Connacht Rugby added the 41st member to its 2020/21 squad with Munster's Alex Wootton joining on loan for the season. The versatile backline player can expected to play an important part in Connacht's backline, particularly with the loss of several key players at the end of the last season. The 26-years-old, a former Irish U20 squad member, made a name for himself in Munster as a lethal finisher, and that is what Connacht coach Andy Friend will want as they prepare for the restart on Augut 22. Friend says Wootton’s arrival will strengthen Connacht’s back field options. "Alex is a very exciting back three player who has all the talent to take his game to the next level. His versatility across the back line will also help us as we look to compete on both fronts next season."
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Galway Ladies are preparing for the return of action when they face last year's Intermediate winners Tipperary in the revised 2020 TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship. Runners-up to Dublin last season, Galway will be looking to go one better this season after confronting Tipp and Monaghan in Group 2. Munster rivals Cork face Kerry, and Ulster's Cavan in group one; three-in-a-row winners Dublin will once again be favourites when they face Waterford and Donegal in group three; and Ulster's Armagh and Tyrone join Mayo in group four.The four group winners advance to the semi-finals - thus Galway could possibly face Cork from group one if both top the group, while Dublin would be favourites to advance over the winners of group four. The dates for the 2020 TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Championships have yet to be confirmed.
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The 2020 Women's National League season will start on the second weekend in August, some five months after its due date. The FAI is making a financial package available to each of the nine clubs, including Galway WFC, for financial losses due to the pandemic. There will also be additional support for U-17 League teams. The first series of games will signal the beginning of phase one, where every team will face off against the others. There will then be a split for phase two, where clubs will be separated into two sections and playing each other again. Peamount United lifted the title last season, and will represent the League in the UEFA Women's Champions League. Galway WFC enjoyed another solid campaign, finishing fourth in the league table, and will now be hoping to push for silverware in this 10th season of the Women's National League.
