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Brief History of Rugby in Connacht The Connacht Branch was founded in 1885.The following clubs were represented at that meeting Ballinasloe, Castlebar, Galway Town, Galway Grammar School, Queen College Galway and Ranelagh School Athlone. Ballinasloe as part of Buccaneers RFC, Castlebar and Queens College now UCG still survive.
The Branch is administered by an Executive Committee, and since 1999 by a CEO. There are 29 clubs currently affiliated to the Branch. four of these clubs Buccaneers (DIV 1B), Galwegians (DIV 1B), Connemara (Div 3) and Corithians (DIV 2) play in the All Ireland National League. Nineteen clubs (& 4 Senior 2nds teams) play in the Junior Provincial Leagues, they are: Creggs, Sligo, UCG, Westport, Ballina, Ballinasloe, Ballinrobe, Ballyhaunis, Castlebar, Corrib, Dunmore, Gort, Loughrea, Monivea , OLBC, Portumna, Carrick-on-Shannon, Tuam and West Offally Lions. There are also six youth clubs, An Ghaeltacht, Oughterard, Erris, Ballaghadreen, Barna and Claremorris. The growth of the game in schools has gathered pace in recent seasons and the game now has a large presence in primary and secondary schools accross the Province. The Branch Headquarters is at Galway Sportsground, a ground shared with Bord na gCon. Teams representing the Connacht Branch play in all Interprovincial competitions, the Magners League and the Amiln Challenge Cup. The Connacht Senior Cup was first played for in 1886 with Galway town as its first winners. The Connacht Junior Cup was first played for in 1905 and the first winners were St Ignatius College Galway now know as Colainte Iognaid. For directions to the Sportsground please click here:
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