Connacht rugby season kicks off

New season kicks off


Preview
Rob murphy

THE Connacht Junior League returns next Sunday and is shaping up to be one of the most competitive we have ever seen. That said, the title race is beyond most teams, with reigning champions Corinthians and cup holders Monivea likely to be a step above the rest even if Sligo, Castlebar, Ballina, and Galwegians are all capable of launching a bid from outside.

Ballina
NOT much change, which is good news as last season represented progress. Corey Brown coaches again, Ian Thornton has left for Australia, but the likes of Robert Forbes, Conor Molloy and a fit-again Ciaran Rouse are back in the squad. Pre-season has gone well, with victories over St Senan’s of Shannon and Sligo, and a draw with Westport. They will maintain their All-Ireland Cup status.
PREDICTION: 3rd

Ballinrobe
A TOUGH battle is in store. Ballinrobe are making huge strides forward as a club in terms of player numbers (a second team will be fielded this year) and the style of rugby coaches Pat Malone and Paul Keane are implementing. The addition of wing David Madden, centre James McTigue and utility back Shane Biggins will help. We are told that none of their retirements are set in stone.
PREDICTION: 12th

Castlebar
THIS year the side will be coached by Johnny McCormack and Pete Kearney, who were assistants to Rory Casey last season. The Cawley Cup triumph was a huge step forward for the club and regaining their All-Ireland Cup status will be the aim this year. Ruairí Hughes captains the side again.  Alex Goor has retired after a fine career with the club.
PREDICTION: 5th

Corrib
THE border club have a new coach in former Corinthian Paul Donnellan. Darragh O’Connor is captain this season as the Headford-based side try to regain their All-Ireland Cup status by finishing in the top four. Last season a couple of pivotal games went against them and the deduction of three points set them back at the midway point. More progress can be made this season.
PREDICTION: 8th

Westport
THE re-building is in its early stages. Coach Eddie Walsh has had to deal with a whole host of retirements, including Michael Heneghan and Danny O’Toole in the back line, and Michael O’Brien and Seán O’Boyle (among others) up front.
The loss of Kevin Corcoran to AIL side Terenure could be the biggest blow. Paddy Kennedy will captain a side that will win more than they lose this season, even if silverware is unlikely.
PREDICTION: 9th

BEST OF THE REST
THE old reliables Monivea look favourites again. They’ve nabbed Connacht Juniors and OLBC centre Dave Prior in the off-season and kept the core of last season’s cup-winning squad together. Their first game is away to Corinthians, who deservedly pipped them to the crown last season, so revenge is on the cards.
Corinthians will be hard to topple but they are at their weakest in the opening rounds and the coaching change might disrupt the momentum of their second team early doors. Castlebar, Sligo and Ballina should secure an All-Ireland Junior Cup place alongside Monivea and they could challenge in the cups.
At the bottom, Ballinrobe are most people’s favourites to go down  in the one automatic relegation spot but that won’t worry the South Mayo men, who could be underestimated by many teams. They will be more than competitive but it’s just such a tough league that they might still go down with as many as four wins. Their first game away to OLBC will tell a tale.

Rob’s PREDICTIONS
How the connacht junior league table might look at the end
1  Monivea
2  Corinthians
3  Ballina
4  Sligo
5  Castlebar
6  Tuam
7  Galwegians
8  Corrib
9  Westport
10  Buccaneers
11  OLBC
12  Ballinrobe

FIXTURES
Sunday, September 20 at 3pm.
Ballina v Buccaneers; Corinthians v Monivea; Corrib v Tuam; Castlebar v Westport;  Galwegians v Sligo; OLBC v Ballinrobe.