Connacht Rugby

Connacht Rugby

Founded	1885
Location	Castlebar City, Ireland
Ground(s)	Galway Sportsgrounds (Capacity: 9,500)
Chairman	Stephen Cunningham
Coach(es)	Director of Coaching: Eric Elwood Team Manager: Tim Allnutt Assistant Coach: Dan McFarland Backs Coach: Brian Melrose Defence Coach: Mike Forshaw Video Analyst: Conor McPhillips
Captain(s)	Gavin Duffy
League(s)	Celtic League
2011–12 Rabo Direct Pro 12	11th
1st kit 2nd kit
Official website
www.connachtrugby.ie

Connacht Rugby (more commonly known as Connacht) is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 comprising teams from the Celtic nations plus Italy. Normally, it also competes in the second-tier pan-European club competition, the European Challenge Cup. However, in the upcoming 2011–12 season Connacht will instead compete in the top-tier Heineken Cup. The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union's (IRFU) Connacht Branch, one of four primary branches of the IRFU. As such, it is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Connacht.

The team plays its home games at the Galway Sportsgrounds, which can normally hold 5,000 spectators though is expandable to 9,500 for important games. Connacht play in a predominantly green jersey with some black, black shorts and green and black 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.

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. Connacht has only 7% of the total number of Irish rugby union players currently; however the rugby union in Connacht has expanded in recent years, with a growing number of players involved and an increasing number of schools now playing the game.

Through the work of the Connacht Branch and the support of the IRFU, the province over the last five years has had the largest growth in underage and schools participation in Ireland.

History

The Connacht Branch of the IRFU was founded in 1885 and is currently made up of 19 clubs. Connacht was the first ever Irish provincial team to win in France and England in 1997. Connacht were quarter finalists in the European Challenge Cup in 1997/98. In 2001/02 Connacht made it to the semi -finals of the Celtic League, but only reached the quarters in 2002/03.

The 2003/04 season was the most successful in the province's history. Their efforts in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup took them to within touching distance of the final. Only a try from Harlequins' Will Greenwood 12 minutes from time in the second leg of the semi-final denied them a place in the final. Harlequins went on to win the final at Reading's Madejski Stadium. They also got to the semi-final of the Celtic Cup. The 2004/05 season saw Connacht continue their form in the European Challenge cup, reaching the semi-finals where they were knocked out again over two legs by the eventual winners, Sale Sharks.

Until the 2005/06 season, the IRFU automatically entered Connacht in the European Challenge Cup each year rather than the Heineken Cup, regardless of its result in the Celtic League. Starting with the 2004/05 season, the IRFU agreed to use the Celtic League table as its sole criterion for determining which Irish teams would enter the next season's Heineken Cup. In that season, Connacht finished last among the competition's four Irish sides, which placed them in the 2005/06 European Challenge Cup. They have played in the European Challenge Cup every season since.

Connacht will make their first-ever Heineken Cup appearance in 2011–12, thanks to Leinster winning the 2011 Heineken Cup Final. By competition rules, the winner of the Heineken Cup receives an automatic berth in the following year's competition, which passes to another team from that country if the winner is already qualified by domestic performance (with exceptions that do not apply to Ireland). As Leinster were qualified through the Celtic League, Connacht claimed the extra berth.

Current Standings

Pro 12 League Table
	Club	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points For	Points Against	Points Difference	Tries For	Tries Against	Try Bonus	Losing Bonus	Points
1	Leinster	13	11	0	2	346	218	+128	29	19	3	1	48
2	Ospreys	13	9	1	3	273	208	+65	20	13	0	1	39
3	Munster	13	8	0	5	277	214	+63	24	14	3	3	38
4	Glasgow Warriors	13	7	2	4	251	214	+37	16	15	1	2	35
5	Scarlets	13	7	1	5	228	205	+23	18	14	1	3	34
6	Ulster	13	7	0	6	268	253	+15	27	23	2	1	31
7	Cardiff Blues	12	6	0	6	269	252	+17	25	21	4	3	31
8	Benetton Treviso	13	6	0	7	269	270	-1	23	24	2	2	28
9	Edinburgh	13	4	1	8	290	323	-33	27	32	1	3	22
10	Newport Gwent Dragons	12	3	1	8	185	259	-74	12	22	0	3	17
11	Connacht	13	3	0	10	166	247	-81	14	19	0	5	17
12	Aironi	13	3	0	10	183	342	-159	14	33	1	1	14
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: number of matches won; the difference between points for and points against; the number of tries scored; the most points scored; the difference between tries for and tries against; the fewest number of red cards received; the fewest number of yellow cards received.
Green background (rows 1 to 4) are play-off places. Qualification for Heineken Cup is based on each country's allocation, i.e. three highest-ranked Irish teams, three highest-ranked Welsh teams, both Italian teams and both Scottish teams. Updated 10 January 2012. Source: RaboDirect PRO12 Notes:

Development Team Status

With a smaller playing population than the other provinces, a larger proportion of its players are recruited from within the rest of Ireland usually as promising former Under-21 or Youth Internationals. In recent years however a growing number of young Connacht born players are progressing from the province's under-age rugby sides via development contracts into the senior squad. However funding inequalities from the IRFU compared to that of the other three Irish provinces means that Connacht players who develop are often prone to being recruited by the other provinces and clubs outside Ireland.

The Irish Rugby Football Union IRFU has designated Connacht as a development team, which means that it receives only half the budget of the other Irish Provincial teams. In recent years the IRFU discussed whether they should be closed down as a means of cost saving by the IRFU, as has happened to the Scottish super district Caledonia Reds and the Welsh region Celtic Warriors, and more recently Border Reivers. This attitude towards rugby in Connacht have provided much aggravation to the teams supporters who consider Connacht Rugbys underfunding and lack of resources debilitating and wholly unfair.

However, despite the threat of closure in the past and the lack of equality of funding, the province has acquitted itself well in all competition and has excelled in the European Challenge Cup in which it has reached two semi-finals and a quarter-final in the last three seasons. This season has seen a change for the better in regards to squad strengthening, with prominent players for the first time returning to the club to fight for Ireland selection and a promotion to the Heineken Cup for the Connacht Rugby team.

Galway Sportsground

The historical home of Connacht Rugby since the late 1920s, the Galway Sportsground (or "the Sportsground" as it's known locally) is also well known as a charmingly spartan and inhospitable venue for many visiting teams especially in the depth of and Irish winter. In an age of gleaming Cathedrals of Sport and despite some modst development the Sportsground harks back to a era before professional Rugby. As the ground itself is actually owned by a third party "The Galway Agricultural & Sports Society Ltd." and leased to both Connacht Rugby & the Irish Greyhound Bord. Due primarily to this issue the development of the ground has over the years lagged some way behind the home grounds of the other Irish provinces, who with the IRFU's benevolence have forged ahead in implementing modern facilities for both visiting teams, corporate guests and Supporters alike and benefitting financially from the increased revenue streams. This extra revenue has allowed them to recruit blue chip players from abroad further boosting attendances and widening the gap between the other provinces and Connacht...

2011-2012

Connacht Rugby will participate in European Rugby's blue riband competition the Heineken Cup in season 2011-2012. This has spurred a new phase of development at the Sportsground to extend formal capacity to 7,500 supporters.

With the existing Clubhouse terrace being knocked down to be replaced by a covered Terrace which will be called "the Clan Terrace". This terrace will primarily house season ticket holders/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 repalced itself by a stand 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 new marquee bar, food outlets and restroom facilities on the Clubhouse side of the ground.

The second part of the development will be the erection of a covered, seated "West Stand", adjacent to the existing main stand. This stand will cater for over 300 supporters in a structure that will be similar to that which was in place for Connacht’s Amlin Challenge Cup semi final against Toulon in 2010. The new West Stand, along with the developments on the new Clan side are anticipated to greatly improve overall facilities within the Sportsground and help make the home of Connacht Rugby a fun, safe and enjoyable venue for years to come.

Colours and Logo

Bath Rugby v Connacht Rugby – 28 October 2006

The eagle and sword arm crest used by Connacht are said to have been granted to Ruaidhri Ua Conchobhair King of Connacht by the Schottenkloster or Irish monastery founded in Regensburg, Bavaria in the 11th century.

The current kit consists of a green shirt with black trimming, black shorts and black socks with green trimming. The away kit is all black.

Strangely the traditional colours of the Connacht province and flag are blue, black and white with no green present, the reasons for its presence on the Connacht Rugby kit are unknown as it not used on underage teams who wear a blue and white/black kit matching the flag.

The kit is manufactured and supplied by Rugbytech (a division of Irish sports store chain Elverys), and the main shirt sponsors are Mazda.

Representative Senior Clubs

In the AIB League, Connacht is represented by Galwegians RFC and Buccaneers RFC in Division 1B. Connacht's other senior clubs are Galway Corinthians RFC in Division 2 and Connemara RFC who are playing in Division 3.

Provincial Honours

Competition Championships Best Result Irish Inter-Provinical Championship 2 Champions: Celtic League 0 9th: 2003–04 Heineken Cup 0 N/A — first appearance in 2011–12 European Challenge Cup 0 Semi-finalists: 2003–04, 2004–05 & 2009–10 Season records Celtic League History Celtic League results Year Played Win Draw Loss PF PA Diff BP Points Place 2010/11 22 7 1 14 394 459 −65 9 39 9th 2009/10 18 5 1 12 254 459 – 205 4 26 10th 2008/09 18 4 0 14 224 460 – 236 4 20 10th 2007/08 18 5 1 12 214 396 – 182 2 24 10th 2006/07 20 4 2 14 326 474 – 148 6 26 10th 2005/06 22 6 0 14 325 466 – 141 5 37 10th 2004/05 20 7 1 12 317 407 – 90 7 37 10th 2003/04 22 8 2 12 479 550 −71 8 44 9th Coaches in Professional Era Coaches Name Start Finish Eric Elwood 2010 / 2011 – Michael Bradley 2003 / 04 2009 / 10 Steph Nel 2000 / 01 2003 / 04 Warren Gatland 1996 / 97 1998 / 99 Current squad 2011-12 squad Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under IRB eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-IRB nationality. Player Position Union Adrian Flavin Hooker Ireland Dermot Murphy Hooker Ireland Ethienne Reynecke Hooker South Africa Rodney Ah You Prop New Zealand Ronan Loughney Prop Ireland Stewart Maguire Prop Ireland Dylan Rogers Prop South Africa Jamie Stephens Prop Ireland Brett Wilkinson Prop Ireland Andrew Browne Lock Ireland David Gannon Lock Ireland Mike McCarthy Lock Ireland David Nolan Lock Ireland Michael Swift* Lock England TJ Anderson Flanker Ireland Eoghan Grace Flanker Ireland Eoin McKeon Flanker Ireland John Muldoon (c) Flanker Ireland Johnny O'Connor Flanker Ireland Ray Ofisa Flanker Samoa George Naoupu Number 8 New Zealand Player Position Union David Moore Scrum-half Ireland Frank Murphy Scrum-half Ireland Paul O'Donohoe Scrum-half Ireland Matthew Jarvis* Outside-half Wales Miah Nikora Outside-half New Zealand Niall O'Connor Outside-half Ireland Henry Fa'afili Centre Samoa Eoin Griffin Centre Ireland Kyle Tonetti Centre Ireland David McSharry Centre Ireland James Loxton* Wing Wales Mark McCrea Wing Ireland Brian Tuohy Wing Ireland Tiernan O'Halloran Wing Ireland Fetu'u Vainikolo Wing Tonga Gavin Duffy Fullback Ireland} Players qualified to play for Ireland on dual nationality or residency grounds*. Senior 15's internationally capped players in bold. Players In Season 2011/12 George Naoupu from Kobe Steel Niall O'Connor from Ulster Mark McCrea from Ulster Matthew Jarvis* from Ospreys James Loxton* from Cardiff Blues TJ Anderson from Ulster Stewart Maguire from Leinster Academy Ethienne Reynecke from Saracens Fetu'u Vainikolo from Highlanders David Moore from Harlequins Eoin McKeon promoted from Academy Paul O'Donohoe from Leinster Eoghan Grace from Exeter Chiefs Henry Fa'afili from Leeds Carnegie David Gannon from Exeter Chiefs Kyle Tonetti from Sale Sharks David McSharry from UCD Rugby Players Out Season 2011/12 Ian Keatley to Munster Sean Cronin to Leinster Jamie Hagan to Leinster Mike McCormish to Ulster Conor O'Loughlin retired due to injury Fionn Carr to Leinster Troy Nathan to Glasgow Warriors Cillian Willis to Leinster Bernie Upton to Toshiba Brave Lupus Niva Ta'auso to Counties Manukau Aidan Wynne to Leinster AIL Club Shane Monahan to Rotherham R.U.F.C. Darragh Fanning to Tuggeranong Vikings Liam Bibo Ezra Taylor Notable players See also Category:Connacht Rugby players Ireland The following Connacht players have represented Ireland at full international level. Peter Bracken Tony Buckley Kieran Campbell Victor Costello Sean Cronin Gavin Duffy Johnny Dooley Pat Duignan Eric Elwood Ciaran Fitzgerald Jerry Flannery Simon Geoghegan Brendan Guerin Bernard Jackman Ian Keatley Charles Lydon Noel Mannion Mark McHugh Ray McLoughlin Matt Mostyn John Muldoon Mike McCarthy Johnny O'Connor John O'Driscoll Tony O'Sullivan Eoin Reddan Richard "Dickie" Roche Jim Staples Stephen Blake-Knox Tom Tierney British and Irish Lions The following Connacht players have also represented the British and Irish Lions. Ray McLoughlin: 1966 John O'Driscoll: 1980, 1983 Ciaran Fitzgerald: 1983 Overseas Internationals Warwick Waugh Robbie Morris Gavin Williams Eric Peters Ofisa Treviranus Ray Ofisa Club & Schools Competitions Club Connacht Senior Cup Connacht Senior League Connacht Junior Cup Schools Connacht Schools Senior Cup Connacht Schools Junior Cup See also Celtic League Heineken Cup European Challenge Cup References External links Official Site ConnachtFans - Unofficial Supporters Site KnockOn.ie: Coverage Of All Levels Of Rugby In Connacht Connacht information and stat on ItsRugby.co.uk ercrugby Profile Sources Various information is taken from "Rugby in Connacht" written by Galway sports journalist Ralph O'Gorman and published by Kenny's Bookshop, Galway. IRFU Annual Report 2007-2008 IRFU Annual Report 2006-2007 IRFU Annual Report 2005-2006 IRFU Annual Report 2004-2005