...Boyne RFC's most famous player, Shane Horgan in full flight for Leinster in their recent Heineken Cup win over Gloucester...

MEATH MOVE LIKELY FOR BOYNE RFC: The old club of Ireland's Triple Crown try hero Shane Horgan seem set to up sticks and move base - Boyne RFC put their Shamrock Lodge home ground up for public auction yesterday (Thursday).

The Shamrock Lodge is located on the Ballymakenny Road in Drogheda, and the Leinster club's proposed new ground is on the Mill Road, Mornington which is just dipping inside the Meath border.

The proceeds from the sale will be used to develop an excellent new clubhouse and facilities on a 20-acre site at Mill Road. The project has the backing of the IRFU.

Boyne RFC President Ronald Eustace said: "Monies obtained from the auction of our existing club grounds will be used exclusively for the developmeny of a world class rugby and sports facility at the Mill Road site.

"It is intended that the proposed new clubhouse and grounds will become a showcase in sporting excellence for the entire region and become a focal point for the local community."

The development of Boyne's new clubhouse and facilities is subject to planning approval, which is expected to be lodged before Christmas, from the Meath County Council.

After the coming together of the Drogheda and Delvin rugby clubs, Boyne RFC was born in 1997. Currently, the club competes in Leinster League Division One and boasts upwards of 700 members.

CARRICK UNDER-10S TAKE THOMOND PARK BY STORM: Munster must have been getting a few tips from the Carrick-on-Suir Under-10s when they blasted past Bourgoin last Saturday, scoring six tries in their 41-23 Heineken Cup win at Thomond Park.

For the Carrick youngsters, coached by Louis Dowley and Milo Walsh, took fortress Thomond by storm at the half-time break, recording a three tries-to-nil victory over Limerick club Ballyhoura in the 'interval' match.

Carrick used the coaching they receive every Sunday morning at Tybroughney to a tee as they put in a disciplined and dyanmic display to remember, in front of an appreciative 12,800-strong crowd. The Waterford club's tries were scored by Jack Murphy, Jamie O'Brien and Aaron Eade.

SLIGO RFC SEW UP SPONSORSHIP DEAL: Connacht Junior 1 League side Sligo RFC had a very successful sponsorship launch, held at the club grounds at Hamilton Park recently.

Club President Tom Gilligan looked after the proceedings and extended a special welcome to George Hamlet, who was Sligo RFC President from 1969 to 1973 and was recently hospitalised. His late father, also named George, was capped 30 times as a lock forward for Ireland, captained his country on ten occasions and was President of the IRFU in 1927.

Sligo's main sponsors for the season are Martin Reilly Motors, who have agreed to support the club for the next three years.

Also at the launch in Strandhill was Brian O'Kelly, the club's hooker in the late 1970s and an uncle of current Leinster and Ireland lock Malcolm O'Kelly.

...Tyrone Howe in action against Border Reivers last May...

BANN DUO SET FOR BAA-BAAS DUTY: Banbridge backs Albert Finney and Tyrone Howe have both been penciled into the Barbarians' line-up for the November 14 clash with the Combined Services at Newbury RFC.

The annual Remembrance Day match, won 45-6 by the Baa-Baas last November, will see Howe make his debut for the world-famous invitational side.

Current Dungannon out-half Richard McCarter was Ireland's sole representative on the team twelve months ago.

Howe, the former Ulster, Ireland and Lions winger, who retired from professional rugby in May and transferred from Dungannon to Bann during the summer, has started the season in impressive form with two tries in three AIB League Division Three outings.

Finney, an experienced out-half, has lined out for the Baa-Baas before. The touring club's team doctor Donal O'Shaughnessy, who acts as Banbridge's Medical Officer, nominated Finney and Howe for call-ups.

Dr. O'Shaughnessy, who was formerly the Ireland team doctor, recently presented the County Down club with a Georgian national jersey after looking after the Baa-Baas' medical needs during their trip to Tbilisi last June.

HINCH HOLD TABLE QUIZ IN AID OF KENYA: Ballynahinch may be sitting top of the AIB League Division Three but the County Down club still have plenty of time for good deeds off the pitch.

Tonight (Friday) sees Hinch hosting a table quiz, arranged by Charlie Knox and Matthew Glenn, at their Ballymacarn Park clubhouse. The proceeds from the quiz will go to the Habitat for Humanity project in Kenya. Former Hinch player Mark Scott, who is currently with Dungannon, will be the question master. Further information is available from Charlie (tel: (0044 (0) 7835885040) and Matt (tel: 0044 (0) 7719434528).

Meanwhile, Hinch President Trevor Johnston and his deputy Trevor Brown ditched their administrative and ceremonial duties recently, to put their practical skills to work around the club grounds.

The duo have replaced the facia boarding on the exterior of the clubhouse and have constructed dug-outs on the main pitch. There's two committed club men for you!