THE ULSTER Bank league returns this weekend after a week off and all seven Limerick senior clubs are in action.
In Division 1A, Garryowen will host Galwegians at Dooradoyle in what is sure to be a hugely physical clash between the two sides who were promoted to the top division last season.
Garryowen will be looking to continue their good start to the season as the Light Blues currently sit in fourth spot following two wins, a draw and one loss from the opening four rounds.
In the same Division, cross town rivals Young Munster will travel to Ballynahinch RFC on Saturday afternoon looking for their first win of the season.
The meeting sees the bottom two sides in the league going in search of some much needed points to try and distance themselves from a season long dogfight at the wrong end of the table. With several injuries and commitments to the Munster ‘A’ fixture against Connacht on Thursday October 22, Young Munster know that a win this weekend is vital for both squad morale and points on the board.
In Division 1B, the first Limerick derby of the season takes place on Friday night at Thomond Park. UL Bohemians are the official home side on this occasion, with Shannon being the ‘visitors’.
Both sides are in real trouble in this campaign with only one win from eight games between them. Regardless of the result on Friday night, Limerick rugby as a whole needs these two sides higher up the table than they already are (UL Bohs are 8th and Shannon are in 10th).
Much like all the Limerick sides, Munster’s release of players could have a huge bearing on the result. With Marcus Horan and Shannon looking for their first win of the season, coupled with UL Bohs poor home form and poor history in this fixture, ‘There is an Isle’ could be sung for the first time in a while on Friday night.
In Division 2A, Limerick’s only representative, Thomond, make the long journey to Malone on Saturday. Thomond are 1-3 from their opening four games and a win away at fifth place; Malone would be a real lift.
In Division 2C, table topping, 100 per cent record, Old Crescent travel to Midleton, while fourth placed Bruff take on Boyne away from home also. Next weekend, all seven senior sides will move into Munster Senior Cup action.
Divison 1A
Sat-17-Oct Garryowen v Cor’thians @ 2.30pm
Sat-17-Oct Ball’hinch Y Munster v @ 2.30pm
Divison 1B
Fri-16-Oct UL Bohemian v Shannon @ 7.30pm
Divison 2A
Sat-17-Oct Malone v Thomond @ 2.30pm
Divison 2C
Sat-17-Oct Midleton v O Crescent @ 2.30pm
Sat-17-Oct Boyne v Bruff @ 2.30pm
