HIGHLIGHTS | Disappointing opening weekend for Limerick’s AIL contingent

The Energia AIL 2022/23 season kicked off on Saturday across the country with six Limerick sides in action.

It was a tough opening AIL weekend for Limerick as five of their six teams fell to defeat with Bruff being the only side to get their campaign started with a victory.

2022 finalists Terenure College handed Shannon RFC a heavy defeat on their first game back in D1A with the Dublin side winning 39-3. Shannon took the lead early on when Mike Cooke kicked over but it would spiral into six unanswered tries for Terenure as they ran riot in Thomond Park.

Young Munster let their nine-point lead early in the second half slip as they were defeated 19-18 by Cork Constitution. Conor Hayes scored two tries with Evan Cusack converting one as well as kicking over two penalties. The side took a 15-6 lead shortly after the interval but succumbed to defeat after a 79th minute Cork Constution try completed an impressive comeback.

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The third Limerick side in the D1A, Garryowen, suffered a heavy 50-14 defeat to Dublin University who go top of the table with the victory. The scores were 12-6 at half-time, with two Tony Butler penalties keeping the side in contention but were dominated in the second half as Dublin’s Aran Egan d secured a hat-trick of tries. Bryan Fitzgerald scored a consolation try for Garryowen but it was ultimately a game to forget for the side.

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In D2A, Old Crescent suffered an away defeat to MU Barnhall with the side losing 44-27. UL Bohemians were also in action in the Division but the same outcome applied as a lone try for the side resulted in a 20-5 defeat at home to Nenagh Ormond.

The only Limerick side to win their opening fixture was Division 2C side Bruff narrowly defeated Omagh Academicals 20-18 to get off the mark in their campaign.

See results listed below:

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Energia AIL

Division 1A

Cork Constitution 20 – 18 Young Munster

Garryowen 14 – 50 Dublin University

Shannon 3 – 39 Terenure College

Landsdowne 31 – 34 Ballynahinch

UCD 19 – 24 Clontarf

Division 1B

City of Armagh 22 – 20 Buccaneers

Highfield 26 – 20 Banbridge

Malone 12 – 36 UCC

Old Belvedere 32 – 28 St. Mary’s College

Old Wesley 37 – 7 Naas

Division 2A

MU Barnhall 44 – 27 Old Crescent

UL Bohemians 5 – 20 Nenagh Ormond

Blackrock College 38 – 24 Ballymena

Navan 20 – 19 Cashel

Queen’s University 69 – 12 Dolphin

Division 2B

Belfast Harlequins 26 – 9 Sligo

Dungannon 33 – 7 Galwegians

Enniscorthy 15 – 26 Greystones

Galway Corinthians 34 – 33 Rainey Old Boys

Malahide 17 – 14 Wanderers

Division 2C

Bruff 20 – 18 Omagh Academicals

Ballina 21 – 29 Skerries

Bangor 30 – 21 Sunday’s Well

Clonmel 18 – 8 Middleton

Instonians 39 – 21 Tullamore