Limerick sides prepare for Round 13 of Energia All-Ireland league action

THE Energia All-Ireland League action continues to come thick and fast for the seven Limerick-based teams involved as Round 13 approaches this weekend.

READ MORE: Munster Rugby players added to Ireland XV squad ahead of England 'A' fixture at Thomond Park

In Division 1A, Young Munsters were edged out 19-18 by Munster rivals Cork Constitution in Temple Hill last weekend. The narrow defeat has seen the Limerick side drop out of the top four play-off places.

Fifth-placed Munsters’ sit three points behind both third-placed Terenure and fourth-placed Cork Con in the battle to secure a semi-final spot.Next up for Munsters’ is a crucial home date with ninth-placed UCD at Tom Clifford Park on Saturday next, 2.30pm.

In Division 1B, Garryowen RFC were also narrowly beaten, 29-31, in the capital by Dublin University on Saturday. The result sees Garryowen lie in sixth place in the table, now eight points behind both third-placed City of Armagh and fourth-placed Highfield with a third of the regular season to go.

The 'Light Blues' host City of Armagh next weekend at Dooradoyle.

In Division 2A, Old Crescent fell to a five-point defeat, 17-22, away to fourth-placed Wanderers in Dublin.
The result sees Crescent, who have won three of the AIL fixtures to date, sit in ninth-placed in the 2A table, seven points clear of basement side Banbridge.

Crescent host struggling Banbridge in a crucial relegation fixture at Takumi Park on Saturday next, 2.30pm.

Also in Division 2A, third-placed Shannon RFC also suffered a five-point defeat when going down 22-27 away to Corinthians on Saturday. Despite the loss, Shannon remain strongly in the promotion hunt, now five points behind second-placed Dungannon.
The Parish side return to action on Saturday next when hosting sixth-placed Greystones at Thomond Park's back pitch.

In Division 2B, UL Bohemian recorded a resounding victory over Sligo at the University of Limerick's North Campus. Promotion-chasing UL-Bohs' occupy third-place in the table, level on points with second-placed Clogher Valley. Next up for UL-Bohs is a trip to Galway to face table toppers Galwegians on Saturday at Crowley Park, 2.30pm.

In Division 2C, Bruff recorded an impressive 38-28, bonus point win over Belfast Harlequins at Deramore Park on Saturday.

The result moved Bruff up to sixth place in the 2C table, now seven points off the top four spots.  Bruff return to action on Saturday next when hosting basement side Malahide at Kilballyowen Park.

Also in Division 2C on Saturday, table toppers Thomond RFC were edged by third-placed Monkstown 17-19 at Liam Fitzgerald Park.

Next up for Thomond is a crunch top-of-the-table meeting with Clonmel at Liam Fitzgerald Park on Saturday, 2.30pm.