AIL season kicks-off

The Ulster Bank League returns this weekend with four Connacht teams ready for action. Buccaneers and Corinthians will be in the second tier — or Division 1b to be precise – Galwegians are a league below in Division 2a; while Sligo will be in Division 2b again for the third season since returning.

A total of four clubs out of 52 competing in the national competition represents an 8% presence in the league and highlights the huge challenges still facing club rugby in the West.

Connemara’s relegation last season was a blow; Sligo are not a guaranteed presence for the next decade either; and looking below to the Junior leagues, no club looks capable of making the step up within the next three years when you look at resources and strength-in-depth.

The good news story from last year came from Corinthians, under the guidance of the hugely qualified Director of Coaching, Phil Pretorius. The South African has transformed the side from a plucky third tier competitor into a second tier club with big ambitions. They get their campaign underway with a trip to Dublin to take on Trinity.

The challenge will be stark in their new surrounds. It is an unforgiving 10-team league with home and away fixtures making for an 18 round season compared to the 15 games in Division 2a. They will need squad depth and plenty of mental fortitude to survive the campaign.

Galwegians start out in the third tier once again after failing to bounce back and watching their city rivals overtake them for one season at least. They’ll be anxious to catch up this time around and they will hone-in on the opening four games as crucial to their ambitions.

Last season, the Sky Blues took far to long to acclimatise to their new surrounds in Division 2a and had lost three of their first four games before getting to grips with it all — they won nine of their next 11 but the damage was done. The open away to Ballymena who come down from Division 1b this season and a win of any kind will kick start the campaign.