Limerick Rugby - Local clubs in relegation bother

UL BOHS and Shannon have just four games remaining to retain their Division 1A status in the AIL after both Limerick clubs suffered hugely disappointing weekend defeats.

Bottom side UL-Bohs’ remain in the automatic relegation place in the Division after shipping seven tries in a 47-7 drubbing at the hands of Clontarf on Saturday. The defeat, in effect, leaves the Red, Red Robin seven points off safety, given their inferior points difference compared to the sides above them in the table.

UL-Bohs trailed 14-0 to ‘Tarf at half-time on Saturday, but were put to the sword in the second period by their free-scoring opponents. The home side’s points came from a Ben Martin try and conversion.

Next up for UL-Bohemian is a daunting fixture with runaway leaders, Lansdowne at Annacotty on Saturday next (2.30pm).

Having moved out of the relegation zone thanks to a terrific victory over Cork Con at the start of the month, Shannon slipped back into the relegation play-off spot in 1A after suffering a disappointing 32-17 defeat to improved Dolphin at Musgrave Park.

Shannon trailed by just four points 15-11 at half-time, but the Cork side stretched clear in the final quarter. The Limerick side had a try from Fergal Walsh, while Rob Guerin kicked four penalty goals.

The defeat, coupled with Old Belvedere’s victory over Garryowen, has seen Shannon effectively slip four points off safety.

Shannon travel to Dublin this Saturday to face St Mary’s College at Templeville Road.

Both UL-Bohs and Shannon will be hoping that Cork Con can do them a favour by getting the better of relegation-threatened Old Belvedere at Temple Hill.

Elsewhere, not even the presence of Munster and Ireland second-row Paul O’Connell could prevent fifth-placed Young Munster from suffering a disappointing 10-9 defeat to Cork Con at Clifford Park.

In the sixth minute of injury-time, centre Alex Ryan broke through for Con’s match-winning try. Derry O’Connor landed Munsters’ points with three penalties.

Munsters’ next fixture is a derby clash with Garryowen at Dooradoyle on Friday night at 7.30pm.

Garryowen, themselves, fell to a dramatic 15-12 defeat to Old Belvedere at Anglesea Road. The match-winning score came from the boot of Belvo’ captain and former Garryowen full-back, Daniel Riordan who slotted a late drop goal after the ‘light blues’ had drawn level at 12 points apiece.

In Division 1B, Bruff are five points off safety after taking a losing bonus point from their trip to Stradbrook where they lost 21-15 to Blackrock College.

Next up for Bruff is a ‘must win’ home fixture with fellow relegation contenders, Dungannon at Kilballyowen Park this Saturday, 2.30pm.