YOUNG Munster are safe from relegation, but Old Crescent still have some work to do to avoid the dreaded drop.

That's the picture after Saturday's bottom of the table clash of the Limerick rivals at Rosbrien, where Young Munster gained control early on to lead 15-3 at half time.

Old Crescent, in fact started the better and got a big boost after five minutes when outside half Stephen Tuohy landed a penalty into the wind.

But the entire picture changed from the time that wing forward Des Clohessy touched down for a Young Munster try after 32 minutes. Another quickly followed for Michael Lynch, and this time Aidan O'Halloran converted. O'Halloran then dropped a goal right on half time to give Young Munster a 15-3 lead.

Old Crescent quickly set about making the wind pay in their favour as the second half progressed, but 20 minutes had elapsed before they broke down the Young Munster defence with a try for Robert Duggan, which Tuohy converted.

But Young Munster proved themselves equal to demands, and when O'Halloran kicked a penalty and fullback Peter Boland added a superb try to make it 23-10 after 70 minutes, the issue was as good as decided.

Crescent came again and John Ford finally forced his way over for a try which Tuohy converted, but it was too little too late.