RUGBY

Four UBL ties down for decision in Limerick on opening weekend

August 7, 2017 / Luke Liddy /

There are 4 Limerick sides who will begin their Ulster Bank League campaign in Limerick, with Young Munster, UL Bohemian, Thomond and Bruff all enjoying home comforts.

While all 7 local UBL sides are set to take to the pitch on Saturday, September 16.

DIVISION 1A

YOUNG MUNSTER

Young Munster who suffered semi-final heartbreak last season will get the new campaign underway at Tom Clifford Park when they host UCD.

Gearoid Prendergast’s side will host the division 1A Limerick Derby in the new year as they entertain Garryowen on Friday, January 5.

Their first Munster Derby with champions Cork Constitution is at Temple Hill on Saturday October, 28, while they go into the mid-season break following away and home ties with Terenure College.

GARRYOWEN

Last season’s Relegation/promotion playoff winners Garryowen kick off their campaign in Dublin as they travel to take on St Mary’s College, while Conan Doyle’s side welcome newly promoted Buccaneers to Dooradoyle the following weekend.

They play host to local rivals Young Munster on Friday, November 10 – the home side will relish the chance to avenge last season’s drubbing in the same fixture.

The ‘Light Blues’ face into back to back games with champions Cork Con just before the mid-season break.

DIVISION 1B

UL BOHEMIAN

Christy Neilan’s men came close to reaching the top tier last season, they’ll look to go a step further this time, and it all starts at home to 2A champions Banbridge.

While their first away trip comes on the next weekend as the Limerick side travel to face Naas.

Bohs’ host Shannon in the first 1B Limerick derby on Friday, October 27.

SHANNON

Shannon had a turbulent start to the last campaign, that saw the departure of head coach Marcus Horan and the appointment of Tom Hayes. Hayes will take his side to Cork to face off against U.C.C on the opening day of the new season.

The next weekend the Limerick side entertain newly relegated Old Belvedere.

In 2018 Shannon play host to UL Bohemian for the second local derby of the season on Friday, February, 16.

DIVISION 2B

OLD CRESCENT

Old Crescent were just one game away from back to back promotions last season but it wasn’t to be, as Joe Nix side lost out in the 2B promotion playoff final. This season the Rosbrien side will be under the watch of new head coach Brendan Guilfoyle, who will also continue to tog out for the side.

Crescent will begin their second stint in the division on the road as they travel north to face Rainey Old Boys, while they welcome MU Barnhall to Limerick the following weekend.

DIVISION 2C

Thomond

Thomond begin life in the league’s basement division against Sligo at Liam Fitzgerald Park, following back to back relegations, while their first away day will come the following weekend against Tullamore.

Following the mid-season break Thomond face into a home local derby encounter with Bruff on Saturday, January, 6.

BRUFF

Bruff finished the season comfortably in mid table, following a promotion push the year previous, they begin the new campaign in Kilballyowen, when they host newcomers Omagh.

The County Limerick side then face into an away tie with Bective Rangers the following weekend, on Sunday, September 24.

On November 10 Bruff entertain Limerick rivals Thomond, in the first of the two divisional meetings between the sides.

Opening weekend fixtures:

DIVISION 1A

Saturday 16th September

Buccaneers v Lansdowne

Cork Constitution v Clontarf

Dublin University v Terenure College

St. Mary’s College v Garryowen

Young Munster v UCD

DIVISION 1B

Saturday 16th September