•Connacht Rugby’s A team enjoyed a successful outing in Edinburgh recently, recording a 56 - 3 victory over the Scottish Students. The Connacht team, coached by Nigel Carolan, comprised a handful of current senior squad members, young academy players, and members of Connacht’s Grand Slam winning u-20 team. It included the up-and-coming Shane Leyden, Robbie Henshaw, Tadgh Leader, Danny Qualter, and Jack Carty.
• Connacht domestic results: Junior League div 1A, OLBC 20 Westport 12; Junior League div 1B, UCG 13 Buccaneers 19; Junior League div 1C, Portumna 12 Connemara 15; Carrick 6 Ballyhaunis 17.
• Two Connacht clubs are through to the semi-finals of the Ulster Bank Junior Cup semi-finals to be played in February. In the first semi final, former winners Tullamore will be at home to Connacht side Wesport. Favourties Tullamore made it through to the semi final draw courtesy of a 21 - 6 away win against Ulster side Academy in the quarter-finals after a resounding 43-7 victory over Tipperary side Kilfeacle. Wesport’s victories have been considerably closer, an 8 - 0 win over Portadown away and a 9 -5 victory over Cooke in Co Mayo. In the second semi-final Monivea have earned a home semi final against Coleraine, after defeating two Leinster sides, Skerries (8 - 9 ) and Coolmine (13 - 0 ), in the previous rounds.
• Athenry’s junor team has advanced in the Connacht Junior Cup after a comprehensive 6 - 0 victory over Conn Rangers 6-0, while the u-18s lost 4-1 to Ballisodare in the Shield competition with Cathal Cronin netting in the second half after Athenry hit the woodwork twice. In the u-15 premier division the Athenry As went down 3-0 at Knocknacarra, while in division 3 the Athenry Bs had a good 3-2 win over Barna Furbo Bs with Liam O'Grady and Kieran McCallion scoring. In u-13 division one, Renmore beat Athenry 3-1, while the Athenry Bs drew 2-2 away to Knocknacarra.
• Sensei Jim Sindt, 5th dan Koryu-Uchinadi, will host a seminar organised by NUIG Karate Club in Galway next January on his first visit to Ireland. A dynamic and sought after instructor, he is one of Hanshi McCarthy’s most senior European students. Koryu Uchinadi seminars are designed to introduce and expand upon the historical research, theoretical concepts and functional applications practices of old style karate as taught by Patrick McCarthy Hanshi to benefit both beginner and advanced practitioner of traditional karate.
Pre booking is essential. [email protected] or 087-6616330/086-6011763
