Connacht v Leinster URC Digital Match Programme

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A winning team and winning technologies are driven
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With our AI technology office located in Galway,
you don’t need to look far for our connection to
western Ireland and the storied team of
Connacht Rugby. Genesys is thrilled to be a part
of the Connacht Rugby tradition of excellence. As
proud members of the community, as an
employer and as citizens, we look forward to the
coming season and wish this team — and
everyone behind the scenes — good luck!
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PRESIDENT’s
WELCOME
THank You To Our Partners for
their continued support
As President of Connacht Rugby I am
delighted to speak to you today ahead of
this evening’s game with our neighbours
Leinster.
Principal Partner
Isn’t it great how you wait over 4 months
for a game at The Sportsground, and then
two interpros come along in the space of
a week!
If like me you were at the Munster game
last weekend, I’m sure you’ll agree when
I emphasise just how special an occasion
it was. To play our first home game of the
season, against our neighbours, on our
brand new pitch, and come away with
the victory was something that won’t
be easily forgotten. I’ve spoken to many
people since Friday about the game and
you can still see the smiles on people’s
faces.
Of course the big games keep coming,
and today is the second of three
consecutive fixtures under the Friday
night lights here at The Sportsground. We
know today’s visitors Leinster all too well
after playing them four times last season,
so fingers crossed for another great
game and, hopefully, a Connacht win!
Last week was my first opportunity to see
the new pitch up close and I was simply
blown away by it. It looks in fantastic
shape – even better than how it may look
on TV. A special word of congratulations
must go to everyone involved in its
installation, particularly the Operations
team led by the Director of Development
Karl Boyle. Like the rest of you I look
forward to seeing the redevelopment
continue to progress in the months
ahead.
On that note, I’d like to take this
opportunity to thank all our club partners,
many of whom are with us here today. Your
ongoing support for the Connacht cause
will always be greatly appreciated, and I
have no doubt your organisation, as well as
Connacht Rugby, will continue to reap the
benefits of our existing partnerships.
Finally a sincere thank you to everyone who
helps make days like today a reality. There’s
far more to gameday than just 30 players
and a referee from half past 7. It’s also
about the staff
and particularly our numerous volunteers
who give us their time and commitment,
morning noon and night. For that, I thank
you,
Go raibh mile maith agat, and enjoy the
game.
Connachta Abú!
Padraig Moran
President, Connacht Rugby
Irish
Official Partners
Official Suppliers

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Coach PREVIEW
This Friday Connacht welcome
Leinster to The Sportsground in
Round 5 of the BKT United Rugby
Championship for what will be a
mouth watering Interprovincialderby
(k/o 7.35pm).
Connacht got their season up and
running after last weeks win over
Munster in Galway. While there were
brilliant individual performances
along with the teams performance,
there is still plenty of improvement to
be made for the boys in green.
Connacht Head coach Pete Wilkins
spoke to the media about the mood in
the camp heading into Friday.
“Its a different feeling we’re having
going into work on a Monday for sure”
“We have the spring in the step and
bounce coming off the back of a good
weekend”
“At the same time though, win or lose
we look at the things we need to do
better after every game”
“We can acknowledge the good bits and
parts that played a key role in helping us
win but at the same time we are aware
of what’s needed to keep improving”
“With the opposition this week we know
we’ve got to be better again”
It was a much needed win for the
Western province after three tough
games away from home with nothing
got. Pete spoke about what changed
for Connacht last Friday to the
previous games played in the BKT
URC.
“I think our accuracy to exploit space
when we saw it and pull the trigger to
get those rewards for our efforts was
a big part in not getting anything in
the first three games”
“I think we were more successful with
our final passes on Friday which we
weren’t in the previous games”
“These first four weeks were a growing
process for us but we can’t use that as
an excuse as we’ve got to keep getting
better and get results”
Pete discussed about some of the
big positives from Connacht’s play
against Munster were.
“I think our game management was
very good particularly around the
half-way during half-time when we
used a bit of fuel our decision making
was good”
“Having Jack Carty back is great and
when you have one of the best players
in Ireland on the field that’s going to
help your controlling of the game,
plus Conor Fitzgerald at full-back and
David Hawkshaw at 12 really adds to
that”
“We had three sets of eyes and three
brains there looking at how we use the
ball”
With all eyes now solely focused on
the challenge on Leinster, what is Pete
expecting to see from Leo Cullen’s
men?
“Its a big challenge”
“All aspects of your game need to be
in good order against them and then
you need to make sure you nullify
their strengths”
“We’re well aware of what there
strengths are, whether that’s the
team or individual players”
“When Leinster attack and defend
there is a relentless effectiveness and
accuracy about them”
“They are a team that wan’t to play
possession, so that means at some
point they will concede turn overs but
we’ve got to apply the right kind of
pressure to get those turn overs”

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Player PREVIEW
“We’ve been working really hard on
our set-pieces and we can see the
improvements being made each week”
The Mayo man has been a part of every
match day squad this season to date
and has been delighted to get a good
run of games under his belt.
“I felt I was a bit off the pace at the
start but last week I’ve felt better and
getting back to where I need to be”
“The competition for places keeps
you on your toes as well and its great
to that push”
“Getting plenty of time under my belt
in these opening rounds is only going
to benefit me”
Connacht welcome an inform Leinster
side who have won their opening four
games of the URC and Heffernan
know’s Connacht will have to raise their
performance from the Munster win if
they are to stop Leo Cullen’s men.
“They are one of the best teams in the
world and its always a big challenge no
matter what team they select”
“We’re looking forward to it and we
know the atmosphere for these games
are always unreal so we can’t wait for
Friday to come”
Last Friday was one to remember
at The Sportsground with a much
needed win over Munster. The
Interprovincial-derby’s keep coming
though as Leinster come to Galway
this Friday in Round 5 of the BKT
United Rugby Championship.
Connacht hooker Dave Heffernan
spoke to media during the week about
the win over Munster and what it
meant to the team.
“It was an important win no doubt
about it and one we needed but we’re
not getting carried away with it”
“I think Connacht teams in the past
may have let that result get the better
of them but there’s a bigger picture
with this team and I think that shows
the growth of where this club is now”
“We believe and know we can match the
other provinces and anything less than
a win at home for us is unacceptable”
The Connacht set-piece was working
a charm last Friday, the line-out being
a big part of that which Heffernan
discussed.
“It was our best line-out performance
of the season”
“I’ve been disappointed how its gone
the first few games so I was really
happy to see it go well last Friday”

Pro team PROFILES
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jack
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Prop
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Caolin
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Paul
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Prop
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Out Half /
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dave
heffernan
Hooker
SHAMUS HURLEY-
LANGTON
Back Row
sam
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Prop
Shane
Jennings
Centre
Diarmuid
Kilgallen
Back Three
kieran
marmion
Scrum Half
Sean
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Back Row
oisin
mccormack
Back Row
Oran
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Back Three
Josh
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Back Row
DarragH
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Second Row
Niall
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Gavin
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Environment & Planning
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Club & community
I’m a primary school teacher in
Knocknacarra National School. I have a
very supportive and understanding wife,
Niamh.
She loves to challenge me with law
questions. I have a two-year-old boy,
Freddie, who keeps me very busy. I also ref
tag rugby in the off season. It’s really well
run in Galway and a good intro to reffing
for anyone thinking about getting into it.
Does being a referee help with anything
outside of sport?
Refereeing definitely helps with
communication. It’s helpful to be clear and
concise as a referee and get your message
across in a polite but assertive manner.
What made you want to be a rugby referee?
I was looking for a challenge and felt it was a
good way to get back into rugby. Refereeing
is always a challenge as anything can
happen at any level of match. You always
have to think on your feet, know the laws
and apply them effectively while keeping
control in the match.
The night before a match I get my bag ready,
I have a checklist for my match bag and
make sure I have everything packed.
I’m generally up early and leave in plenty of
time for a match aiming to be at the venue at
least an hour before kick off.
I meet a representative from the home club
to let them know I’ve arrived. I get togged
out, check the boots of both teams, get the
team sheets chat to the captains and then
warm up for kick off. After the match I pop
into the clubhouse for a cup of coffee before
hitting the road home.
Has there been anything that has surprised
you?
How important it is to keep on top of fitness
throughout the season. The fitter you are
the better position you’ll be in to make an
accurate decision. Fitness also helps with a
clear head running around the pitch.
Is there anything difficult about the role?
Sometimes the drives to matches can be
long, but it’s a good opportunity to get stuck
into an audiobook or podcast en route.
We sat down with Andy Fogarty, a member
of the Association of Referees Connacht
Branch. Andy has made the step into the
URC this season, already being part of the
officiating team for a number of games.
Here he discussed his journey within the
game, and how the skills he has gained
have helped him both on and off the pitch.
Where and when did your referee journey
start and where is it now?
I began refereeing towards the end of the
2017 season. I was thinking of getting back
into rugby and saw an advert on Connacht
Rugby social media asking if anyone wanted
to try out refereeing.
I went along to the referee course and a
few weeks later reffed an u-13 match.
I got selected to do IPAS (Interprovincial
Assessment System) in January 2020 and
made the National Panel as the first Covid-19
lockdowns came into effect.
My first season in the AIL was this season
21/22.
What is your rugby back story?
I played at schools with Cistercian College
Roscrea. I lived in Canada for a while and
played a little there and helped coach a
college team in Québec. After moving around
for a few years I wanted to get back into
rugby and spotted the new referee course so
I decided to try it out.
Outside of being a referee, tell me a little
about yourself.
What has been your proudest moment so
far as a referee?
Refereeing the Connacht Senior Schools
Cup Final this year was a proud moment
and an honour.
What had been the biggest challenge in
your journey so far?
Probably reffing a heated Limerick junior
rugby derby.
It was a good learning process as it’s
a good reminder to always stay calm,
communicate clearly and keep control in a
match. Once players buy into the messages
you are giving as a referee there will be a
positive outcome.
What does a typical day working as a ref
look like?
What is your dream match to referee?
I’d love to referee the Fiji 7s team! I love to
watch the Fijians in full flight showing all
their skills and great offloads.
Any advice for people who are considering
becoming a referee?
It’s definitely worth a try, you can find a level
that suits you.
It’s a good way to keep fit, meet good people
and learn about rugby. There are good
supports and mentoring for new referees
and all referees doing matches throughout
the season.
If you would like to start refereeing and
become a member of the association contact
IRFU Referee Development Manager Peter
Fitzgibbon by phone on 086 8322987 or by
email peter.fitzgibbon@irfu.ie.

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Pro team MANAGEMENT
ACADEMY MANAGEMENT
Tim
Allnutt
Director of
Rugby
Operations
Andy
Friend
Director of
Rugby
Pete
Wilkins
Head Coach
Eric
Elwood
Academy
Manager
ANdrew
Browne
Elite Player
Development
Officer
Mark
Sexton
Elite Player
Development
Officer
Dewald
Senekal
Forwards
Coach
Colm
TuckeR
Scrum &
Contact Coach
Mossy
LawlEr
Attack & Skills
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
Emma
Brennan
Performance
Nutritionist
Martin
Joyce
Logistics
Manager
Gavin
Rackard
Performance
Nutritionist
Johnny
O’Connor
Senior S&C
Coach
Micheal
Devane
S&C
Coach
Evan
Fitzgerald
Physiotherapist
Deirdre
Lyons
Player
Development
Manager
Barry
O’Brien
S&C
Coach
Oisin
O’Dalaigh
Asst.
Performance
Analyst
Colin
Nash
Physiotherapist
Aidan
O’Flynn
Personal
Development
Chloe
Mccrann
Rugby
Operations
Executive
Stephen
Long
Communications
Manager
Deirdre
Lyons
Player
Development
Manager
Chloe
Mccrann
Rugby
Operations
Executive

Connacht rugby
business club
WHAT IS IT?
ACADEMY PROFILES
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Back Row
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Hooker
John
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Centre
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An exclusive members-only group
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Scrum Half
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for you to host customers, impress
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Prop
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It offers exceptional value to members,
with regular opportunities to network and
build key relationships with like-minded
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O’Connor
Back Three
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Reilly
Scrum Half
Bart
Vermeulen
Prop
Our business club members
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ward
Prop
Harry
West
Out Half

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