Limerick AlI-Ireland League teams target New Year's Cheer

THE Energia All-Ireland League resumes again this Saturday with a reversal of the fixtures played by teams in their last outing before the Christmas break.

The action resumes with what promises to be a ‘ding-dong’ Limerick derby battle as Garryowen and Young Munster go head-to-head on Saturday afternoon at Dooradyle. Munsters' claimed the spoils in the rivals last meeting at Clifford Park in December.

A late penalty from Julian Lesczynski secured the victory for Munsters’ on that occasion and put them into sixth place on the table. relegation-threatened Garryowen remain at the bottom of the 1A table.

In Division 1B, ninth-placed Shannon remained in the relegation zone after suffering a last-gasp 18-21 defeat to basement side Highfield on the back pitch at Thomond Park before Christmas.

The Parish side, who secured a losing bonus point against their Cork visitors, occupy the relegation play-off position, five points behind eighth-placed Naas and now just two points ahead of bottom side Highfield who they will face on Saturday at 2:30pm.

Shannon led Highfield 8-7 at half-time on the back pitch at Thomond Park last time out. The home side had a first half try from Jack Brady, while John O'Sullivan kicked a 14th minute penalty goal.

In Division 2A, Old Crescent will enjoy home advantage this weekend as they take on Greystones at Takumi Park. Crescent had to make-do with taking a losing bonus also from their 22-29 reverse at the hands of Greystones back in December.

The result leaves Crescent in seventh spot in the table, now a significant 11 points off the top four promotion play-off places. Old Crescent trailed 13-17 to Greystones at Dr Hickey Park at half-time. Brandon Nash scored Crescent’s try and Ronan McKenna converted and also added five penalties.

UL-Bohemians will also be at home this weekend as they welcome Malahide to Annacotty in Division 2. The Red, Red Robins suffered a 17-21 defeat away to Malahide in Dublin in their last game of 2024. UL-Bohs have dropped to fifth in the 2B table as a result, but are just a single point off the top four promotion play-off places.

UL-Bohs’ held a slender two-point lead over Malahide, 10-8, at Estuary Road at half-time, the visitors’ first half try scored by Darren Ferrar.

Malahide struck for a try early in the second half to see them into a useful 15-10 lead. A further Malahide try had the Dubliners 22-10 in front. However, UL-Bohs showed admirable resilience to fight back with Paul Clancy's try on the hour mark, converted by Oisin Fagan, leaving just five points between the sides, 22-17.

Meanwhile in Division 2C, Bruff will look to move up from eighth spot in the table as they come up against Clonmel on Saturday. The game will now be played at St Munchin's College, Corbally at 2.30pm, instead of Kilballyowen Park owing to the adverse weather conditions over the past week.

In their last energia All-Ireland League Division 2C outing, Bruff scored three tries in succumbing 22-28 away to Clonmel, a result which also yielded a losing bonus point for the South Limerick side. Bruff trailed Clonmel 15-28 at half-time in Ardgaoithe. Bruff had two tries from Cillian Rea and they were also awarded a penalty try.