Connacht tackle Munster in the final round of this season’s u20 Interprovincial Rugby Championship at Dubarry Park this Friday afternoon where a home win in Athlone will guarantee Connacht the title. This hugely anticipated encounter kicks off at 4pm.
This Connacht squad is backboned by no less than seven Buccaneers players, which augurs well for the Athlone club’s prospects in the near future. Five Buccs backs played in memorable away victories against Ulster and hot favourites Leinster. Connacht recorded a stirring win at Ravenhill by 21-19 and then, last weekend, a truly gutsy display was rewarded with a dramatic late try to pip Leinster 19-16 at Donnybrook. Buccs centre Conor Finn from Ballinasloe scored that vital try that sets up this real chance of clinching the title.
Winger Callum Boland from Doon, Athlone duo outhalf Jack Carty and centre Robert Henshaw, and fullback Shane Layden from Carrick-on-Shannon are the other young Buccs in this exciting Connacht backline that is capable of conjuring up tries with their potent off the cuff play. Ireland u20 lock Daniel Qualter also from Athlone is a tower of strength in the pack while Shannonbridge’s Diarmuid Higgins hopes to be fit again to resume his position at prop for this championship decider.
There is a good spread of clubs supplying the remaining players including Corinthians (Aaron Conneely ), Galwegians (Tadhg Leader ), Monivea (Conor Kindregan ), and Westport (Jamie Dever ).
A truly exciting and competitive clash is in prospect on Friday so let’s see a big Midlands crowd turn up to roar on this smashing Connacht u20 team as they bid for glory at Dubarry Park, Athlone. Kick off 4pm.
