Ronan Loughney looks forward to the New Years Day clash with Leinster.

The Galway native former Ireland U18, U19 & U21 prop forward has played most of his rugby at loosehead but has been excelling at tighthead this season. 27 year old Loughney, who is just 6 caps short of 100 for the Province, has been looking forward to the inter-pro clash with Leinster:

“We recognise that every game is an opportunity to put this losing streak behind us so we’re all looking forward to the game.

Were a tight squad, we recognise that were in this together and the only way we’ll get out of this is by working together. We’re doing a lot of good stuff and we know that in all the games we’ve let slip we just need to get the small things right to make the difference.

We believe in the game plan that we put in place for games, we believe in what we’re doing and it’s those small things that we need to get right, cut out the small errors and that’ll be the difference between getting over the line and then getting the win.

Connacht Rugby have announced the team that will face Leinster in the Sportsground this New Years Day.

Mick Kearney earns his first competitive start for the Province at blindside flanker replacing Dave Gannon who came off with a knee injury on Monday. The 20 year old academy forward, who stands at 6 foot 5 inches, is a former Mount Temple Comprehensive pupil and has represented Ireland U18, U20 & Irish Colleges. He earned his first cap for Connacht against the Ospreys this season and has appeared 5 times since then.

The other change in the pack sees Adrian Flavin replace Ethienne Reynecke at hooker. With over 117 caps Flavin is one of Connacht’s most experienced players and even allowing for Mick Kearney’s youth the pack boasts 765 caps between them

There are 3 changes to the starting backline. Frank Murphy makes way for Paul O’Donohoe at scrumhalf, Brian Tuohy replaces Fetu’u Vainikolo on the wing and Connacht’s newest signing Kyle Tonetti takes over from the injured Dave McSharry. Tonetti joined Connacht from Sale Sharks earlier this season and steps in for McSharry who required stitches to his chin following the St Stephens Day clash with Munster.

The last remaining tickets are still available for this match and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ie

Connacht XV to face Leinster (The Sportsground – Sunday 1st January 17.00)

15 Gavin Duffy (C)

14 Brian Tuohy

13 Eoin Griffin

12 Kyle Tonetti

11 Tiernan O’Halloran

10 Niall O’Connor

09 Paul O’Donohoe

01 Brett Wilkinson

02 Adrian Flavin

03 Ronan Loughney

04 George Naoupu

05 Mike McCarthy

06 Mick Kearney

07 Johnny O’connor

08 John Muldoon

16 Ethienne Reynecke

17 Denis Buckley

18 Dylan Rogers

19 Eoin McKeon

20 TJ Anderson

21 Frank Murphy

22 Matthew Jarvis

23 Henry Fa’afili

With just four days to go until the New Year ’s Day derby clash against Leinster, tickets are selling fast. The European Champions travel to the Sportsground on the back of a 12 game unbeaten run and their 42-13 defeat of Ulster last weekend has put them six points clear at the top of the RaboDirect PRO12 table. However Connacht have a good home record against Leinster winning two of the last three games in the Sportsground.

Tickets are just €20 and on sale now from the Connacht Branch office in the Sportsground or online through Ticketmaster. 

Connacht Rugby and the NCBI (The national sight loss organisation)

Connacht Rugby recently donated 4 season tickets to NCBI so that blind and low vision individuals in Galway can experience the atmosphere of the Sportsground on a matchday.

Speaking about the occasion CEO of Connacht Rugby Gerry Kelly said:

“With the increase in interest for tickets at the Sportsground, especially for our bigger Heineken Cup games, we have installed a number of temporary structures throughout the ground. Due to a quirk of the construction in one of these structures, the West Stand, there are a number of seats that have a restricted view of the pitch.  We pride ourselves in being an innovative organisation and are very conscious of our social responsibility and we felt the best way to marry these two characteristics was by donating these seats to the NCBI so that blind and low vision followers of the sport and Connacht rugby can enjoy the matchday experience at the Sportsground.”

Deirdre Towey of NCBI’s services in Galway, Thanking Connacht Rugby, said:

“We at NCBI appreciate the fact that Connacht Rugby have made this very kind and generous gesture.  It offers an opportunity for individuals to experience the electrifying atmosphere through actively participating in the support of our team during home games.  Go raibh maith agaibh"