•Galwegians are in action on Saturday when they play their fisrt AIB Cup fixture this season. They host Highfield in Crowley Park in this postponed second round fixture. Highfield advanced with a 13-6 victory over Sunday’s Well, but Galwegians should prove too strong for this division two side which currently lies 11th in the league. Galwegians, who advanced to the semi-finals before losing 5-8 to Shannon last season, have another great opportunity to go through - the winners will play division three outfit Nenagh Ormond in the next round. Buccaneers have already advanced following their superb victory over Clontarf.
•Corinthians will face current champions and this season’s form team UL Bohemians in the AIL u-20 division one fixture on Saturday. Corinthians are likely to be without some key players who are involved in the Irish Youth Internationals, but they will hope to continue their fine form which saw them take a valuable 21 - 10 victory over Young Munster in Limerick on Saturday. Up front Dara Higgins at blindside was outstanding in the loose and the lineout, while the front row dominated their opposition. The real danger, however, was created by the impressive centre pairing of Dave Clarke and Finn Gormley, who consistently created space for Mark Nairn, Enda Cooney, and the impressive Lee Keegan who scored two tries for a 14 -3 half-time lead. They stretched the lead when Lee Keegan intercepted and ran half the pitch to score a third try.
•As always Corinthians and Galwegians served up an exciting and hard-fought local derby when their u-14s met in Cloonacauneen, and in the end only a point separated the sides with Galwegians edging the encounter by 8 - 7. Galwegians started the brighter, keeping the home side under pressure for long periods of the first half, and reaping the reward with an unconverted try in the corner. Corinthians were unable to breach the visitors’ cover, but defended superbly to deny Galwegians adding to their tally. The second half was every bit as enthralling as the first with no quarter being given by either side. However a penalty in front of the post gave Wegians a golden opportunity to stretch their lead. Corinthians responded and were rewarded with a pushover try under the post with the touchdown credited to Dylan Donnellan. Ruadhain O'Bearra added the two points to set up a thrilling last quarter, which ended in favour of the visitors.
•Connacht domestic fixtures: Saturday, AIB Cup second round, Galwegians v Highfield (Crowley Park ); Sunday, Junior League Division 1A, Westport v Sligo; Junior League Division 1B, Carrick v Ballyhaunis;Junior League Division 2 north section, Sligo v Westport.
