NUI Galway Rugby are in the shake-up for another trophy to add to their burgeoining collection when they face Sligo RFC in a top-of-the-table Connacht Junor League clash.
Currently in third place, the NUIG XV, captained by Darragh O’Loughlin, are pushing hard for more honours, but will have their work cut out when they face the current league leaders Sligo in Dangan on Sunday (2.30pm ).
Rugby has been enjoying a resurgence in the college and, for the first time, both womens and men’s teams won their respective intervarsity rugby competitions, while the Rugby Academy won the university’s first underage trophy.
The college now fields four adult rugby teams, including a second men’s squad and an u-20 team that participates in the South West Conference of the competitive Munster u-20 league as part of an amalgamated team with Corinthians RFC. For the first time since 2005, the team also competed in the Conroy Cup u-20 intervarsity competition and advanced to the play-off stages.
A more recent addition to the club is the Youth Academy which is also blossoming. The u-13 squad celebrated success when becoming the first to win an underage trophy, the u-14 squad remains unbeaten this season, while the u-15s finished third in the league and begin their cup campaign this month.
NUIG Rugby will host a pre-match function for alumni and friends ahead of Sunday’s Connacht Junior League clash at the Westwood Hotel.
For further information, contact club chairman, Dr Michael O’Mahony 086-8339715 or treasurer Gearóid Ó Broin 091-493115.
