DB CONvSCA URC Digital Match Programme

PRESIDENT’s
WELCOME
THank You To Our Partners for
their continued support
To all supporters,
I’m delighted to welcome you here to
Dexcom Stadium today for our latest
BKT United Rugby Championship fixture
against Welsh side Scarlets. I hope you
have a pleasant and enjoyable afternoon
at the home of rugby in Connacht.
This is our first home fixture in over 6
weeks so it’s great to be back. Last time
out was a truly memorable occasion,
as we made the historic renaming of
the ground official, and we finished our
Investec Champions Cup campaign on a
high with the win over Bristol – thereby
ensuring qualification to the knockouts of
the Challenge Cup. The prise is a trip to
Pau later in the season and I know there’s
plenty fans who’ve already booked flights
and tickets to make their way over there.
Stadium Partner
Official Partners
Principal Partner
It’s customary at this time of year for
Ireland to take centre stage, so I’m
thrilled that tonight’s game is another
sold-out affair. The appetite for live rugby
remains as high as ever, and with every
point crucial in the race to the playoffs, I
know you can make the difference to the
15 men who start tonight’s game.
The club & schools finals season has really
kicked into gear, with the Bank of Ireland
J1A and J1B League finals due to be played
here tomorrow. Then we have the Schools
Cup semi-finals next week, before the Bank
of Ireland Senior Cup final in Sligo a week
from today. The best of luck to all teams
taking part.
Today we celebrate Origin Round in
the URC, and pay tribute to the men
and women who helped our players on
their journey to the professional status
they now enjoy. Eight of Connacht’s
matchday 23 came through the Connacht
pathway system via our clubs, schools
and academy, and it’s brilliant that will
be wearing the socks of their respective
first club/school to acknowledge where
they came from. It’s particularly fitting in
Origin Round that Eoin de Buitlear enjoys
his first Connacht start today, given the
role that the community in An Cheathrú
Rua played in his development. A
congratulations to him and all his friends
and family.
While we continue to be impressed by the
Ireland senior and U20 teams in the Six
Nations, a particular congratulations must
go to the 14 women named in the Ireland
senior women and U18 squads. This is a
phenomenal number and speaks volumes of
the work that’s being done at all levels. Well
done everyone.
Finally I’d like to welcome our visitors from
Llanelli to the West of Ireland. We hope you
have a safe trip home and look forward to
returning the favour next season.
Michael O’Hehir
Connacht Rugby President, 2023/24
Irish
Official Suppliers

Experience the
exceptional
Set off on an extraordinary journey
with Qsuite, World’s Best Business
Class. Our award-winning service and
luxurious amenities transform your travel
into a five-star experience.
Enjoy exclusive on-demand dining,
privacy panels, quad seating, and superior
comfort that sets us apart. Experience the
epitome of five-star travel today.
Visit qatarairways.com

Y
uMr
#evY Y
PROUD TITLE SPONSOR OF THE
BKT UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Coach PREVIEW
“The positive thing was the win
for us in that game and that’s
what we did”
“We’re looking forward to being
back home this weekend against
Scarlets and being in front of
our supporters where we can
produce a quality performance
for them”
The last four games at Dexcom
Stadium have seen sell out
crowds and produced incredible
athmosphere in each of those
which Tucker expects again.
“Our supporters are fantastic
and its special being here on
good nights with the noise they
make and how they get behind
the team”
Heading into this game against
Scarlets the coaches have
plenty of bodies to choose in
the forwards which Tucker is
delighted about.
“Its a great place as coaches for
us to be in”
“It drives standards when you
have so many players available
to play and wanting to get in the
starting 15”
“The better you train the more
compeition and the better you
are”
It’s Round 11 of the BKT United
Rugby Championship (Origin
Round) and Connacht welcome
Scarlets to Dexcom Stadium
k/o 5.05pm.
It will be Connacht’s first home
game in over a month when
they last played Bristol in the
Champions Cup. Speaking
ahead of this weekends game
was Scrum & Contact coach
Colm Tucker.
“The first block of games we
had 13 games in-a-row and now
we’re in segmented areas”
“We saw against Cardiff the last
day out we were a bit rusty in
certain areas but we grinded
out the win which has given us
momentum where training has
been good as we look forward to
Scarlets”
Connacht came away from
Cardiff winning 16-12 at Cardiff
Arms Park in Round 10, a win that
keeps them very much in the hunt
for the play-offs.
“Conditions in Cardiff were
particularly hard which didn’t
help us or the game really”

OFFICIAL RETAIL PARTNER
Shop Now
Bank of Ireland is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Player PREVIEW
“I just love playing and being out
on the pitch with the lads”
“The big games like these are the
games you want to play in”
“There’s a buzz in these games that
just give you that extra kick”
“From previous interpro derbies
you have to take a quick moment
and look around just to see what
size the crowd is”
“I know it gets said a lot but a full
house at The Sportsground and
the crowd doing their thing really
makes you think you’re plaiying in
front of three or four times more
people in he stands than what there
is”
The last five meeting between these
two teams have seen very little in
the outcome and no doubt today’s
game will be a huge battle.
“Munster are coming up here as
defending champions”
“They have a lot of injuries but they
have a strong squad and players just
waiting to take their chance”
“We’re confident against any team
we play but we also respect every
team we play”
Having joined in the 2022/23
season, Shamus Hurley-Langton
has become a fan favourite
around The Sportsground and a
coach and players dream to work
with during his time out west.
Also known as ‘Moose’, our kiwi
flanker continues to grow in the
green jersey.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here”
“I came over here wanting to
play but I knew I needed to prove
myself and take my chance when
it came”
“That drive still continues for me
though”
“Each week I need keep proving
myself and make sure I perform
when I get the chance”
“We have a lot of quality players in
the back row and that really helps
the competition and keeping us all
on our toes”
Having played 28 times for
Connacht so far and scoring five
tries (three this season), Moose is
looking forward to this inetrpro
derby on New Years Day.

PLAYER PREVIEW
“During pre-season I worked
closely with the S&C team
trying to build more muscle
mass and work on my power
and speed”
Saturday will be Connacht’s
first home game since last
month against Bristol, their
first in the URC since the New
Years Day win over Munster.
“The whole group are excited
about Saturday”
“We’ve built a nice bit of
momentum over the last few
games which we’ve won”
“We know with any Welsh team
is a tough side to play like it
was two weeks ago against
Cardiff”
“I know Scarlets haven’t been
going well but they have a lot
of quality and have players
who can hurt any team when
they have ball in hand”
“It will be a challenge but we’ve
trained well and we’re ready to
go”
Having missed games against
Lyon and Bristol in the
Champions Cup due to injury,
Cathal Forde made his return
the last day out away to
Cardiff wearing the number
12 jersey alongside David
Hawkshaw.
The Galway man will be hoping
to be selected again this
weekend as Scarlets come to
town for Round 11 of the BKT
United Rugby Championship.
“It was good to be back the
last day against Cardiff after a
couple of weeks out”
“When you aren’t out there
with the lads it can be tough
to watch at times, all you can
hope for is the lads to put on a
performance and win”
Last season saw Cathal really
break into the starting fifteen,
in only his second season he
made 11 appearances in total
and this season continues to
grow as a key player for the
province.
“I feel like I have stepped up
this year and learned a lot from
last season”

Pro team PROFILES
bundee
aki
Centre
jack
aungier
Prop
finlay
bealham
Prop
Caolin
blade
Scrum Half
shayne
bolton
Back Three
Paul
boyle
Back Row
denis
buckley
Prop
Eoin
de buitlear
Hooker
matthew
burke
Prop
Jarrad
Butler
Back Row
Jack
carty
Out Half
santiago
cordero
Back Three
tom
daly
Centre
peter
dooley
Prop
OISIN
DOWLING
Second Row
jordan
duggan
Prop
tom
farrell
Centre
CATHAL
FORDE
Centre

Pro team PROFILES
jj
hanrahan
Out Half
mack
hansen
Back Three
David
hawkshaw
Out Half /
Centre
dave
heffernan
Hooker
SHAMUS
HURLEY-
LANGTON
Back Row
sam
illo
Prop
sean
jansen
Back Row
shane
jennings
Centre/
Back Three
Joe
joyce
Second Row
Diarmuid
Kilgallen
Back Three
oisin
mccormack
Back Row
Michael
Mcdonald
Scrum Half
Tadhg
mcelroy
Hooker
Liam
Mcnamara
Back Three
oran
mcnulty
Back Three
DarragH
Murray
Second Row
Niall
Murray
Second Row
SEAN
O’BRIEN
Back Row

Pro team PROFILES
tiernan
o’halloran
Back Three
conor
oliver
Back Row
john
porch
Back Three
Cian
prendergast
Back Row
Byron
Ralston
Centre/Back
Three
Colm
Reilly
Scrum Half
Official partners
Dominic
Robertsonmccoy
Prop
ANDREW
SMITH
Back Three
Gavin
Thornbury
Second Row
of Connacht Rugby
Dylan
Tierney-martin
Hooker
www.gpthire.ie LEADERS IN PLANT & VEHICLE HIRE SINCE 1969
PLANT & ACCESS EQUIPMENT
SWEEPERS & VEHICLES
Telescopic
Handlers
Boom
Lifts
Scissors
Lifts
Aerial
Platforms
Site
Dumpers
Mini Hydraulic
Excavators
Compaction
Rollers
Speciality
Vehicles
Accommodation
General Purpose
Vehicles
Road
Sweepers
Lighting
Towers

What the FX?!
Tired of exchange rates hurting your bottom line?
Let us help protect your profits from rate fluctuations.
Great rates. No hidden fees. Seriously secure.
Fast global transfers 24/7 at ofx.com/bkturc
ALL MATCHES LIVE
ON-DEMAND
HIGHLIGHTS & MORE...
See Wah, OFXpert since 2018
©2023 OFX Payments Ireland Limited (Company No. 642716) is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (Firm Ref. No. C190174).

You know why. We know how.
PROUD SPORTS NUTRITION PARTNER
OF CONNACHT RUGBY
Proud sponsors of
Products YOU should be taking this season
www.chgl.ie
We’ve got Galway covered! | Tá Gaillimh clúdaithe againn!
TAKE ANY TIME
OF DAY, BUT
ESPECIALLY
BENEFICIAL
AFTER
EXERCISE
DELICIOUS TASTE
& TEXTURE, LOW
IN SUGAR, HIGH IN
PROTEIN AND
< 180 CALORIES
Kinetica recognises that everyone has a ‘why’. The reason they do what
they do. Our business is to get you safely to your goal by being your ‘how’.
To shop our full range
CXCKNCDNG"QP kineticasports.com
NKP G"/"MKP GVKECURQTVU0EQO
ONE SPRAY A DAY
DELIVERS YOUR
RDA OF 3000IU
FOR NORMAL
FUNCTION
OF BONE &
IMMUNE
HEALTH
ONE SHOT A DAY
DELIVERS 20G OF
COLLAGEN &
50MG OF
VIT C TO MAKE
THE COMEBACK
STRONGER THAN
THE SETBACK

Pro team MANAGEMENT
ACADEMY MANAGEMENT
Tim
Allnutt
Director of
Rugby
Operations
pete
wilkins
Head Coach
Colm
tucker
Scrum &
Contact Coach
Eric
Elwood
Academy
Manager
ANdrew
Browne
Elite Player
Development
Officer
MORGAN
Codyre
Elite Player
Development
Officer
JOHN
MULDOON
Lineout &
Maul Coach
Mark
sexton
Assistant Attack
& Skills Coach
Scott
Fardy
Defence
Coach
Mervyn
Murphy
Provincial Talent
Coach
Sebastian
Delport
Provincial Talent
Coach
Andrew
Murphy
Head of Athletic
Development
Simon
Kavanagh
Senior
Video Analyst
Mikey
KIELY
Head of Athletic
Performance
David
Hanly
Head of
Physiotherapy
Mark
Gallagher
Lead
Physiotherapist
Alan
Doonan
Performance
Analyst
niall
brady
Performance
Nutritionist
Martin
Joyce
Logistics
Manager
Gavin
Rackard
Performance
Nutritionist
Barry
o’BRIEN
Senior S&C
Coach
Micheal
Devane
S&C
Coach
lARISSA
MULDOON
Female
Provincial
Talent Coach
ANN
CAFFREY
Female Athletic
Development
Coach
michael
o’driscoll
S&C
Coach
Oisin
O’Dalaigh
Asst.
Performance
Analyst
Kevin
O’Brien
Physiotherapist
Aidan
O’Flynn
Personal
Development
Chloe
Mccrann
Rugby
Operations
Executive
Deirdre
Lyons
Player
Development
Manager
mitchell
ward
Physiotherapist
Stephen
Long
Communications
Manager
deirdre
lyons
Player
Development
Manager

ACADEMY PROFILES
fiachna
barrett
Prop
john
devine
Centre
Matthew
devine
Scrum Half
Connacht rugby
business club
hugh
gavin
Centre
daniel
hawkshaw
Centre
shane
mallon
Back Three
WHAT IS IT?
●
An exclusive members-only group
consisting of some of Ireland's most
progressive and proactive businesses.
●
A great way for your business to engage
and support Connacht Rugby in an official
capacity.
oisin
michel
Prop
chay
mullins
Back Three
sean
naughton
Out Half
●
An excellent package with opportunities
for you to host customers, impress
prospects or reward staff in a unique and
unforgettable way.
●
It offers exceptional value to members,
with regular opportunities to network and
build key relationships with like-minded
senior business people in a unique
premium environment.
james
NICHOLSON
Back Three
JOSH
O’CONNOR
Back Three
james
treacy
Centre
business club plus members
matthew
victory
Hooker
charlie
ward
Prop
HARRY
WEST
Out Half
business club LITE members
M
B R
A D D EN
I D G E
B AR &
R EST AU R AN T
S

Personalised team
experience
Exclusive offers
& competitions
Premium opinion
articles & analysis
Match highlights &
exclusive video content

OFFICIAL MOBILITY APP PARTNER
OF CONNACHT RUGBY

CLUB & COMMUNITY
to be an electric atmosphere, this
match is not to be missed. The Bank
of Ireland J1B League Final is at 1:00
PM on Sun, 3rd March in Dexcom
Stadium.
The second, and last, final of the
day will see last year’s JlA Leaue
champions Creggs RFC face threetime
champions since 2014/15
Connemara RFC in the Bank of
Ireland J1A League Final. One of the
most enjoyable competitive rivalries
of the season, this final is going to
be a thriller with both teams wellversed
in what a final entails.
the University of Galway in Round
2 of the League competition where
they edged the college side by just 2
points. Creggs’ near-perfect record
in the League was blemished only
by a loss in Round 3 by Connemara
themselves who beat the home side
21-10 on that occasion.
However, Creggs breezed through
their Semi-Final against Tuam RFC
with a decisive 37-7 win and are
ready to face the All-Blacks again
in Dexcom Stadium where they will
surely be a team with a clear mission
of bringing home the trophy.
This Sunday, 3rd March sees the
next day of Bank of Ireland Club and
Schools finals in Dexcom Stadium.
The J1B League Final will take place
at 1:00 PM followed by the J1A
League Final at 3:30 PM.
The first final of the day is the Bank
of Ireland J1B League Final which
will see Ballinasloe RFC take on
Buccaneers RFC 2nds. These two
teams are no strangers to each
other, having faced off in Round 2 of
the J1B League where Buccaneers
won 23-18 and then again in the Bank
of Ireland Junior Cup Quarterfinal
just last weekend where Buccaneers
came away with a 22-15 win. The J1B
League competition proved to be a
thrilling one with many close contests,
including Ballinasloe’s Semi-Final
against Corinthians 2nd where they
came out with a 38-33 win to see them
into the final against table-toppers
Buccaneers.
Ballinasloe have proven to be a strong
side, making the J1B final after winning
the J1C final last season. Buccaneers
only fell to Sligo RFC 2nds in their
League campaign this season and
topped the table with many impressive
displays of rugby.
These two sides are both incredibly
talented and equally matched. Sure
Also having met in the Junior
Cup Quarterfinal last weekend,
Creggs will be looking forward to
the rematch after falling just short
of the win. Coming into the final,
Connemara have swept the board
with their closest win being against
The Bank of Ireland J1A League Final
is at 3:30 PM on Sun, 3rd March in
Dexcom Stadium.
Fans are encouraged to buy their
tickets in advance as all 2024 finals
will be cashless. Tickets can be
purchased here.

30 s
at citylink.ie
TRACK MY BUS WIFI TOILETS PLUGS AIR CON
4 CONNACHT RUGBY

Where does the taste start?
Perhaps it's in our smoke house where we only use the best beech wood.
Or that it all comes from the one farm in Wexford.
Maybe it's the Irish Atlantic sea salt, the perfect complement to
ensure the perfect Carty cure every time.
But why not try it for yourself and let your own taste decide?
TASTE THE CARTY CURE

Building &
Infrastructure
Civil | Design Build |
Water
Environment &
Planning
Roads &
Transportation
Galway | Dublin | Castlebar | Limerick | Sligo
www.tobin.ie

Legal Insight
Human Intelligence
Business Impact
RDJ.IE CORK DUBLIN GALWAY LONDON