HENRY O'TOOLE is one of the finest rugby players Connacht has produced and long after he hung up his boots he continues to do great work promoting the game in Connemara.

He was featured last week in the Connacht match programme and told a great story about the time he made his debut for the province against a star-studded Leinster side at Lansdowne Road in 1985.

"I remember being in the dressing room before the game and hearing the train coming over the tracks in the dressing room. I thought it was the Leinster team warming up in their dressing room. I got some slagging."

But the Clifden man was undaunted and kicked all the points in a 9-7 win over a side full of internationals.

IT WASN'T a good weekend for the province's club sides with Galwegians losing 18-0 at home to UL Bohs and Corinthians and Connemara slipping to defeats to Midleton (22-17) and Queens University (26-9) respectively.

Buccaneers were the only winners, carving out a 24-17 win at home to Bective Rangers.

THE RUGBY world is a poorer place following the untimely death in Wexford of David Noble, or McScrum as he was known to most.

Connacht fans would remember him from the time they played a few games in Dubarry Park, while he was always there for the U-20 internationals that have been played there for the past few years.

David, who seemed to know everyone on first-name terms after just one meeting, used to set up stall selling merchandise and his own brand of McScrum fare.

You may also have noticed him on the approach to Lansdowne Road while followers of Munster knew they were near the stadium in foreign parts when they came upon his car.

GALWEGIANS WILL head to bottom club Greystones hoping to get their AIB League campaign back on track after losing three on the trot.

Buccaneers are back on their travels again in Division Two and they don't come more difficult than a trip to leaders Young Munster who have won four from five.

In Division Three, both Corinthians and Connemara are at home. Corinthians meet Ards, while Connemara entertain Naas.

REIGNING CHAMPIONS Monivea continued their excellent form in the Connacht Junior League when an 18-9 win away to Corrib made it six from six for the holders.

Monivea have picked up three bonus points as well but they are being given a run for their money by a Galwegians side who have win five from six.

HOLDERS BUCCANEERS have been given an ironic opening defence of their Heineken Connacht Junior Cup as their first opponents will be Ballinasloe, who re-established their independence a couple years ago. The Buccaneers club was set-up in the first place back in the early 1990s when Athlone and Ballinasloe joined forces.

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