LIMERICK’S top senior rugby sides return to league action this Saturday 26, as the ninth round of games takes place in the Ulster Bank All Ireland league.Where better to start with our previews than with second placed Garryowen.
Division 1A
Garryowen v Lansdowne
Saturday 2.30 pm Dooradoyle
BOTH of these sides are on 30 points from 8 games, but have achieved them in different ways. Try bonus points and losing bonuses have given Lansdowne 6 of their 30 point haul. Garryowen on the other hand have won 7 of their eight games, all be they, mostly tight encounters. With Garryowen at home this weekend, Tom Tierney’s men will be slight favourites to climb to the submit at the halfway mark.
Verdict: Garryowen to win it tight.
Shannon v Clontarf
Saturday 2.30 pm Thomond Park
STILL on a high from their first win of the season against UL Bohemians on January 4, bottom side Shannon will see fifth placed Clontarf as a chance to move away from the automatic relegation spot. With Tadgh Bennett and the returning, David O’Donovan’s experience, Shannon could yet cause a surprise here at HQ.
Verdict: Shannon by a score.
Dolphin v Young Munster
Saturday 2.30 pm Musgrave Park
MUNSTER’S are currently five points ahead of Cork Con in fourth and five behind Garryowen and Lansdowne. A win this weekend against sixth placed Dolphin will go along way to securing their title aspirations. Dolphin might have the services of Denis Hurley and Danny Barnes, but the Ger Slattery led black and ambers should have more than enough for their Cork hosts.
Verdict: Munster’s to win and climb further up the table.
Old Belevedere v UL Bohemians
Saturday 2.30 pm Anglesea Road
IT will have been a long few weeks for the UL Bohemian players. A shock loss to Shannon on January 4 will have to be overcome before talks of relegation really sink in. The 2-6 record of the Robins is only slightly worse than their 3-5 opponents this weekend. With the half way point approaching, Colm Tucker’s charges know the time for their cup form to return is nigh.
Verdict: Old Belvo to just scrape it.
Division 1B
Dungannon v Bruff
Saturday 2.30 pm Stevenson Park
EIGHT plays ninth in this tie. Bruff, one point ahead of their rvials this weekend will see this trip to the north as a chance to put some daylight between themselves and the dreaded drop. With the lowest points scored in the league, Bruff know that tight games up in Ulster are going to be the difference between surviving and not.
Verdict: Bruff to return happy with 4 points.
Division 2A
Highfield v Old Crescent
Saturday 2.30 pm Woodleigh Park
TEN points may separate these sides in the league, but Highfield have played two more games. With 2 wins, one draw and four defeats from seven games, Old Crescent know that inconsistency cannot be tolerated in the final 10 games.
The Rosbrien group has undoubted talent, but the results are needed now more than ever to escape the chasing pack of Midleton, Greystones, DLSP and Bective.
Verdict: Too tight to call. A draw?
Division 2B
Thomond v Ards
Saturday 2.30 pm Fitzgerald Park
STILL without a win this season, Thomond face Ards this weekend in a real 8 pointer. Ards, with one win to their name are just one point behind Thomond on 6 from 7 games. With a game in hand, Ards know that a win over the Blue and Whites will get them some daylight.
Thomond, however will be spirited by their close loss to Nenagh Ormond last time out. The men from Fitzgerald Park will know that win here against the Northern side will go a long way to moving them up the Division 2B ladder.
Verdict: Thomond to secure their first, well deserved, win of the season.
