The Ulster Bank League returns this weekend with a host of Limerick sides in action.

After some poor results last week from the majority of local sides, most will be hoping to get their campaigns up and running this weekend.

#UBL Div 1A this weekend. Table toppers @terenurerugby host champions @CorkConRugby pic.twitter.com/hUYOojFcut

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 21, 2017

Young Munster V Lansdowne (Aviva Stadium, Kick Off 2:30)

Young Munster’s didn’t get the start they were looking for last weekend at Tom Clifford park, losing to UCD on an unflattering scoreline of 39-20. While Gearoid Prendergast’ men were in the tie for about an hour, the college side scored three unanswered tries in the last quarter of the game to comfortably take the five points back to Dublin.

This saturday we play lansdowne in headquaters at 2.30pm in the ubl best of luck to the boys

— Young Munster RFC (@YoungMunsterRFC) September 21, 2017

In a repeat of 2015’s semi final the cookies travel to Dublin to take on Mike Ruddocks side, who last won the competition in 2015, when they beat Munster’s at the semi final stage. Lansdowne, who have impressed so much over the last number of season’s finishing top of the league for 3 out of the last 5 of them, come off the back of a good win 10-19 away win over newly promoted Buccaneers last time out. Young Munster’s will have to improve on last week’s performance if they want to get their first w of the year.

Garryowen V Buccaneers (Dooradoyle, Kick Off 2:30)

Conan Doyle’s side didn’t start their campaign the way they would have wanted last weekend losing out to St Mary’s 13-7 at Templeville road. After early pressure from the light blues scrum lead to a penalty try, Garryowen couldn’t capitalise on further pressure and in the second half conceded at try and a penalty meaning they would only be going home with a losing bonus point.

First #UBL home game tomorrow Sept 23, GFC v Buccaneers in Dooradoyle ko 2:30. Come and support your team. #GFCVBUC #GiG

— Garryowen FC (@GarryowenFC) September 22, 2017

However, Neil Cronin and his team can make amends for it on Saturday when they welcome new boys Buccaneers to Dooradoyle. The newly promoted side went down 10-19 to Lansdowne last weekend but showed glimpses of why they were promoted as Champions last season which the Limerick side should be wary of. As it’s their first home game of the season, Garryowen should definitely be gunning to bag their first four points of the year with the tough challenge of Clontarf the following week.

Shannon V Old Belvedere (Thomond Park, Kick Off 2:30)

Shannon were one of only two Limerick sides to win last weekend after a hard fought 20-16 win over U.C.C last weekend at the Mardyke in Cork. A win against a side boasting players like John Poland and Cian Bohane, who were so instrumental in Munster A’s B&I cup success last season, is no mean feat and Tom Hayes’ men will definitely take a lot of confidence from that victory going into their first home game against Belvedere this weekend.

Old Belvedere themselves got their 1B campaign off to a winning start after defeating Ballynahinch 13-6 at Anglesea Road last Saturday. The Dublin outfit, who were relegated automatically from Division 1A last time out, will be looking to return back to Ireland’s top division next year and will be one of the front runners for promotion this season, along with Shannon, making tomorrow’s game a vital one for both.

Naas V UL Bohemians (Forenaughts Kick Off 2:30)

UL Bohs let victory slip last weekend when they lost out to new boys Banbridge in the last play of the game. On what was a miserable day at the 4G pitches in UL, Bohs were on top at half time 13-7 through the boot of Robbie Bourke and a try from lock Ed Kelly, however that was where the scoring stopped for the University of Limerick outfit and Banbridge, along with captain Ian Porter scored all of the second half points meaning opening day misery for Christy Neilan’s men

Next up is arguably an even bigger challenge, as they travel to Kildare to face Johne Murphy’s Naas, who got off to a winning start last Saturday as they beat Dolphin 30-20 at Musgrave Park with out half Murphy kicking 10 points. Naas just about finished ahead of the Limerick side last year but both couldn’t quite reach the top division after play off losses in April and this fixture is sure to have a say on both teams promotions hopes again this year.

Old Crescent V MU Barhall (Rosbrien, Kick-off 2:30)

Old Crescent were one of the few Limerick sides to get off to a winning start last weekend when they defeated Rainey Old Boys in Magherafalt thanks to the boot of former Shannon man Ronan McKenna and tries from Cathal O’Reilly, Shane Mullaly and Sean Monaghan.

1st @UlsterBankRugby home game of season v @mubarnhallrfc, Rosbrien tomorrow ko 2.30pm. Come and support your team! https://t.co/qMdTdu3hqd

— Old Crescent RFC (@OldCrescentRFC1) September 22, 2017

In a last season’s fixture, Eugene McGovern’s side ran out 51-33 winners, but it’s sure to be a much tighter affair come Saturday and with conditions to be poor, there is much less chance of a game as expansive as last years.

Tullamore V Thomond (Spollanstown, Kick Off 2:30)

Thomond are unlucky not to have four points under their belt after the first round of fixtures having lost to Sligo 13-12 last weekend. They had a chance to win the game but a difficult touch line conversion just went wide of the uprights mening James Hickey’s side had to be satisfied with a losing bonus point.

Hickey will have been encouraged by his side’s performance with young out half Evan Cusack and former Young Munster winger Darragh O’Neill impressing and with Tullamore losing to Bangor last weekend, this game is all to play for, for both sides looking to get their first wins.

Bective Rangers V Bruff (Donnybrook, Kick Off 6:30)

Bruff went down 13-14 to Omagh last weekend in Kilballyowen park and will need a noticeable improvement if they want their first win of the season tonight. Their defence and lack of discipline hampered their chances last weekend and Eoin Cahill and his side will know they will have to make a notable improvement in that facet of their game if they want to topple a Bective Rangers side who will be hurting from a big defeat last time out against new boys Malahide at Donnybrook stadium.

That game is to kick off at 6:30 due to the fact their are underage interprovincial games to be played at the stadium earlier in the day.