Two Limerick rugby clubs look to secure Munster Senior Cup final places

WITH the action in the energia All-Ireland league taking a break this weekend as Ireland host Italy in a crucial Six Nations clash, the focus on the club front switches to the semi-finals of the Munster Senior Cup.

Two Limerick sides will be chasing Munster Senior Cup final places in Saturday's semi-final action.

Garryowen, sixth in Division 1B of the AIL, host Highfield, who sit in fourth spot in the same division in a Munster Senior Cup semi-final at Dooradoyle on Saturday, 2.30pm.

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The ‘Light Blues’ advanced to the last four of the competition when recording a 27-12 quarter-final victory over UCC at the Mardyke back in September of last year.

The other semi-final will feature two sides who, like Garryowen, are traditional Cup heavyweights when Shannon host Cork Constitution on the back pitch at Thomond Park, also 2.30pm on Saturday. AIL Division 2A side Shannon also advanced to the semi-finals of the Cup thanks to a 24-0 win over Midleton at Towns Park last September.

Action in the energia All-Ireland League will resume on February 28.

There were five Limerick wins, for Young Munster, Garryowen, Shannon, Old Crescent, and Bruff, on a dramatic afternoon of energia All-Ireland League action on Saturday.

In th top flight, Young Munster moved back into the top four play-off places after recording an emphatic 82-21 bonus point win over UCD at ninth-placed UCD.

Munsters’ are now fourth in the 1A table, two points behind third-placed Cork Con and a single point ahead of fifth-placed Terenure College with five rounds of regular season fixtures to go.

In Division 1B, Garryowen remain in sixth place in the table following their 48-29 bonus point victory over City of Armagh at Dooradoyle. The Light Blues’ fifth win of the campaign has seen the Dooradoyle side move to within eight points of fourth-placed Highfield.

In Division 2A, Shannon remain strongly in the promotion hunt following their impressive 30-10 point win over Greystones on the back pitch at Thomond Park. The Parish side remain in a lofty third place in the table, just two points behind second-placed Dungannon.

Also in Division 2A, Old Crescent secured a precious 26-22 bonus point victory over Banbridge at Takumi Park, but remain in the relegation battle, sitting ninth in the table.

In Division 2B, UL-Bohemian remain in third spot in the table after picking up a precious losing bonus point in their narrow 19-14 defeat away to table toppers Galwegians at Crowley Park. All of the UL-Bohs points came in the second period.

In Division 2C, Thomond surrendered top spot in the table after suffering a 19-29 home defeat to new table toppers Clonmel at Fitzgerald Park. The South Tipp side now enjoy a four-point advantage over second-placed Thomond.

Also in 2C, Bruff jumped up to fifth place, following their thrilling 32-31 bonus point victory over Malahide at Kilballyowen Park. Bruff are seven points behind fourth-placed Bective Rgs.