The late Monsignor Horan would have approved

Fri, Jun 03, 2016

Some 14 hours before Galway produced a rapturous reception for Connacht Rugby, the squad landed into Ireland West Airport Knock by charter to an unexpected welcome by some 2,000 fans. It set the tone for the next 24 hours after Connacht fans, some having driven from Westport, waited patiently for the delayed Titan flight.

This is the moment for Connacht Rugby

Fri, May 27, 2016

Connacht Rugby face their "ultimate" test on Saturday when they take on Irish aristocrats Leinster in Scotland in a bid to claim this year's Guinness Pro 12 League crown.

Connacht intent on making history

Fri, May 20, 2016

Connacht coach Pat Lam is preparing his players for the fight of their lives when they host Glasgow in the biggest game in the province's history on Saturday (6.30pm). Lam says Connacht will need to channel all the hunger, excitement and energy which they possessed in bucketloads in their victory over Gregor Townsend's side two weeks ago if they are to advance to a first Guinness Pro 12 final.

Connacht = Champions Cup

Fri, Apr 22, 2016

Champions Cup rugby was the seasonal goal for Connacht. They can now tick it off. For the first time in the history of the European campaign, Connacht have qualified on their own merit for this elite competition.

Champions Cup beckons for Connacht with one more win

Fri, Apr 15, 2016

Win on Saturday, and Connacht will achieve their seasonal ambition to qualify for next season's Champions Cup. That is the huge carrot for Pat Lam's men when they host Munster in this vital Guinness Pro 12 fixture in the Galway Sportsground (7.15pm). And Lam says his squad is an a "great space" to do just that.

Confident Connacht have a "real chance" in France

Fri, Apr 08, 2016

The only province without a trophy, Connacht truly believe this could be their year. As they head to France to face Grenoble in Saturday's European Challenge Cup quarter-finals (8pm), all Irish eyes are focused on Pat Lam's blossoming side.

Rugby: Pro 12 Connacht's victory celebrations cut short as Ulster test looms

Fri, Apr 01, 2016

What a week for Connacht Rugby. Top of the league with four Pro 12 games remaining, Connacht have had precious little time to celebrate a momentous victory over Leinster as they head to Belfast to face Ulster this evening.

All Mayo decider to find junior cup winners

Fri, Mar 25, 2016

Come full time on Sunday afternoon in the Sportsground in Galway one thing for sure will happen — the Connacht Junior Cup will be heading north to summer in Mayo. Will it be swinging left in Partry and heading to Westport to sit alongside a glittering array of silverware that the Bulls have picked up this year, most recently the Cawley Cup to go with the Connacht Junior League 1A title. Or will it keep heading north and be welcomed home to Heffernan Park to give some glory to what has been a great season by Ballina.

Connacht 'buzzing' ahead of top-of-table-clash with Leinster

Fri, Mar 25, 2016

An interprovincial that is also top of the table - it does not come much bigger or better for Connacht Rugby. With just five Guinness Pro 12 fixtures remaining, Connacht face Leinster in the Galway Sportsground on Saturday (5.15pm) in front of a capacity 7,300 crowd, live on both TG4 and Sky Sport, and with the world's top referee Nigel Owens in charge.

Westport and Ballina keep up winning ways

Fri, Feb 26, 2016

Both of the two Mayo sides battling it out for top spot in the Connacht Junior League picked up wins last weekend. Westport are leading the way at the top of the table on 35 points two ahead of second placed Ballina. The Bulls had a six point win on the road in Monastery Field over Connemara last weekend, with David Keane crossing the whitewash twice, once in each half, and Séan Tobin kicking two penalites to keep his side's nose in front down the closing stretch. This weekend Westport will be on the road again where they take on more Galway opposition in the shape of fourth placed Ballinasloe. When the sides met earlier in the league it finished with both sides locked together on a scoreline of 13-13.

Connacht continue to learn lessons as the stay top

Fri, Feb 26, 2016

It is another big weekend for Connacht Rugby. Still sitting on top of the Pro 12 table, Connacht are preparing to step it up for the visit of former champions Ospreys to the Sportsground on Saturday (7.35pm).

Connacht did everything to keep Henshaw

Fri, Feb 19, 2016

Connacht left no stone unturned in their bid to stop Robbie Henshaw from heading to Dublin. The 22-years-old Connacht and Ireland centre confirmed his departure from his home province on Sunday, before signing with Leinster on Monday evening for the next three seasons. Connacht coach Pat Lam says Connacht, with the help of the IRFU, did everything possible to keep Henshaw at the Sportsground, but in the end it was the Athlone native's decision to leave.

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