Round 9 of the Ulster Bank League has posed some tricky ties for Limerick clubs.

Garryowen V Cork Con (Dooradoyle, Kick Off 2:30pm)

Garryowen play host to reigning champions Cork Constitution on Saturday in the first of three back to back to back fixtures for the clubs in the Ulster Bank League and the Munster Senior Cup. Both sides go into Saturday’s game on the back of good wins, with the home side securing a bonus point victory away to DUFC last time out whilst Con needed the boot of substitute Tomás Quinlan to secure their fifth win of the campaign.

With points difference being the only factor separating both sides in the table, this round 9 clash is vital for both clubs who are looking to finish the calendar year on a high in the League and is sure to be a tight contest, with the light blues and the temple hill side boasting impressive packs and superb back lines throughout the season so far. Conan Doyle’s side haven’t faltered at home yet this year and after 2 wins in a row they look best positioned going into Saturday’s Munster derby.

#UBL 2nd v 3rd. Make a day of ithttps://t.co/LZvddBt5PR #GiG pic.twitter.com/LktZ1RVfPh

— Garryowen FC (@GarryowenFC) November 26, 2017

Terenure V Young Munster (Lakelands Park, Kick Off 2:30pm)

Young Munster travel to Lakelands Park this Saturday to take on a Terenure side who have had a bright start to their 1A campaign. This is the second week in a row that Munster’s face Dublin opposition and will be bitterly disappointed after their game last weekend when a penalty in the last play of the game meant a second loss in a row for the Limerick side.

Nure’ suffered only their third defeat of the campaign last Friday at the hands of runaway leaders Lansdowne, but that loss compiled with defeats to Clontarf and UCD in the last four rounds of games could suggest the bright starters might be in a bit of slump, making it a great opportunity for Gearoid Prendergast’s side to get back to winning ways.

pic.twitter.com/T3LUUiwiP2

— Terenure College RFC (@terenurerugby) November 30, 2017

Ballynahinch V Shannon (Ballymacarn Park, Kick Off 2:30pm)

Shannon make the trip up north on Saturday afternoon as they face second place Ballynahinch at Ballymacarn Park in a top of the table clash. The Thomond Park side come into the fixture on the back of another fine win at home against Ballymena which keeps them firmly in pole position for an automatic return to Division 1A.

Hinch’ are on a good run of form themselves having won their last three fixtures on the bounce with former Ireland under 20 Fly half Johnny McPhillips impressing for the Northerners this season, most recently kicking a penalty, a conversion and scoring a try against UCC in their round 8 win. It is a tough game to call but one imagines that if Tom Hayes’ can get his side to play to their ability, they should have enough to get past Ballynahinch on Saturday.

https://www.facebook.com/ballynahinchrfcofficial/photos/a.326957550651413.96829.161005430579960/2113673478646469/?type=3&theater

UL Bohemians V UCC (University of Limerick 4G pitch, Kick Off 2:30pm)

UL Bohemians will be looking to add to victory over Dolphin in Cork last time out as they play host to UCC in this year’s first colours match. Bohs ended a miserable run of four losses on Saturday when they defeated their fellow strugglers at Irish Independent park and will be hoping it kickstarts their season with only two games left before the Christmas Break.

UCC come into the clash off a narrow loss to Ballynahinch last time out, but wouldn’t be too worried about that seeing as they did get a losing bonus point against the Northern outfit who have started the season really brightly. A win for the home side is a possibility on Saturday but it will be a very tough ask for Christy Neilan’s side who simply haven’t got hit the heights of last season.

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Old Crescent V Navan RFC (Rosbrien, Kick Off 2:30pm)

Old Crescent play host to Navan RFC on Saturday in a bid to keep their astonishing winning record in tact in Division 2B. In one of Crescent’s closer games this year last time out, Belfast Harlequins – who currently lie in second last place in the table – ran the league leaders very close. In the end it was the reliable boot of Ronan McKenna who slotted a late penalty to claim a narrow win.

The away side haven’t lost in their last four league ties, winning three and drawing the other, suggesting things aren’t going to get any easier for Brendan Guilfoyle’s men this weekend. Navan will provide a tough test this weekend but it is hard to look past Old Crescent who look likely to extend their unbeaten run at the top of the table.

Bective Rangers V Thomond (Donnybrook, Kick Off 2:30pm)

Thomond make the trip to the capital on Saturday as they face Bective Rangers on the 4G at Donnybrook. The away side will be hurting this week after leaving a 12 point lead at half time slip last weekend and eventually losing their their three game winning streak to Omagh at Liam Fitzgerald park.

Bective, who are at the other end of the table in 9th place will have a huge task on their hands at home this Saturday if they want to defeat James Hickey’s side who have notched up some impressive scoreline’s this campaign on their way to second place in the table, just two points off the top.

Bruff V Midleton (Kilballyowen Park, Kick Off 2:30pm)

Bruff play host to Midleton on Saturday at Kilballyowen park in a mid table clash in division 2C of the Ulster Bank League. The county Limerick side aren’t in the most positive run of form at the minute with three losses on the bounce, and only last week failed to register a single score in their fixture against Malahide in Dublin.

With home advantage on their side Eoin Cahill’s men will be hopeful of all four points against a side who sit just one spot below them in the table who are coming into the game off of a draw against bottom of the table Tullamore at home. A home win is definitely on the cards on Saturday and if other results go their way could see the local side move up a few places in 2C.