Seven crucial ties down for decision for Limerick sides in the UBL

Seven Limerick sides take to the pitch on Saturday with six of the seven chasing a playoff or promotion and UL Bohemian fighting for their place in division 1B. All games kick off at 2.30pm on Saturday afternoon.

In 1A Young Munster and Garryowen sit in 5^th and 6^th respectively, the cookies ahead on points difference but the light blues do have a game in hand and both sides should have strong squads to chose from with Munster and Munster A not in action.

Both sides sit four points back from Clontarf who lie in in 4^th spot.

Garryowen welcome runaway division leaders Lansdowne to Dooradoyle. The Dublin side are 16 points clear of second spot Cork Con.

Conan Doyle’s side will, however, have seen that Lansdowne weren’t their ruthless selves last week as they edged a 4-point win over Dublin rivals Terenure.

The last time the two sides met back in November it was Lansdowne who came away with a 32-22 win but a big home performance this time around could give Garryowen the boost they need to make a push for a semi-final place.

A rejuvenated Young Munster side will come into Saturday’s clash with St Mary’s College knowing that another win could put them into the playoff places, depending on results elsewhere.

Last weekend Gearoid Predergast’s charges made a powerful statement with a crucial win on the road to Clontarf. Mary’s will come into the game in good spirits too, as they claimed the scalp of defending champions Cork Con.

The stage is set for what should be an intriguing affair at Templeville Road, with both sides coming in with plenty to play for as they continue to battle it out at opposite ends of the table.

In division 1B Shannon will hope to continue the trend of not losing back to back league games as the table toppers look to bounce back from last week’s disappointing defeat at the hands of Ballymena.

Tom Hayes’ side face into a vital game on Saturday as they travel to Rifle Park to face third place Banbridge.

Victories up north aren’t easy to come by but the parish side will feel that this is a must win against a side that sit just four points behind them in the table.

Shannon will need to complete the task without dynamic backrow forward Kelvin Brown who’s set to miss out with a calf injury.

Elsewhere in the division UL Bohemian will continue their scrap for safety as the entertain Old Belvedere at the 4G pitch in UL.

Christy Neilan’s side claimed a precious win over bottom side Dolphin last week and will need to pick up more positive results if they’re to make it out of the relegation playoff place.

As it stands the Red Robins are three points behind 8^th place Ballymena.

In 2B Old Crescent marched on last weekend, recording their 12^th win from 12, the Rosbrien side are now 7 points clear at the top of the table.

Skerries provide the opposition this weekend as Brendan Guilfoyle’s men make the trip to Holmpatrick.

The Dublin side did Crescent a favour last week as they saw off second spot Rainey Old Boys, who had been putting the pressure on the table toppers.

Division 2C has fast become the most exciting table with only 15 points between top of the Thomond and basement side Bective Rangers.

Bruff are still in the playoff hunt and, indeed, the title chase. They slipped down to 5^th last week following a defeat, however they only trail 4^th place Bangor on points difference.

On Saturday they can leapfrog the northerners as they welcome them to Kilballyowen Park.

While Thomond will hope to solidify their position at the top of the pile as they travel to Estuary Road to take on Malahide.

The soda cakes will be on a high following their first win up north since 2014 last weekend against Omagh.