No less than six Limerick clubs recorded bonus point victories in round three of the Ulster Bank League.

In division 1A both Garryowen and Young Munster came away from their fixtures with the maximum five points after wins against Clontarf and Buccaneers respectively.

In what was Garryowen’s best result so far this season, they saw off the challenge of last year’s Ulster Bank League finalists Clontarf on a very impressive scoreline of 51-17. The Dooradoyle side went in at half time with a comfortable 30-3 lead and scored their bonus point try shortly after the interval.

Munster academy’s Liam Coombes, who started on the wing, scored two tries whilst Sean Rennison, Hugh O’Brien Cunningham and Peadar Collins all went over for Conan Doyle’s side who now sit in third place after back to back bonus point wins. In further good news for both Garryowen and Munster, Mike Sherry and Sam Arnold featured from the start for Garryowen as they amass much needed game time going into a busy period for both sides.

Young Munster got their season up and running on Saturday as they defeated struggling Buccaneers 32-24 in Athlone. After falling behind 24-13 at one stage in the game, the Cookies stayed calm and showed composure as their relatively young side came away with a bonus point win.

Captain Ben Kilkenny dotted down twice whilst Munster academy duo Daniel Hurley and Gavin Coombes, along with replacement scrum half Jack Lyons also got on the scoresheet. Munster U19 player, Conor Hayes kicked 7 points from the tee on Saturday as Young Munster moved up to 7th in the table.

This is how Division 1A looks after round 3.

Shannon continued their perfect start to division 1B as they too recored a bonus point win on their travels against Old Wesley. Tom Hayes side ran out 34-17 winners on Saturday on the artificial surface at Donnybrook with Out half Conor Fitzgerald kicking 9 points and scoring a try himself.

Despite conceding a try after just five minutes, Shannon showed why they have a 100% record this year and slowly made their way back into the game with first half tries from Fionn McGibney, Duncan Casey and out half Fitzgerald. In the second half flanker Kelvin Brown and replacement winger Eathon Moloney touched down to make sure of the tie, with Brown’s try securing the try bonus point.

UL Bohemians got their first win of the season over the weekend as they defeated Ballymena 36-13 on the 4G pitch in UL. Munster’s summer signing, James Hart started at 9 for the home side and racked up an impressive 16 points on their way to a bonus point win.

The Red Robins went in at half time 19-6 leader with tries scored from No. 8 Darragh O’Grady, Hart and centre Harry Fleming. Robbie Bourke secured the bonus point with the last quarter of the game still to be played whilst Joe Bennett went over in the 71st minute to make sure of the University side’s first 5 points of the campaign.

Shannon sit on top of 1B with a slender 1 point lead.

In division 2B Old crescent made it three wins out of three on Saturday afternoon as they beat Dungannon 36-5  at Stevenson park. A hat-trick of tries from player/head coach Brendan Guilfoyle helped the Rocbrien side to another bonus point victory, while player/backs coach Brian Tuohy chipped in with a brace.

Crescent, who lead at the break 21-5, again looked impressive as they racked up another six tries on their way to a second bonus point win in as many weeks. Ronan McKenna kicked well in Tyrone and kept the scoreboard ticking landing every second half conversion. That win means that crescent lie in second place, a point behind leaders Wanderers.

Things are looking good so far for Old Crescent

In division 2C, a resurgent Thomond side made it back to back wins on Saturday as they saw off the challenge of Seapoint 28-at Liam Fitzgerald Park. Another hat-trick scorer this week for James Hickey’s men in the form of full back Dean O’Brien along with a try from Aleksandr Slijepcevic means Thomond now move up to third in the table after two bonus point victories in a row.

Evan Cusack kicked two conversions and a penalty from out-half to secure the win and an important five points for the Soda Cakes.

Bruff hosted table toppers Sligo on Saturday and played out a hard fought 20-20 draw. The game was a tight contest throughout and the sides were level 10 all at the break. Even though the County Limerick side went down 20-10 in the second half, they showed great spirit to score their own 10 unanswered points to come away with a good 2 points. That draw see’s Bruff move down to sixth in the table.

Thomond now sit in 3rd, three places ahead of Bruff.