Limerick clubs face crunch All-Ireland League fixtures this weekend

THE Energia All-Ireland League resumes this weekend after a two-week break which co-incided with the opening rounds of the Six Nations Championship.

In Division 1A, fourth-placed Young Munster make the trip to Castle Avenue in Dublin to face second-placed Clontarf.
Young Munster come into the game having had an outing since their most recent AIL assignment when easing past Cork Constitution in the semi-final of the Munster Senior Cup.

In their previous AIL outing, Munsters' maintained their top four semi-final push with a hard earned 17-10 victory over play-off rivals Dublin University at Tom Clifford Park. The Greenfields side's win moved them into fourth spot in the table, one point clear of fifth-placed Dublin University with now six games to go in the regular season.

Also in Division 1A, Shannon, who have slipped back into the relegation play-off position, host fifth-placed Dublin University at Thomond Park in a crucial fixture.

Shannon's hopes of pulling away from the relegation zone were dashed last time out with a narrow 22-19 defeat to UCD at Belfield.

The result saw Shannon drop back into the relegation play-off position in the table, two points behind eighth-placed Lansdowne and five points behind Lansdowne in seventh.

Meanwhile, basement side Garryowen, fresh for their first win of the top flight AIL campaign, travel to Belfield to face eighth-placed UCD. Garryowen finally earned their first victory of their Division 1A campaign when edging past Lansdowne 21-17 at Dooradoyle last time.

The result saw basement side Garryowen lie 13 points behind ninth-placed Shannon and 15 points adrift of eighth-placed UCD.

In Division 2A this Saturday, seventh-placed Old Crescent make the short journey to New Ormond Park to take on fifth-placed New Ormond. Old Crescent had to make-do with taking a losing bonus point from their 17-19 defeat to Cashel at Takumi Park last time out.

Crescent, who do have a game in hand on their rivals in the 2A, sit in seventh spot in the table, 11 points behind fourth-placed Cashel.

Also in 2A, relegation-threatened UL-Bohemian entertain table toppers Queen's University at ULs North Campus.
UL-Bohemian fell to a heavy 43-5 defeat at the hands of Blackrock College at Stradbrook last time out.

The result sees the Red, Red Robins trail second-from-bottom Dolphin by three points, while UL-Bohs are a significant 12 points behind eighth-placed Ballymena who have a game in hand.

In Division 2C, promotion play-off chasing Bruff, who sit in fifth place in the table, entertain leaders Instonians at Kilballyowen Park on Saturday at 2.30pm. Bruff recorded a 17-14 victory over Sunday's Well at Kilballyowen Park last time. Bruff are now two points behind fourth-placed Clonmel.