In-form Galwegians stay in pole position after derby win over Corinthians

THERE are still two thirds of the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League season to be played making last Friday’s Galway city derby far from a defining fixture in the campaign, but the significance of the 18-10 Galwegians victory over old rivals Corinthians has to be acknowledged as a major moment even at this early juncture.

The Sky Blues are top of the Division 1b table thanks to that win and a slip up by the previously unbeaten Ballymena at home to the next visitors to Crowley Park, Malone. Matt Brown’s side are two points clear at the top of the table as a result and seven clear of third placed Garryowen, but this Saturday’s clash with the Belfast city side will be a major test.

The key to their success has been the league’s leading attack with an average of 22 points per game during their five wins and one defeat. When you compare that to Corinthians, who have two wins from the same number of outings, they are averaging a return of just 13 points per game. The outcome reflected their differing fortunes but there is a long way to go before the season is done.

The sides meet again on Friday, February 27 and, in the meantime, Galwegians will continue to take it game by game in an unlikely promotion push while Corinthians will battle for a more comfortable position in mid table starting with tomorrow’s home clash with Belfast Harlequins at Corinthian Park.

Corinthians frustrations at a significantly imbalanced penalty count and a yellow card count of three to nil against them was clearly evident after Friday’s derby loss and won’t have dissipated much by the time they hit the field at Cloonacauneen again this weekend.