•One of the province’s youngest rugby clubs, Oughterard RFC, is promoting a pitch development fundraiser. The winner of the €100 ticket, which is limited to 500, will receive two tickets to the Lions Tour, including flights to South Africa, accommodation for 18 nights, tickets to the three test matches and the emerging Sprinkboks, plus €1 ,000 spending money. Second prize is a top of the range 42” flat screen TV, while there are 23 official Lions jerseys also up for grabs. Contact Paul Fogarty 086-6489427. The draw takes place on February 14.
•Connacht currently have a number of tickets available for the European Challenge Cup game against London Irish at the Madjeski Stadium on Saturday week. The tickets, which cost £25 for adults and £8 for children, are for a section in the East Stand which is being reserved for Connacht fans. Details are available by contacting Connacht Rugby commercial and marketing manager Fiona Keys - [email protected] or 091-561568. Any unsold tickets will be sent back on next Monday, January 12.
•Not the best day for Connacht in the AIB Junior Cup at the weekend. Newcomers Cill Dara headed west and won out in a hard fought game 6 - 10 over Ballina, while Castlebar also lost at home narrowly to Richmond, 17 - 23. The all-Connacht derby went the way of Westport as they beat Corrib on the road by 11 - 14 in yet another tight affair. The draw for the next round of the AIB Junior Cup and the AIB Cup will be made in Bective next weekend following the completion of round three of the AIB Cup.
•Connacht rugby fixtures: Sunday January 11. Junior League Division 1A (all games 2.30pm ): Corrib v Castlebar; Ballina v Corinthians; Galwegians v OLBC; Sligo v Monivea; Buccaneers v Loughrea; Westport v Creggs. Junior League Division 1B (all games 2.30pm ): Ballinrobe v Carrick; Portumna v Connemara; Dunmore v Ballinasloe; West Offaly Lions v UCG; Gort v Ballyhaunis.Junior League Division 2 North (all games at 8pm ): Castlebar v Ballina; Creggs v Corrib; Tuam v Sligo. Junior League Division 2 South (all games 2.30pm ): Corinthians v Buccaneers; Loughrea v Galwegians; OLBC v Monivea.
