Four Connacht rugby clubs, Corinthians, Buccaneers, Galwegians and Sligo, are in action on Saturday as the new season’s Ulster Bank League kicks off in Ireland.
Unfortunately all four clubs are away this weekend, denying supporters the opportunity of also attending Connacht’s home fixture against the Ospreys.
Most attention will focus on Corinthians who have made the step up to division one for the first time in the league’s history. Their promotion as runners-up last season sees them move into division 1B, where they will join Buccaneers.
Corinthians have a tricky assignment at Sidney Parade where they face Dublin University who finished third in the division last season. A good start would give the Cloonacauneen outfit a huge boost in this long campaign.
Also in division 1B Bucaneers are away to Belfast Harlequins, while Galwegians are also in Ulster, facing Ballymena. Galwegians would have been dissatisfied with their sixth place finish in last season’s division 2A and will harbour hopes of returning to division 1b. They have been boosted by their recent victory in the Connacht Senior League and are this year coached by New Zealander Cory Brown and assistant John Muldoon. They will be keen to get a good start which cost them dearly last season.
In division 2B Sligo are the sole flagbearers for the province which for so many years was held by Connemara, who were demoted last season. Sligo enjoyed a solid start to their All Ireland League campaign last season, finishing eighth of the 16 teams, and they will be looking to contiuue their improvement and fly the flag for north Connacht.
Rugby results: J1Bm, Buccaneers 25 Corrib 5; J1C, Carrick 26 Portumna 18; Connacht Women's League, Carrick Womens 17 NUIG Womens 0; Castlebar Womens 68 Tuam Womens 15; Schools; Connacht Senior Premier League,Colaiste Iognaid 71, Gallen CS 0; Garbally College 18 Marist College 21; Rice College 0 Sligo Grammar 18; Connacht u18 Regional League, St Josephs College 27 CBS Roscommon 0; Connacht Junior Premier League North, Rice College 10 St Geralds Castlebar 38; Sligo Grammar 17 CBS Roscommon 31; Connacht u14 NW Regional League, Rice College 24 St Geralds Castlebar 38.
