MY CLUB: CORINTHIANS RFC
Corinthian Park,
Cloonacauneen,
Tuam Road,
Galway
By DAIRE WALSH
THEY find themselves eighth in the table, but with seven games still to play in Division 2A of the Ulster Bank League, club President Kieran Browne is confident that Galway Corinthians RFC can enjoy a productive 2017.
Corinthians began the New Year with a 26-17 defeat to Sunday’s Well on January 21, but boosted by last Saturday’s 22-14 home win over former leaders Banbridge, Browne feels they will be able to consolidate their third tier status by the end of the season.
“It’s very much an up-and-down season at the minute. We either seem to win by 40 points, or lose by 40 points! I suppose, it was a bit disappointing against Sunday’s Well. Where we let the game slip in the last couple of minutes,” he said.
“Overall they’re playing very well, and there’s great spirit in the team. There’s just one or two little things. If they click, we could be okay for the rest of the season. It would be nice to consolidate our position. If we could get to mid-table or above in Division 2A this year, we’d be quite happy within the club.”
A Connacht Schools Senior Cup winner with St Joseph’s College (commonly know as ‘The Bish’) in 1981, Browne is in his first year as President of Corinthians in Cloonacauneen.
He served as Junior Vice-President before assuming his current role, and explains the process that led to him being promoted by the Co Galway outfit.
“We come in as Junior Vice-Presidents, so you serve a three-year term as Junior Vice-President, and then President. You see exactly what the running of the club is all about, and the background information that you need to know within the club. You come in your first year as Junior Vice, you’re put with the thirds team, then with the seconds team as Vice-President, and with the senior team as President.”
Despite facing stiff competition from rival Connacht clubs like Buccaneers and Galwegians, Corinthians are currently fielding teams from U6 all the way up to U18 in their underage section. They also have three adult sides, but having seen the likes of Johnny O’Connor and Ronan Loughney progressing through the ranks, he acknowledges that youth rugby plays a vital part in the overall development of players.
“It’s always important, and it’s great to see on a Saturday morning the minis out there. Up to 250 or 270 every Saturday. If you look at the Johnny O’Connors, Ronan Loughneys and these guys, they came through that system.
“It is incumbent on every club to try and promote their players. We had Cian Huxford there lately, he’s made the Ireland U18 team which again is a great honour. It’s a great pride in the club that we can bring players like this through on a regular basis,” he added.