‘Friday Night Lights’ In Ulster Bank League
‘Friday Night Lights’ action returns to the Ulster Bank League this weekend with local derbies in Limerick and Cork. The Friday Night Lights games have proved very popular with teams and supporters alike, and clubs have seen huge interest in the games to date.
This Friday night, Garryowen host Shannon at Dooradoyle in a fascinating Division 1A duel, while, in Division 3, Sunday’s Well will entertain local rivals Highfield under the floodlights at Musgrave Park.
Garryowen will be hoping to get their first win under lights in the league this season when they clash with Shannon in a much-anticipated Limerick derby on Friday (kick-off 7.30pm).
The Light Blues kicked off their league campaign with a floodlit home fixture against Young Munster. They then faced Shannon at Thomond Park a week later with the home side coming out on top by 16-9.
This is a big game for both teams. Garryowen, with only one win and a draw to their name this season, are stuck at the bottom of Division 1A.
Shannon, meanwhile, have picked up important wins over Young Munster and Blackrock College in their most recent games. As ever, local bragging rights are nearly as important as league points in this one.
In Division 3, Musgrave Park will play host to a ‘Friday Night Lights’ encounter as Sunday’s Well battle it out with Highfield (kick-off 7.30pm).
This is the first Friday Night Lights game in Cork this season and the sides’ first league meeting since 1997 when the ‘Well won by 24-23.
There has been huge interest in this game and Sunday’s Well spokesman Dave Egar has advised that the pre-match dinner is already sold out. The ‘Well are also planning a mini rugby exhibition at half-time and there will be a free match programme on the night.
Sunday’s Well lie in eighth place in Division 3 having lost recently to Instonians, but they are a side capable of fighting for a top four spot. Highfield come into the game having lost at home to NUIM Barnhall last time out.
‘Friday Night Lights’ has proved very popular this season with big crowds turning out for the games so far. The floodlit clashes at Thomond Park, Dooradoyle and Donnybrook have all attracted big crowds and this Friday should be no different.
Don’t forget to check our our full Ulster Bank League previews later this week here on IrishRugby.ie.
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