Huge task ahead of Eagles in away Cup encounter

THE Connacht Eagles are in week two of a three week run of games that will complete their British and Irish Cup involvement this season. They lost a closely fought encounter on Saturday away to London Scottish 17-7 with a key and reportedly questionable sin binning to Michael Swift playing a crucial role in the defeat.

This Saturday, the Eagles travel to Sardis Road in the Welsh valleys to take on last year’s semi finalist Pontypridd (KO 2:30) in front of a crowd that is likely to be close to 7,000. It will be a tremendous experience for the emerging academy players in the squad but a daunting test all the same.

The formlines suggest a home win. Aughrim centre Conor Finn touched down for a second half try for the Eagles against Scottish last weekend, while out half Miah Nikora added the extras but London Scottish had two converted tries and a penalty to reverse their defeat at the Sportsground last month.

The new structures to that competition mean the pool stages are done and dusted by December which in tandem means no disruption to clubs post Christmas, but these next two weekends are going to put huge pressure on the three Connacht sides in Division 1b of the All Ireland League.

While the other provinces are also in a action and clubs around the country will lose players too, the concentration of talent in just three clubs in Connacht means their teams suffer more adversely as a result of Eagles call ups.

To make matters worse, Connacht are in Challenge Cup action against Bayonne on Saturday at 5pm with an increasing injury list that has Andrew Browne, Robbie Henshaw, Ian Porter and Niyi Adeolokun definitely out and Quinn Roux doubtful which will mean call ups from the Eagles squad. Plus, Pat Lam has openly stated his intention to rotate a little for the Challenge Cup so even more changes might be in store.

It all adds up to a massive challenge for the coaching teams involved with Buccaneers, Corinthians and Galwegians over the next two weekends. They face crunch fixtures start on Saturday with Corinthians hosting Ul Bohemian, leaders Galwegians in Limerick to face Garryowen in a clash of the top two and Buccaneers hosting promotion chasing Ballymena.

Corinthians are likely to have the following unavailable because of Eagles involvement David Panter, Miah Nikora, Pat O’Toole, Ultan Dillane, and Eoghan Masterson but could have more depending on Pat Lam’s selection for the Bayonne encounter and subsequently on Nigel Carolan’s call for the Eagels.

Galwgeians started the season with a squad that had very little Eagles involvement but that has changed fairly rapidly thanks to their hugely impressive form with a number of call ups for their young players. Jack Dinneen, Rory Parata, Caolin Blade, Conor Lowndes and Cian Romaine will all be out, others might join them.

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