Four Limerick wins in dramatic second round of All-Ireland League fixtures

THERE were four Limerick wins, while Garryowen secured a draw in Division 1B, in Saturday’s dramatic second round of fixtures in the energia All-Ireland League.

In Division 1A, Young Munster suffered a second straight defeat when going down 8-15 to St Mary’s College at Tom Clifford Park on Saturday.

Munsters’, who trailed 0-12 to the Dublin side at half-time, had to make-do with taking a losing bonus point from the game for the ninth-placed Limerick side.

The Munster Rugby duo of Fionn Gibbons and Evan O’Connell started for the Greenfields side, the latter partnering captain Alan Kennedy in the second row. Shane O’Leary, David Begley, and Australian Leo Langbridge also came into the starting line-up, with O’Leary’s inclusion seeing Kelvin Langan move to scrum half.

Meanwhile, in Division 1B, Garryowen remain unbeaten after two series of fixtures, following their 17-17 draw with Queen’s University at Dub Lane.

The result leaves Garryowen in fourth place in the table, just four points off pace-setters Instonians.

Targeting their second straight Division 1B win under Mike Sherry following their opening weekend win over UCC, Garryowen’s back-line was led by Luca Cleary and Munster Academy youngster Tom Wood. Fellow provincial player Max Clein, a try scorer on the opening weekend against UCC, and Tom Ironside Wickham were the other changes.

In Division 2A, Shannon suffered a last gasp 17-24 defeat away to MU Barnhall, having led 17-10 with a little over 10 minutes remaining.

The Limerick side led the game 7-5 at half-time. Shannon had a try in the opening half from Cian McCann, while Matt Te Pou dotted down in the second. Cillian O’Connor added two conversions, while jamie Gavin kicked a penalty.

Also in Division 2A, Old Crescent have started their campaign with back-to-back wins following their 18-10 victory over MU Barnhall at Parsonstown.

The result sess the Takumi Park side sit in third place in the 2A table, just one point behind the early pacesetters.

In Division 2B, UL-Bohemian made it two wins from two following their 24-17 victory over Skerries at UL on Saturday afternoon.

UL-Bohs led the game 19-5 at half-time. The Red, Red Robins are in third spot in the table level on points with early pacesetters Galwegias and Sligo.

Another Limerick side to have made a winning start to the campaign last weekend, Thomond, made it two bonus point wins from two with an exciting 29-5 bonus point success away to Ballyclare. The result sees the Limerick side, who were promoted back to senor ranks this season, are top of the 2C table, one point ahead of second-placed Belfast Harlequins.

Thomond, who led 10-5 at half-time, scored four tries through Suliano Mainavolau, Sam Birrane, Ryain Ahern and Tom Goggin, while Declan Cusack added three conversions and a penalty.

Also in Division 2C, Bruff enjoyed a 28-19 victory over Monkstown at Kilballyowen Park on Saturday.

Bruff, who lost their opening league fixture, have moved up to seventh place in the table as a result of their exciting second round win.

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Four Limerick wins in dramatic second round of All-Ireland League fixtures

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