Connacht Rugby

Connacht Rugby
Nickname(s) The Devil's Own
Founded 1885
Location Galway, Ireland
Ground(s) Galway Sportsgrounds (Capacity: 9,500[lower-alpha 1])
CEO Willie Ruane
Coach(es) Pat Lam
Captain(s) John Muldoon
Most caps Michael Swift (264)
Top scorer Ian Keatley (688)
Most tries Fionn Carr (39)
League(s) Pro12
2013–14 10th
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.connachtrugby.ie
Current season

Connacht Rugby (Irish: Rugbaí Connachta) is one of the four professional provincial rugby teams from the island of Ireland. Connacht competes in the Pro12 and the Rugby Challenge Cup. The team represents the IRFU Connacht Branch, which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union throughout the geographical Irish province of Connacht.

Connacht plays its home games at the Galway Sportsgrounds, which normally holds 7,500 spectators, though is expandable to 9,500 for important games. Connacht play in a predominantly green and navy jersey, green shorts and green and white socks. The Connacht Rugby crest is a modified version of the provincial flag of Connacht and consists of a dimidiated eagle and an arm wielding a sword.

With only 7% of the total number of Irish rugby union players, Connacht has a much smaller base of rugby union players to choose from than the other three provinces, due in part to its small population and the relative popularity of Gaelic Athletic Association sports such as hurling and Gaelic football. However, rugby union in Connacht has expanded, with increased ticket sales,[1] in particular since its first season competing in the Heineken Cup. Through the efforts of the Connacht Branch and the support of the IRFU, the province has experienced growth, increasing its underage and schools participation through initiatives such as the 'Grassroots to Greenshirts' campaign.[2] The Connacht Eagles, a developmental side, have featured in the semi-professional British and Irish Cup since the 2012–13 season.

History

Foundation and amateur era (1885–1995)

The Connacht Branch of the IRFU was founded on 8 December 1885, and along with it the provincial team. The team was formed to compete with Leinster, Munster and Ulster, whose teams had been formed ten years earlier in 1875. There were six teams represented at the meeting in Dublin that founded the Connacht branch. These were Ballinasloe, Castlebar, Galway Town, Galway Grammar School, Queen's College Galway and Ranelagh School Athlone. Castlebar, Queen's College (later NUIG) and Ballinasloe, who formed part of Buccaneers, are the only three of those six to have stayed active in some form since the branch was founded.[3] The province is currently made up of 4 All-Ireland League clubs, 20 'junior' clubs and 4 'mini' rugby clubs.[4] During the amateur era, the four Irish provinces played against each other in the Irish Interprovincial Championship, and also played against touring international sides.

Early professional years (1995–2003)

On 26 August 1995 the International Rugby Board declared rugby union an "open" game, removing all restrictions on payments or benefits to those connected with the game. this was done due to a committee conclusion having an open game was the only way to end the hypocrisy of shamateurism, and keep control of the sport. The threat to amateur rugby union mostly prevalent in the Southern hemisphere, particularly in Australia where Super League was threatening to entice players to rugby league with large salaries.[5] In Ireland, the four provincial teams were the only teams to go professional, while their smaller constituent clubs remained amateur.

The 1995–96 season saw the first ever Heineken Cup, a new tournament set up for European clubs. The Irish were allocated three places in the competition, with these places going to Leinster, Munster and Ulster. The following season saw the launch of a secondary European competition, the European Challenge Cup. Connacht were coached that season by former All Black Warren Gatland, who had previously coached Galwegians. The inaugural Challenge Cup (then also known as the European Shield) saw Connacht finish 4th from 6 teams in their group, which also contained Toulon and the Northampton Saints.

The 1997–98 European Challenge Cup proved far more successful for Connacht. The team, still coached by Gatland, finished top of their group; the number of teams in each group having been reduced to 4. Connacht won 5 of their 6 matches including beating Northampton both at home and away. The win in Northampton and victory over Bordeaux-Bègles in Stade André Moga made Connacht the first professional Irish team to beat an English team in England and a French team in France respectively. In the quarter-final they played SU Agen away in the Stade Armandie, but lost 40-27. Gatland left his position as Connacht coach at the end of the season, taking over as Ireland coach.

Another New Zealander, Glenn Ross, took over from Gatland. In his two seasons, Connacht failed to make it out of the pool stages of the Challenge Cup, and Ross resigned at the end of the 1999–2000 season. He was replaced by South African coach Steph Nel.[6] Nel's initial two seasons also saw Connacht knocked out of the Challenge Cup during the group stages - but domestically, 2001 saw the formation of a new competition called the Celtic League, which was created to serve as a championship for Irish, Scottish and Welsh clubs.

Connacht made it to the quarter-finals in the inaugural Celtic League. They were beaten by Scotland's Glasgow Warriors, with a final score of 29-34. In the 2002–03 season the team again reached the quarters. This time, however, they were beaten by a much greater margin, losing to Irish rivals Munster by a score of 33-3.[7] Meanwhile in the 2002–03 European Challenge Cup, they reached the quarter-finals, being knocked out by a margin of 8 points over two legs, against Welsh team Pontypridd.

Off the field, however, the province's future was under threat. The IRFU proposed shutting down Connacht Rugby as a professional team in 2003 to cut costs, in light of the IRFU's annual deficit of €4 million. This was averted when a public protest with 2,000 fans marching on the IRFU headquarters in Dublin, coupled with the possibility of a strike by the Irish Rugby Union Players Association, forced the IRFU to reverse course and maintain the team.[8][9]

Michael Bradley era (2003–2010)

Michael Bradley took charge of Connacht in 2003, coming in from the Irish under-age set up to replace Steph Nel.[10] Connacht Rugby's average crowd was 600 supporters and the IRFU allotted a budget which was less than 50% of either of the other three Irish provinces. In Bradley's first Celtic League season, Connacht finished ninth from 12 teams, ahead of only the Scottish sides, but 2003–04 was the most successful season in European competition in the province's history to date. Connacht reached the semifinals of that year's European Challenge Cup, and came within touching distance of the decider, but a try from the Harlequins centre Will Greenwood, 12 minutes from time in the second leg of their semi-final, denied them a place in the final. Connacht also got to the semi-final of the Celtic Cup. Despite this, Connacht fell further in the Celtic League the following season. The team finished one place from the bottom in 2004–05, in what was now an 11 team competition. Still, the team continued their European form in the 2004–05 European Challenge Cup, reaching the semi-finals a second season. Once again, they were knocked out over two legs by the eventual winners of the competition, this time Sale Sharks.

2006–07 European Challenge Cup tie between Bath and Connacht

With the Union holding a tight grip on the purse strings Connacht continued to struggle in the Celtic League, finishing in tenth place from 11 in both the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons. In these seasons, however their European form could not make up for the domestic performances. Though they reached the quarter-finals of the 2005–06 Challenge Cup, they suffered a 23-3 defeat to Newcastle Falcons, before failing to advance through the pool stages in 2006–07. These seasons, however, saw the beginning of a new dimension to Connacht's player recruitment, whereby the province would bring Irish players back from abroad, to compete for Irish selection. Examples include the transfers of Gavin Duffy from Harlequins, Johnny O'Connor from London Wasps and Frank Murphy from Leicester Tigers.

The 2007–08 Celtic League saw the competition reduced to ten teams, following the exit of Border Reivers, and the season ended with Connacht bottom of the table, having won only five of their 18 matches. They also finished third in their Challenge Cup pool, again being knocked out early. In the 2008–09 season Connacht were able to finish second in their pool and advance to the quarter finals, but were beaten 42-13 by Northampton Saints. Without any meaningful increase in the budget, the management team struggled to improve the quality of the playing squad as a whole and they failed to improve in the Celtic League, finishing last again in 2008–09, this time 13 points from the next team up the table.

Bradley announced early in the 2009–10 season that he intended to step down at the end of the year.[11] His final season followed a similar pattern to his first two seasons as coach, with the team again finishing last in the League, though the gap was narrower than the previous year. As in Bradley's earlier seasons, however, Connacht were able to leave their poor form in the league behind when it came to playing in the Challenge Cup. They topped their pool comfortably, winning all six games with two try bonus points, and proceeded to the quarter-finals as top seeds. For the first time in the clubs history the team had achieved the highest points total at the pool stages of any team in either European competition. In the quarters, they faced French Top 14 side Bourjoin, beating them 23-20, with a late Miah Nikora drop goal. Connacht advanced to the semi-finals where, on 30 April 2010, they faced a Toulon team featuring the English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson. Toulon won 19-12 in Galway, with Wilkinson kicking 14 of the French club's points. This season also saw veteran forward Michael Swift break the record for number of Connacht appearances.[12] With crowds of more than 8,000 at both the quarter and semi-final stages of the Challenge Cup, and average gates of 2,600 in the Celtic League, Connacht's structures and support had improved drastically from 2003, when the team's survival was in question. Due to work on and off the pitch there was now a platform for a future for Connacht Rugby to continue and grow as one of Ireland's four professional rugby teams. At the end of the 2010 season Bradley was awarded the Celtic Leagues Chairman's award in recognition for his service to Connacht Rugby throughout his seven years as Director of Rugby in the province.

Eric Elwood as head coach (2010–2013)

Bradley was succeeded as Connacht boss by former Connacht and Ireland fly-half, Eric Elwood. Elwood had served as an assistant to Bradley since 2005 and had also coached the Ireland Under-20s to a grand slam in 2007's Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[13] His first season in charge saw two teams from Italy introduced to the Celtic League, Aironi and Benetton Treviso, which brought the number of teams back up to twelve. Connacht finished above both of the Italian teams as well as Glasgow Warriors, coming in ninth place. In the Challenge Cup, Connacht were knocked out in the pool stages, finishing second in their group behind the eventual winners of the tournament, Harlequins. During the course of the season, the loss of a number of key players, such as Sean Cronin and Ian Keatley, were announced, with the players signing to Connacht's provincial rivals for the start of the following season.

Heineken Cup Rugby

Lineout against Toulouse in their 2011–12 Heineken Cup group stage match at Stade Ernest-Wallon

In 2011–12 Connacht made their first-ever Heineken Cup appearance, due to Leinster winning the 2011 Heineken Cup Final. By competition rules, introduced in the 2010–11 season, the winners of both the Heineken Cup, and the European Challenge Cup, would receive an automatic berth in the following year's Heineken Cup. This place would then be passed on to another team from that country if the tournament winner was already qualified by domestic performance. As Leinster had qualified through performance in the 2010–11 Celtic League, Connacht claimed the extra berth.[14] Ahead of their first season in European Rugby's premier club competition, Gavin Duffy replaced John Muldoon as captain of the team.[15] Connacht lost their first five matches in the pool stages, claiming losing bonuses in both of their games with Gloucester. In the final game of their pool, however, they managed an upset, beating Harlequins 9-8 in the Sportsground, which prevented the Premiership club from topping the group, and knocked them down into the Challenge Cup.[16]

Domestically, meanwhile, the Celtic League had been renamed, given the previous season's introduction of Italian teams to the competition. In the first season of the new 'Pro12', Connacht built on the previous year's performance. They finished the season in eighth place, ahead of Newport Gwent Dragons, an Edinburgh team managed by former coach Mike Bradley, and both of the Italian teams.

Connacht's entry into the Heineken Cup led to a significant increase in the club's popularity. In summer 2011, the supporters club, the Connacht Clan, was formed.[17] In September 2011, Connacht season ticket sales went over the 3,000 mark for the first time in the club's history,[18][19] and average attendance for the 2011–12 season saw a 105% increase over the previous season.[20] Connacht's average attendance in home Pro12 matches climbed to 4,653 in the 2011–12 season, and increased further to 5,154 for the 2012–13 season.[21]

Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Connacht signed former Scotland fly-half Dan Parks from the Cardiff Blues. Aironi were replaced in the 2012–13 Pro12 with a new professional Italian team, called Zebre. Round 5 of the league saw Connacht beat their provincial rivals and the Heineken Cup holders, Leinster, 34-6 at the Sportsgrounds, with the team running in five tries.[22] This season saw the Connacht end in the same position as the previous year, as the team finished eighth, above Cardiff Blues, Bradley's Edinburgh, the Dragons and Zebre. On the European stage, Connacht played in the Heineken Cup again in 2012–13, because of Leinster's second Heineken Cup win in a row. The team won three of their pool matches. The victories came in the home and away ties with newly formed Zebre, along with a victory at home to 2009–10 finalists and 2011–12 Challenge Cup winners Biarritz.[23] Elwood had announced his intention to leave his post in October 2012,[24] and he departed at the end of the 2012–13 season. The end of the season also saw the retirements of two of Connacht's most experienced players, Adrian Flavin[25] and Johnny O'Connor,[26] both of whom had made over 100 appearances for the team.

Pat Lam takes over (2013–present)

2013–14

Elwood's replacement was announced in January 2013, with the New Zealand born former Samoa international Pat Lam appointed to coach the team.[27] Lam had previously served as head coach to Super Rugby side the Auckland Blues, coaching them in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. The team qualified for their third Heineken Cup in a row in 2013–14, due to Leinster winning the 2012–13 European Challenge Cup. Connacht were drawn into Pool 3 with Saracens, Toulouse, and Zebre.

Lam's first competitive game in charge was in the 2013–14 Pro12, a 25-16 home win over Zebre. After this game Connacht failed to win their next four games, before a break in league play for Heineken Cup games. In their next Pro12 match, Connacht came close to beating Leinster in Dublin for the first time since 2002, but conceded a late penalty try to lose 16-13.[28] The team's patchy form continued after the derby with Leinster, and Connacht lost three more games in the Pro12, culminating in a 43-10 defeat to Edinburgh in Murrayfield. On 21 December 2013, they overcame Newport Gwent Dragons 14-11 at home to break a league losing streak stretching back to September. Connacht continued to tussle with Zebre at the foot of the table, before going on a four match winning streak from 15 February to 23 March, earning three try bonus points. This was the team's longest run of wins in 11 years.[29] Following this run of form though, Connacht failed to win another match in the league, finishing in tenth place and level on points with Newport Gwent Dragons in ninth. Connacht were also level with Treviso for most losing bonus points won, having been beaten seven points or less in seven games.

In their first Heineken Cup game of the season, on 11 October 2013, Connacht ran Saracens close in Galway.[30] In their following game, the province overcame Zebre. This win the team's first competitive victory in over a month. On 8 December 2013, following a four game losing streak in the Pro12, Connacht defied their form and produced one of the biggest shocks in the history of the Heineken Cup, when they defeated Toulouse in the Stade Ernest-Wallon.[31][32][33] Connacht were beaten by Toulouse in the return game at the Sportsground, but beat Zebre in the following game to go into the final round of matches with a slim chance of progressing to the quarter-finals. That game however, saw them beaten comfortably by Saracens on a final score of 64-6, with the English side running in a record 11 tries.[34]

Status Within Irish Rugby

Initially the IRFU designated Connacht as a development team, meaning the team received only half the budget of the other Irish provinces. In 2003, the IRFU discussed the future of Connacht Rugby and the prospect of the team being shut down as part of a cost saving program. Thousands of supporters at the time marched to show their support of the provincial team and this idea was subsequently rejected.[35] In May 2014, the IRFU announced that it would be providing Connacht with an increase in funding of over €1 million, nominally to improve strength and conditioning coaching and facilities.[36]

Although Connacht are no longer as far behind in funding they do still have a smaller playing population compared to the other provinces, though this is growing steadily along with the supporter base. Connacht has often relied on a policy of bringing in players from other teams that have failed to progress to their senior team or are seeking more game time and players from the amateur All-Ireland League to help make up. The Connacht Rugby academy under Nigel Carolan has consistently produced graduates to represent the senior Connacht Rugby team however and many of these players have also represented Ireland at under-age level. Robbie Henshaw, David Heffernan, Dennis Buckley, Eoin McKeon, Eoin Griffin, Darragh Leader, Tiernan O'Halloran, Danny Qualter and Jack Carty are examples of Connacht players native to the province to have progressed to the senior team through the academy.[37][38][39][40]

Connacht Rugby has in the past lost players it recruited and helped to develop to provincial rivals and foreign teams. For example, Connacht lost four important first team players to provincial rivals in 2011. The team's out-half, Ian Keatley moved to Munster,[41] while hooker Sean Cronin, tighthead prop Jamie Hagan and winger Fionn Carr all transferred to Leinster.[42][43][44] After the loss of another first team player to Leinster was announced in 2012, this time Irish international lock Mike McCarthy, the Connacht chief executive Tom Sears accused Leinster of trying to "poach" Connacht players, arguing it was not in the best interests of Irish rugby.[45][46]

European Qualification

In the early years of European competition, Connacht were automatically entered in the European Challenge Cup each year rather than the more prestigious Heineken Cup, with the IRFU automatically giving its three allocated Heineken Cup places to the other provinces regardless of results in the Celtic League. However, ahead of the 2006–07 season, the union agreed to use the Celtic League table as its sole criteria for determining which Irish teams would enter the next season's Heineken Cup. Since then Connacht have yet to finish in a higher league position than their provincial rivals. Despite this Connacht did achieve Heineken Cup qualification from the 2011–12 season to the 2013–14 season due to Leinster winning three consecutive European tournaments. Leinster's successes meant that they were automatically qualified for the following year, leaving an open Irish qualification berth which was filled by Connacht.

With the Heineken Cup being replaced by the 20 team Rugby Champions Cup in the 2014–15 season, the Pro12 table will have a greater impact on qualification from the 2013–14 season onward. Under the previous format, the competition provided a minimum of ten teams, with Scotland and Italy providing two teams each, and Ireland and Wales both providing three. The new system sees one place now being reserved for the highest finishing Pro12 team from each of four participating countries and three other qualifiers based solely on league position, for a total of seven teams. The other teams will be entered in the new second tier competition, the Rugby Challenge Cup. This means that Connacht are no longer required to finish ahead of another Irish province or rely on an Irish victory in a European tournament to qualify for the top tier of European rugby. Starting in the 2015–16 competition the 20th tournament spot will be decided by a playoff involving the Pro12's two highest finishing teams that have not already qualified, the seventh highest finishing club from France's Top 14 and the seventh highest finishing club from the English Premiership.[47]

Galway Sportsground

The historical home of Connacht Rugby since the late 1920s, the Galway Sportsground, often known simply as "the Sportsground", is known as a spartan and inhospitable venue for visiting teams, especially in winter. The ground is owned by "The Galway Agricultural & Sports Society Ltd." who lease it to both Connacht Rugby and the Irish Greyhound Board. Due primarily to the issue of ownership, the development of the Sportsground has lagged behind that of the other Irish provinces who, with the backing of the IRFU, have moved ahead with major developments of their home grounds, with work completed on Thomond Park in 2008 and Ravenhill in 2009, while further refurbishment is planned for the RDS.[48][49][50] These developments leave Connacht further behind the other provinces, as their rivals look to benefit financially from the increased revenue streams.

Development

Connacht against Leinster in their 2008–09 Celtic League game at the Sportsground

Connacht participated in the Heineken Cup for the first time in 2011–12, which spurred a new phase of development at the Sportsground, with the aim of increasing capacity to 7,500 supporters. The Clubhouse Terrace was knocked down to be replaced by covered terrace called the "Clan Terrace". This terrace is primarily to house season ticket holders and Supporters Club members. This is the first stage of development on the Clubhouse side of the ground, as the Clan Terrace is scheduled to be replaced itself when funds to do so are in place. There is also ancillary work being undertaken behind the terrace which will see the construction of a bar, food outlets and restroom facilities on the Clubhouse side of the ground.

The second part of the development was the erection of a covered seated area called the "West Stand", adjacent to the existing main stand. This stand can cater for an additional 300 supporters. The new West Stand, along with the developments on the Clan side, increased capacity and improved facilities within the Sportsground.[51]

Connacht Eagles

Connacht Eagles (formerly Connacht A) is the team that represents Connacht in the British & Irish Cup[52] and in the All Ireland Inter-provincial Championship.[53] Pre-professionalism and a formal Celtic league structure, the main Connacht team competed in the AIPC. Since the advent of professionalism the provinces have fielded lesser teams in order to concentrate on the Celtic League/Pro12. The team is composed of Senior Connacht squad players requiring gametime, Academy players[54] and AIL players called up from their clubs.[55]

Crest and Colours

The flag of the Province of Connacht

The dimidiated eagle and sword arm featured in the Connacht Rugby crest is taken from the flag of the Province of Connacht. These arms are said to have been granted to Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, the reigning King of Connacht, by the Schottenkloster, or Irish monastery, that was founded in Regensburg, a city in Bavaria, in the 11th century.[56]

Connacht playing in green against Toulouse in the 2011–12 Heineken Cup

The current kit consists of a green shirt with black trimming, green shorts and green socks with black trimming. The away kit is white, green and blue. The traditional colours of the Connacht province and flag are blue, black and white, with no green present. Though it is potentially related to the use of Connacht's traditional colours of white and blue by Ulster and Leinster's teams respectively, the reasons for its presence on the Connacht Rugby kit are unknown. However the green jersey has been associated with the Connacht senior team since as early as the 1950s.

The current official Connacht team and support staff kit supplier is Australian manufacturer BLK sport, who announced a comprehensive four-year agreement to supply the full range of apparel for all of Connacht Rugby’s representative teams and support staff in 2013.[57]

Connacht's main shirt sponsors are Irish sporting retailer Lifestyle Sports, who took over from Mazda Ireland ahead of the 2014–15 season. Lifestyle Sports signed a four season deal with the province, which will see their logo feature on the jersey until the end of the 2017–18 season.[58]

Current standings

Pro12 Table
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference Tries For Tries Against Try Bonus Losing Bonus Points
1 Scotland Glasgow Warriors (Q) 20 15 1 4 498 329 +169 58 30 8 0 70
2 Ireland Munster (Q) 20 14 1 5 508 317 +191 59 25 7 3 68
3 Ireland Ulster (Q) 20 14 1 5 491 317 +174 56 29 6 3 67
4 Wales Ospreys (Q) 20 14 1 5 501 328 +173 48 27 6 2 66
5 Ireland Leinster 20 9 3 8 437 352 +85 48 37 7 4 53
6 Wales Scarlets 20 9 3 8 419 369 +50 40 37 4 3 49
7 Scotland Edinburgh 20 10 1 9 371 364 +7 38 42 3 3 48
8 Ireland Connacht 20 9 1 10 387 385 +2 41 44 2 4 44
9 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 20 7 0 13 347 429 −82 33 46 3 6 37
10 Wales Cardiff Blues 20 6 1 13 395 524 −129 41 55 2 2 30
11 Italy Benetton Treviso 20 3 1 16 293 614 −321 32 78 2 2 18
12 Italy Zebre 20 3 0 17 251 570 −319 25 69 0 3 15

If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[59]

  1. number of matches won;
  2. the difference between points for and points against;
  3. the number of tries scored;
  4. the most points scored;
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
  6. the fewest number of red cards received;
    7.
  7. the fewest number of yellow cards received.

Green background (rows 1 to 4) are play-off places, and earn a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup.
Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places, that earn a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup. The top team from each country will qualify.
Yellow background indicates the team that advances to a play-off semi-final against the seventh placed side from the Aviva Premiership, or the 2014–15 European Rugby Challenge Cup winners if they have not already qualified for the competition.[60]
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

    Provincial Honours

    Competition Championships Best Result
    Irish Inter-Provincial Championship 2 Champions:
    Celtic League/Pro12 0 Quarter-finalists: 2001–02, 2002–03
    Heineken Cup 0 3rd in pool: 2012–13, 2013–14
    European Challenge Cup 0 Semi-finalists: 2003–04, 2004–05, 2009–10

    Season records

    Celtic League / Pro12 History

    Season Pos Played Won Drew Lost PF PA PD Bonus Points
    2001–02 2nd (Pool B) 6 4 0 2 152 97 55 n/a 12
    Quarter-final Connacht 29 – 34 Glasgow
    2002–03 4th (Pool B) 7 5 0 2 126 176 -50 0 20
    Quarter-final Munster 33 – 3 Connacht
    2003–04 9th 22 8 2 12 479 550 −71 8 44
    2003–04 Celtic Cup 1st Round Borders 21 – 26 Connacht
    Quarter-final Scarlets 12 – 14 Connacht
    Semi-final Connacht 25 – 26 Edinburgh
    2004–05 10th 20 7 1 12 317 407 –90 7 37
    2005–06 10th 22 6 0 14 325 466 –141 5 37[n 1]
    2006–07 10th 20 4 2 14 326 474 –148 6 26
    2007–08 10th 18 5 1 12 214 396 –182 2 24
    2008–09 10th 18 4 0 14 224 460 –236 4 20
    2009–10 10th 18 5 1 12 254 459 –205 4 26
    2010–11 9th 22 7 1 14 394 459 -65 9 39
    2011–12 8th 22 7 1 14 321 433 -112 7 37
    2012–13 8th 22 8 1 13 358 422 –64 4 38
    2013–14 10th 22 6 0 16 371 509 −138 11 35
    1. ↑ 11 teams were involved in this season, so one team did not play each week and were awarded 4 points instead.
      Therefore, each team finished the season with 8 more points than the table would seem to warrant.

    Heineken Cup / Rugby Champions Cup

    Season Pool Pos Played Won Drew Lost Pts For Against Pts Diff Bonus Points
    2011–12 4th 6 1 0 5 68 130 −62 2 6
    2012–13 3rd 6 3 0 3 96 138 −42 0 12
    2013–14 3rd 6 3 0 3 101 147 -46 1 13

    European Challenge Cup / Rugby Challenge Cup

    Season Pool Pos Played Won Drew Lost PF PA PD Bonus Points
    1996–97 4th 5 2 0 3 94 131 -37 n/a 4
    1997–98 1st 6 5 0 1 144 97 47 n/a 10
    Quarter-final Agen France 40 – 27 Connacht
    1998–99 5th 6 3 0 3 129 156 -27 n/a 6
    1999–2000 3rd 6 2 0 4 131 165 -34 n/a 4
    2000–01 4th 6 1 0 5 60 152 -92 n/a 2
    2001–02 2nd 6 3 0 3 157 140 17 n/a 6
    2002–03 Round 1 Mont de Marsan France 12 – 26 Connacht
    Connacht 47 – 29 France Mont de Marsan
    Round 2 Narbonne France 42 – 27 Connacht
    Connacht 23 – 7 France Narbonne
    Quarter-final Connacht 30 – 35 Wales Pontypridd
    Pontypridd Wales 12 – 9 Connacht
    2003–04 Round 1 Béziers France 10 – 18 Connacht
    Connacht 11 – 13 France Béziers
    Round 2 Connacht 29 – 7 France Pau
    Pau France 10 – 6 Connacht
    Quarter-final Narbonne France 18 – 27 Connacht
    Connacht 16 – 10 France Narbonne
    Semi-final Harlequins England 31 – 22 Connacht
    Connacht 23 – 18 England Harlequins
    2004–05 Round 1 Narbonne France 25 – 11 Connacht
    Connacht 40 – 21 France Narbonne
    Round 2 Connacht 56 – 3 France Montpellier
    Montpellier France 19 – 14 Connacht
    Quarter-final Grenoble France 21 – 26 Connacht
    Connacht 19 – 3 France Grenoble
    Semi-final Connacht 18 – 25 England Sale Sharks
    Sale Sharks England 59 – 9 Connacht
    2005–06 2nd 6 4 0 2 190 119 71 4 20
    Quarter-final Newcastle Falcons England 23 – 3 Connacht
    2006–07 3rd 6 1 0 5 119 150 -31 4 8
    2007–08 3rd 6 3 0 3 172 97 75 3 15
    2008–09 2nd 6 4 0 2 159 140 19 3 19
    Quarter-final Northampton Saints England 42 – 13 Connacht
    2009–10 1st 6 6 0 0 199 63 136 2 26
    Quarter-final Connacht 23 – 20 France Bourgoin
    Semi-final Connacht 12 – 19 France Toulon
    2010–11 2nd 6 3 0 3 173 99 74 3 15
    2014–15 – 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

    Coaching and Management Team

    Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under IRB eligibility rules. Individuals may hold more than one non-IRB nationality.

    Role Name Union
    Head Coach Pat Lam[61]  Samoa [lower-alpha 2]
    Assistant Coach Dan McFarland[61]  Ireland
    Backs/Kicking Coach Andre Bell[62]  New Zealand
    Skills Coach Dave Ellis[61]  New Zealand
    Chief Executive Willie Ruane[63]  Ireland
    Team Manager Tim Allnut[61]  New Zealand
    Academy Manager/
    Eagles Head Coach    		 Nigel Carolan[61]  Ireland
    Resource Coach(es) Cory Browne[61]
    Jimmy Duffy[61]    		  New Zealand
     Ireland
    Head of Fitness Paul Bunce[64]  New Zealand
    Performance Analyst Conor McPhillips[61]  Ireland
    Head Physio Gavin Malouf[61]  Australia

    Current Squad

    For player movements leading up to the 2015–16 season, see List of 2015–16 Pro12 transfers#Connacht.

    Senior Playing Squad

    2014/15 [65] Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

    Player Position Union
    Jason Harris-Wright Hooker Ireland Ireland
    Dave Heffernan Hooker Ireland Ireland
    Seán Henry Hooker Ireland Ireland
    Tom McCartney Hooker New Zealand New Zealand
    Rodney Ah You Prop Ireland Ireland
    Finlay Bealham Prop Ireland Ireland
    Denis Buckley Prop Ireland Ireland
    JP Cooney Prop Ireland Ireland
    Ronan Loughney Prop Ireland Ireland
    Nathan White Prop Ireland Ireland
    Mick Kearney Lock Ireland Ireland
    Aly Muldowney* Lock Scotland Scotland
    Danny Qualter Lock Ireland Ireland
    Quinn Roux Lock South Africa South Africa
    Michael Swift* Lock England England
    Andrew Browne Flanker Ireland Ireland
    Mata Fafita* Flanker Tonga Tonga
    Willie Faloon Flanker Ireland Ireland
    Jake Heenan Flanker New Zealand New Zealand
    John Muldoon (c) Flanker Ireland Ireland
    Eoin McKeon Number 8 Ireland Ireland
    George Naoupu Number 8 New Zealand New Zealand
    Player Position Union
    John Cooney Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
    Kieran Marmion Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
    Ian Porter Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
    Jack Carty Fly-half Ireland Ireland
    Miah Nikora* Fly-half New Zealand New Zealand
    Craig Ronaldson Fly-half Ireland Ireland
    Bundee Aki Centre New Zealand New Zealand
    Conor Finn Centre Ireland Ireland
    Robbie Henshaw Centre Ireland Ireland
    Dave McSharry Centre Ireland Ireland
    Shane O'Leary* Centre Canada Canada
    Niyi Adeolokun* Wing Nigeria Nigeria
    Fionn Carr Wing Ireland Ireland
    Matt Healy Wing Ireland Ireland
    Tiernan O'Halloran Wing Ireland Ireland
    Danie Poolman Wing South Africa South Africa
    Shane Layden Fullback Ireland Ireland
    Darragh Leader Fullback Ireland Ireland
    Mils Muliaina Fullback New Zealand New Zealand

    Academy Squad

    [66] Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

    Player Position Union
    Jack Dineen Hooker Ireland Ireland year 1
    Jamie Dever Prop Ireland Ireland year 2
    Saba Meunargia Prop Georgia (country) Georgia year 2
    Jacob Walshe Prop Ireland Ireland year 2
    Ultan Dillane Lock Ireland Ireland year 3
    Sean O'Brien Lock Ireland Ireland year 2
    James Connolly Flanker Ireland Ireland year 2
    Marc Kelly Flanker Ireland Ireland year 1
    Eoghan Masterson Flanker Ireland Ireland year 2
    Rory Moloney Number 8 Ireland Ireland year 2
    Player Position Union
    Caolin Blade Scrum-half Ireland Ireland year 2
    Conor McKeon Outside-half Ireland Ireland year 1
    Rory Parata Centre New Zealand New Zealand year 2
    Peter Robb Centre Ireland Ireland year 1
    Ciaran Gaffney Wing Ireland Ireland year 1
    David Panter Fullback England England year 2

    Notable players

    See also Category:Connacht Rugby players

    Ireland

    The following Connacht players have represented Ireland at full international level.

    British and Irish Lions

    The following Connacht players have also represented the British and Irish Lions.[80]

    (c) Tour Captain

    Overseas Internationals

    Captains in the Professional Era

    Player Years
    Kevin Devlin
    1996–1997
    Graham Heaslip[82]
    1997–1998
    Eric Elwood
    1998–2000
    Mark McConnell[83][84]
    2000–2002
    Tim Allnut[85]
    2002–2004
    Andrew Farley[86]
    2004–2006
    John Fogarty[87]
    2006–2007
    Andrew Farley[86]
    2007–2008
    John Muldoon[88]
    2008–2011
    Gavin Duffy[15]
    2011–2013
    Gavin Duffy
    John Muldoon
    Michael Swift[89]
    2013
    Craig Clarke[90]
    2013–2014
    John Muldoon[91]
    2014–present

    Head Coaches in Professional Era

    Coach First Season Final Season
    Warren Gatland
    1996–97
    1997–98
    Glenn Ross[6]
    1998–99
    1999–2000
    Steph Nel
    2000–01
    2003–04
    Michael Bradley
    2003–04
    2009–10
    Eric Elwood
    2010–11
    2012–13
    Pat Lam
    2013–14

    Representative Clubs

    Senior Clubs

    Senior clubs are the top level of club within the province. Connacht is currently represented by 4 teams in the All-Ireland League (AIL),[92] which is the IRFU's primary senior club competition. No club from Connacht has won the AIL. The teams from Connacht are:

    Junior Clubs

    Junior clubs are the next level down in the province's development ladder. Connacht has 20 junior clubs for 2013–14:[93]

    • Ballina RFC
    • Ballinasloe RFC
    • Ballinrobe RFC
    • Ballyhaunis RFC
    • Carrick-on-Shannon RFC
    • Castlebar RFC
    • Claremorris RFC
    • Connemara RFC
    • Corrib RFC
    • Creggs RFC
    • Dunmore RFC
    • Gort RFC
    • Loughrea RFC
    • Monivea RFC
    • NUI Galway RFC
    • Our Lady's Boys Club RFC
    • Oughterard RFC
    • Portumna RFC
    • Tuam RFC
    • Westport RFC

    Youth Clubs

    Also known as 'mini rugby clubs' these teams are another level below the Junior Clubs, but unlike Senior and Junior Clubs they have no Adult sides. The mini rugby clubs for 2013–14 are:[94]

    Club and Schools Competitions

    Club

    Schools

    See also

    Notes

    1. ↑ Normal capacity is 7,500 but can be expanded to 9,500 with the addition of temporary seating.
    2. ↑ New Zealand-born and qualified for Samoa, Lam has represented both countries, but last played rugby for Samoa.

    References

    1. ↑ faktura.co.uk
    2. ↑ Grassroots to Greenshirts - Connacht Rugby
    3. ↑ "Connacht To Celebrate 125 Years At Annual Awards". Irish Rugby. 25 April 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
    4. ↑ "Clubs". Connacht Rugby. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
    5. ↑ Howitt (2005), p.8
    6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Connacht announce new coach". ESPN Scrum. 29 June 2000. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
    7. ↑ "Play-Off History". RaboDirect Pro12. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
    8. ↑ "Connacht fans in IRFU protest". BBC Sport. 24 January 2003.
    9. ↑ "Designing the future of Connacht Rugby". The Roar. 31 March 2010.
    10. ↑ "Michael Bradley to Replace Steph Nel at Connacht". Munster Rugby. 28 April 2003.
    11. ↑ "Bradley set to leave Connacht". RTÉ Sport. 3 November 2009.
    12. ↑ "Swift Becomes Connacht's Most-Capped Player". Irish Rugby. 14 December 2009.
    13. ↑ "Ireland Under-20s: A Season To Remember". Irish Rugby. 17 March 2007.
    14. ↑ "Connacht handed Heineken Cup place". ESPN Scrum. 22 May 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
    15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Duffy announced as Connacht captain". ERC. 31 August 2011.
    16. ↑ "Connacht 9-8 Harlequins". RTÉ Sport. 20 January 2012.
    17. ↑ "Connacht Rugby, Connacht Clan March". 5 September 2011.
    18. ↑ "ERC, Connacht season ticket sales over 3,000 mark". 19 September 2011.
    19. ↑ "19 September 2011".
    20. ↑ "Connacht Rugby looking forward 2012/2013 season". Sports News Ireland. 19 June 2012.
    21. ↑ "3 provinces see Pro12 attendance increases but Munster in decline". The Score. 23 April 2013.
    22. ↑ "Leinster fall to five-star Connacht". Rabo Direct Pro12. 9 September 2012.
    23. ↑ "Heineken Cup: Connacht 22-14 Biarritz". BBC Sport. 7 December 2012.
    24. ↑ "Eric Elwood departure from Connacht confirmed". RTÉ Sport. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
    25. ↑ "Connacht hooker Adrian Flavin to retire at the end of this season". BBC Sport. 8 April 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
    26. ↑ "Ireland and Connacht legend Johnny ‘Concrete’ O’Connor retires from pro rugby". Irish Independent. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
    27. ↑ "Lam Appointed As Connacht Head Coach". Irish Rugby. 12 January 2013.
    28. ↑ "Leinster edge past unlucky Connacht". RTÉ Sport. 27 October 2013.
    29. ↑ "Connacht slay Dragons at Rodney Parade for bonus point win". The Score. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
    30. ↑ "Saracens forced to fight tooth and nail in fight against Connacht". Irish Independent. 11 October 2013.
    31. ↑ "Toulouse 14 Connacht 16". Daily Telegraph (London). 8 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
    32. ↑ "Lam basks in glow of Connacht's finest hour". Irish Independent. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
    33. ↑ "Connacht diehards shock French aristocrats". Irish Examiner. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
    34. ↑ "Report: Record try haul for rampant Sarries". ERC. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
    35. ↑ "Reprieve for Connacht rugby in IRFU rethink on provinces". Irish Times. 31 January 2003. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
    36. ↑ "Connacht boosted by over €1 million in extra funding from IRFU". The Score. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
    37. ↑ "Eight Players To Join Connacht Academy Ranks". Irish Rugby. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
    38. ↑ "Five Players Rewarded with New Deals". Connacht Rugby. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
    39. ↑ "Connacht Players in Ireland U20s". Connacht Rugby: Club & Community. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
    40. ↑ "Connacht Academy manager backs Henshaw and Marmion for international stardom". The Score. 13 March 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
    41. ↑ "Munster confirm Ian Keatley signing and secure future of eleven players". JOE.ie.
    42. ↑ "Sean Cronin signs two year deal with Leinster". Leinster Rugby. 24 January 2011.
    43. ↑ "Leinster announce hat-trick of signings". Sport News. 28 March 2011.
    44. ↑ "Browne And Carr On Their Way To Leinster". Irish Rugby. 4 May 2011.
    45. ↑ "Mike McCarthy to leave Connacht for Leinster". RTÉ News. 12 December 2012.
    46. ↑ "Connacht fury as Blues sign McCarthy". The Irish Examiner. 13 December 2012.
    47. ↑ "European rugby dispute resolved with creation of the Champions Cup". Irish Independent. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
    48. ↑ "O'Connell: We must do justice to new-look Thomond". Irish Independent. 26 November 2012.
    49. ↑ Rugby fans line out for grandstand view - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk
    50. ↑ Leinster's RDS Arena home to get massive €17m revamp - Herald.ie
    51. ↑ "Connacht Excited About Redeveloped Sportsground". Irish Rugby. 13 July 2011.
    52. ↑ "B&I Cup set to arrive in Connacht". Connacht Rugby. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
    53. ↑ "Two from two for the Eagles". Connacht Rugby. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
    54. ↑ "The British & Irish Cup will provide some great opportunities for a lot of the academy members to play with the Connacht Eagles.""Connacht Eagles welcome Munster A's to the Sportsground". Connacht Rugby. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
    55. ↑ "due to a lot of our development players on duty in Glasgow this weekend we have tapped into the talent pool of the Club game for tomorrow’s match.""Connacht Eagles to take on Munster A in Limerick". Connacht Rugby. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
    56. ↑ Heraldry in Ireland, The National Library of Ireland
    57. ↑ "Connacht strike new deal with Australian kit suppliers". Galway Advertiser. 20 June 2013.
    58. ↑ "New title sponsor announced for Connacht Rugby". Galway Advertiser. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
    59. ↑ Competition Rule 3.5 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro12. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
    60. ↑ "Future of European Rugby resolved" (Press release). RFU. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
    61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 61.2 61.3 61.4 61.5 61.6 61.7 61.8 "Management Team". Connacht Rugby. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
    62. ↑ "Connacht sign New Zealander Andre Bell as backs and kicking coach". RTÉ Sport. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
    63. ↑ "Connacht appoint Willie Ruane as new CEO". Irish Independent. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
    64. ↑ "New Head Of Fitness And Increased Funding For Connacht". Irish Rugby. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
    65. ↑ http://www.thescore.ie/connacht-201415-transfer-niyi-adeolokun-1520053-Jun2014/
    66. ↑ http://www.thescore.ie/ireland-u20s-peter-robb-connacht-1534606-Jun2014/
    67. ↑ http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/31990.php
    68. ↑ http://www.irishrugby.ie/227_7678.php?includeref=dynamic&filter=yes&searchname=dooley
    69. ↑ http://www.galwegians.ie/page.asp?menu=89&page=228
    70. ↑ http://www.irishrugby.ie/227_7678.php?player=23920&includeref=dynamic
    71. ↑ http://www.irishrugby.ie/227_7678.php?player=24066&includeref=dynamic
    72. ↑ http://www.irishrugby.ie/227_7678.php?player=24090&includeref=dynamic
    73. ↑ http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/squads_ireland.php?player=62013&includeref=dynamic
    74. ↑ Ireland Squad | Profiles : Irish Rugby | Official Website
    75. ↑ http://www.irishrugby.ie/227_7678.php?player=4267&includeref=dynamic
    76. ↑ http://www.irishrugby.ie/227_7678.php?player=4044&includeref=dynamic
    77. ↑ http://www.irishrugby.ie/227_7678.php?player=24276&includeref=dynamic
    78. ↑ http://www.galwayindependent.com/sport/sport/tony-o%92sullivan-%97-the-passing-of-connacht%92s-first-rugby-icon/
    79. ↑ http://www.irishrugby.ie/227_7678.php?player=24361&includeref=dynamic
    80. ↑ The Ireland Rugby Miscellany (2007): Ciaran Cronin
    81. ↑ www.irishrugby.ie
    82. ↑ "Cool Heaslip awaits Ireland call". Irish Examiner. 19 February 2008. Graham was captain of a Connacht side that claimed a famous European Shield win over Bordeaux-Begles 11 years ago
    83. ↑ "McConnell gets seven-week ban". ESPN Scrum. 8 September 2000. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
    84. ↑ "Rugby: Connacht missing four for Sale clash". BreakingNews.ie. 26 October 2001. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
    85. ↑ "Allnutt to lead Connacht". BreakingNews.ie. 11 August 2003. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
    86. ↑ 86.0 86.1 "Farley chosen as Connacht skipper". RaboDirectPRO12. 27 July 2007.
    87. ↑ "John Fogarty to captain Connacht". ERC. 9 August 2006.
    88. ↑ "Muldoon the man to skipper Connacht". RTÉ Sport. 6 August 2008.
    89. ↑ "Connacht name Club Captains". RaboDirectPro12. 27 August 2013.
    90. ↑ Fallon, John (4 December 2013). "Clarke asked to captain Connacht as Mafi looks forward to return from suspension". Daily Mail (London).
    91. ↑ "‘Ultimate Connacht Man’ John Muldoon named captain for new season". The Score. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
    92. ↑ "Ulster Bank League Tables". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
    93. ↑ Junior Clubs 2013-14 | Clubs
    94. ↑ Mini Rugby Clubs 2013-14 | Clubs

    External links

    Sources