New forum category - Domestic rugby

The 2nd round of the Heineken Junior Cup takes place around the province today - check out Rob Murphy's comprehensive previews at knockon.ie.

Was at the Castlebar v Ballyhaunis game today and the 15-3 final score was somewhat harsh on the visitors, who dominated for long periods, but didn't have the guile to breakdown a stubborn and disciplined Castlebar defense.

The home team scored a textbook 8-9-14 blindside move in the first half and were clinical in taking the scoring opportunities that presented themselves.

They are at home to Ballinrobe in the next round, next Sunday and have a great chance of making the semi-finals.

Peter Bracken is coaching Castlebar now and they look like they could be going places.

Connacht Junior Cup weekend roundup and QF on draw knockon.ie

Heineken Junior Cup podcast available on knockon.ie

Only 2 Connacht clubs, Connemara and Monivea, make it into knockon.ie's all Ireland provincial (calling adult rugby "junior" just sounds silly to me, why not call them provincial clubs call the "senior" clubs AIL clubs) club rankings this month.

Review of the Heineken Junior Cup Quarter Finals from knockon.ie

Having coached at various age groups over the years, the parental interest drifts away the older the players get and it was usually driven by the players themselves who wanted to go off and enjoy themselves without a parental presence.

On the flip side, I was really pleased to see a crowd of about 75 or so people watching the NUIG/Barna U15 take on Claremorris in a B league semi-final and behaving brilliantly towards the players. The home supporters gave their victorious team a huge ovation and then generously cheered the distraught Claremorris players as they made their way off the pitch.

It is just a pity that a few muppets in the sizable crowd at the NUIG v Westport match didn't show as much respect to the referee in that match. It was disappointing to witness amateur players and referee being subjected to such inane rubbish.