An open letter from Connacht Rugby
Dear Editor,
On behalf of all in Connacht Rugby, I would like to thank everybody for the excellent support we received for our first ever home Heineken Cup match on Saturday November 19.
We were grateful that President Michael D Higgins honoured us with his presence and delighted with the response he received from all present. Taoiseach Enda Kenny, along with his two sons, also honoured us by their support and for this we are extremely grateful.
Her Worship the Mayor of Galway, Hildegarde Naughton, represented you, the citizens of Galway. Michael Ring, Minister of State, along with Deputies Brian Walsh and John O’Mahony also lent their support.
The support we received from the statutory bodies the Garda Siochana, the City Council, the EPA, the Fire Service, the HSE and the Order of Malta was most welcome and appreciated.
The countless number of volunteers who worked on the day all helped to make the event work. Our supporters really bought into the occasion and certainly the team appreciated their continuous support throughout the game.
The business community of Galway, led by Failte Ireland and the Chamber of Commerce were fully committed in making the event work for Galway and Connacht. I hope they got some reward for their efforts through the increased footfall in the area.
The challenge to all is now to repeat this event on a regular basis. We will entertain Ospreys here on Saturday at 6:30pm, Benneton Treviso at the Sportsground on Friday December 2, and then host Gloucester in our next Heineken Cup game on Saturday December 10.
Once again, thank you all for your support and we look forward to welcoming you all back to the Sportsground on a regular basis.
Yours sincerely,
Gerry Kelly
CEO Connacht Rugby
