‘If we stick to our systems, we have enough to handle it’

Thu, Nov 22, 2018

Connacht are back in action this Sunday against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth after a two week break.

The province currently sits in fifth place in Conference A, only two points off a play-off spot as they prepare for their two game tour of South Africa. Coach Andy Friend says the break came at the perfect time for his side after a run of 10 games.

Clinical Connacht bag bonus point-win to maintain push for top four

Thu, Nov 08, 2018

Andy Friend, after this first 10 weeks as the new Connacht coach, believes his squad is capable of being a Champions Cup rugby team.

Friend to roll the dice as Dragons hit the Sportsground

Thu, Nov 01, 2018

Connacht coach Andy Friend is prepared to "roll the dice" in his selections this week ahead of the Dragons' visit the the Sportsground on Saturday.

Record number of rugby schools in cup contests

Thu, Nov 01, 2018

A record number of teams will contest this season’s Top Oil Connacht Schools Cups which will be officially launched later this week.

In total there are 61 teams across 37 schools taking part in this year’s tournaments, with the opening pool games taking place on Wednesday January 16. More pool games over successive weeks will determine who will go on to the knockout stages.

It’s time for Connacht to clip Ospreys' wings

Thu, Oct 25, 2018

Connacht’s heavy hitters are expected to return this week for a pivotal Pro14 fixture against Ospreys in Wales.

Connacht aim to unseat Sale from the driving seat in Europe

Thu, Oct 18, 2018

Coach Andy Friend renews his relationship with premiership rugby when Connacht take on Sale in the European Challenge Cup second round at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Roux signs on

Thu, Oct 18, 2018

Good news for Connacht this week. Lock Quinn Roux, who has been a key force this season, has signed a new two-year deal with the province.

The 27-year-old South African with six Ireland caps first arrived in Connacht on loan from Leinster in 2014 and made his Ireland debut two seasons later. When asked about the extension Roux said: "Yeah, I feel like I have had a massive season so far, and it's obviously nice to get the contract sorted at this time of the year and getting that out of the way and just focus on my performances every week. So yeah, I'm delighted to be in Galway for another two seasons."

Connacht in positive form as European campaign opens

Thu, Oct 11, 2018

Connacht must turn their positivity into points on Saturday when French side Bordeaux-Begles visit the Sportsground for this year's opening European fixture.

No late joy for Galwegians

Thu, Oct 11, 2018

Galwegians lost their second game in this season’s AIL campaign and their first home fixture when they came up short, losing 15-27 against UL Bohs at Crowley Park on Saturday.

The Blues started well, opening the scoring in the second minute when outhalf Morgan Codyre struck a penalty near the 22. However the visitors soon got into their stride, and hit the front after 11 minutes when prop Joey Conway burrowed his way over from close in after a sustained period of pressure.

Friend tries to lift burden of history from Connacht

Thu, Oct 04, 2018

Historical baggage can be incentive or curse, or as Connacht coach Andy Friend now believes, it should be ignored.

Champions Leinster arrive on revenge mission

Thu, Sep 27, 2018

The battle lines are drawn for the first Pro14 interprovincial of the season when champions Leinster arrive in the Galway Sportsground on Saturday (5.15pm).

Ospreys swoop for late try

Thu, Sep 27, 2018

Connacht Eagles suffered a last-minute Celtic Cup defeat to Welsh visitors Ospreys, losing 27-22 at Dubarry Park on Friday evening.

The Eagles, with six senior players in the starting XV, were level 22-22 heading into the final minutes, but when they lost the ball as the clock ticked down, Ospreys displayed their determination to keep ball in hand before replacement hooker Garin Lloyd crossed to take the spoils.

Corinthians denied by late Buccs try

Thu, Sep 20, 2018

Buccaneers secured this year's Connacht Senior League title with a clean sweep of victories after Saturday's closely fought 28-25 win over Corinthians at Clonacauneen.

There was some consolation for the home side with a losing bonus point ensuring they qualify for the Connacht Senior Cup semi-final against city rivals Galwegians, who pipped Sligo by virtue of a high-scoring win over Ballina.

Connacht are moving in the right direction, but need to wise up

Thu, Sep 20, 2018

Connacht Rugby coach Andy Friend is targeting the team's discipline this week after suffering a lop-sided penalty count in their 17-10 defeat to Edinburgh.

Friend looks to internationals to add 'starch' to Connacht’s performance

Thu, Sep 13, 2018

Connacht face their first away trip of the new Pro14 championship blessed with a healthy squad when they meet Edinburgh in Murrayfield tomorrow evening (7.35pm).

Late try denies Galwegians

Thu, Sep 13, 2018

A late penalty try by Buccaneers denied Galwegians this year's Connacht Senior League crown after a well-contested encounter at Dubarry Park on Saturday.

The Glenina outfit looked like regaining the title they had not held in three years when seasoned campaigner Brian Murphy grabbed his third try in the 76th minute, and David Clarke's conversion put four points between the sides.

Connacht wary of improving Italians

Thu, Sep 06, 2018

Game two of the 2018/19 Guinness PRO14 season, and already the pressure is on Connacht to deliver a winning result when former coach Michael Bradley returns with his improving Zebre outfit on Saturday (5.15pm).

New season, new coach, new players, but no Muldoon

Thu, Aug 30, 2018

Connacht open the 2018/19 Guinness PRO14 Championship campaign with a host of changes, but what remains the overriding goal is to qualify for Champions Cup rugby next season.

TG4 to cover all Connacht home matches

Thu, Aug 30, 2018

Connacht Rugby fans will be delighted with TG4's coverage this season, which will broadcast 28 live games as well as deferred coverage of another nine interprovincial games.

Tough Euro draw for Connacht

Thu, Jun 21, 2018

Connacht Rugby face a tough pool in this season's European Challenge Cup.

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