THE top two sides in the Connacht Junior League meet at the Monastery Field in Clifden on Sunday (2:30pm) as Connemara host Monivea in what promises to be a compelling fixture with just one point separating them and just two games remaining after this encounter.
The unusual scheduling of Connacht’s European Challenge Cup game against Exeter for a Sunday afternoon, at the request of Sky TV, is unfortunate, as it will take away a lot of attention from one of the most important Junior League games in nearly a decade, but an agreement could not be found on an alternate date for this Clifden fixture so it will go ahead this weekend.
Monivea are one point clear at the top of the table as a result of their impressive bonus point win over Corinthians at the weekend. The 38-5 scoreline doesn’t flatter Cory Brown’s chargers who led 17-0 after a half hour thanks to a brace of tries from centre Colm Neary and one from lock Shane McHugh. Stephen Joyce, Darren Collins and Ger Divilly also scored in the victory.
The Cory Brown factor cannot be underestimated this season. He joined the club in the summer having guided Galwegians to the Division 2a All Ireland League title last year. His work with Connacht at the time prohibited him from working at AIL level. In six short months, he has brought the rebuilding project on from the good work done last year and made the side title contenders.
However, on Monday, he’ll return to New Zealand. He was hired as head coach of New Zealand NPC side Otago in December and has remained on in Ireland for an extra month to make sure he was involved for this fixture. His squad will want to send him off on a high.
The Connemara story is equally compelling. Eddie Walsh took over a the start of last season and along with club stalwart Gerry King, has undertaken a complex and challenging rebuilding job for a club that is still regrouping after AIL relegation in 2013. A Cawley Cup title at the end of last season underlined progress and this year the league form has been exceptional.
On Sunday last, they overcame a daunting test in Moher Road against Ballinasloe, winning 15-13 and surviving a late onslaught from a strong home side. Eoin Kilkenny and Jack Vaughan had first half tries for the men in black with Shane Sweeney’s boot doing the rest. The result keeps them firmly on track heading into this weekend as the club looks for a first Connacht League title since 2001 when they gained promotion to the AIL.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
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