Seven Limerick club rugby sides seek pre-Christmas cheer in All-Ireland League

THERE is round 8 action for the seven Limerick senior rugby sides in the men's energia All-Ireland League on Saturday, December 6.
Old Crescent look to build on last weekend’s victory with a home game, while Garryowen and Thomond are also in action in Limerick.
There are journeys for Bruff, Shannon, UL Bohemian and Young Munster.

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Limerick’s highest ranked side, Young Munster look to return to winning ways in Division 1A after a 26-29 defeat to Munster rivals Cork Constitution in Tom Clifford Park last Saturday. But they now face a trip to Dublin to face third placed Terenure.
Hubert Gilvarry scored a hat-trick of tries for Munsters last weekend, when they did pick up a try and losing bonus point but the defeat saw them drop to eighth place in the table, 13 points clear of basement side Nenagh Ormond and three points ahead of ninth-placed UCD.
The Division 1B Garryowen welcome Naas to Dooradoyle, where last weekend they suffered a 21-27 defeat to Dublin University. That was Garryowen's third defeat of the campaign and has the Light Blues in fifth place in the table, but just two points behind fourth placed City of Armagh.
In Division 2A Shannon scored an emphatic 21-0 victory over Corinthians on the back pitch at Thomond Park last time out. The Parish side jumped up to third place in the table, five points behind second-placed Dungannon, following their fourth AIL win of the season.
On Saturday Shannon face Wanderers, who last time out were beaten in Limerick when Old Crescent struck late to secure a precious 22-17 victory at Takumi Park. Crescent jumped up to seventh place in the 2A table following this win and will look to continue that form when they welcome high-flying Dungannon to Limerick.
In 2B, UL-Bohemian are away to Malone on Saturday as they look to bounce back to winning ways after succumbing 13-24 to Sligo last weekend. UL-Bohs, who have lost their two most recent league fixtures, are second in the 2B table, but now 11 points adrift of table toppers Galwegians.
In Division 2C, Bruff are now up to fifth place in the 2C table after they secured a 30-25 bonus point victory over Belfast Harlequins at Kilballyowen Park last weekend. On Saturday they make the trip to Clonmel, who are top of the table.
Also in 2C, second placed Thomond will be at home to Midleton on Saturday. They fell to a 40-28 defeat to Monkstown last time out but did secure a try bonus point after scoring four tries.
After Saturday, there will be one further round of energia All-Ireland League action in 2025 - December 13.
The league will then break until January 10.
There are two big local derby on the horizon.
Friday, December 12 will see Shannon entertain Old Crescent in Division 2A under light in Thomond Park.
Then on Saturday, December 13 Bruff will welcome Thomond to County Limerick in Division 2C