Limerick's six senior clubs face crucial All-Ireland League fixtures

THE third last round of fixtures in this season's Energia All-Ireland League regular season takes place this Saturday with Limerick sides chasing crucial points.

The action is resuming in the competition after a three week break. In Division 1A, fourth-placed Young Munster, who made it a three-in-a-row of Munster Senior Cup wins last time out, host eight-placed UCD at Tom Clifford Park.

Munsters' enjoy a more than useful five point advantage over fifth-placed Ballynahinch in the battle to secure a top four semi-final play-off spot. Following Saturday's game with the Dublin students, Munsters' finish off their regular season with an away date against Garryowen on April 1 followed by a home fixture against Cork Constitution two weeks later.

In-form Munsters' have won four of their last five All-Ireland League games, including getting the better of Lansdowne last time out.

Also in Division 1A this weekend, another Limerick side facing into a crunch tie is ninth-placed Shannon who travel to Temple Hill to face third-placed Cork Constitution who will be looking to boost their hopes of securing home advantage in the play-offs.

Shannon currently occupy the relegation play-off position in Division 1A, three points behind both eighth-placed UCD and seventh-placed Lansdowne.

Following this weekend's fixture, Shannon complete their programme of regular season games with a home game against Ballynahinch on April 1, followed by an away meeting with high-flying Terenure College two weeks later.

Shannon need to finish ahead of one of the sides currently ahead of them in the 1A table in order to avoid a relegation play-off. Shannon suffered a heavy defeat to Clontarf in their most recent league outing, but the Parish side had overcome Garryowen at Dooradoyle in their previous outing.

The Parish side will also be hoping that local rivals Young Munster can do them a favour by defeating UCD at Greenfields on Saturday.

The other Limerick side in action in Division 1A, Garryowen, make the trip to Lakelands to face second-placed Terenure College. Garryowen's relegation to Division 1Bof the league for next season has already been confirmed as the bottom-placed Light Blues sit 22 points behind ninth-placed Shannon.

Meanwhile, in Division 2A , ninth-placed UL-Bohemian will be looking to boost their survival hopes when making the long trip to Eaton Park to face Ballymena,

UL-Bohs are eight points clear of basement side Dolphin who occupy the automatic relegation position in the 2A table. UL-Bohs sit in the relegation play-off position, but are five points off eighth-placed Navan.

UL-Bohs' have a fighting chance of hauling themselves to safety. After Saturday's long trip to seventh-placed Ballymena, UL-Bohs host Cashel on April 1, before facing an away date against Nenagh Ormond on the last day of the regular season.

Also in 2A this Saturday, Old Crescent host Blackrock College at Takumi Park. Old Crescent are sixth in the table with Blackrock College occupying one of the promotion play-off spots.

Meanwhile, in Division 2C, fifth-placed Bruff will be looking to promotion play-off prospects when travelling to Holmpatrick to take on second-placed Skerries.

Bruff are four points behind fourth-placed Clonmel in the table.