Back to league action after Junior Cup weekend

Fri, Jan 19, 2018

After last weekend's hectic round of action in the last 16 of the Connacht Junior Cup it is back to league action for a handful of Mayo sides this weekend. It was a pretty successful weekend for Mayo teams last Sunday, with Ballina, Castlebar, and Ballinrobe all picking up wins - while Westport and Ballyhaunis were put out of the competition by Tuam and Corinthians respectively.

Connacht will not be complacent, says Carolan

Fri, Jan 19, 2018

Connacht host their final European pool fixture against French visitors Oyonnax on Saturday determined to finish with a flourish and nail down a home quarter-final. Expected to overcome Oyonnax with a bonus point, having produced a 43-15 win in Geneva in round one, Connacht are still not taking anything for granted in their bid to complete this series of games with a win.

Junior Cup calling for Mayo sides

Fri, Jan 12, 2018

The new year has rolled in and with that cup dreams for all the Mayo sides in the Connacht Junior Cup. Having won the competition two years ago and reaching the final of the All Ireland Junior Cup just before Christmas, north Mayo outfit Ballina look to be the best placed Mayo side to have a crack at winning the prestigious prize. But then cup competitions take on a life of their own quite often, however looking at how strong Dave Newman's side have been so far this season they will be worthy favourites to go all the way in this competition.

Connacht must grab chance to wrap up quarter-final

Fri, Jan 12, 2018

Connacht can expect a real battle of mind and body when they face an improving Worcester in Saturday's Challenge Cup fixture at Sixways (3pm). This is a real opportunity for Connacht to nail down a European home quarter-final. But to do so they must overcome a Worcester side that is enjoying something of a resurgence since the wily Alan Solomons took over the reins recently.

Ballina bow out of junior cup

Fri, Dec 15, 2017

Ballina Rugby Club bowed out of the All-Ireland Junior Cup at the last four stage in Meath last weekend.

Defending champions Ashbourne proved a step too far for the north Mayo side who succumbed to a 22-17 defeat following a bruising encounter.

Keane happy to be home as Brive return to Sportsground

Fri, Dec 15, 2017

Connacht can give themselves a real chance of qualifying for European quarter-finals if the repeat their performance and victory over Brive in the Galway Sportsground on Saturday (3pm).

Connacht must take chance to pull away from close rivals

Fri, Nov 24, 2017

Connacht return to action after a two-week break facing a block of 10 fixtures which will be crucial in achieving their seasonal ambitions. The transition period from the Pat Lam to Kieran Keane is now over, for players and management. The new structures and systems are in place, and it is all about perfecting, polishing, and producing winning performances at a higher level and with consistency demanded by the new coaching team.

Ballina back to local action after national win

Fri, Nov 17, 2017

Fresh from their historic 6-3 win over Instonians in the quarter-final of the All Ireland Junior Cup last weekend, Ballina will go looking to make it five wins from five on the domestic front when they return to action in the Connacht Junior 1A League. So far this season the north Mayo men have been in flying form running up big scores, seeing off Westport 27-7, Galwegians 56-5, and Buccaneers 69-22, the closest that any side has got to them in the league this season is third place Sligo, but Ballina still saw them off 27-19 a month ago. On Sunday they will expect to make it win number five when they take on seventh placed Monivea who have only registered one win so far this season from their four outings.

Connacht urged to stay focused as Cheetahs visit for the first time

Fri, Nov 03, 2017

Connacht are back in the Sportsground after their superb win over Munster to entertain first-time visitors, the Cheetahs, on Saturday (7.35pm). In this final game of the first block of fixtures, Connacht have an opportunity to go into the break with a fourth win in succession, but it will be a real test against a South African side sitting above them in the Guinness PRO 14 table.

Connacht need to get back to winning ways

Fri, Sep 22, 2017

Pressure mounts on Connacht Rugby to deliver a winning performance when Cardiff Blues arrive at the Galway Sportsground on Saturday (3.15pm). Cardiff, without a win this season, will take heart from fellow Welsh outfit Dragons, whose fighting performance saw them romp to victory over Kieran Keane's side last weekend. However this week Connacht forwards coach Jimmy Duffy says Connacht are in a better place having completed the review of that 21-8 defeat to Bernard Jackman's side.

It all comes down to Sunday in Super League race

Fri, Sep 22, 2017

The race for the Super League title comes down to this Sunday, with both Westport United and Manulla still in with a shout of claiming the title. The defending champions Westport United know that they need just a point from their game away to Claremorris to retain the title, while Manulla will be hoping they can see off local rivals Castlebar Celtic on the road and that Claremorris do them a favour to force a play-off for the title. If fortune favours United it will be a fantastic fourth league title in a row for the Covies. These two games kick-off at 2.30pm.

At the bottom of the table there is still plenty to sort out with Ballyheane looking to pull themselves level with Glenhest Rovers and force a play-off for the final relegation spot alongside the already relegated Achill Rovers. Ballyheane travel to the aforementioned Achill Rovers knowing they need a win, while a point for Glenhest Rovers at home against Ballina Town will keep them safe in the top flight for another season. These two games will kick off at 12 noon. The other game in the top flight is the meeting of Ballyglass and Straide and Foxford United also kicking off at 12 noon, but there is nothing of consequence riding on this game unlike the other four on the final day of the season.

Lam's regret is an IRFU issue

Fri, Jun 02, 2017

Irish rugby will continue to lose coaches to more lucrative clubs overseas, says former Connacht coach Pat Lam, unless it changes its stance on contracts. Lam, who wraps up his four year stint in Connacht this weekend at the wedding of captain John Muldoon before heading to Bristol, says his one regret leaving Ireland next week is the IRFU's stubborness over the six-months release clause.

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