Bank of Ireland J1B League Final

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Westport RFC VS

Corinthians RFC 2nds

Dexcom Stadium

15.03.26 - 14:30

On behalf of Connacht Rugby, it is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this afternoon’s Bank of Ireland Connacht J1A, J1B and J1C League Finals.

Matches between all of these clubs are rarely just about the result; they are about pride, tradition, and the deep-rooted community ties that make Connacht Rugby so special.

I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our title sponsors, Bank of Ireland, for their unwavering support of the game at every level in Connacht. Their commitment ensures that the pathways from minis right through to adult rugby remains strong.

A final like this doesn’t happen without the tireless work of volunteers. To the committees, coaches, and ground staff of both clubs, and to our own Connacht Rugby staff, thank you for your dedication to the sport.

Finally, to the players: enjoy every moment. Finals are rare and hard-earned. Play with the spirit and integrity that defines our game.

To all the families joining us today, and to every supporter in the stands, thank you for your continued passion. Let’s get behind the teams and enjoy a fantastic day of rugby.

Robert Lahiff

President, Connacht Rugby

Match Preview

This Sunday, 15th December sees the Bank of Ireland J1A, J1B and J1C League Finals in Dexcom Stadium. The Bank of Ireland J1C League Final will take place at 12:00 PM followed by the Bank of Ireland J1B League Final at 2:30 PM and finally the Bank of Ireland J1A League Final at 5:00 PM.

Our two J1B teams are no strangers to playing finals in Dexcom Stadium with Corinthians RFC 2nds recent winners of the Bank of Ireland Reid Cup Final before the holidays this season, while Westport RFC raised the coveted Bank of Ireland Junior Cup in the stadium back in Spring 2023. There's no doubt that both sides will be looking to add the Bank of Ireland J1B trophy to their collection for this season.

These two sides couldn't be closer - top two on the J1B League table and both with a 5-2 win record. Westport's only losses was a Round 4 defeat to nearby Ballinrobe RFC where they lost only by 2 points. Their only other loss was another close contest against Sligo Rugby 2nds where they were once again playing away from home and, despite their best efforts, it was the Sligo side that came out with a 21-17 win. However, Westport had done enough over the campaign to top the table and secure a home Semi-Final which turned out to be a rematch against Ballinrobe. Westport made no mistake in getting the win when it mattered most and after a 43-7 scoreline, Westport had booked their place in the final.

Corinthians RFC 2nds have had an impressive season with their Reid Cup Final win in Dexcom Stadium against Galwegians RFC 2nds in December. They continued strongly in the Bank of Ireland J1B League campaign with losses only to Sligo 2nds in Round 2 and to Westport themselves where they fell 24-7. However, this side has gone from strength to strength and have shown what they're capable of in the rest of their league matches seeing them safely into their Semi-Final rematch against Sligo 2nds. This time, Corinthians had their eye on the final and slotted away a decisive 52-5 win at home to see them into the final.

Sure to be an electric final not to be missed, the Bank of Ireland J1B Final is at 2:30 PM on Sun, 15th March in Dexcom Stadium.

A word from Head of Club and Community, Joe Gorham

Finals Days are the pinnacle of our Club and School players’ ambitions. It is a day of celebration for the whole of Connacht Rugby. It is truly a memorable occasion for all concerned which, undoubtedly, will be a source of conversation with your teammates in the many years ahead.

The sport of rugby allows for all our players to realise the limits of their ambitions, it allows us to create lifelong memories, however, most importantly, it is the maker of lifelong friendships.

There is no better feeling than to lift a Cup, Plate or Bowl alongside your teammates while representing your club or school. It is all about People and Place.

Sport also reflects life, in that, with every cup final there must be a winner and a loser. Regardless of winning or losing, the hope is that everyone involved on Finals Days will have a quality experience on their big day.

The advent of the new pitch at Dexcom Stadium has allowed Club and Community the opportunity to host additional Cup and League Finals (male and female/Club & School) this season. In fact, we are hugely excited to host over 40 Club & School finals over the course of the next few months.

On Finals Days, we must never forget the huge amount of work and personal sacrifice put in by all the Volunteers, Coaches and Managers to get you to this day. Volunteers are the life-blood of our sport and it would be remiss of me, on this day of celebration, not to say a huge thank you to each and every Club & School Volunteer for the magical work you put in day in and day out for the cause that is rugby in Connacht.

Finally, we at Club & Community rugby wish all our finalists and their loyal supporters the very best of luck on the day.

Connacht Abú.

Westport RFC Management:

Head Coach
Damian Loftus

Forwards Coach
Chris Ryan

Backs Coach
Pat Staunton

Team Manager
Hugh Ryan

Corinthians RFC 2nds Management:

Head Coach
Ambrose Conboy

Assistant Coach
Tommy Ellard

Assistant Coach
Derek Murray

Assistant Coach
Walter Castro

Team Manager
Anne Burke

Team Physio
Andy Dunne

Bank of Ireland J1B League Final

Referee:

Michael Honan

AR1:

Gerry Geraghty

AR2:

Stephen Gregory

4th Official:

Orla McShane

Westport RFC

15

-

Alan Masterson

14

-

Conor Calvey

13

-

Adam Sheridan

12

-

Harry Sheridan

11

-

Ruaidhri Spellman

10

-

Stephen Loftus

9

-

Sam Walsh

1

-

Tom Horscraft

2

-

Ross Bourke

3

-

Brendan McLoughlin

Captain

4

-

Mossy Prendergast

5

-

Chris Ryan

6

-

Kevin Corcoran

7

-

Aaron McGoldrick

8

-

Cormac Lyons

Corinthians RFC 2nds

15

-

Eoghan Flannery

14

-

Pablo Castellano

13

-

Diarmuid Kilcommins

12

-

Liam Carpenter

Vice-Captain

11

-

Oisin Berthoz

10

-

Tadhg Johnson

9

-

Colin Madden

1

-

James Duffy

2

-

Adam Nash

3

-

Alex Burke

Captain

4

-

Ryan Gaughan

5

-

Manuel Garcia

6

-

Emmanuel Oifoh

7

-

Patrick Flannery

8

-

Dillon McAuliffe

Westport RFC Substitutes

16

-

Aidan Heraty

17

-

Liam Scahill

18

-

Caolan O'Brien

19

-

Darragh O'Connor

20

-

Kevin Gill

21

-

Ben Ruane Cooper

22

-

Peter McNally

23

-

Malcolm McEvilly

24

-

Art Swanton

25

-

Arron O’Malley

26

-

Tom Ginnelly

Corinthians RFC 2nds Substitutes

16

-

Darragh FitzPatrick

17

-

Joe Campbell

18

-

Jack Boyan

19

-

Adam Newell

20

-

Sean Comer O'Brien

21

-

Dylan Joyce

22

-

Fergal MacCearra

23

-

Johnny Hughes

24

-

Matthew Zander

Westport Message of Support

On behalf of all the supporters and committee, we want to wish the players, coaches and management of Westport Mens 1st XV the very best of luck in the Connacht League J1B Final.

Your commitment, teamwork and pride in the jersey throughout the season have been outstanding and have brought huge excitement and belief to the entire club. We are incredibly proud of what you have achieved in reaching this final and we stand fully behind you as you take to the field.

Play with passion, trust in each other and enjoy the occasion — you have already done the club proud.

From the sidelines and beyond, the whole Westport RFC family will be cheering you on every step of the way.

Best of luck lads — bring it home!

-John Ryan, President Westport RFC

Dunmore Message of Support

Galway Corinthians RFC are delighted to compete for the Junior League 1B today against a very strong Westport side. It's probably fair to assume that the two strongest teams have made it to the Final, with us both finishing first & second in the League, with Westport defeating us away. We have targeted promotion to Junior League 1A for a number of years, so hopefully today this will come to fruition. It is important that we thank Connacht Rugby for making the Dexcom available for all the teams today, in what promises to be an exciting day of rugby in Connacht. We wish all match officials, coaches, players and staff in Connacht Rugby the very best in what should be a feast of exciting Rugby.

- Fergal Leonard Galway Corinthians RFC President.