Rob Murphy

GALWEGIANS woes continue after a second loss in three outings in Division 2a of the Ulster Bank League. Greystones beat them 27-23 in North Wicklow on Saturday despite a promising late comeback from the visitors.

The sky blues scored the first ten points of the contest with Tadgh Leader kicking a penalty before Brian Murphy notched a try to mark his return from injury and Leader converted, but in a 25 minute spell either side of half time the home side scored 21 unanswered points, including two tries.

The visitors mounted a late fightback with tries from Jonathan Gardiner and Leader, but it was too little too late and their second defeat on the east coast (they lost to league leaders Terenure in round one) was confirmed.

Their only success to date was a far from fluid home win against struggling Bective Rangers and any thoughts that they would be in a position to bounce straight back to Division 1 rugby are dissipating after two defeats, making their trip to Donnybrook this Saturday to face Old Wesley all the more important.

Corinthians, by contrast, are flying in what is their third season in this division, having flirted with a promotion chase up to now. They are determined to make a real push this time around, although it is very early doors yet.

Three wins from three with a couple of bonus points for good measure has them second, a point behind Banbridge. The 19-7 home win over Cashel on Saturday was their most impressive display of the season yet, considering the Tipperary side arrived off the back of two good early season wins.

On Saturday, Galwegians travel to Donnybrook to face Old Wesley who have also lost two from three while Corinthians are away to an improving and high scoring City of Derry in their toughest test yet.

In Division 1b, Buccaneers were left reeling on Saturday evening after Dungannon inflicted a bonus point 26-12 defeat on them at Dubarry Park. Connemara didn't fair any better in Division 2b as they went down 34-10 at home to Nenagh to underline a very poor start to the season.

Next up for the men from Clifden is a massively important away to trip to Newtownards this Saturday. Ards are also bottom without a point and the outcome of this tie might have crucial implications later in the season.

Monivea Survive
Only one Connacht side made it through to the quarter finals of the All Ireland Junior Cup at the weekend. Twice finalists Monivea won away to 2011 winners Crosshaven 26-15, but made hard work of beating the Cork side who are without a win in any competition this season.
 

That said, their continued consistent progress in this competition will be a boost to Paul Flanagan and his side who are yet to lose this season. The news for the other Connacht sides was not so good.
 

OLBC were making their debut in the competition but found their home tie against Belfast side Cooke very difficult, losing 40-24 in the end. They mounted a spirited late fightback with two tries in the final quarter but the injury hit Bohermore side were very much outbattled on the day.

The two Mayo sides competing in the competing in the first round also faired poorly with Westport losing away to unbeaten Munster side Kanturk 32-7 and perhaps, more surprisingly, Ballina going down 32-14 to Donaghadee of a Ulster in North Mayo.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.