The Meyrick Hotel was the venue for the launch of the second installment of the revamped Glynn Cup competition between Galwegians and Corinthians which will take place at Crowley Park on St Patrick’s Day.
The clubs, in conjunction with knockon.ie, have this year launched a special website for the event, glynncup.com where supporters will be able to get all the latest news in the build up to the event and live reports and updates throughout the day.
The two clubs came together last season to resurrect the trophy which was first played for 51 years ago this St Patricks Day as an annual cup match between the clubs and was played for 37 times up to 1999. (more…)
It’s final time in the Connacht Tribune Schools Senior and Junior Cups as four bid for glory. 
The Senior Final is a rematch of last year’s tussle (pic) as Sligo Grammar meet holders Colaiste Igonaid.
The Junior decider sees Rice College of Westport take on holders Calasanctius of Oranmore.
We’ll have full coverage of both finals with post game audio and match reports. (more…)
Castlebar 17
Ballinrobe 12
By Rob Murphy
Castlebar Scorers: Mark Staunton and Paul Coady 1 try each; Ronan Conway 2 cons, 1 pen.
Ballinrobe Scorers: Declan Costello and Damian Burke 1 try each; Oisin Gill 1 con.
By Rob Murphy
It certainly wasn’t a classic encounter, far from it in fact but the finale was unexpectedly tense as Ballinrobe snuck a late score that went way beyond consolation territory.
With three minutes to go, the robe trailed by 12 points and were looking certain to finish the season second bottom and in the relegation play off position but over in north Galway events were conspiring to change that scenario.
(more…)
Connacht 19
Glasgow 19
By Rob Murphy
Caption: Naoupu makes a break. Pic: Sporting Occasions
Just when we thought we were going to get away with a handy little smash and grab, Eddie stole our thunder. No, not the Connacht mascot. It was James Eddie, the Glasgow blindside flanker who was the pivotal figure as he sprinted home in the corner for a try that should never have happened.
Connacht had the extra man because of Calum Forrester’s sin binning. They had a five point lead and Glasgow’s winger, Colin Shaw was out of the game injured.
The home side had defended their lines for no less than 20 phases of play and all seemed to be well but a momentary lapse on the blindside opened the door and Eddie, the Glasgow eagle, did the business. (more…)
Monivea rounded off their league campaign in some style with a 32-21 victory over Sligo to complete the season unbeaten and secure a well deserved sixth league title in eight years.
In the relegation battle, Ballinrobe and OLBC must play off after today’s results. Late tries in both their games today led to a situation where the robe’ secured a losing bonus to draw level with club who missed out on a crucial bonus point in heartbreaking fashion against Tuam. (more…)
It looks like West Offaly will be dragged down to fifth tier rugby in Leinster next season but for now at least the club are justifiably on a high after they took their first ever Junior title on Sunday with a stunning final day win away to Creggs
Pic from Ken Nolan
The Lions won 26-3 in the title decider and overtook their opponents on the last day of the season. Creggs are now likely to finish third behind Loughrea whose game with Dunmore didn’t take place today. At the moment it looks like Loughrea will get a walkover there. (more…)
Connacht Tribune Schools Junior Cup Semi Final
St Joesph’s Galway 8
Rice College Westport 10
By Rob Murphy at Newcastle, Galway
History books are being re-written as we speak. Rice College are in a Schools Cup final for the first time in their history. They will be only the second Mayo side ever to take part in a Connacht Junior Cup final after St Muiredeachs and will be bidding to take a major schools title back to Mayo for the first time ever in this Wednesday’s final. (more…)
Connacht Junior League Division 1a
Ballina v Westport
Cawley Cup preparation and local pride at stake. Westport do need one point to be absolutely certain of sixth and a top five place among junior clubs. Should Monivea reach the AIL, that will get them an All Ireland Cup place.
Home by 3
Monivea v Sligo
The champions against their nearest rivals. Monivea will receive the trophy that must have squatting rights in the village at this stage on Sunday. Sligo will come trying to make a statement having beaten the Galway side in the Cup.
home by 3 (more…)
Following a brief hiatus owing to the Six Nations the Top 14 returns this weekend. With six rounds of regular rugby remaining there’s still a lot to play for. 
At stake are places in the top six, each of which guarantees entry to the expanded league play-offs as well as admission to next season’s Heineken Cup.
In recent seasons the play-offs have consisted of two semi-finals for the four best teams in Top 14, but this season there have been two significant changes.
First, the number of qualifiers has been expanded to six and secondly, the top two teams gain byes into the semi-finals. (more…)
Corrib have been given five points in the league standings and Corinthians have been deducted four after last Saturday’s result was overturned by the competitions and regrading committee on Thursday.
The decision was reflected in the offical league table that afternoon where it stated that Corinthians lost the points for quote “illegal players”
This confirms Corrib’s position in the top four and secures them a place in the All Ireland Junior Cup.
It appears that Corrib didn’t lodge an objection to the result but that the decision was made by the branch, when they discovered that three of the players in the Corinthians starting line up had not been cleared to play by the re-grading committee. (more…)
