It has been hard work keeping track of the grounds where the professional rugby clubs in Scotland play, such has been the movement as they struggle to find permanent homes.

The Borders used a few grounds before being disbanded, Glasgow have played in Hughenden and more recently Fir Hill, home of Partick Thistle.

Edinburgh have played at the athletics ground at Meadowbank and more recently Murrayfield, but they could be on the move again to the south-west of the city.

Plans are being considered to develop Meggetland where Boroughmuir RFC are based and a home for Andy Robinson's team is one of the options.

GALWEGIANS COULD have few complaints when the draw for the quarter-finals of the AIB Cup was made on Saturday evening. Paul Young's men will face either Malone from Division Two or Division Three leaders Bruff in the last eight.

But, more importantly, they have been drawn at home and should get a decent crowd for the last eight tie on the first weekend of February. A year ago they were drawn away to Belfast Harlequins in the quarter-finals and bowed out.

With a lot of the big guns gone by the wayside and a few more to meet each other in the quarter-finals, Galwegians could make a bold bid for a first ever national title.

MONIVEA'S HOPES of AIB Junior Cup glory end when they lost 37-3 away to Tullamore.

Up in Mayo Westport emerged with the bragging rights when they defeated Castlebar 10-3 in the competition. Their reward is a quarter-final tie away to Clonmel.

Sligo also made it through when they won 20-17 at home to Coleraine and will now be at home to either Kanturk or Crosshaven in the quarter-finals which will take place on the first weekend of February.

THE IRELAND U-20 squad coached by Eric Elwood and his assistant Dan McFarland held a training camp in Athlone at the weekend ahead of their defence of their Six Nations title.

Dubarry Park will be the venue again next year for all of Ireland's matches in the U-20 Six Nations. They will meet Italy on Friday, February 1st, take on Scotland three weeks later and their concluding match at the midlands venue will be against Wales on Friday, March 7th.

Buccaneers are organising the pre-match hospitality and bookings are already being taken for pre-match tables at these international matches; €500 per table of eight persons or ?1,200 package for the three fixtures.

ALL FOUR Connacht clubs are back in AIB League action this weekend with three of them at home. In Division One, Galwegians will entertain Lansdowne at Crowley on Saturday as they bid to re-ignite their hopes of a top four finish.

Buccaneers have a chance to leap over Highfield in Division Two when they clash at Dubarry Park. In Division Three, Corinthians are at home to leaders Bruff, while Connemara head south to take on Midleton.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment