High flying Connacht clubs are blazing a trail in AIL

THE big club games in the province just keep on coming as the three leading Connacht teams continue to make serious progress. Corinthians host Terenure College at Corinthian Park on Saturday at 2:30pm in the biggest game of the Ulster Bank League weekend.

The Division 1b top of the table clash sees the two unbeaten sides meet in round seven. Terenure’s haul of bonus points has them three ahead coming into the contest, but otherwise there records are identical with the Galway side slightly strong in defence in terms of points against.

The Dublin side have won every game they have played in 2013 so far bar one, a loss last February in Galway to Corinthians on a scoreline of 21-15. They recovered from that to go on and win the league title with Phil Pretorius’ side just behind them in the second promotion spot and now both clubs are storming a trail in Division 1b.

Terenure are strong in the back row with Kyle McCoy, James O’Neill and Alex Dunlop ready for their biggest test yet when the face what is likely to be a line up of Donnchadh Phelan, Aaron Conneely and possibly Eoghan Masterson depending on Connacht selection.

That battle is the stand out one but it should be an intense and fascinating contest between the leading clubs in the division. Galway Bay FM are broadcasting live from Cloonacauneen on the afternoon and club rugby is very much back on the agenda in the west and long may that continue.

Buccaneers are right there in this promotion battle, just one point behind Corinthians despite having lost to them in round five. They demolished Dungannon 50-7 last Saturday evening. Back row Luke Satchwell scored two tries, while aspiring Connacht hooker Dave Heffernan, Billy Henshaw, Conor Finn and Steve Macauley all touched down as well.

Jack Carty continues to impress at ten and he kicked four penalties and four conversions to underline his good form. As Dan Parks continues to struggle, he could emerge on Pat Lam’s radar in the coming weeks if  defeats continue to mount. 

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.