Defeats for all three Limerick sides in AIL Division 1A

It was a chastening weekend for the Limerick teams in the Division 1A of the All Ireland League with all three losing their games.

Young Munster put in a superb performance in their game against Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium’s back pitch, but ultimately fell to a 25-24 defeat.

Munsters were down 17-5 at the break with Conor Phillips crossing for their solitary try.

Gearoid Prendergast’s men conceded another score in the second half but came back with three tries from Conor Hayes, Tom Goggin and Luke Fitzgerald but Scott Deasy’s penalty saw Lansdowne to victory.

The Cookies come out of the game with two points by virtue of scoring four tries and losing by a solitary point but they lost ground on third from bottom UCC after they beat Shannon.

UCC were 15-3 victors over Tom Hayes’ side at the Mardyke. Shannon were 10-3 down at the end of the first half and were unable to reverse that scoreline.

Fionn McGibney kicked Shannon’s only points of the game. UCC are now just one point off Shannon, who have now lost four games in a row.

Garryowen also lost ground on the top four after their 15-7 defeat to league leaders Cork Con in Dooradoyle.

Aidan Moynihan gave Con the perfect start a Peadar Collins try and subsequent conversion saw Garryowen into a first half lead.

However, Con went in at the break in front thanks to JJ O’Neill. The former Crescent College star went in for a second try on the game’s resumption to see Con to victory.

Garryowen now sit four points off fourth placed Dublin University ahead of their trip to UCD this weekend. Young Munster host Dublin University, while Shannon visit Clontarf.

In Division 2A, both Limerick sides also lost their respective games. UL Bohs lost at home to Navan, while Old Crescent’s fine recent run came to an end after losing 19-7 to Highfield.

Bruff were the sole victorious Limerick team as they earned an impressive 20-17 win at Seapoint. They are now level on 48 points with second placed Midleton.

The bonus point that Seapoint earned in that game saw them leapfrog Thomond at the bottom of the table. Thomond were comprehensively beaten by league leaders Ballina on a 42-10 scoreline.

In the Women’s AIL Division 1, UL Bohs could only manage a 5-5 draw with Blackrock in a game that was played in horrific conditions. Stephanie Nunan scored UL Bohs’ try.