Six out of the seven Limerick clubs head into round 4 of the AIL following bonus point wins in round 3

After three rounds of the AIL tables are are starting to take shape as some sides struggle while other sides impress and most local sides seem to be improving week after week.

Kick off your weekend with some @ulsterbankrugby #UBL – here's the match ups in Division 1A https://t.co/gPNZsJT4wn pic.twitter.com/r2ILryfPRY

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 6, 2017

Young Munster V Dublin University (Tom Clifford Park, Kick Off 2:30)

Young Munster return to Tom Clifford Park this weekend as they take on a struggling Dublin University side who sit bottom of the Division 1A table after three losses from their opening three games. The cookies won their first game of the season last Saturday against  Buccaneers in Dubarry Park and will be looking for two in a row against a poor Trinity side.

https://www.facebook.com/YoungMunsterRFC/posts/1456171227806096

Former student, Tom Ryan, who has been involved in the Munster over the summer has started all three games so far for Gearoid Predergast’s men is sure to cause his former side even more problems when they make the trip to Limerick. Munster academy players such as Gavin Coombes, Calvin Nash and Daniel Hurley have all been important for the Greenfield’s outfit so far, and if involved Saturday, are sure to make a big difference.

Terenure College V Garryowen (Lakelands Park, Kick Off 2:30)

Garryowen sit in third place in Division 1A after back to back bonus point wins against Buccaners and Clontarf. Their emphatic victory over last year AIL finalists, Clontarf, was a real statement of intent by the Dooradoyle side scoring 6 tries on their way to a 57-17 win. Conan Doyle’s side has an array of Munster players to choose from with the likes of Mike Sherry, Sam Arnold and brothers Dave and Bill Johnston all trying to get much needed game time ahead of a busy winter period for their province.

It's another massive game for the 1st XV this week – get down to Lakelands and cheer them on against @GarryowenFC #UBL #Nure pic.twitter.com/rIKaKEuDY3

— Terenure College RFC (@terenurerugby) October 4, 2017

Terenure have definitely been a bit of a surprise package this year winning three out of three games via bonus point wins which leaves them top of the pile going into Saturday’s clash in Dublin. These two sides finished second and third last in April but it seems they will be pushing for a top four finish this time round, making this fixture an important one for both teams

Shannon V Dolphin (Thomond Park, Kick Off 2:30)

Shannon have had a superb start to their season this year with three wins on the bounce against U.C.C, Old Belveedere and Old Wesley and take on Dolphin this Saturday looking to keep their 100% record going. Tom Hayes’ side recorded their first bonus point win last week after two tight opening round ties. Returning from Aurillac in the French Pro d2, flanker Kelvin Brown has started every game so far the Coonagh outfit, and along with Munster players Duncan Casey and Sean McCarthy have added serious bulk to a Shannon pack coached by an experienced forward in Tom hayes.

https://www.facebook.com/shannonrfc/photos/a.10151850822394633.1073741841.161779209632/10155257131824633/?type=3&theater

After a lackluster season from the 9 time All Ireland League winners last time round, they seem to have put their performance issues behind this year and have really hit the ground running and will be looking to make it four from four at Thomond Park on Saturday and really make a claim for promotion back to 1A after so many season’s in 1B.

Ballynahinch V UL Bohemian (Ballymacarn Park, Kick Off 2:30)

UL Bohemians haven’t had the best start to their Division 1b campaign this season, especially after setting such a high standard for themselves last year, only losing out on promotion by one game. After losing to newly promoted Banbridge on the first weekend they backed that up with another under par performance against Naas in Kildare the following weekend.

Looking forward to welcoming @Trionamusic to Ballymacarn Park after our @UlsterBankRugby Div 1B match v @ulbohemianrfc on Saturday #UBL pic.twitter.com/zOMlytx7md

— Ballynahinch RFC (@HinchRFC) October 3, 2017

However, Christy Neilan’s side finally got their first win of the season last week when, with the help of Munster scrum half James Hart’s boot, beat Ballymena in U.L. With Munster travelling to the Aviva on Saturday, Hart could again feature for the red Robins’ if Eramus decides to leave Duncan Williams on the bench which would be a great boost to the University of Limerick side. A trip up north is always difficult no matter who the opponent is, and with both just having one win and two losses to their names, it will be another tight encounter, but Bohs should be looking at this tie as a possible four points.

Old Crescent V Wanderers (Rosbrien, Kick Off 2:30)

Old Crescent, who with Shannon are the only Limerick side to still have a perfect record going into round four, will play host to 2B table toppers Wanderers FC. It’s a huge game for both sides with the winner going top of the table on Saturday evening. Crescent have been in scintillating form this season amassing 103 points in their first three fixtures as well as two try bonus points. Having already defeated Rainey Old Boys, MU Barnhall, who have won their other two tie’s, and Dungannon, the Rosbrien outfit look set to be challenging for promotion again this season after missing out in the playoffs last time out.

Their win over Dungannon was made that bit more impressive seeing as 10 of the starting 15 played underage rugby with the club as well, which nowadays is very rare with players moving to clubs from different parts of the country for college or work reasons. After getting a taste of what it takes to make it to division 2A, Brendan Guilfoyle’s side seem to be that bit hungrier for success this season, and with home advantage on Saturday will be hoping to really put down a marker going into round five in a couple of weeks.

https://www.facebook.com/Oldcrescentrugbyfootballclub/posts/1623594164358978

Bangor V Thomond (Upritchard Park, Kick Off 2:30)

Thomond RFC followed their first away win in over 900 days up by an important home win over Seapoint last weekend on a scoreline of 28-25. That bonus point win leaves the Royal Blues in third place with 11 points and just 1 point behind leaders Omagh going into round 4.

Fixtures Sat 7th Oct
1xv home @RFCThomond
2xv away Harlequins
Both ko 230 and all support appreciated #bguthb

— Bangor Rugby Club (@BangorRFC) October 5, 2017

Their opponents, Bangor, are only two places behind them and would overtake James Hickey’s men if they were to win on Saturday. That away win two weeks ago in Tullamore will definitely give the soda cakes the belief they can get back to winning ways on the road this season, and a win would really indicate their intent this season.

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

Bruff have had mixed fortunes so far in Division 2C with a win, a loss and a draw last week with then table toppers Sligo RFC. The result against Sligo was a good one seeing as Bruff were 10 points down at one stage in the second half and rallied well to go home with the two points. The County Limerick side now sit in 6th place with 8 points, just four points behind leaders Omagh and will be looking for all four points when they travel to 8th place Seapoint.

Round 4 of #UBL this weekend away to @TullamoreRFC. All support welcome. Updates throughout on Twitter.

— Bruff RFC (@bruffrfc) October 3, 2017

Seapoint only have one win to their name this season against Bangor in Round 2 and met with Limerick opposition last week in the form of Thomond and went down 28-25 at Liam Fitzgerald park, which is something Brian Cahill and his side will take a certain degree of confidence from. With home advantage on their side, Bruff should be looking to come away with all four points on Saturday afternoon after showing good resilience last time out.