Munsters and Garryowen face off in vital AIL clash

Young Munster versus Garryowen is a marquee fixture each time the bitter rivals meet but there is added importance to their fixture at Tom Clifford Park on Friday.

Munsters are badly in need of victory to stave off relegation worries, while a Garryowen win would see the Light Blues edge closer to an end of season top four playoff spot.

Garryowen were forced to dig deep to come out on top of a tight AIL Division 1A fixture with bottom of the table Terenure last time out.

Conan Doyle’s side earned a 32-31 win in Dooradoyle by virtue of Alex Wootton’s 78^th minute try that Ben Healy converted.

A shock defeat looked on for Garryowen when Sam Dardis touched down eight minutes from time but Wootton and Healy saw the home side to a vital win that kept them fourth.

Munsters, on the other hand, fell to a 33-31 loss in their game against UCD at Belfield. UCD raced into a 15 point lead but The Cookies hit back thanks to Conor Mitchell and Conor Bartley scores, as well as a penalty try.

The home side restored their lead in the second half but Calvin Nash’s bagged a vital bonus point try for Gearoid Prendergast’s side.

The form book will ensure that Garryowen go into the local derby as strong favourites at Tom Clifford Park.

However, Munsters are more than capable of upsetting the apple cart despite losing their last five AIL games. Garryowen won the reverse fixture in November by six points.

Shannon will be looking to bounce back from a heavy loss to Lansdowne last weekend when they welcome Dublin University to Thomond Park.

Lansdowne ran in five tries in the straightforward victory at the Aviva Stadium with Shannon’s replies coming from Jamie McGarry and a penalty try.

Tom Hayes’ side have slipped to seventh place as a result from two defeats on the spin and face a Trinity side that have won their last two and are now just four points off a playoff spot.

Elsewhere in the AIL, Old Crescent continued their recent run of good form when Ronan McKenna’s late penalty saw them beat Nenagh Ormond 9-7 in Division 2A.

Crescent move up to fifth as a result and welcome Galwegians to Rosbrien this weekend.

UL Bohs were also victorious last weekend against Cashel and they travel to Queens University on Saturday.

In 2C, Bruff and Thomond suffered defeats to Omagh and City of Derry respectively.

Bruff will be aiming to get their promotion push back on track when Bangor come to Killballyowen Park, while Thomond travel to Midelton.

In the Women’s AIL, UL Bohs host Cooke on Saturday at 5pm.