The UBL returns this weekend with some important fixtures for Limerick sides

The Ulster Bank League Returns this weekend after a three week break with Limerick clubs looking to move up in their respective divisions. After four games played, some divisions are starting to take shape with some clubs being left behind, whilst others are really taking their leagues by the scruff of the neck and pushing on after some impressive early outings.

Garryowen V UCD (Dooradoyle, Kick Off 2:30pm)

Garryowen make their return to action against a UCD side that lie just a point underneath them in the table on 11 points with the same two wins two losses record as the home side. The Dooradoyle outfit have made a big improvement on last year’s campaign already, beating AIL finalists Clontarf by over 40 points in the league, securing a place in the Charity Cup final, as well as the Senior Cup semi-final, suggesting Conan Doyle’s really want to push for silverware this year.

However, the University side won’t make it easy for their opponent’s on Saturday with a raft of Leinster academy talent at their disposal including the likes of impressive Ireland under 20 international Ciaran Frawley who has been steering the ship at 10 for his side as well as Ireland 7’s captain Harry McNulty in the backline meaning it will need to be a solid defensive performance from the light blues if they want to keep their good form going.

Fixtures Oct 28th
GFC 1st v @UCDRugby H, ko 2:30 #UBL
GFC 3rd v Scariff H, ko 4:30 #GL
GFC 2nd v @Shannon_RFC H, ko 6pm #SSL

— Garryowen FC (@GarryowenFC) October 24, 2017

Cork Con V Young Munster (Temple Hill, Kick Off 2:30pm)

Young Munster have the unenviable task of making the trip to Cork to face holders Cork Constitution on Saturday afternoon in what is sure to be a very tough ask of the Limerick side. The cookies have had a very poor start to their season by their standards only winning one out of their four games, which included a home loss to a struggling Dublin University side last time out.

Weekend fixtures:
28/10/2017

Cork Con Vs @YoungMunsterRFC (H) 2.30

Cork Con Vs @DolphinRFC (H) 2.30

— Cork Constitution FC (@CorkConRugby) October 26, 2017

Although it would be a huge upset, Munster’s will be looking to bounce back from their Senior Cup defeat to Garryowen on Friday last knowing full well that any form of victory in Temple Hill would do wonders for the side’s confidence going into another three straight weeks of AIL fixtures, including a local derby game against Garryowen again in a couple of weeks.

UL Bohemians V Shannon (University Of Limerick 4G Pitch, Kick Off 7:30pm)

In the first Limerick derby across all the divisions in the Ulster Bank League, Division 1B leaders Shannon play UL Bohemians at Thomond Park on Friday night. These two sides have had contrasting starts to their campaign’s with Bohs only winning one out of their opening four games whilst Shannon are the only side in 1B to still have a 100% record going into round 5.

Tom Hayes’ men have been the side to beat this year after impressive bonus point wins against Dolphin and Old Wesley, as well as a tough away victory against a very good UCC side in Round 1. The Munster A’ second row partnership of Ronan Coffey and Sean McCarthy along with Duncan Casey at hooker has really sured up the Coonagh side’s set piece, whilst in the half back’s Munster academy and Ireland Under 20 International’s Jack Stafford and Conor Fitzgerald have been linking well to get things going for their backline.

At the other end of the table, Christy Neilan’s side lie in 7th place, already 12 points behind leaders Shannon and will need a huge performance on Friday night if they want to stop their opponents run. The University of Limerick men did beat Old Crescent last Thursday in the Senior Cup, which they can take as a real confidence boost seeing as Crescent haven’t lost a game in their Division either and have been scoring freely this year, but like Young Munster’s it’s going to be a massive ask for this side to come away with 4 points, but if they were successful it would really be a kickstart to a season that really needs one.

This weekends Firsts match v UL Bohs will take place in a Thomond Park on Friday at 7:30pm

— Shannon RFC (@Shannon_RFC) October 24, 2017

City of Derry V Old Crescent (Judge’s Road, Kick Off 2:30pm)

Old Crescent, along with high flying Shannon, are the only two Limerick clubs to still have a 100% record going into round 5 of their respective leagues and both sides are good value for it. From the four games Crescent have played and won they have amassed two try bonus points, as well as beating a Wanderers side who were three from three before playing the Eugene McGovern’s men.

Fixtures this weekend:
Sat, 28 Oct
First XV v @CityOfDerryRFC , Judges Rd, Derry, 2.30pm.
Third XV v @EnnisRugby, Lee’s Rd, Ennis, 1.30pm.

— Old Crescent RFC (@OldCrescentRFC1) October 27, 2017

The Rosbrien side make the trip up north on Saturday to face a City of Derry side who have been struggling so far this season in the league, winning only one game out of their opening four ties. The Limerick club will see this as a big opportunity to push on and go for a fifth win in a row and really seal their position at the summit of division 2B.

Bruff V Seapoint (Kilballyowen Park,  Kick Off 2:30pm)

Bruff have home advantage on their side this weekend as they play host to Seapoint on Saturday afternoon at Kilballyowen park. The county Limerick side have had a good start to their 2017/18 season thus far winning two out of their four league games as well as, albeit fortuitously, securing a Munster Senior Cup semi final spot.

After 3 weeks of a break round 5 of UBL sees @seapointrfc visit kilballyowen. All support welcome especially @RossOCK

— Bruff RFC (@bruffrfc) October 26, 2017

They lie in 3rd place in 2B having recorded two try bonus points in each of their victories, putting them in a good position going into the next three weeks of league fixture. Their opponents, Dublin’s Seapoint RFC, have had a similar start to their campaign as Stephen Keogh’s side with 2 wins from their first four, but sit four places underneath Bruff with not try bonus points to their name as of yet. It’s sure to be a tight clash on Saturday afternoon but the home side will be looking to push on from their big 39-10 win over Tullamore last time out in the league.

Midleton V Thomond (Towns Park, Kick Off 2:30pm)

Thomond make the short away trip to Towns Park on Saturday as they take on Midleton in Division 2B. James Hickey’s men will be looking to bounce back from a heavy 36-14 defeat to Bangor last time out and have the perfect opportunity to do so against a Midleton side that have only won one of their fixtures in the league this season.

The first XV are back in action over the weekend. We travel to play @Midleton_RFC in Cork. Only a short spin to get down and support them

— Thomond RFC (@RFCThomond) October 26, 2017

The Royal blues are three points ahead of their opponents and a win would really give confidence to a side that seem to turning their fortunes around this season after two very under par season’s over the last two years, with back to back relegation’s.