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Sunday, 8th October at 2:00 PM in Dubarry Park will see Corinthians RFC take on Buccaneers RFC in the Connacht U20 League Final, while the rest of the weekend marks the kick-off of the Men's AIL League and Junior Cup along with the BOI J1B League.
This Sunday will see Corinthians RFC travel to Dubarry Park in Athlone to take on Buccaneers RFC in the Connacht U20s League Final. As the top two teams in this league, Buccaneers and Corinthians will qualify for Premier 2 in Leinster's JP Flanagan U20 League, with University of Galway RFC and Galwegians RFC qualifying for Premier 3.
Buccaneers RFC and Corinthians RFC both qualified for Premier 2 in the 2022/23 season with both teams reaching the play-offs and meeting in the semi-final. Corinthians emerged victorious in this fixture and went on to face Terenure in the final where they fell just short.
Corinthians U20s Head Coach Anthony Leifi says ahead of the match, "I'm very proud of the boys reaching the final undefeated. To play in a Connacht League Final is something we don't take for granted and we feel very privileged to be in this position. The excitement is tangible around the club this week, both on and off the field, and myself and the boys are hopeful we can make our club, community and families proud in Athlone this Sunday. May the best team win!"
Corinthians U20 Captain Alex Burke says, "I'm so honoured to get the opportunity to lead out my fellow Corinthians this Sunday. We have put a lot of work in over the past few months and I'm very proud of all the team and our coaches. We have an excellent group of lads this season and to get to this League Final is a testament of the hard yards that have been put in since our first day of pre-season."
Buccaneers U20s Head Coach Dave McAllister said during the week, "As the new Buccs 20s Headcoach our plan is to be very competitive in the Leinster league as reigning Connacht Champions. As a season goal, we are developing over 50 players with valuable U20s rugby game time these players would love to become the first Connacht Club to lift a Leinster rugby Premier 2 trophy. It's a great privilege to be coaching a team into a Connacht final the build up is palpable at training our players. Can't wait for their home League final on Sunday; definitely the team who wants it the most will be the first to get their name on this Connacht League."
Buccanners U20s Captain Fionn McDonnell says, "As time ticks on in my third and final season with Buccs 20s, it makes me very grateful to be made co-captain along with Robbie Byrne this season. I feel that we’ve never been in a better place to get the Buccaneers RFC name on this precious Inaugural Connacht U20s trophy . The first time our club have got to compete for an U20S Trophy in 9 Season. My players and myself are very grateful to all the Mentors in Connacht that have worked hard to revive this Competition."
Weekend Adult Match Preview:
Friday, October 6th
Energia All Ireland League 2C 23/24
8:00 PM Tullamore RFC vs Galwegians RFC
Saturday, October 7th
Adult Friendlies - Mens
5:00 PM Dunmore RFC 2nds vs University of Galway RFC 2nds
Energia Womens AIL League 23/24
2:30 PM Galwegians RFC vs Railway Union RFC
Energia All Ireland League 1B 23/24
2:30 PM St. Mary's College RFC vs Buccaneers RFC
Energia All Ireland League 2B 23/24
2:30 PM Corinthians RFC vs Wanderers
2:30 PM Rainey Old Boys RFC vs Sligo RFC
Energia All Ireland League 2C 23/24
2:30 PM Ballina RFC vs Clogher Valley RFC
Energia Mens AIL Junior Cup
1:30 PM Westport RFC vs Seapoint RFC
2:30 PM Castlebar RFC vs Ballyclare RFC
2:30 PM City of Derry RFC vs Connemara RFC
2:30 PM Newcastle West RFC vs Creggs RFC
Sunday, October 8th
BOI Womens Invitational Cup
1:00 PM Creggs RFC vs Galwegians RFC 2nds (in Tuam RFC)
1:00 PM Sligo RFC vs Tuam/Oughterard RFC (in Ballyhaunis RFC)
Connacht U20 League
2:00 PM Buccaneers RFC vs Corinthians RFC
2:30 PM University of Galway RFC vs Galwegians RFC
BOI J1B League
2:30 PM Ballinasloe RFC vs Corinthians RFC 2nds
BOI J2 15-A-Side competition
2:30 PM Corinthians RFC 3rds vs Claremorris RFC
Photo by Michael Silke (Buccaneers RFC)
