Limerick clubs back in AlI-Ireland League action this weekend

LIMERICK'S Energia All-Ireland League rugby teams return to action this weekend after a two-week break. This will be the penultimate round of league fixtures before the Christmas break.

In the last round of games, just two Limerick sides recorded victories with Old Crescent and Bruff recording vital results.

Young Munster have slipped to sixth place in the Division 1A table after picking up two bonus points in a 24-31 defeat to City of Armagh at Clifford Park last time out. Munsters’ sit just three points off the top four play-off places. Munsters’, who fell 10 points in arrears in the opening half, had a hat-trick of tries from winger Hubert Gilvarry. Munsters’ will be on the road this weekend as they take on St Mary’s College on Saturday at 2.30pm.

In the same division, Garryowen also suffered a 42-26 defeat away to Terenure College in their last 1A outing. The ‘Light Blues’ prop up the 1A table and sit in the relegation zone following their sixth defeat in seven AIL fixtures.

The Dooradoyle side did pick up a try bonus point, scoring four tries last time out. Garryowen trailed 12-22 to ‘Nure after the opening 40, the visitors' first half points coming courtesy of tries from Colm Quilligan and Brian Gleeson, with Kelvin Langan adding a conversion. Terenure regained their grip on the contest adding 10 unanswered points to seal victory.
Garryowen will look to get off the bottom of the table as they host Cork Constitution in Dooradoyle in a big Munster derby in Dooradoyle, Saturday, 2pm.

In Division 1B, Shannon continue to struggle as they suffered a heavy 15-42 loss at home to high-flying Nenagh Ormond on the main pitch at Thomond Park.

The second-placed Tipperary side notched five tries in all. Shannon, who are level on points with ninth-placed Queens, managed tries through Eoghan Clarke and Stephen Kiely. Shannon will look to get back to winning ways this Saturday as they take a trip to Dublin to take on Old Belvedere in Ollie Campbell Park, 2.30pm.

In Division 2A, Old Crescent secured a vital five-point win over Ballymena. Crescent's third win of the AIL season sees them sit in seventh place in the table, four points off fourth spot.

Crescent trailed their visitors 15-17 at half-time. Jonathan Byrne and Dean O'Grady scored first half tries for the Rosbrien side. A Timmy Duggan try had the Limerick side in front. Old Crescent will host MU Barnhall in Takumi Park on Saturday, 2.30pm kick-off.

In Division 2B, UL Bohemian have recorded four wins to date and are four points off the top four places. Ul-Bohs will enjoy a home fixture this Saturday when they play Dungannon in ULs North Campus, 2.30pm.

In 2C, Bruff recorded a much-needed 22-8 bonus point win away to Tullamore. This victory moves Bruff to eighth in the table. Bruff will host Omagh Academials in Kilballyowen Park on Saturday, 2.30pm kick-off.