Wikipedia

2018–19 Connacht Rugby season

The 2018–19 season was Irish provincial rugby union side Connacht Rugby's eighteenth season competing in the Pro14, and the team's twenty-third season as a professional side. It was Andy Friend's first season in charge of the side.

Connacht
2018–19 season
Head coachAndy Friend
Chief executiveWillie Ruane
CaptainJarrad Butler
Pro143rd, Conf. A (play-off quarter-finals)
Challenge CupQuarter-finals
Top try scorerAll: Matt Healy (8)
Top points scorerAll: Jack Carty (187)
Highest home attendance8,129 v Leinster
29 September 2018
8,129 v Ulster
28 December 2018
8,129 v Munster
5 January 2019
Lowest home attendance4,056 v Zebre
8 September 2018
Average home attendance5,876
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2017–18 2019–20 →

In the regular season, Connacht were in Conference A of the Pro14. The team finished third in their conference, qualifying for the play-offs for the first time since the 2015–16 season where they were beaten by Ulster in the quarter-final. As well as playing in the Pro14, the team competed in the Challenge Cup in Europe. They qualified as one of the best runners up from a pool including Bordeaux, Perpignan and Sale Sharks to reach the quarter-finals, where they again met Sale. A 20–10 defeat saw the team eliminated in the last eight.

In addition to the league and European competitions, the Connacht Eagles development side competed in two new competitions. The first was the Celtic Cup, which saw them play against other Irish provinces' development teams and sides from Wales. The Eagles finished bottom of the Irish conference the inaugural edition of this tournament. The second competition was the Cara Cup, which involved the Irish provinces and the New England Free Jacks, a newly established Major League Rugby side. The Eagles won both of their games, beating Ulster and the Free Jacks.

Background

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Following the removal of head coach Kieran Keane one year into a three-year deal, Andy Friend was hired as his replacement.[1] The team also had a new captain for the season, following the retirement of John Muldoon, the province's most-capped player.[2] In August 2018, Jarrad Butler was named as his replacement.[3]

Coaching and management team

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Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Individuals may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Role Name Union
Chief executive Willie Ruane[4]   Ireland
Team manager Tim Allnutt[5]   New Zealand
Head coach Andy Friend[1]   Australia
Forwards Coach Jimmy Duffy[6]   Ireland
Backs Coach Nigel Carolan[7]   Ireland
Defence Coach Peter Wilkins[8]   England
Head Performance Analyst Simon Kavanagh[9]   Ireland
Head of Strength and Conditiong David Howarth[10]   Australia
Strength and conditioning Coach Johnny O'Connor[11]   Ireland
Academy manager Eric Elwood[12]   Ireland
Connacht Eagles Coach Mossy Lawler[13]   Ireland

Players

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Senior playing squad

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The Connacht senior squad for 2018–19 was:[14][a][b]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Shane Delahunt Hooker   Ireland
Dave Heffernan Hooker   Ireland
Tom McCartney* Hooker   New Zealand
Jonny Murphy Hooker   Ireland
Finlay Bealham Prop   Ireland
Denis Buckley Prop   Ireland
Conor Carey Prop   Ireland
Peter McCabe Prop   Ireland
Conán O'Donnell Prop   Ireland
Dominic Robertson-McCoy* Prop   New Zealand
James Cannon* Lock   England
Peter Claffey Lock   Ireland
Ultan Dillane Lock   Ireland
Joe Maksymiw* Lock   England
Quinn Roux Lock   Ireland
Gavin Thornbury Lock   Ireland
Jarrad Butler (captain) Back row   Australia
James Connolly Back row   Ireland
Robin Copeland Back row   Ireland
Colby Fainga'a Back row   Australia
Cillian Gallagher Back row   Ireland
Eoghan Masterson Back row   Ireland
Eoin McKeon Back row   Ireland
Seán O'Brien Back row   Ireland
Player Position Union
Caolin Blade Scrum-half   Ireland
Angus Lloyd Scrum-half   Ireland
Kieran Marmion Scrum-half   Ireland
Conor McKeon Scrum-half   Ireland
James Mitchell* Scrum-half   England
Jack Carty Fly-half   Ireland
David Horwitz Fly-half   Australia
Craig Ronaldson Fly-half   Ireland
Bundee Aki Centre   Ireland
Tom Daly[a] Centre   Ireland
Tom Farrell Centre   Ireland
Kyle Godwin Centre   Australia
Eoin Griffin Centre   Ireland
Peter Robb Centre   Ireland
Niyi Adeolokun Wing   Ireland
Stephen Fitzgerald[b] Wing   Ireland
Matt Healy Wing   Ireland
Cian Kelleher Wing   Ireland
Rory Scholes Wing   Ireland
Darragh Leader Fullback   Ireland
Tiernan O'Halloran Fullback   Ireland
  • Senior 15's internationally capped players in bold
  • Players qualified to play for Ireland on dual nationality or residency grounds*
  • Irish Provinces are currently limited to four non-Irish eligible (NIE) players and one non-Irish qualified player (NIQ or "Project Player").[18] Connacht is exempted from this under a separate development arrangement.[19]
  • Notes:
  1. ^ a b Tom Daly joined Connacht on loan from Leinster in December 2018 for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.[15]
  2. ^ a b Stephen Fitzgerald joined Connacht on a three-month loan from Munster in December 2018,[16] which was later extended to last until the end of the season.[17]

Academy squad

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The Connacht academy squad for 2018–19 was:[20]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Dylan Tierney-Martin (year 1) Hooker   Ireland
Matthew Burke (year 2) Prop   Ireland
Conor Kenny (year 3) Prop   Ireland
Niall Murray (year 1) Lock   Ireland
Paul Boyle (year 2) Back row   Ireland
Joshua Dunne (year 1) Back row   Ireland
Cian Huxford (year 1) Back row   Ireland
Seán Masterson (year 2) Back row   Ireland
Mikey Wilson (year 1) Back row   Ireland
Player Position Union
Stephen Kerins (year 3) Scrum-half   Ireland
Colm Reilly (year 1) Scrum-half   Ireland
Luke Carty (year 2) Fly-half   Ireland
Conor Dean (year 1) Fly-half   Ireland
Conor Fitzgerald (year 1) Fly-half   Ireland
Kieran Joyce (year 2) Centre   Ireland
Seán O'Brien (year 1) Centre   Ireland
Mark Balaski (year 1) Wing   Ireland
Conor Hayes (year 1) Wing   Ireland
Oran McNulty (year 1) Wing   Ireland
Colm de Buitléar (year 2) Fullback   Ireland

Senior team transfers

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For player movement in the Pro14 leading up to and during the 2018–19 season, see List of 2018–19 Pro14 transfers.
  • Player's name in italics indicates a transfer that took place during the course of the season

Results

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Pro14

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Main article: 2018–19 Pro14
2018–19 Pro14 table view · watch · edit · discuss
Conference A
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1   Glasgow Warriors (RU) 21 16 0 5 621 380 +241 83 48 15 2 81
2   Munster (SF) 21 16 0 5 612 348 +264 82 44 11 2 77
3   Connacht (QF) 21 12 0 9 475 394 +81 60 55 7 6 61
4   Ospreys (PO) 21 12 0 9 445 404 +41 53 47 6 4 58
5   Cardiff Blues 21 10 0 11 497 451 +46 60 58 7 7 54
6   Cheetahs 21 8 1 12 541 606 −65 80 80 9 3 46
7   Zebre 21 3 0 18 260 640 −380 35 85 5 2 19
Conference B
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1   Leinster (CH) 21 15 1 5 672 385 +287 95 49 12 2 76
2   Ulster (SF) 21 13 2 6 441 424 +17 58 54 6 1 63
3   Benetton (QF) 21 11 2 8 474 431 +43 62 55 6 3 57
4   Scarlets 21 10 0 11 510 470 +40 68 54 7 5 52
5   Edinburgh 21 10 0 11 431 436 −5 52 59 6 5 51
6   Dragons 21 5 1 15 339 599 −260 37 84 1 3 26
7   Southern Kings 21 2 1 18 385 735 −350 54 107 5 7 22
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order -[43]
  1. number of matches won
  2. the difference between points for and points against
  3. the number of tries scored
  4. the most points scored
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against
  6. the fewest red cards received
  7. the fewest yellow cards received

Green background indicates teams that compete in the Pro14 play-offs, and also earn a place in the 2019–20 European Champions Cup
(excluding South African teams who are ineligible)
Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earn a place in the 2019–20 European Champions Cup
Yellow background indicates the loser of the play-off between the two fourth-ranked European teams in each conference, that earned a place in the 2019–20 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2019–20 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
(CH) Champions. (RU) Runners-up. (SF) Losing semi-finalists. (QF) Losing quarter-finalists. (PO) Champions Cup play-off winners.

Regular season

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1 September 2018
15:00
(1 BP) Connacht  26–27  Glasgow Warriors (1 BP)
Try: Kelleher 14' c
Bealham 21' c
Con: J. Carty (2/2) 16', 22'
Pen: J. Carty (4/5) 11', 34', 40', 42'		Report[44]Try: Seymour 1' m
Turner 17' c
Wilson 31' m
Ashe 64' c
Con: P. Horne (1/3) 18'
Hogg (1/1) 65'
Drop: Hogg (1/1) 73'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,329
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
8 September 2018
17:15
(1 BP) Connacht  32–13  Zebre
Try: Boyle (2) 8' c, 20' c
Blade 47' m
Griffin 59' m
Adeolokun 69' m
Con: J. Carty (2/5) 8', 21'
Pen: J. Carty (1/2) 2'		Report[45]Try: Bisegni 78' c
Con: Brummer (1/1) 78'
Pen: Canna (2/2) 25', 52'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,056
Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU)
14 September 2018
19:35
Edinburgh  17–10  Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Van der Merwe 25' c
Schoeman 55' c
Con: Van der Walt (2/2) 26', 55'
Pen: Van der Walt (1/1) 41'		Report[46]Try: Adeolokun 61' c
Con: J. Carty (1/1) 62'
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 75'
Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 5,239
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
22 September 2018
17:15
Connacht  33–20  Scarlets
Try: Farrell 4' c
Kelleher 25' c
Adeolokun 74' c
Con: J. Carty (3/3) 5', 26', 76'
Pen: J. Carty (4/4) 16', 40', 62', 69'		Report[47]Try: McNicholl 28' c
Prydie 71' c
Con: Halfpenny (1/1) 8'
Patchell (1/1) 71'
Pen: Halfpenny (2/2) 8', 20'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,839
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
29 September 2018
17:15
Connacht  3–20  Leinster
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 2'Report[48]Try: Ringrose 40' c
Cronin 55' c
Con: Sexton (2/2) 41', 56'
Pen: Sexton (2/2) 34', 40'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,129
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
5 October 2018
19:35
(1 BP) Ulster  15–22  Connacht
Try: Stockdale 23' m
Timoney 79' c
Con: Cooney (1/2) 79'
Pen: Cooney (1/2) 52'		Report[49]Try: O'Halloran 5' c
Aki 72' m
Con: J. Carty (1/2) 6'
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 67'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 13,109
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
26 October 2018
20:05
(1 BP) Ospreys  22–17  Connacht (1BP)
Try: Giles (2) 1' m, 8' m
H. Morgan 51' c
D. Evans 79' m
Con: S. Davies (1/4) 52'		Report[50]Try: Aki 64' c
Butler 69' c
Con: J. Carty (2/2) 66', 71'
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 12'
Brewery Field, Bridgend
Attendance: 5,122
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
3 November 2018
17:15
(1 BP) Connacht  33–12  Dragons
Try: Cannon 23' c
Leader 26' m
Fainga'a 29' c
McCartney 39' c
Farrell 69' c
Con: Horwitz (3/4) 24', 30', 40'
J. Carty (1/1) 70'		Report[51]Try: Amos 56' m
Basham 80' c
Con: Tovey (1/2) 80'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,146
Referee: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
25 November 2018
15:00
Southern Kings  14–31  Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Banda 27' c
Dukisa 50' c
Con: Banda (2/2)		Report[52]Try: Kelleher 10' c
Penalty try 35'
Healy 39' c
Boyle 61' c
Con: Carty (2/2) 11', 40'
Horwitz 61'
Pen: Carty (1/1) 4'
NMU Stadium
Attendance: 3,207
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
1 December 2018
17:00
(1 BP) Cheetahs  17–21  Connacht
Try: Jaer 30' m
Dweba 35' m
S. Venter 71' c
Con: Schoeman (1/1) 72'		Report[53]Try: Farrell 5' c
Thornbury 27' m
Con: J. Carty (1/2) 7'
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 21'
Horwitz (2/2) 57', 64'
Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 3,270
Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)
22 December 2018
19:45
(1 BP) Leinster  33–29  Connacht (2 BP)
Try: O'Brien 11' c
M. Kearney 43' m
Cronin 69' c
Leavy 71' c
Porter 80' c
Con: Byrne (4/5) 11', 69', 72', 80'		Report[54]Try: Kelleher 5' m
Leader 22' c
J. Carty 33' c
Blade 47' c
Con: J. Carty (3/4) 23', 34', 48'
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 63'
RDS Arena
Attendance: 16,790
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
28 December 2018
19:35
Connacht  21–12  Ulster
Try: Delahunt 12' c
Aki 19' c
Blade 42' c
Con: J. Carty (3/3) 13', 21', 44'		Report[55]Try: Kernohan 32' c
Murphy 67' m
Con: Cooney (1/2) 33'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,129
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
5 January 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht  24–31  Munster (1 BP)
Try: Farrell 9' c
Kelleher 41' c
J. Carty 72' c
Con: J. Carty (3/3) 11', 42', 72'
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 40'		ReportTry: P. O'Mahony 16' c
Goggin (2) 24' c, 48' c
Carbery 63' c
Con: Carbery (4/4) 17', 25', 49', 64'
Pen: Carbery (1/1) 56'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,129
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
26 January 2019
17:15
Cardiff Blues  8–7  Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Lane 24' m
Pen: Shingler (1/2) 11'		ReportTry: Boyle 74' c
Con: C. Fitzgerald 75'
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,673
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
16 February 2019
17:30
Connacht  25–17  Cheetahs
Try: Farrell 24' c
McCartney 45' c
Butler 78' m
Con: J. Carty (2/3) 26', 47'
Pen: J. Carty (2/2) 16', 72'		ReportTry: Maxwane 10' c
Fouché 20' m
S. Venter 59' m
Con: Schoeman (1/3) 12'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,933
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
22 February 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Glasgow Warriors  43–17  Connacht
Try: G. Horne 0' c
Swinson 30' c
Stewart (2) 38' c, 44' c
Nairn (2) 66' c, 72' m
Con: Thomson (5/6) 1', 31', 38', 45', 67'
Pen: Thomson (1/1) 16'		ReportTry: S. Fitzgerald 21' m
Boyle 61' m
Daly 69' c
Con: Godwin (1/2) 70'
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 7,246
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
2 March 2019
14:45
(1 BP) Connacht  46–5  Ospreys
Try: Farrell 1' c
Healy 24' c
Marmion (2) 29' c, 50' c
McCartney 69' c
Con: Godwin (4/4) 1', 25', 31', 52'
Pen: Godwin (2/2) 12', 15'		ReportTry: Aubrey 15' m
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,117
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
22 March 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht  29–14  Benetton
Try: Blade ' c
Healy (2) 29' c, 68' m
J. Carty ' c
Con: Godwin (2/2) 17', 30'
J. Carty (1/2) 80'
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 63'		ReportTry: Rizzi 37' c
Duvenage 55' c
Con: Rizzi (2/2) 38', 56'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,106
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
6 April 2019
17:30
(1 BP) Zebre  5–6  Connacht
Try: Bellini 41'mReportPen: J. Carty (2/2) 5', 21'
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Referee: Ben Blain (SRU)
13 April 2019
15:00
(1 BP) Connacht  29–22  Cardiff Blues (1 BP)
Try: Blade 11' c
Thornbury 26' c
J. Carty 49' c
Healy 72' m
Con: J. Carty (3/4) 11', 27', 50'
Pen: J. Carty (1/3) 46'		ReportTry: Lane 19' c
Turnbull 70' c
Harries 79' m
Con: Anscombe (2/3) 20', 71'
Pen: Anscombe (1/1) 52'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 6,229
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
27 April 2019
19:35
Munster  27–14  Connacht
Try: Beirne 30' c
Haley 36' c
Hanrahan 74' c
Con: Bleyendaal (2/2) 31', 37'
Hanrahan (1/1) 75'
Pen: Bleyendaal (2/2) 20', 56'		ReportTry: Bealham 23'
McKeon 70' c
Con: Dean (2/2) 24', 70'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 19,999
Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU)

Play-offs

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4 May 2019
17:35
Ulster  21–13  Connacht
Try: Timoney 14' m
Coetzee 77' c
Con: Burns (1/1) 78'
Pen: Cooney (3/3) 4', 40', 61'		ReportTry: Aki 54' c
Con: J. Carty (1/1) 55'
Pen: J. Carty (2/3) 29', 67'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 15,215
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Challenge Cup

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Main article: 2018–19 European Rugby Challenge Cup

Pool 3

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1   Sale Sharks (3) 6 4 0 2 196 108 +88 27 12 4 2 22
2   Connacht (6) 6 5 0 1 146 120 +26 19 14 2 0 22
3   Bordeaux Bègles 6 2 1 3 137 171 −34 17 23 1 1 12
4   Perpignan 6 0 1 5 117 197 −80 13 27 0 1 3
Source: espn.co.uk
13 October 2018
15:00
Connacht  22–10  Bordeaux Bègles
Try: Godwin (2) 13' c, 45' c
Bealham 66' m
Con: J. Carty (2/3) 14', 46'
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 23'		Report[56]Try: Amosa 52' c
Con: Meret (1/1) 53'
Pen: Meret (1/1) 40'
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,878
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
20 October 2018
15:00
(1 BP) Sale Sharks  34–13  Connacht
Try: Ashton (3) 36' c, 56' c, 63' c
Beaumont 53' c
Con: De Klerk (4/4) 38', 54', 57', 65'
Pen: De Klerk (2/2) 19', 27'		Report[57]Try: Delahunt 30' c
Con: C. Fitzgerald (1/1) 32'
Pen: C. Fitzgerald (2/2) 1', 16'
AJ Bell Stadium
Attendance: 4,249
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
8 December 2018
15:00
Connacht  22–10  Perpignan
Try: Leader 9' c
Aki 19' c
Godwin 77' m
Con: Horwitz (2/2) 10', 20'
C. Fitzgerald (0/1)
Pen: Horwitz (1/2) 44'		Report[58]Try: Leiataua 65' c
Con: Bousquet (1/1) 66'
Pen: Bousquet (1/1) 47'
Galway Sportsground
Attendance: 5,011
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
14 December 2018
19:00
Perpignan  21–36  Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Farnoux 7' m
Leiataua 41' m
Fainga'anuku 46' m
Con: Jackson (0/3)
Pen: Jackson (1/1) 12'
Ecochard (1/1) 59'		Report[59]Try: O'Brien (2) 19' c, 34' m
Heffernan 25' c
Healy 67' c
Kelleher 68' c
Con: C. Fitzgerald (2/3) 20', 25'
J. Carty (2/2) 68', 70'
Pen: C. Fitzgerald (1/2) 40'
Stade Aimé Giral
Attendance: 5,166
Referee: Ian Tempest (RFU)
12 January 2019
15:00
Connacht  20–18  Sale Sharks (1 BP)
Try: Godwin 19' c
Mitchell 21' c
Con: J. Carty (2/2) 20', 22'
Pen: J. Carty (1/1) 12'
Horwitz (1/1) 71'		Report[60]Try: Ashton 39' c
De Klerk 49' m
Con: De Klerk (1/2) 40'
Pen: De Klerk (2/2) 61', 64'
Galway Sportsground
Attendance: 6,229
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
19 January 2019
15:00
(1 BP) Bordeaux Bègles  27–33  Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Amosa 23' c
Poirot 38' c
Serin 48' c
Con: Meret (3/3) 24', 40', 49'
Pen: Meret (2/2) 15', 26'		Report[61]Try: Healy (2) 9' m, 70' c
Roux 18' c
O'Halloran 34' c
J. Carty 77' c
Con: Horwitz (2/3) 19', 35'
J. Carty (2/2) 71', 78'
Stade Chaban-Delmas
Attendance: 11,899
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)

Pool winners and runners-up rankings

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Rank Pool Leaders Pts Diff TF
1   Clermont 30 187 44
2   La Rochelle 24 134 32
3   Sale Sharks 22 88 27
4   Worcester Warriors 22 25 19
5   Harlequins 21 66 23
Rank Pool Runners–up Pts Diff TF
6   Connacht 22 26 19
7   Bristol Bears 21 159 42
8   Northampton Saints 21 155 42
9   Benetton 20 65 23
10   Ospreys 13 36 18

Quarter-finals

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29 March 2019
19:45 GMT UTC+0
Sale Sharks   (3)20–10(6)   Connacht
Try: McGuigan 9' c
Solomona 14' c
Con: MacGinty (2/2) 10', 16'
Pen: MacGinty (2/2) 28', 33'		Report[62]Try: Godwin 67' c
Con: Leader (1/1) 68'
Pen: J. Carty (1/2) 7'
AJ Bell Stadium
Attendance: 4,649
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)

References

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  1. ^ a b "Andy Friend confirmed as new Connacht head coach". Irish Independent. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  2. ^ "The end of an era: John Muldoon bids fond farewell to Connacht". Irish Times. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Back row Jarrad Butler succeeds Muldoon as Connacht captain". The42. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  4. ^ "Connacht appoint Willie Ruane as new CEO". Irish Independent. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  5. ^ "'I just came over here to visit my brother and I never left'". Irish Independent. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  6. ^ "Jimmy Duffy is new Connacht forwards coach". RTÉ Sport. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  7. ^ "Connacht confirm Carolan and Duffy as part of new coaching team". RTÉ Sport. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  8. ^ "Connacht appoint former Queensland Reds and Edinburgh defence coach". The42. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  9. ^ "Conor McPhilips to replace Andre Bell as Connacht backs' coach". Irish Times. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Aussie coach joins Connacht backroom team after three years with leading NBA side". The42. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  11. ^ "Connacht son Johnny O'Connor returns to join club's backroom team". The42. 25 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  12. ^ "Connacht legend Eric Elwood succeeds Carolan as academy manager". The42. 28 April 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  13. ^ "Former Irish international added to the Connacht coaching ticket for the remainder of the season". The42. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  14. ^ "Connacht Rugby | Senior Squad". Connacht Rugby. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  15. ^ "Connacht bolster backline options with loan signing of Leinster's Daly". The42. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  16. ^ "Roux and O'Brien return to Connacht starting team to face Ulster". Connacht Rugby. 27 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  17. ^ "Connacht keen to make Fitzgerald's loan from Munster a long-term deal". The42. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Not all rules are made to be broken". Irish Independent. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2018. Ireland's set-up demands a maximum of five NIEs - one of whom is a project player
  19. ^ "Foreign stars hit by new IRFU contract rules". The42. 21 December 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2018. The changes will not apply to Connacht who recently agreed a separate programme of structural and performance development with the IRFU.
  20. ^ "Academy Squad". Connacht Rugby. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  21. ^ "Connacht: Former Ulster hooker Jonny Murphy joins from Rotherham". BBC Sport. 16 May 2018.
  22. ^ a b c "Three promising homegrown players sign pro contracts with Connacht". The42. 9 March 2018. Archived from the original on 9 March 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
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