As Connacht gears up for Heineken Cup rugby, and season tickets are being snapped up, the pre-season fixtures, which take place in August, have been confirmed.
Two matches are against English premiership sides, while the third is a big bonus for Connacht when they come up against Declan Kidney’s Ireland squad.
The pre-season opens with the only home fixture which takes place against Exeter Chiefs at the Galway Sportsground on Saturday August 13 (3pm ).
The following Friday Connacht travel to Dublin to face an Ireland XV in the UCD Bowl which will be used by Kidney as one of five warm-up matches prior to the World Cup.
Then on Thursday August 25, Connacht travel to London to play Saracens at the Honourable Artillery Company, kick off is 6.45pm.
Season tickets
Season tickets, currently on sale, will include the fixture against Exeter, in addition to all 11 home matches in the Magners League and Connacht’s three home Heineken Cup pool games at The Sportsground.
The Connacht Branch report a brisk sale of season tickets as supporters snap up the early bird offers, but prices will increase after June 17.
Tickets are currently priced from €50 for a junior (12-18 ) up to €250 for a gold ticket and this year they include a host of extras, including a Connacht supporters’ club scarf, complimentary guest tickets, a free pint at every home game, and 10 per cent discount on Connacht merchandise at Elverys Sports.
Family tickets are available for €350 which includes two adults and two children under 18, while concession tickets currently cost €130.
Connacht CEO Gerry Kelly says the tickets represent good value for money. Not only have prices been reduced from last year, but they also include added extras.
Ireland u-20s
Four Connacht players have been named in Mike Ruddock’s u-20 squad for the Junior World Championship which takes place in Italy this month.
Aaron Conneely (Corinthians ), Eoin McKeon (Galwegians ), and Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers ) have been named in the squad, alongside Tiernan O'Halloran (Galwegians ), who is one of eight players involved in last year’s JWC.
