse fixture.

In Division 2A, UL Bohemian are looking to get back to winning ways when they welcome Navan to Annacotty. Bohs are looking to get back to winning ways after back to back losses to Limerick rivals Old Crescent. A win should be good enough to keep them in the top four. Bohs earned a 17-10 win in Navan last month.

Crescent come into their fixture away to Cashel full of confidence following the double over Bohs. However, Shane Mullally will be fully aware that further improvements will be needed if his side are to reverse the 20-6 defeat they suffered when the teams last met.

The Rosbrien outfit have climbed to fifth in the table following those victories either side of Christmas, while Cashel are hoping to put pressure on top of the table Nenagh Ormond.

In Division 2C, Bruff are looking to get back to winning ways when they welcome Tullamore to Kilballyowen Park on Saturday afternoon.

The south Limerick side are smarting from last weekend's 29-15 loss to Midleton and will be expecting a response against a team that they beat 14-10 earlier in the season. Bruff are currently fourth in the 2C table.