Limerick Rugby - Top flight AIL clubs battle for vital points

SATURDAY’S trip to Castle Avenue to face Clontarf is a crucial fixture for Mike Prendergast’s Young Munster side if they are to harbour genuine ambitions of bridging the gap to leaders Lansdowne over the remainder of the season.

Second-placed Munsters jumped ahead of Garryowen in the 1A table with their weekend win over Dolphin, secured on the same afternoon as the ‘light blues’ lost their top-of-the-table clash with Lansdowne.

Mark Doyle’s well constructed try after an hour proved the crucial score in Munsters’ win over Dolphin at Clifford Park although the home side was forced to survive a scare late on as their Cork visitors came within three points thanks to an intercept try.

Munsters’ currently trail leaders Lansdowne by 10 points, but do have a game in hand on the pacesetters. That game in hand is against Dolphin and is now scheduled to be played at Musgrave Park on Sunday, March 10.

Munsters’ success this season has been largely based around their excellent defence. The Clifford Park side boast the best defensive record in the top flight, conceding less points - an average of less than 10 per game - compared to their rivals in Division 1A.

Munster will need to improve on their weekend showing against Dolphin if they are to secure a precious away win over ‘Tarf.

Munsters will also be hoping that Cork Con can do them a favour by beating Lansdowne in their clash at Temple Hill on Saturday. Con’ would need to improve significantly on their showing against St Mary’s College last weekend if they are to do so, however.

A busy weekend of AIL action begins on Friday night with the derby meeting of Garryowen and UL-Bohs at Dooradoyle, 7.30pm.

This is a very important fixture for both Limerick sides, but for different reasons.

Home side Garryowen desperately need to get back to winning ways if they are to revive their faltering title bid. A run of three straight defeats has seen the ‘light blues’ drop to third place in the table, 12 points behind leaders Lansdowne.

Garryowen could be boosted by the availability of both fit-again flanker Barry O’Mahony and full-back Sean Scanlon.

UL-Bohs claimed a deserved success when they hosted Garryowen at Thomond Park earlier in the season.

The Annacotty side come into Friday night’s clash on the back of an impressive home victory over Old Belvedere on Saturday.

That success has boosted UL-Bohs chances of managing to move out of the relegation zone over the remainder of the season.

Bottom side Shannon entertain fellow strugglers Old Belvedere in a crucial fixture at Thomond Park on Saturday, 2.30pm.

Shannon will have been disappointed with the manner of their second half collapse against Clontarf last weekend after the Parish side had enjoyed a useful six-point half-time lead. However, Saturday’s home fixture with Old Belvedere provides Shannon with a genuine opportunity to boost their prospects of moving away from the foot of the table.

While Shannon remain rooted to the foot of the Division 1A table on 12 points, victory over third-from-bottom Old Belvo’ this Saturday would help the Limerick side regain touch with the teams just above them in the table. Just four points separate the sides placed between sixth and ninth in the table and victory this weekend should greatly enhance Shannon’s prospects of hauling themselves to safety.

AIL DIVISION 1A FIXTURES

Friday, February 22

Garryowen v UL-Bohemian, Dooradoyle, 7.30pm

Saturday, February 23

Shannon v Old Belvedere, Thomond Park, 2.30pm

Clontarf v Young Munster, Castle Avenue, 2.30pm.