3 days ago 
We return to United Rugby Championship action on Friday evening when we welcome The Ospreys to the Sportsground.
Check out the gallery from Tuesday’s Training session below:
Connacht Rugby, in conjunction with Mayo County Council, are delighted to announce a further development in our investment at grassroots rugby with the creation of a new Rugby Development Officer role in County Mayo.
This announcement comes on the back of a new strategic partnership between the two organisations, which will allow for increased funding for grassroots rugby in the county.
The successful applicant for this role will focus on a number of key pillars of rugby participation, including working directly with National & Secondary Schools, Women in Rugby, diverse communities, people with a disability and adult rugby. Targets will be set for each pillar to ensure an overall growth of playing numbers in Co. Mayo.
Joe Gorham, Head of Rugby Development at Connacht Rugby says, “We are delighted to partner with Mayo County Council in bringing a full time Rugby Development Officer role to the County. The Mayo RDO will be a huge asset to Connacht Rugby and to Mayo County Council in enabling more people across Co. Mayo to participate in sport and become active through Rugby.”
Catherine Mc Connell, Director of Services at Mayo County Council outlined, “We are pleased to collaborate with Connacht Rugby to promote the development of Rugby in the communities all around Mayo. Through our Strategic alliances we look forward to shaping this partnership to encourage greater participation in the sport for all levels and to promote the game across all groups and sectors of society in our County”
Further details on this new role will be published on www.connachtrugby.ie and www.mayo.ie in due course.
Connacht Rugby are delighted to announce a renewal of our partnership with Connacht Hospitality Group.
This hugely successful partnership has previously been synonymous with groups flagship property The Connacht Hotel but as the group has grown over the last few years the time is now right to expand the partnership.
The Connacht Hospitality Group, is widely regarded as one of Galways leading hospitality groups. They operate three hotels in Galway City, The Residence Hotel, The Forster Court Hotel, and flagship property The Connacht Hotel. They also operate a 24-hour Active Fitness Leisure Club as well as three leading licence premises including An Pucan,1520 Bar, HYDE Bar & Gin Parlour and most recently we took over the operations of Galway Bay Golf Resort with future plans to build a luxury 4-star hotel & spa on the resort.
Wayne Neilon, Group General Manager
“Our partnership with Connacht Rugby has always been a natural fit and we are excited to be able to extend this out to our wider Connacht Hospitality Group. The last 18 months have been challenging for both Connacht Rugby and our own teams but our shared values of hard work, resilience and team work have carried us through and we are very hopeful for our partnership into the future.
Philip Patterson, Head of Commercial & Marketing at Connacht Rugby says:
“It was a no-brainer to renew our agreement with Connacht Hospitality Group. They have been a huge supporter of ours down the years and provide wonderful services and facilities to both people living in Galway and visitors to the city. We look forward to continue to grow our relationship in the years ahead. “
Visit www.chgl.ie
The Ireland Women’s rugby team will host a two match series in November, welcoming the USA on the 12th and Japan on the 20th.
We are looking forward to once again having the opportunity to support our team after over 18 months of matches taking place behind closed doors.
Friday 12th November 2021 KO 19.15 Ireland Women v USA Women
Saturday 20th November 2021 KO 15.00 Ireland Women v Japan Women
The venue will be the RDS, which is set to become the new home for the Ireland Women’s squad.
We want to ensure that our players get the best ‘welcome back’ and housewarming gift that we can provide, which is as many of their supporters cheering them on as possible.
To help fill the stadium and turn it into the normal cauldron of noisy support for our Women’s team, there are a number of special ticket offers on sale via Ticketmaster here. Tickets are priced at €10 for stand, €7 for terrace, €5 for schoolboy/girl and €25 for Family Stand (2 adults, 2 kids). There is also a buy one, get one half price offer on all adult tickets.
We are also offering bus subsidies for clubs looking to bring a number of supporters to the matches.
If a club purchases 20 tickets or over, a subsidy of €200 will be offered.
If a club purchases 40 tickets or over, a subsidy of €400 will be offered.
Please ensure you read the terms and conditions below.
Terms and conditions that apply to this offer:
- There are a limited number of bus subsidies available and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
- The subsidy is available to all rugby clubs/schools who have complied with IRFU Safeguarding Standards.
- Any club interested in applying for the subsidy must show proof of purchase of the required number of tickets.
- To apply for the subsidy, clubs must be situated at least 40kms from the RDS.
- All buses booked must be exclusively for those travelling to a Women’s Autumn International.
- Subsidy payment will only be given to clubs/schools who received approval in advance of the relevant match (see below)
How to Apply
- Step 1: Club should purchase match day tickets online via Ticketmaster.
- Step 2: Contact the IRFU ([email protected]) in advance of the match and let us know your intention to apply for the bus subsidy. Email the Ticketmaster group booking confirmation to IRFU as proof of purchase of match day tickets (minimum 20 tickets, multiple group booking confirmation emails can be used as proof of purchase, e.g. if two clubs are sharing the same bus). You will be notified by IRFU via email of approval before the match takes place. No requests will be considered after a match has taken place.
- Step 3: Club pays the bus hire company for travel
- Step 4: Post-match – the Club must send/email a copy of the bus hire invoice/receipt to the IRFU as proof of travel, along with the Ticketmaster group booking confirmation email as proof of tickets purchased. All requests for the subsidy payment must be received by 15th December 2021.
- Step 5: IRFU reimburse the club the sum agreed.
Would you like to become part of Connacht Rugby?
Refereeing is a great way to get or stay involved in the game of Rugby as it puts you in the thick of the action. Whether you want to referee age grade games in your own area or aspire to refereeing at higher levels around the province and beyond, there is a place for you within the Association of Referees Connacht Branch. If keeping fit, meeting new people, being part of a club, personal development, contributing to the game of rugby in the province and having access to provincial and international tickets is for you then don’t hesitate. Contact us today.
The training and education involved in becoming a referee is a two-step process. First you must complete and an IRFU online module then attend an ARCB induction course. The induction course for new referees in Connacht will take place over two evenings on Monday 8th and Monday 15th of November. Please contact the referee development manager in your province to find out more and to register for the course.
Contact details and more information can be found on the IRFU website here https://www.irishrugby.ie/playing-the-game/refereeing/becoming-a-referee/
and on the Connacht Rugby website here https://www.connachtrugby.ie/community/becoming-a-referee/ .
Connacht Rugby battle training in the rain today ahead of their clash against Ulster Rugby this weekend in the Aviva Stadium. Check out the gallery below.
Have you bought your tickets yet? Join us at the Aviva this Saturday 23rd at 17:15
Following the success of last weekends game against the Vodacom Bulls, Connacht look ahead to their next home game. We welcome the Dragons to the Sportsground this Saturday at 17:15.
Check out the gallery below of this weeks training in preparation for the game.
To purchase tickets please go to this link connachtrugby.ie
We begin our inaugural United Rugby Championship campaign with a trip to face Cardiff Blues at 7:35 PM on Friday evening. Check out the gallery below from training this week.
Connacht Rugby in partnership with BLK Sport, have revealed their new ‘Away’ and ‘European’ kits as part of their kit launch for the 2021/22 season. The jerseys are made with BLK’s Tricool Exotek fabric throughout the main body, together with Lycra panelling. Tricool Exotek has been created exclusively for BLK to enhance athlete performance, whilst at the same time allowing for maximum player maneuverability.
The design of the new ‘Away’ jersey features a black base with green horizontal stripes across the main body, Connacht green gradient side panels with charcoal sleeves. The jersey also features BLK’s unique silicon gel logo application and new BLK collar detail. The jersey will be worn when Connacht Rugby compete away in the newly formed United Rugby Championship this season.
The design of the new ‘European’ jersey features a strong new teal green with cool grey branding. The jersey also features BLK’s unique silicon gel logo application and new BLK collar detail. The jersey will be worn when Connacht Rugby compete in this seasons Champions Cup.
Commenting on the unveiling of the new jerseys, Head of Commercial and Marketing at Connacht Rugby Philip Patterson said:
“We are really excited to be launching both our ‘Away’ and ‘European’ kits today. The team really like both the look and feel of them and now, whether playing away as part of the United Rugby Championship or competing away in the Heineken Champions Cup, the team will look great in kits that we have no doubt the fans will love too.”
Commenting on the new Connacht Rugby Home jersey, Bruce Wood, Head of Brand Ireland at BLK Sport, said: “We are delighted to be launching two new striking and different kits that we feel the players and fans will love, the new European jersey features a new teal green which is accented across the off field range, We’re looking forward to seeing players and fans at home and abroad supporting Connacht”.
The full Connacht Rugby range for the 2021/22 season is exclusively available instore and online from Official Retail Partners Intersport Elverys at Elverys.ie from Friday 27th August at 9.00am.
Go visit the shop at this link.
The Connacht Senior Women were back out training this week ahead of the Interpros this weekend. Check out the full gallery below.