Six Limerick clubs in All-Ireland League rugby action

LIMERICK teams are back in All-Ireland League action on Saturday with crucial games across all the divisions with six local clubs involved in important fixtures.

Young Munster continue their push for a top four finish in Division 1A when they make the trip north where they take on second from bottom in the table City of Armagh.

The Cookies earned a dramatic 26-25 win over fifth placed Ballynahinch and move to within six points of them after the victory at Tom Clifford Park.

Ger Slattery's side needed a try from Stephen McLaughlin and a conversion from Cian Casey to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Ballynahinch had looked in a good place in the first half after securing the try bonus-point by the 26 minute mark. However, the home side fought back with a Keynon Knox try and Casey conversion bringing them within eight at the break.

A Donnchadh O'Callaghan try early in the second half cut the gap further but a 'Hinch penalty goal calmed their nerves only for the late rally to give Munster's what could be a vital win.

Shannon are now just four points off the promotion/relegation play-off following a 38-9 loss to bottom placed Trinity. Mike Cooke got nine points for Shannon with three penalties.

They welcome fourth in the table Terenure to Thomond Park this weekend badly needing a victory but will have their hands full against the recently crowned Bateman Cup champions.

Shannon have just three wins this season and will have to improve drastically if they are to avoid the dreaded play-off for the second time in as many years since promotion back to the top division.

In Division 1B, Garryowen continued their promotion push by moving back into the top four following a 33-17 victory over Buccaneers in Dooradoyle.

The Light Blues face third placed Blackrock College away from home this weekend but will be full of confidence going into the fixture.

Garryowen have been boosted by the signing of Colm Hogan in recent weeks with the former Glenstal schools rugby star profilic in his appearances thus far.

In Division 2A, UL Bohs got back to winning ways with a win over Navan at the weekend but face a tough away fixture against MU Barnhall on Saturday.  UL-Bohs stretched their lead over fifth placed Old Crescent to five points with that win and Crescent's loss to Cashel.

Crescent did manage to get a losing bonus point from their short trip out to Cashel with Ronan McKenna's late penalty seeing the score finish 19-13 in the Tipperary clubs' favour. Old Crescent welcome Greystones to Takumi Park this weekend.

In Division 2C, Bruff lost ground on the top three after a 20-20 draw with Tullamore at Kilballyowen Park. The south Limerick side were seven points clear late on in the game but were denied late on.

They head to Mayo for a clash with Ballina this weekend expecting full points against the bottom team in the division.