Five Limerick clubs record precious wins in the All-Ireland League

THERE were five Limerick wins on a dramatic Saturday of action in the eneria All-Ireland League.

Young Munster in Division 1A, Shannon in 1B, UL-Bohemian in 2B and the two Limerick representatives in Division 2C, Thomond and Bruff recorded precious league wins in the round five fixtures.

Young Munster picked up their first win in the top flight after scoring a timely 22-13 victory over Old Belvedere at Tom Clifford Park.

Munsters', who had lost their opening four fixtures, are up to seventh place in the table after this win, thanks to picking up vital bonus points in those earlier defeats.

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The Limerick side outscored their Dublin opponents by three tries to one, with hooker Liam McMahon grabbing a brace, while Stephen McLoughlin also dotted down. 

Munsters' led 14-6 at half-time. The home side fielded an unchanged team for the game, their line-up including five-try winger Hubert Gilvarry and brothers Harry and Leo Langbridge, who hail from Queensland.

Munsters' are now just four points off the top four places as a result of their round five success.

Old Belvedere, who have suffered back-to-back defeats, were making their first trip to Greenfields since September 2016.

In Division 1B, Garryowen fell to a heavy 41-17 defetat to six-try Old Wesley at Dooradoyle on Saturday.

The Light Blues second defeat of the campaign has seen them drop down to seventh place in the table, although they sit just three points off the top four places.

Garryowen, who trailed 10-17 at half-time, had tries from Sean Sexton and Des Fitzgerald, while Tom Wood added a penalty and conversion and Lachlan Stewart kicked a conversion.

Both sides were looking to bounce back from round four losses in Saturday's game.

Meanwhile, in Division 2A, Shannon moved up to sixth place in the table after the Parish side scored six tries in securing a thumping 41-10 bonus point victory over Ballymena on the back pitch at Thomond Park.

Shannon, who led 29-3 after an impressive opening half, had a brace of tries from Oisin Minogue, while Jamie Conway, Alex Long, Alex Lautsou and Neal Moylett also crossed the whitewash. Jamie Gavin added 11 points with the boot.

Shannon are just two points behind fourth-placed Wanderers after this round five victory.

Also in Division 2A, Old Crescent have dropped to seventh-place, one point behind Shannon following their 10-20 defeat to Corinthians at Takumi Park.

Old Crescent, who didn't manage to score in the second half, trailed 10-14 at half-time. The Rosbrien side's points came courtesy of a Dan Hurley try, while Jeff Williams kicked a conversion and penalty.

In Division 2B, high-flying UL-Bohemian remain in second place in the table, five wins from five, following their 29-21 bonus point, away victory over Clogher Valley.

UL-Bohs, who are just one point behind pacesetters Galwegians, had tries from Paul Clancy, Greg Fitzgerald, Kean Sheehy and Darren Ferrar. 

The Red Red Robins who led 19-14 at half-time, had three conversions from Cian Casey, while Casey also added a penalty.

In Division 2C, high-flying Thomond continue to lead the way, making it five wins from five with their thumping 55-10 victory over Belfast Harlequins at Liam Fitzgerald Park. 

Thomond, who led 17-3 at half-time, enjoy a six point lead over second-placed Clonmel in the table.

Thomond scored nine tries in all, courtesy of Colin Slater, with a brace, Luke Costello, Jake Connolly, Jason Kiely, Evan Maher, Kian McGrath, Suliano Mainavolau and Sam Birrane. Evan Cusack converted five of the tries. 

Also in Division 2C, Bruff are up to fifth place in the table, in the wake of their precious 21-15 victory over Dolphin at Kilballyowen Park.

Bruff led 21-7 at half-time in their third win of the campaign.

The South Limerick side had two tries from Jesse Bowring, while Andrew O’Byrne also grabbed a five-pointer. John Bateman converted all three of the tries.

Bruff sit just three points off third-placed Bective Rangers in the table.