Bank of Ireland Club Finals Preview

18 January 2024

Bank of Ireland Club Finals Preview

This Sunday, 21st January marks the first day of the Bank of Ireland Club and Schools finals in Galway with a double-header that’s not to be missed. The U16 Girls’ Division 1 League Final will take place at 11:00 AM followed by the U18.5 Boys’ Division 2 Final at 1:00 PM.

The first of the two finals is the Bank of Ireland U16 Girls’ Division 1 League Final Cup which will see Ballinasloe RFC take on Ballina RFC. Both teams narrowly missed out on the U16 Division 1 League Final last year which saw Sligo RFC and Tuam/Oughterard RFC contest for the trophy. Both Ballinasloe and Ballina stormed through the U16 League this season with Ballina’s only loss being in round 1 against Ballinasloe where they fell to the home side 12-5 after a nail-biter of a game. Ballinasloe’s winning streak was only disrupted by an away draw against Westport in round 6 of the competition. Ballinasloe and Ballina have both displayed impressive performances this season and this final will be no different. The match is promised to be a thriller of a rematch between the two sides. The Bank of Ireland U16 Girls’ Division 1 League Final is at 11:00 AM on Sun, 21st January in Galway.

The second final of the day will see Ballinasloe RFC take on Carrick-on-Shannon RFC in the Bank of Ireland U18.5 Boys’ Division 2 League Final. This is sure to be a hotly contested game with two incredibly strong sides battling it out. Like the U16 Girls’ League Final teams, both Ballinasloe and Carrick-on-Shannon have had clean records and decisive wins this season. Carrick-on-Shannon’s team are no strangers to League finals as their U17 team made it to the U17 Division 2 League Final last year against Castlebar. This season, their only loss in the league was to Ballinasloe where they lost 26-19 at home in round 6 of the competition – both teams’ closest games in the league. Ballinasloe faced a strong Loughrea RFC side in their home semi-final where they came away with a 24-12 win, while Carrick-on-Shannon breezed into the final with a 36-5 semi-final win against Westport RFC at home. The Bank of Ireland U18.5 Boys’ Division 2 League Final is at 1:00 PM on Sun, 21st January in Galway.

Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance as all 2024 finals will be cashless. Tickets can be purchased here.