Energia All-Ireland League season reaches its business end as penultimate round approaches

THE Energia All-Ireland League action continues to come thick and fast with the penultimate round of regular season fixtures taking place this weekend.

In Division 1A, Young Munsters will be looking to bounce back when they travel to Lakelands Park to take on St Mary's College on Saturday at 2.30pm.

Young Munster's hopes of making the top four play-offs were dented when the Limerick side suffered a 33-50 defeat at home to Clontarf at Tom Clifford Park last weekend.

The result leaves Munsters’ in sixth place in the 1A table, seven points off the top four play-off places with now just two rounds of regular season fixtures to come.

In Division 1B, Garryowen host Queen's in Dooradoyle this Saturday at 2.30pm.

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Garryowen maintained their promotion play-off hopes with an exciting 36-33 bonus point victory over Instonians at Shaw's Bridge last weekend.

The ‘Light Blues’ sit in fourth place in the Division 1B table, two points clear of the fifth and sixth placed sides in the standings.
In Division 2A, high-flying Shannon host MU Barnhall at Thomond Park on Saturday at 2.30pm.

Free-scoring Shannon racked up six tries in their convincing 38-0 victory over Banbridge at Rifle Park last weekend.

The result has Shannon sitting in second place in the 2A table, boosting their hopes of securing home advantage in the play-offs with just two games remaining in the regular season.

Also in Division 2A, relegation-threatened Old Crescent recorded a precious 13-10 win over Greystones at Dr Hickey Park on Saturday.

However, Crescent remain in ninth place in the table, 17 points ahead of basement side Banbridge, but six points behind both seventh-placed Greystones and eighth-placed Ballymena. Old Crescent face Cashel at Takumi Park on Saturday at 2.30pm.

In Division 2B, UL Bohemian travel to the capital to face Skerries at Holmpatrick on Saturday at 2.30pm. UL-Bohs’ racked up no fewer than 10 tries in securing a commanding 70-22 bonus point win over Buccaneers at UL's North Campus.

Third-placed UL-Bohs are assured of a play-off spot as they sit 14 points clear of fourth-placed Sligo and 15 points ahead of fifth-placed Rainey RFC.

In Division 2C, both Limerick sides competing in the division will be looking to bounce back this weekend following defeats in Round 16.

Thomond fell to a 54-28 defeat to Munster rivals Dolphin at Virgin Media Park. Thomond will be looking to bounce back this weekend when they host Ballyclare at Liam Fitzgerald Park on Saturday at 2.30pm.

Bruff were edged by Bective Rangers at Energia Park on a scoreline of 57-40 at Energia Park last weekend.

The South Limerick-based side will be looking to bounce back this weekend when they travel to Park Avenue to face Monkstown on Saturday at 2.30pm.