Weekend Wrap
There is yet more controversy in the Connacht Junior league this weekend after Galwegians were unable to field at home to Monivea in Sunday’s Round 6 clash.
Just a couple of weeks after the decision by Buccaneers not to field away to Tuam another of Connacht’s senior clubs has had trouble finding 15 players to represent them in the Junior league leaving those fully committed to the competition baffled and frustrated. 
We’ll have more on all of this shortly. On the field there was some action as six other clubs did manage to take to the field.
Caption: Action from Ballina’s 29-11 victory over Ballinrobe. Pic: Corinne Beattie.
Ballina picked up a hard earned bonus point away to Ballinrobe winning 29-11 in a match that was finely balanced for long periods in terms of territory and possession. However, overall Ballina’s clinical edge when play opened up proved to be the difference.
In Athlone Buccaneers produced a turnaround that defies logic. Just days after failing to find 15 players for an away game in Tuam they managed to hammer Westport with a bonus point 24-7.
Finally at the Sportsground OLBC struggled to break through a strong Corinthians defence and were outclassed on the scoreboard losing 34-0.
The clash between Tuam and Castlebar has been moved to next friday night under lights in Tuam while the Sligo and Corrib tie will now go ahead on Sunday November 29 as Sligo were involved in AIB Cup action on Saturday.
shut up rob!!!!!!!!!1
Comment by *** — November 8, 2009 @ 9:06 pm
editor heard you waffle a lot on the radio earlier about wegians not fielding. from what i can gather the problem with them not fielding was down to their senior game being fixed by the irfu in dublin for today when all other aib cup games were played yesterday. they have a lengthy injury list at the moment on both 1st and 2nd squads. if their 1st team played yesterday then they would have fielded today as there were 5 players sitting on the bench today in dublin who normally play 2nd team football.this alinged to four or five other injured 2nd team players put extreme pressure on their playing resources. this problem was flagged earlier on in the week and they looked to the connacht branch for a postponment which would have been the best thing for all other teams in junior league particularly sligo ballina corinthians and the like.however the branch dinosaurs had their heads in the sand and wouldnt grant the postponment. maybe wegians should not have fulfilled their aib cup fixture and played mona instead!it can be challenging from time to time to field four senior teams on the same weekend.injurys and fixture clashes are a fact of life.just a bit of balance being brought to the argument
Editor: Second Phase, In the interest of balance, In that interview i stressed that the decision to move the AIB Cup game to Sunday was strange and completely done without Galwegians having a say in it. I also stressed this on Friday. However overall, I take on board your points and in the article on this issue tomorrow, I will keep them in mind rather than responding here. For those who didn’t hear the radio report, anything mentioned will be covered in tomorrow’s article, so you will get a chance to respond there. Thanks for the post sp.
Comment by second phase — November 8, 2009 @ 9:20 pm
Rob will ye ever go away with your Ballinrobe bias. They were feckin dire and the result was only ever going to go to Ballina!!! An 18 point win tells the real tale!
I recommend you gather all your facts before making any comment on the Wegians match.
Comment by Thud Ruane — November 8, 2009 @ 9:33 pm
Wow, another senior club (Division 1 of the AIL!) not able to field in the most important league in the world. What are we going to do – for shame? I sincerely hope they get more sympathy than Buccaneers got a couple of weeks ago when a similar situation arose (-5 points). The editor was calling for Buccs to be kicked out of the competition (here’s hoping). Maybe Galwegians and Corinthians should have joined the Munster League and Buccaneers should have joined the Lenister League a couple of years ago after being invited but at the time the junior clubs (most important clubs in the whole world ever) said “You can’t do that”. Well ladies and gentlemen, the reality of the situation is that the big “2” need to get a little bit of slack of we’re ofskey. Maybe not out of our natural home but I’m sure we’ll find some way of passing our Sunday afternoons.
To other clubs who don’t compete at every level like the “Big 3” it might seem strange to field a U21’s side and struggle to field at J1A. That’s because you have either never been in the AIL or it’s been so long you can’t remember what it takes to “live” at that level. Most of you have no idea what it takes for any club to compete at every level available and to continually feed players forward to representative rugby and to also bring in talented young players and help them develop. If a club is serious about the AIL then it’s not the Junior team that will bring players on, it’s the U21’s. The Junior team is to provide rugby for players not starting for the firsts and to provide football for guys trying to make the grade. The U21’s is where to next crop of players come from. Buccaneers win over Galwegians involved 4 U21 players.
J1A is a very good level of Rugby and having been a long time spectator of AIL at various levels I see that the Connacht teams are really coming on and the standard is really improving but clubs need to leave the begrudgery behind and focus on the development of young players and the expansion of the game within the province. This is the only forward for us all. I love to hear of new clubs opening as this is the real future of the game.
On another note: Westport was comprehensively beaten by Buccs today. You can assume that the firsts didn’t play this weekend and the team was packed. That is soooo not the story. Two players (not the 3 were allowed) were regarded and only one of them played. The other didn’t as he was only there to cover the front row. The player that was regarded played the positions normally occupied by Marcus Madden who needed stitches after playing for Connacht A during the week.
Anyway, enjoy the rest of the League. Monivea are the best team (back line to die for) I’ve seen this year, Sligo the nicest bunch of people but either will struggle to find their feet in the AIL for lots of reasons.
Editor: Cheers for the well put together post Brother Malone, can i just point out that the we asked the question “Should Buccaneers be kicked out?” the article didn’t express an opinion that they should be kicked out. While i fully acknowledge that it was a loaded question, i have to say that in my opinion no team should be kicked out of the league for not fielding in one game as the branch laws don’t state they should be kicked out for one game but do state that after three games such action may be taken. Still though the feeling was that a dramatic question like that was needed to attract attention to the imbalance such a situation causes in the league.
Comment by Brother Malone — November 8, 2009 @ 10:14 pm
There is no point in bashing Rob. The fact of the matter is Wegians didnt field a team at the weekend. There are of course sevral reasons why not but the City Senior clubs are the very ones who give out about the junior clubs about facilities (Monivea) quality of rugby (Ballinrobe) and any thing else they can moan about. Bottom line they couldnt field a team at the weekend. They dont show for league games but when it comes to the cup down grade several players ! Doesnt seem fair. The senior clubs should either play in the competition or dont enter it.
Comment by Fred — November 8, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
Stop giving Rob abuse! If it wasn’t for him this website wouldn’t exist and you wouldn’t have anywhere to peddle your rubbish.And you don’t even have the balls to give a username let alone your real name? Go find somewhere else to shoot your mouth off!
Comment by Ballina4life — November 8, 2009 @ 10:28 pm
Sorry Rob (editor), just feel at the wrong end of a witch hunt after some of the responses to you’re strongly worded question. Should have been more accurate! Phrases like “didn’t bother to show” and “always bending the rules” that either came from the body or responses still hurt here in the midlands.
And Fred, I agree that big clubs give out about facilities at other clubs, Monivea in particular. But being there in the Castle grounds the Buccs game on an average pitch (after an awful hiding) we were still fed after the game. Visitors to the great Dubarry Park do not get the same treatment. Unfortunately, despite having arguably the best facilities in the province we cannot even provide a cup of tea to visitors. Some of you might remember the old Keane Park, it wasn’t much (kip) but we could at least feed (some) visitors.
Don’t mean to sound bitchy, just know a lot of people that give so much to the club and get no recognition. It’s the same in every club – you know the people. Its just the same for a division 1 club only more so.
Comment by Brother Malone — November 8, 2009 @ 11:32 pm
Rob,
Granted you needed to raise the point and attract attention of the issue in question. But as it states you need to miss three games before the “question” is raised by the, before mentioned “dino’s” connaught branch to talk about kicking them out.
Rob coming from a former AIL club and being a former AIL player “and thats not ballinrobe buddy” it is a full time job almost for club members to raise money to play there…create a team that will be good enough to withstand multiple years in such a league….keep developing young players that will some day help the club…etc etc etc…. This will sometimes lead to teams like the ones above getting it wrong and some what tripping up and missing the odd game.
I am a huge fan of J1 rugby i think it is a massive help in developing young talent but in my opinion AIL is where its at. Rob you need to find another thing to talk about on a sunday because its simply not fair to get on clubs like you have been because there doing a great job doing what there doing in the leagues they are in so think about that it tomorrows report.
Not getting on your back Rob but jesus check reality…..teams go through rough spells. Not that this is important to your report tomorrow but i’ll bet if you asked for clubs who are in the J1 only if they had the chance to play in AIL every yr and maybe miss the odd J1 game from time to time……..????????? Please answer in your opinion what there answer would be??
If you dont reply thats fine I think everyone knows the answer anyway.
And, if the above statement is true that they approached the “dino’s” well then obviously they should be cut a little slack. For god sake AIL improves Connaught Rugby from the outside looking in they look like the worse proviences in Ireland. And what would you prefer that no clubs play AIL and focus on J!?????
Comment by Someone — November 9, 2009 @ 12:14 am
i think the senior club j1 team are need in the junior league (they up the standard ) but when they dont field it has a big inpacked on the league. as monivea may now get a bonus point and go ahead of sligo. this could be the wining of the league for monivea. this means wegians j1 a team which can not go in to the round robin has a big say in who doues. what i would like to see is all team play the one set of fixture for 3 league junior league for all teams,ail junior league and a league for the round robin for junior club only. these 3 league could be played with the one set of fixture
Comment by jonior rugby — November 9, 2009 @ 12:53 am
You do like to get the controversial articles going Rob. Leave the senior clubs alone. they play the best available team to them at j1 level. sometimes through injury etc they cant field 3 teams in the one weekend,
Comment by rugby head — November 9, 2009 @ 4:34 am
Does anyone know whether or not the following is true.
Wegains v Mona on Saturday Evening in Mona under Lights.
I was talking to a good Mona clubman on Saturday afternoon and he was heading to the Castle Grounds for a 5pm kick off, Mona v Wegains J1.
Wegians were conceeding home advantage so they could play under lights, me thinks, if the game did go ahead it was to save their pitch and not have the fiasco like last year.
Not defending Wegains (the last thing I’d do) but if this is the case, at least they are doing their damdest to fulfill the fixture.
Let me know did this happen or not !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If not, well that s another story
Comment by get real — November 9, 2009 @ 10:35 am
All of yee are a shower of twats..
Comment by halfback — November 9, 2009 @ 10:56 am
Good input there halfback, you should comment here more often on matters such as these. At least the people that are tyrin to argue their side of the stort are tryin to be informative and honest in thier replies. Think you have opened up a huge debate rob but it is something that needs to be adderssed.
Comment by Informative — November 9, 2009 @ 11:20 am
It is untrue to say that it is Ok for AIL not to field for Junior League games. These clubs are showing a contempt for the competition. I agree that the development/recruitment of players occurs at U21 level, but not all the players that play at U21 level can immediately graduate to the AIL side in a club, hence, the 2nd XV of an AIL club should have a number young players not yet ready for the the 1st XV but developing nicely in a stong competition, allowing that club to field 2nd XV regularly regardless of subs for the 1st XV being available or injuries.
Buccs and Weigians have targeted short term success over the last coupleof years. Yes, they have won Junior Cups in recent years, but would they have won them with different personnel running those particular sides. I think not. They take players in, keep who they want and discard the runt of the litter. It has worked to an extent, but as a previous contributor alluded to, there is no real sense of belonging around either Dubarry Park or Glenia.
In yesterdays Sunday Indepenent, Gary Keegan (the guy who set up the elite boxing program that help yield the Olmypic medals and now the Director at the Irish Institute of Sport based in Abbotstown)is quoted in saying that it doesnt matter what coaches you have if there is no structure. Buccs and Weigians take note.
I am sure that there are some people who may read this and believe that i am over the top in my analysis but rugby is now a professional sport and if we look at the time and energy that it takes to be successful surely that success should be over a lenghty period of time, thereby increasing the importance of a 2nd XV.
For what it is worth all clubs that fail to fulfill a fixture without consent from the branch such be deducted 15 points which in real terms would almost guarantee relegation (its rare that successful sides fail to fulfil matches). That will sort out whos interested and who is only going through the motions.
Comment by JCB — November 9, 2009 @ 11:31 am
Some of ye guys would want to get a grip. Junior clubs spend half the year moaning about the ‘big clubs’ and the other half moaning about each other. If J1 rugby is to be taken seriously then the junior clubs need to come up with solutions that work for them instead of complaining that nobody else is doing it for them.
Corinthians have enough to do to try and gain a steady footing in division 2 to build on for the next couple of years and to integrate some of their young talent into what is becoming a promising side. There have been false dawns before so this side needs to be handled carefully.
Wegians and Buccs are really struggling in Division 1B and are stuck in a battle to avoid relegation for the season.
With these as priorities Junior rugby is not the be all and all that it is for the junior clubs who don’t have the financial pressures of AIL rugby.
Combine this with the number of players taken for Connacht squads and it’s easy to see on a week where ‘Connacht A’ played why a club will struggle to field at every level.
If Junior clubs were serious about it, they could organise a round robin stlye competition between the top four junior clubs at the end of the league, separate from their results with the senior clubs, to see who gets into the AIL round robin qualifier. It would be better if all the players were legal as well!
ID cards should be a must for all Junior League games and should be checked by the ref just like a stud check before kick-off.
Comment by donkeysshouldntkick — November 9, 2009 @ 11:44 am
I think Rob is big enough to fight his own battles without the help of others.
Anyway where is this article?
And well said Someone, you would think that the world revolves around the Connacht Junior league.
The gulf in class between the top and bottom teams is getting bigger, ye should worry yourselves about this more than a team having to cancel a game because they had another game on they same day.
You should be supporting the senior clubs, not looking on with envy. It is one of the seven deadly sins you know, and I know what God fearing Catholics you country folk are.
Comment by Ross O Carroll Kelly — November 9, 2009 @ 11:45 am
Sorry, boss came in. That should have be all and end all before one of smart asses corrects it.
By the way Rob, as a reporter, check out to, two and too for today’s article!
Editor: Thanks for the typo comment. I’ll add that to my list of common errors and keep an eye out for it in future. Hope it didn’t spoil your reading. One day, hopefully soon, I will be able to afford a full time sub editor.
Comment by donkeysshouldntkick — November 9, 2009 @ 11:52 am
If the branch stopped throwing money at useless South Sea Islanders, (Niva and Ray being exceptions to the rule that most of the southern hemisphere recruits we get are no better than players already here), they might be able to sponsor a sub editor for you!
Comment by donkeysshouldntkick — November 9, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
i love this junior verses senior bollox. as donkeysshouldntsuckcock or whatever his name is said have a top 4 of junior clubs and let the senior clubs do whatever during the year. sure us junior folk dont mind havin the piss taken by the aristocrates that are/were good junior club players(fair play to them for tryin to play a higher standard but how often does that happen)At the end of the day its connacht j1. fuck the seniors and see how far they get without their 2nds playin j1 corinthians excepted cause the last few years they heve played fair!
Comment by tiger woods in melbourne — November 12, 2009 @ 10:44 am