•Corinthians claimed the scalp of city rivals Galwegians by 15 - 0 in the battle for a play-off place in AIL u-20 division one league. In appalling conditions, both sides served up an enthralling contest which saw Corinthians move up into joint third place in a league currently led by fellow Connacht outfit Buccaneers. Unsurprisingly, it became a battle up front, and Corinthians, with the wind, dominated territory for the first half. Prop Fiachra Tierney was unlucky when stopped just short due to the excellent Wegians pack, led by Greg Leader. Scoreless at the break, Galwegians looked the more likely to win, but Corinthians played outstanding rugby to dominate the second half and score three tries. Johnny Kearney touched down for the first try. When Shane Conneely broke on the blind, he fed Kevin Russell who dived over in the corner. Galwegians fought back, but with time running out scrumhalf Peter Walsh sold an outrageous dummy from broken play to score the third. Corinthians now meet Cork Constitution in Temple Hill on Saturday.
Schools: Calansanctius Oranmore enjoyed a try feast over St Mary’s Ballygar in the Connacht Tribune Senior School Cup second round on Friday. Coached by Sean Grealish, the Oranmore school overcame St Mary’s by 51 - 0 with Gary Grealish and Cillian Folan leading the try tally with two apiece, and Sean Mannion, Colin Dunne, Daragh Furey, Niall Mooney, and Ronan Burke also getting over the try line. Jonathan Daly converted three. In another second-round tie, the Bish, coached by Ambrose Conboy and Tom Ellard, enjoyed a 29 - 7 win over Presentation Athenry, while Sligo Grammar were also high-scoring winners 41- 0 winners over Athenry Vocational School. St Patrick’s Tuam were due to play Marist College, Athlone yesterday. Current champions the Jes are already through to the quarter-finals, having been given a walkover by Rice College, and they will now meet Calasanctius. Clifden, also through to the quarter-finals and coached by Jimmy O’Toole, are expected to face Marist if they advance, while the Bish have a tough draw against Sligo Grammar. The final quarter-final pairing will see the winners of St Muirdeach’s/Gallen Community School v the winners of Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew/Garbally College. These quarter-finals are due to be played the week on February 2.
Girls’ rugby: Girls aged 14 to 16 have the chance to join the first Galway City Girls rugby team. Emer O'Dowd, the Galway based YDO, who has been working in two of the city's secondary schools, coaching Lep rugby from first to fifth years, will coach the side. Training takes place in the Swamp in the Claddagh starting today (Thursday January 22 ) at 4.15pm. Anyone interested can contact Emer 087-904 1090.
Junior Cup results: Despite the poor weather at the weekend, which saw Buccaneers and Galwegians AIB League meeting called off after the goalposts blew down, two games went ahead in the Connacht Junior Cup on Sunday. Monivea proved too strong for Gort with a 36 - 3 victory, while Galwegians enjoyed a 24-7 win over West Offaly Lions at Crowley Park.
Fixtures: Sunday January 25, Junior League Division 1A, Ballina v Corinthians; Tuam v Corrib; Junior League Division 1B, Ballinasloe v West Offaly Lions ;Westport v Gort; Ballyhaunis v Ballinrobe; Junior League Division 2 North Section, Corrib v Castlebar; Sligo v Creggs; Westport v Tuam; Junior League Division 2 South Section, Galwegians v Corinthians; Monivea v Loughrea; West Offaly Lions v OLBC .
