Limerick's senior clubs face crunch All-Ireland League rugby fixtures

THE penultimate round of fixtures in the energia All-Ireland League take place this Saturday with Limerick's six senior clubs all in action.

In Division 1A, basement side Garryowen continue their battle to avoid the drop to 1B when hosting high-flying Clontarf at Dooradoyle.

Garryowen's very slim hopes of avoiding relegation to Division 1B are still alive, if only just, after the Light Blues defeated City of Armagh 26-17 at the Palace Grounds on Saturday. The win saw the Dooradoyle side end a 14-game losing run in the AIL this season.

Despite the win, basement side Garryowen are 10 points adrift of second-from-bottom UCD with two games to go. The Limerick sides scoring difference is significantly inferior to that of the Dublin students.

Also in 1A, Young Munster's slim hopes of making the top four play-offs were ended with a 23-30 defeat to Cork Constitution at Clifford Park.

The result leaves Munsters' in seventh place in the AIL table, 14 points off fourth spot with now just two series of regular season fixtures to come. 

Munsters’ make the trip to Lakelands to take on Terenure College in their penultimate fixture this Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, in Division 1B, relegation-threatened Shannon will be looking to record another precious win when travelling to Energia Park to face Old Wesley.

Shannon made it back-to-back league wins when defeating Naas 15-10 at Forenaughts on saturday last.

While Shannon remain rooted to the foot of the Division 1B table despite the win, the Parish side are just five points behind both ninth-placed Highfield and eighth-placed Dublin University.

Following this weekend's trip to Old Wesley, Shannon will be at home to seventh-placed Queen's University in their final regular season fixture on April 5.

In Division 2A, Old Crescent host Navan at Takumi Park on Saturday.

Seventh-placed Old Crescent lost to Banbridge 6-9 at Rifle Park last weekend. The result sees Crescent seven points clear of the relegation play-off position currently occupied by Ballymena. 

In Division 2B, promotion play-off chasing UL-Bohemian host Skeries at ULs North Campus. UL-Bohs’ beat Rainey RFC 15-0 at Hatrick Park to boost their promotion play-off hopes. The Red, Red Robins are in fifth place in the table, level on points with fourth-placed Rainey RFC.

In Division 2C this Saturday, Bruff enertain Monkstown at Kilballyowen Park, 2.30pm.

Bruff recorded a precious 17-15 victory over Belfast Harlequins at Deramore Park last time out.

Eighth-placed Bruff are eight points clear of the relegation play-off position in the table as a result of their precious win.
The final round of regular season AIL games takes place on Saturday week, April 5.