Connacht will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Sportsground on St Stephen’s Day when they take on Munster in the Magners League, but Eric Elwood’s charges will have to do so without the services of their inspirational captain John Muldoon. The 28-year-old Connacht forward suffered another injury in a season that has been blighted with setbacks. In Connacht’s Amlin Challenge Cup defeat at home to Harlequins the Portumna native broke his arm, it is the second time this year he has suffered from a broken arm, he broke it against New Zealand in the first of the summer tour tests in the southern hemisphere. However it is hoped that the break is not as serious as the one he sustained on international duty and he will be back in action in number of weeks as opposed to months.
Connacht have been on a losing streak for the past number of games and the St Stephen’s Day game against local rivals Munster is one that Elwood and his coaching staff will have been targeting for a win. In last weekend’s game, the second of back to back encounters in the Amlin Challenge Cup, Connacht went down on a scoreline of 15-9 to the English Premiership side in a snow swept Sportsground, which had been covered in a layer of straw for most of the week to protect the surface. Miah Nikora kicked six points for Connacht with Ian Keatley, who was deputising at full back for the injured Gavin Duffy, kicking the other three points.
Tickets for the game have been selling fast and the enclosed stand has already sold out for what is a ticket only game. Fans who are intent on travelling to Galway for the game have been advised to buy their tickets in advance, to avoid the disappointment of not seeing the men in green take on the two time European champions. Tickets cost €20 or €15 with a concession for students, OAPs, and the unwaged, while junior tickets are available for €5 and u12s are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available online from www.ticketmaster.ie and from the Connacht Rugby offices in the Sportsground.
Connacht also have a special Christmas ticket offer on sale at the moment where you can get a three game ticket for €50. As part of the package you get a ticket for the Munster game on Sunday, for Cavalieiri Pratoon January 22, and the Scarlets on February 12. This ticket is also available from www.ticketmaster.ie and from the Connacht Rugby offices.
