Galway Bragging Rights On The Line In Energia All-Ireland League
Division 2B rugby takes centre stage in the Energia All-Ireland League tonight, as Galway city rivals Corinthians and Galwegians battle it out under the Cloonacauneen floodlights.
ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2B: Friday, October 11
GALWAY CORINTHIANS (1st) v GALWEGIANS (3rd), Corinthian Park, 8pm
Former Connacht team-mates JP Cooney and Andrew Browne oppose each other as head coaches for the first time in the league, with Browne’s ‘Wegians making the short trip on the back of an encouraging 18-10 home win over provincial rivals Sligo.
Out-half Ewan Strang impressed with eight points from the tee last Saturday and a chip-kick assist for Tommy Downes’ first half try. His duel with Corinthians stand-off Simon Keller should have a big bearing on the outcome.
Corinthians have another potential match winner in winger Michael O’Reilly, who touched down twice in their dominant 25-0 victory at Ballina. ‘Wegians will carry an enhanced threat out wide with Hugh Lane returning from Celtic Cup duty with Connacht Eagles, while forwards Christy Reilly and Paul Hackett are both promoted from the bench.
Cooney’s table-topping charges are gunning for their second triumph of the season over Galwegians, having won 18-12 in the Connacht Senior League in August. Ex-Connacht underage centre Adi Donovan, a try scorer for the hosts that day, is a former Galwegian-turned-Corinthian.