Our last drive out of the Sportsground earlier today 😢. We leave with nothing but fond memories, great friendships and a love affair with all things Connacht. Thank you for the support & for making Kerri & I feel so welcomed. Will be cheering from afar 💚🤝🏻
#ConnachtForever
What about this bloke!!! A brilliant debut, full of work rate, skill, poise & rugby smarts 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼. Outstanding performance too from the whole
@IrishRugby
team & a real statement on the opening day of
@SixNationsRugby
💚🇮🇪☘️
#TeamOfUs
A huge shout out to Angus Lloyd who has just passed his medical exams whilst being a professional rugby player with
@connachtrugby
. That’s takes some doing, and is a mighty mighty achievement. Congratulations Dr Lloyd 👏🏼👍🏻👨⚕️
My visa has finally come through, so I’m off to Ireland tonight to start working
@connachtrugby
in Galway. Can’t wait to get started. Exciting times ahead 😉☘️🇮🇪
It’s been a tricky few weeks navigating a Covid festive season and losses to tough opposition. Last night’s result paid testament to the fact that we all own our attitudes, beliefs & how we front up. Thanks to all our players & staff 👊🏽
#StrongerInGreen
#AmbitionBeliefCommunity
Honoured & delighted to be extending our time at
@connachtrugby
for another 2 years. I truly believe that we are building something special, & Kerri and I are keen to see it bear the fruits of everyone’s hard work & belief. Thanks for the opportunity Connacht 🙏
#StrongerInGreen
💬
@andyfriend2011
: “Ever since my wife and I moved to the West of Ireland I have been blown away by both the welcome we have received from the people, as well as the pride they have for their province and for Connacht.
It was an easy decision to commit to a further two years."
Really pleased with that performance today. There’s been a mountain of hard work & sacrifices made by EVERYONE
@connachtrugby
over the past 5 months - thank you all 🙏. Ecstatic to see the players play with such energy & skill 👏🏼. Bring on next week
#StrongerInGreen
And then it was over 😞 Congrats to a very committed
@UlsterRugby
side 👏🏼. To our players & staff - thank you for your hard work, commitment & dedication 👊🏽. To our army of green supporters - you rock 👍🏻. We’ll be back bigger & better.
#GrassrootsToGreenshirts
#StrongerInGreen
After a 13hr drive from Canberra to Brissy, we’ve finally checked in & are awaiting our flight to Dublin. Thanks to friends & family for an amazing 4 weeks 🥰. Time to get back to Connacht & win some stuff 💪🏻🏉
#StrengthinBelief
💚
Quarantine has officially ended!! A wee list of my achievements…
🚶🏼Walked >13,000 steps/day
🚴🏼♂️ Cycled >150kms
📙 Finished 2 books ‘The Dynasty’ & Arsène Wenger’s autobiography
🏇🏼 Won 7 of 24 bets to break even
❤️ Am still married ❤️
Let the holidays begin 🥳🥳
It’s not often that you see an AB team look so rattled on their home turf. A huge opening 10 mins set up that famous
@IrishRugby
victory. Physicality, precision, execution - congrats to everyone involved. Next week will be a belter
#IREvNZ
Another hard fought battle against our neighbours
@Munsterrugby
. Lots of emotion on display from both teams - just shows how much these InterPro's mean. Proud of our fight & dogged determination to etch out the victory 💪🏼💪🏼. A great start to 2022!!
#FastRelentlessAdaptable
Super proud and honoured to be announced as
@connachtrugby
new Head Coach. An exciting young team with genuine rugby folk supporting them. Can’t wait to get started 👍🏻☘️
A great performance by our
@connachtrugby
boys today to earn the win v a quality Scarlets team. We’re building with every game. Keep believing and we’ll keep working hard 👍🏻
#StrongerInGreen
Brilliant stuff from
@MayoGAA
today. As a proud ‘visitor’ to the West of Ireland, I’m proud of every success that Connacht folk have. The lads were outstanding today v the might of Dublin. The big dance awaits 👏🏼👏🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
Not meant to be. Thought the intent, desire and overall attitude tonight couldn’t be faulted. Tough watching from the couch, but proud of the boys performance. Congrats to
@Munsterrugby
& go well in the GF
#StrongerInGreen
Super proud of this man for graduating today with his Masters of Physiotherapy degree. Sorry we couldn’t be there mate, but delighted that your Grandparents could join you. There are many upsides to being a career coach, but missing family events is one of the negatives 😞
Great to get back to winning ways last night!! Thought we showed great character/resolve to firstly dig ourselves out of an early hole, then to hold on when down to 14 men for most of last 20 mins. The tonic we all needed 👊🏽
#StrengthInBelief
Just pulling into Sportsground at 1:45am after the return trip from Murrayfield. To a man, our men in Green were fantastic - a really pleasing performance. Will make tomorrow’s review a pleasant one 😊
#StrongerInGreen
Kez & I became Grandparents today after the birth of Jackson & Alice’s beautiful little daughter 🥰❤️. I then did my first cycle as ‘Pop’ Friend - ‘‘twas a bit tougher then previous👴🏼😂
A hard fought battle that went our way tonight. Immensely proud of all 23 men who fronted up & gave it their all. A brilliant response following our disappointment from last weekend. Onwards and upwards 👍🏻💪🏻
#StrongerInGreen
Our home for the next two weeks!! Arrived in Brisbane 10 hrs ago & just completed our first night of quarantine. Scored a balcony which is great. Ten steps from front wall to balcony. It’ll be a well worn trail 😆🚶🏼
A special way to finish off our opening block of 5
@URCOfficial
games. Thanks to everyone who made to effort to join us at the Aviva today 🙏. Will enjoy a few quieter weeks, then back at it for some huge games to round out the calendar year & beyond
#StrengthInBelief
Oh so close for us in Paris today against a star studded
@racing92
team, but sadly not to be. Super proud of our dogged determination & hunger to stay in the fight. Belief and cohesion continues to grow - next week awaits...
#StrongerInGreen
☘️☘️☘️
Huge congratulations to Mack Hansen who 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 for Ireland in their
@SixNationsRugby
opener with Wales on Saturday!
What an occasion to make your
@IrishRugby
debut 💚
Bundee Aki also starts with Finlay Bealham among the replacements 👊
26 hours on and I’m nearly over the disappointment of last night. We’ve such a special group of people working and supporting
@connachtrugby
that when we don’t produce our best, it genuinely hurts 😖. That that doesn’t break us makes us stronger 👊🏼
#GrassrootsToGreenshirts
Well that’s the 20/21 season done & dusted. Some real highs and a few lows. Such a bizarre season with sooo many obstacles. Looking forward to next season when hopefully things return to ‘normal’. Proud of our achievements 👍🏻
#StrongerInGreen
Great to get back to winning ways at the Sportsground!! Thought our men in green were fantastic tonight against a gutsy & determined opposition. Only thing missing was our loyal supporters & the Fields of Athenry being belted out 🎵👍🏻
#StrongerInGreen
A great way to start the season yesterday. Thanks to everyone who’s worked tirelessly to allow us to be back playing rugby 🙏And well done to the 200 supporters who were allowed into the Sportsground. You made the noise of 2000!!
#StrongerInGreen
💪🏻💪🏻
What a special day yesterday was!! A great contest against a committed & well drilled
@cardiff_blues
where we managed to end up on the right side of the ledger. Playoffs where we come. Super proud of our players, staff and supporters 👊🏽👏🏼
#StrongerInGreen
A frustrating way to finish off the 2019/20 season. Discipline must and will improve. The Connacht spirit and character is definitely there in spades - just need to add some more finesse and gamesmanship which we will do. Roll on season 20/21
#StrongerInGreen
👍🏻💪🏻
Absolutely delighted that these 5 men’s respective talents have been recognised & rewarded 🇮🇪 👏🏼. There are a few others in our squad who can feel a touch disappointed at their omission, but I know that will only spur them on. Great signs for
@connachtrugby
#StrongerInGreen
CONFIRMED | Connacht trio Jack Carty, Tom Farrell & Caolin Blade have all been named in the Ireland squad for the first time ahead of the
@SixNationsRugby
! 🇮🇪
They'll be joined by internationals Bundee Aki and Ultan Dillane
#StrongerInGreen
☘️
➡️
A great piece of news for us all heading into the weekend!! It’s super important that we perform at our best now in Paris to show that we’re truly worthy 💪🏻💪🏻
#StrengthInBelief
Following the cancellation of Toulouse/Cardiff, our place in the Round of 16 is now confirmed.
For the first time ever, we reach the knockout stages of the
#HeinekenChampionsCup
!
A great achievement for our players & management, and we’re not done yet 👊💚
Back in Galway after our visit to Welford Road. Congratulations to
@LeicesterTigers
- too clinical when it mattered. Loved our fight & the way we’re trying to play, will only get better 💪🏻. Bonus point was crucial 😅
#FastRelentlessAdaptable
Arrived in Belfast a few days ago & shared a couple of special days with friends & exploring the Mourne Mountains. Slowly making our way back to Galway for our final goodbyes. Only 8 days left till we jump on the flight home to Australia 😉
Well, that one really hurt!! Congrats to
@LeicesterTigers
for their tenacity & ‘never say die’ attitude. Our fight was evident, but too many errors cost us. Huge opportunity to fix that in Paris next week & get ourselves to the knockout stages of
#ChampionsCup
!!
#StrengthInBelief
Well that’s pre season done & dusted. Congrats to the whole squad & staff for their work ethic & attitude over the past 8 weeks. We’ve prepared well & are ready for the season. An exciting 9 months ahead of us all
@connachtrugby
#StrongerInGreen
Whilst we didn’t get the win today, the performance was worthy - it had plenty of skill, determination & character. We’re into the knock out stages for the first time in our Clubs history. Proud of EVERYONE involved and excited about the next chapter ahead
#StrengthInAmbition
Four huge re-signings with
@ButlerJarrad
,
@Tiernanoh11
, Seán O’Brien & Tom Farrell committing to
@connachtrugby
till 2023. Outstanding news for us as a Club, & all that on top of
@ChampionsCup
launch today, and Leinster at SG on Friday night...some week 👍🏻
Great to break the drought with a performance that had plenty of energy and intent. It’s a compliment to the character of the squad & staff. Onwards and upwards from here
#StrongerInGreen
#GrassrootsToGreenshirts
A great game of rugby from two sides who play a positive brand - thank you
@CheetahsRugby
. Real character and belief shown by our lads tonight. Proud of them all. And a special shout out to our mighty supporters - our 16th man 🙏👊🏽
#StrongerInGreen
#OurFortress
Another hard fought victory against a very well drilled
@THESTORMERS
team. A genuine 23 man effort from the whole squad with huge impact off our bench. A shout out to our very vocal Connacht faithful too - thank you 🙏👏🏼💪🏻
#StrengthInCommunity
Another Christmas Day swim to add to our Irish memory bank!! Hats off to
@COPEGalway
for supporting those in need, & well done to everyone who took part 👏🏼👏🏼
#BravetheCold
🥶. Merry Christmas folks🎄🎅🏼
Ten years ago today this gorgeous lady’s life, and that of her family, took a major U-turn when she fell off her MTN Bike. & suffered an ABI. It’s not what happens to you in life that matters most, it’s how you deal with it. Proud of you Kez 😘💪🏻
This was the start we were looking for in our
@ChampionsCup
opener today. Proud of the effort & attitude shown by the lads 👏🏼👏🏼. A huge challenge awaits us versus an in form
@LeicesterTigers
next Sunday. Looking forward to it 💪🏻💪🏻
#FastRelentlessAdaptable
108 days have passed since we were last in at the Sportsground. Great to be back and starting up again. Makes you appreciate what we used to take for granted 🙂
Not the result we wanted today but certainly a performance to build on. Hats off to
@GlasgowWarriors
for finding a way to win. Great support from the terrace and adjoining stands - thank you. Keep the faith as we build as a team
#StrongerInGreen
Great to finally break the drought re success on Welsh soil, and stoked to watch the team’s hard work translate into positive performances. Really looking forward to our return to Sportsground v Cheetahs on 26th October 👍🏻
#StrongerInGreen
Our European dream has ended - certainly not what we were planning on. We’ll definitely learn/grow & be stronger for it. A huge THANK YOU to our supporters - you guys are awesome 👏🏼. Onto Zebre away next week
#StrongerInGreen
A tough night at the office overall. Thank you to the huge amount of Connacht supporters who made the trip over and sang right to the end.
#StrongerInGreen
Great to get our first
@URCOfficial
win of the season, and to do it at the Sportsground in front of our families, friends & the Connacht faithful made it even more special. Important we back that performance up next Sat v
@dragonsrugby
- hope to see you there 💪🏻
#StrengthInBelief
Just been for a morning stroll around the magical city of Edinburgh. The long wait begins now for kickoff at 19:35 this evening. Looking forward to it 👍🏻
#StrongerInGreen
@connachtrugby
STATEMENT | The Government has today announced a total of €20m to Connacht Rugby’s Sportsground redevelopment project.
The €10m allocated under the LSSIF has been matched with a further €10m commitment, as announced by Chief Whip
@SeanKyneTD
.
More 👉
Have decided to post a few pics every 4 days or so of our trip to keep folks posted on our adventures. Last few days have been spent down south on Co.Kerry, Co. Waterford & Co. Kilkenny. Stunning scenery, people & food. Weather has been magic too 🌞👍🏻💚
As always, another ding ding battle between ourselves and
@UlsterRugby
last night. Never thought I’d be a fan of the ‘Captain’s Challenge’, but it worked in
@connachtrugby
favour in Belfast 😅
#StrongerInGreen
First night out in 4 months and
@tomsheridans
was our place of choice. Local, friendly and the Guinness/Fish&Chips were top shelf - thanks Martin, Rachel & staff. Ahh, nice to be getting back to the ol’ norm 😊 🇮🇪
A beautiful morning in Montpellier, a day out from our final
@ChampionsCup
match for the season. Looking forward to finishing our campaign off with a win 👊🏽
A great victory in Perpignan tonight where our players demonstrated their immense qualities, both as rugby players and humans. Brilliant to see our
@ConnachtClan
supporters travel in numbers to support us - it means so much. Thank you 🙏
#StrongerInGreen
A crucial signing for
@connachtrugby
today with
@JackCarty10
agreeing to play his rugby here for the next 2 years. A player with amazing skills, enormous talent & an absolute gentleman to boot. Delighted to have him sticking round 👏🏼👊🏽
💬 | "It was a no brainer for me when you look at how ambitious this club is".
Jack Carty tells us about his decision to recommit to Connacht for another two years
#StrongerInGreen
💪
What an amazing game of rugby!!! 1st v 2nd in the world and 2nd takes the prize. Congrats
@IrishRugby
& Wayne Barnes - well refereed. Rugby at its best 🏉🇮🇪☘️
It’s been 2 weeks since we landed back in Australia, and funnily enough, a large chunk of time has been spent with family. Enjoying being able to spend time with them all again ❤️
Thanks to everyone from
@connachtrugby
for your warm well wishes. The long haul over to Galway has started, and I’ve got some quality reading material to fill in the next 28 hours. A great story thus far. I love an underdog!!
#StrongerInGreen
A magic tour in so many ways, but most importantly for the fact we secured two crucial wins. Amazing support from our
@ConnachtClan
supporters & all the staff/players who put in so much hard work to get the results - thank you 🙏
#StrongerInGreen
Really pleased to be able to announce the signings of Abraham Papali’i, Jonny Murphy & Dylan Tierney-Martin. All 3 men are good humans with unique rugby qualities that will add value to our squad. The
@connachtrugby
future is bright!!
#StrongerInGreen
The longer this game goes on, the more bizarre that ruling becomes. Under the guise of ‘player safety’ (which I fully support), we now ask 13 men + 4 eligible reserves to play for 60 mins against 23 fit players 🤷🏼♂️. This law needs to change
#IREvITA
Day 3 & I’ve made it back home. Connemara loop via Westport completed - thankfully the weather was kinder today. Stunning coastline from Clifden all the way home. Thanks to everyone I met & who supported me along the way - true Connacht kindness
#friendlyfolk
🇮🇪☘️👊🏽
Well our fairytale didn’t come true, but that’s sport. I’ll always be super proud of this team, and you all hold a special place in my heart. It’s been an amazing couple of years, and for that I’m extremely grateful. Gonna miss you guys
#united
#unrelenting
#clinical
🇦🇺
Thinking of our mate
@chuckystannard
tonight as he recovers in the good care of doctors and nurses at St Vincent’s. Thoughts are also very much Kim, Layla, Zara, Mark, Sharron and the extended Stannard family. Stay strong Chucky 👊🏼💪🏼🇦🇺
Never had a Welsh choir serenade us during a pre game training - there’s always a first time for everything!! Thank you gentlemen 👏🏼👏🏼. Looking forward to our game v
@Cardiff_Rugby
tomorrow night to start our
@URCOfficial
season👍🏻
Spare a thought for our fellow Aussies who are battling severe fires & heat right across the country. Our land is one of extremes. Stay safe people 🇦🇺👊🏽
Great to be able to announce these significant signings today, and to be able to do it in such a special way. Well done to everyone involved 👏🏼👏🏼
#StrongerInGreen
💪🏻💪🏻
#GrassrootsToGreenshirts
Please tell me that every game of hurling is as exciting as yesterday’s semi Galway v Clare and this corker today?!?! Non stop action. An amazing spectacle 😳