Wegians and Connemara chalk up victories in the All-Ireland League

Rob Murphy

GALWEGIANS are on the rise in the Ulster Bank League again after three straight wins in Division 1b. They were in crisis territory last month having lost their opening four games, but the turnaround has been impressive.

On Saturday they beat UCC 41-18 with tries spread between Barry Lee, John Cleary, Calum O’Connell and Ivan Muldoon. The result leaves them in seventh place heading into the Christmas break and looking up rather than back.

Buccaneers are back on track in the promotion race in Division 1b after a 32-20 home win over Dungannon. They picked up a bonus point with Shane Leyden, Brian Tuohy, John O’Brien and Conor Lavelle on the scoresheet.

Corinthians’ promotion hopes suffered a set back with a 17-11 defeat away to DLSP in Division 2a. Having started well, they’ve lost three of their last four and badly need a home win against Bective Ranges this Saturday to get back on track. That game kicks off at 6:30 in the evening to avoid a clash with Connacht’s home tie with Gloucester.

Connemara got back to winning ways in Division 2b with their fourth win in seven away to Sunday’s Well. Jerome Harrimate scored two tries in a 30-16 victory over the Cork city men. Peter Bracken’s side have the league’s second most productive attack and are up to seventh.

Connacht Junior LeagueMonivea kept the show on the road today with win number ten and bonus point number seven in an unmercifully dominant season in Connacht. Corinthians were their latest victims in a 45-8 win.

Ballina are back on track and sit second after Philip Timoney finished off a push over try by touching down at the base of the scrum with 15 minutes to go at a muddy Heffernan Park. It secured a 7-3 victory over OLBC who remain third.

Tuam are fourth and still very much in the hunt for the three All Ireland Junior Cup places after beating Castlebar with a three try 23-0 win. Westport’s hopes suffered a setback as they lost 18-3 for the first time in five games away to Galwegians.

Ballinasloe are top thanks to a hard fought 10-8 victory away to Corrib. Buccaneers are second with a game in hand after another big win, this time away to Gort.

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