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With a management team of Head Coach Anthony Leifi, Assistant Coach Morgan Ó’Conghaile and Manager Maggie Newell, the Galway Corinthians U20 side will make history in Corinthian Park in Galway this Sunday, 24th March at 3:00 PM as they take on Clontarf RFC and McCorry Cup Premier U20 rugby comes to the West for the first time.
Having already made history this season by being the first team in Connacht to ever win the JP Fanagan Premier 2 title and taking the Cónal Owens Cup on its maiden voyage across the River Shannon, Galway Corinthians U20 side have much to look forward to this weekend.
“I am incredibly proud of the boys. We’ve had a near-perfect season in the JP Fanagan League which was topped off by being presented with the cup in Dublin on the 10th of March. It was a very proud day not only for the club but for the players, their families and the wider community”, says Anthony Leifi, Corinthians U20 Head Coach.
Captained by Cregmore-native Alex Burke, Galway Corinthians U20s enjoyed an exceptional record in the JP Fanagan league this season that saw them top the table with 12 wins and 1 loss. This performance led to an exciting invitation making its way to the Cloonacauneen-based club just weeks ago. They were honoured to receive the invitation to play in the McCorry Premier U20 Cup in Leinster and accepted the challenge with great excitement.
“When we got the offer to take Old Wesley’s place in the McCorry Cup we couldn’t believe it. It’s such an honour and it’s sign of the hard work the lads have put in all year", says Leifi. "They really deserve it. To get the opportunity to play at this high level is not something that comes along everyday and because of age constraints, there are guys that may never get this chance again. It was a no-brainer for us to grasp this opportunity with both hands”
With the McCorry Cup draw already taken place, Galway Corinthians RFC slotted right into Old Wesley’s spot which meant it would be an away game for Clontarf RFC who will travel to Galway this Sunday, 24th March for the 3:00 PM battle. Clontarf coach George Naoupu is no stranger to the West having spent many seasons playing for Connacht.
“When I saw we had been drawn against Clontarf I couldn’t believe it. Their coach George Naoupu was my Best Man when I got married back in 2011 – what are the chances?! I’m sure we’ll enjoy a nice cold Guinness together after the game but, until then, it’s strictly business” laughed Leifi.
This is the first time a Connacht club has ever taken part in the coveted McCorry Cup Premier U20 competition and it’s sure to be a cracker. Get down to Corinthian Park this Sunday at 3:00 PM and get behind Corinthians as they attempt to make it into the next stage of the 2024 McCorry Cup.
