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	Connacht Rugby - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
		The Irish Rugby Football Union Connacht Branch (the professional team of which which is run by Connacht Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Connacht.
		Connacht has a much smaller base of rugby union players to choose from than the other three provinces due in part to its small population and the relative popularity of GAA sports such as hurling and Gaelic football.
		Connacht were quarterfinalists in the European Challenge Cup in 1997/98.
	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Connacht_Rugby (597 words)

	Irish Rugby Football Union - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
		This led to the unique situation among international rugby union teams, where the Irish representative teams are drawn from players from two separate political territories: the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom).
		To maintain the unity of Irish rugby union and the linkages between North and South the IRFU purchased a new ground in 1923 in the Ravenhill district of Belfast at a cost of £2,300.
		Munster, Leinster and Ulster continue to be the strongest three with Connacht in the west of the country traditionally the weakest.
	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Irish_Rugby_Football_Union (447 words)

	Irish Times Article - Reprieve for Connacht rugby in IRFU rethink on provinces (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
		Reprieve for Connacht rugby in IRFU rethink on provinces
		Connacht have had some notable victories in their time, but probably none compared to the one last night when the IRFU completed a rare volte face in the face of mounting public pressure by announcing that they would not be dissolving the western province.
		In response, the Connacht Branch have called off their request for a special meeting of the full IRFU Council, which would inclued ten delegates from each province and would have been empowered to overturn any decision by the Committee to disband Connacht.
	www.ireland.com /newspaper/front/2003/0131/3574772968HM1RUGBY.html (597 words)

	BBC SPORT \| Sports Talk \| Should Irish Rugby ditch Connacht?
		Connacht should not be disbanded as a professional side as this would be the death knell of rugby in the west of Ireland.
		Connacht have been designated as a development province and as such they have developed and are now starting to produce players and results.
		Connacht rugby is on a high at the moment and at a time when the sports grounds are being so drastically renovated disbandment would be a case of the IRFU shooting themselves in the foot.
	news.bbc.co.uk /sport2/hi/sports_talk/2654139.stm (1774 words)

	Seanad Debate - 29 January 2003
		Rugby, Gaelic football and soccer are played in Creggs, on the Galway border with my county, and such clubs have been part of the renaissance in the west.
		Rugby in Connacht has expanded and improved greatly in recent years, with a growing number of players involved and an increasing number of schools now playing the game.
		Connacht was the first ever Irish provincial team to win in France and England, a breakthrough for this country in rugby terms in 1997.
	www.irlgov.ie /debates-03/s29Jan/Sect4.htm (16165 words)

	Rugby.ie
		Wilkinson was heavily involved throughout his stint on the pitch, making a crunching tackle on 6ft 1in Connacht centre Niall O'Brien and dusting himself down after being trapped at the bottom of a ruck on more than one occasion.
		Newcastle ended the half with a foothold in Connacht's 22, and the home side were temporarily reduced to 14 men when flanker Michael Swift was yellow-carded.
		It was veteran Elwood's 150th Connacht appearance, and although he kicked three first-half penalties, the home side couldn't build on a 9-3 interval lead.
	www.rugby.ie /news/story.asp?j=6538 (586 words)

	Connacht Rugby / News Articles
		The signing of O2 is the latest in an impressive list of major companies lending their support to Connacht Rugby, with Bank of Ireland, Canterbury Clothing Company and Radisson SAS Hotels also on board as Connacht build for the future.
		Connacht Rugby CEO Gerry Kelly said that the decision by O2 to back Connacht was a major boost for the side.
		Connacht has been designated by the IRFU as a development province and the squad this season contains 24 players who have represented Ireland at underage or schools levels.
	www.connachtrugby.ie /newspage/32319.html (428 words)

	Guardian Unlimited Sport \| Rugby union \| Connacht face the chop
		The bell is tolling for Connacht, who this evening face Pontypridd in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup quarter-final at Sardis Road in what may be their final match.
		The Irish Rugby Football Union is considering withdrawing its annual funding of €2.2m (£1.46m) to Connacht as the union battles to balance its books.
		The union meets on Thursday to discuss the issue but any decision is likely to be put off until next month after Connacht's decision to call a meeting of the union's council, when they will plead for their survival.
	sport.guardian.co.uk /rugbyunion/story/0,10069,877299,00.html (585 words)

	Emerald Rugby
		The Connacht Rugby manager John Fallon has announced that he will be stepping down from the position for the new season, having been at the helm for the past two years.
		Connacht have just completed their busiest and most successful season in history, going out of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup by a single score at the semi-final stage to eventual winners NEC Harlequins.
		"It is good to be leaving Connacht rugby in such a healthy state and I sincerely hope the progress made in recent years can now be taken on to a new level.
	www.emeraldrugby.com /news_detail.asp?id=509 (248 words)

	Guide to Galway & Connacht \|\| FalconsRugby.org.uk - Unofficial Newcastle Falcons News and Views
		Connacht Rugby are looking forward to welcoming all travelling Newcastle fans to Galway next week for what should be a fantastic opening to the season for both teams.
		The Connacht rugby team are based in Galway city, which has a population of approx 68,000, while the population of the province of Connacht is 464,000.
		Rugby has been played in Connacht for 119 years, which is remarkable considering the dominance of hurling and especially gaelic football in the five counties.
	www.sportnetwork.net /main/s95/st56739.htm (703 words)

	Irish Post: Rugby: Connacht look for European success (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
		CONNACHT and London Irish had mixed fortunes in the draw for the pools stages of the new European Challenge Cup.
		Connacht will be expected to advance, with all five pool winners and the three best runners-up going into the quarterfinals.
		Connacht CEO Gerry Kelly said that the new system of five pools of four teams was a welcome development and would add greatly to the appeal of the competition.
	www.irishpost.co.uk /news/story.asp?j=2631 (247 words)

	Unison.ie / Irish Independent - Irish and World News, Breaking News, Sports, Business, Classifieds (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
		The IRFU have to make tough decisions and in the past they have made the right ones but I think the payback from Connacht rugby is only a couple of years away, when at last, again, we have at least one Connacht representative on the Irish team.
		I watched Connacht beat Leinster in the Celtic League and was very impressed with many of the Connacht players, there is great potential there and I hope its given time to flourish.
		To disband Connacht would be to ruin the hard work of hundreds of volunteers who, day in day out have turned the underage structure in Connacht the envy of the other three provinces.
	www.unison.ie /polls/index.php3?ident=SportsDesk&mypollid=695 (3400 words)

	Leicester Tigers : All You Need to Know About Connacht
		Connacht is one of Ireland's four provinces, situated in the west of the country.
		The Connacht rugby team is based in Galway city, which has a population of approximately 68,000, while the population of the province of Connacht is 464,000.
		Connacht battled hard for a Heineken Cup qualifying place with Cardiff towards the end of last season's Celtic League, but lost out by three points in the closing weeks, as Cardiff hit form.
	www.tigers.co.uk /29_4367.php?PHPSESSID=b36391a28fc665f32d73d5b8f55ddd26 (517 words)

	Emerald Rugby
		The first leg is Connacht at home in the Sportsground on Saturday April 2nd with a 1:00pm kick-off.
		Tickets for the game are available from Connacht Rugby Branch offices, on-line at www.connachtrugby.ie and in Elverys Sports stores throughout the west of Ireland including limerick and Ennis from Tuesday March 15.
		In order to meet the exceptional demand for tickets and facilities on the day Connacht will be installing in excess of 4,000 additional seats in the Sportsground bringing the ground capacity to more than 7,000.
	www.emeraldrugby.com /news_detail.asp?id=1128 (305 words)

	Telegraph \| Sport \| Connacht fighting for funds
		The Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed yesterday that they have requested Connacht branch officials to submit a business plan for the development of the provincial team.
		Two years ago, Connacht supporters took to the streets in mass demonstrations after it was claimed that IRFU funding was about to be drastically reduced.
		Meanwhile, Connacht, who have qualified for the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup for a second consecutive year, play Cardiff in a Celtic League game at Galway today.
	www.telegraph.co.uk /sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2005/01/22/srconn22.xml&sSheet=/sport/2005/01/22/ixrugu.html (432 words)

	Irish Post: Rugby: Connacht’s Elwood hopes to blunt Sharks’ bite (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
		CONNACHT will be bidding to take one step closer to a European cup final when they entertain Sale Sharks at the Sportsground this Saturday in the first leg of the European Challenge Cup semi-final.
		Since Connacht’s players have had little international involvement in the recent Six Nations championship, their side has a more settled look about it and is unlikely to differ much from the line up that recently faced Leinster in the Celtic League.
		It promises to be another huge rugby occasion in Galway and Connacht look capable of getting a favourable result to bring with them to Stockport in two weeks time.
	www.irishpost.co.uk /news/story.asp?j=1818 (485 words)

	Sport - 9 July 1998
		Connacht rugby has been boosted this season with a new sponsorship deal with the Bank of Ireland.
		The bank first became involved in the local rugby scene when it sponsored the fixture between Connacht and Australia in 1996.
		At a reception to celebrate Connacht's achievements last season, branch president Jeff Smith said it was an exciting time for rugby in the province.
	www.galwayadvertiser.ie /sport/980709/page3.htm (212 words)

	Super Seven Lead Hunt For Challenge Cup (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
		But it is in Pools 2 and 5 that matters could come to a head with the two rounds in the New Year still to come.
		It is much the same story In Pool 5 with Connacht and Worcester Warriors locked together on nine points.
		Connacht travel to the Warriors in Round 3, the reverse fixture coming a week later in Galway.
	www.sportingwales.com /artman/publish/article_7772.shtml (195 words)

	IOL: Connacht players blast move by IRFU
		CONNACHT’S rugby players last night blasted the IRFU for its ‘appalling’ decision to discuss the possible disbandment of the provincial team 48 hours before the biggest game of their careers.
		As IRFU chiefs deferred a definitive decision on Connacht’s future last night, the players issued a statement in advance of the meeting, expressing their outrage at the Union’s decision making process.
		Fallon says Connacht have achieved above and beyond their means in the past two years, despite being pigeon-holed as the weakest province, and a distinct lack of IRFU funding.
	breakingnews.iol.ie /sport/iestory.asp?j=562598955090&p=56z59895568x (947 words)

	Speech by Minister O'Donoghue at the Seanad Eireann debate on the IRFU and the Connacht Professional Squad (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
		The achievement and maintenance of consistently high performance levels in international rugby is built on the early identification and nurturing of talent and the availability of top quality coaching and development in schools and in clubs, using top class training and match facilities, with referees of the highest standard possible available.
		In addition the skills, relationships and responsibilities intrinsic to rugby and the club structure has had a positive effect on the development of individuals and the development of the community.
		I am aware also that rugby in Connacht has expanded and improved greatly in recent years with a growing number of players involved and an increasing number of schools now playing the game.
	www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie /pressroom/pr_detail.asp?ID=185 (1562 words)

	IOL: IRFU 'allowing Connacht rugby wither on the vine'
		Angry Connacht supporters have threatened protests to show their disapproval of "IRFU policy", and have not ruled out rallies during the Six Nations games in Dublin.
		Connacht fans are unhappy that plans to bring Irish players home to build up a more formidable Connacht side have not been supported by the governing body.
		The Connacht Branch says it wants to bring back the likes of Johnny O'Connor, Gavin Duffy, Colm Rigney and Damian Browne, all of whom play in England, but the IRFU pointed out yesterday that some of those players are under contract with their clubs.
	breakingnews.iol.ie /news/iestory.asp?j=20725216326&p=zx7z5zy6349&n=20725216404 (749 words)

	RTÉ.ie Sport - Fallon takes over Connacht reins
		Galway journalist John Fallon has been appointed manager of Connacht and has taken a year's leave of absence from the Connacht Tribune to pursue his responsibilities with the team.
		Connacht made significant improvements last year under the stewardship of South African Director of Coaching Steph Nel, and although they again suffered poor results in the Guinness Inter-Provincials, their impressive performances in the Celtic League and Parker Pen Shield earned them praise throughout Europe.
		A new headquarters for Connacht rugby is being developed at the Sportsground and this should be open by October.
	www.rte.ie /sport/2002/0717/connacht.html (309 words)

	Welcome to Ireland West Airport - Knock - in Charlestown, Co. Mayo, Ireland (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
		Connacht Rugby and Knock International Airport together with the airline bmibaby who fly to daily services from Knock to Birmingham and Manchester and the Cardiff Blues Rugby Club are deligted to have secured a first class line-up of over 40 former rugby internationals and Lions players to participate this charity golf classic.
		Croi have already assisted Knock International Airport in becoming one of the first regional airports to have defibrillators and they are committed to supporting Connacht Rugby in the installation of a defibrillator in the home grounds also.
		Announcing details of the golf classic, Ken Jackson, Commercial Manager, Connacht Rugby said he hoped that the synergy ceated by the union of Connacht Rugby as the only professional sports team in Connacht with the only international airport in the region, will enhance and develop the tourism potential to the West.
	www.knockairport.com /news.asp?ID=85&dbtype=News (622 words)

	www.scrum.com (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
		Glasgow Rugby — one of eight teams on one-from-two so far in an extremely tight Celtic League — take on a Connacht side searching for a third Scottish scalp of the season at Hughenden on Friday night, with coach Hugh Campbell warning that all home games are “must win” contests.
		“Connacht have beaten both other Scots sides already this season and they are a very committed side who play for the full 80 minutes,” he said.
		Glasgow Rugby produced possibly the upset of Round 1 in the Celtic Cup competition when they beat Celtic Warriors 19-9 at the Brewery Field last weekend but Campbell is only looking at the next challenge.
	www.scrum.com /news/news.asp?newsid=20124 (404 words)

	Telegraph \| Sport \| Connacht capitalise on Contepomi blow
		Costello's absence was expensive as it coincided with a spell when Connacht mauled their way over in quick succession for tries by Matt Lacey and John O'Sullivan.
		Connacht coach Michael Bradley will have been encouraged by the manner in which they clawed their way out of trouble after Aidan Kearney's try pushed Leinster 10-points clear.
		In the end it was the tenacity of their pack and the manner in which Eric Elwood controlled the game at half-back which got them out of trouble.
	www.telegraph.co.uk /sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2004/03/15/srconn15.xml (289 words)

	Sligo Weekender: Rugby: President Burgess (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
		However, Connacht are still viewed as the ‘poorer relation’ in terms of the Irish scene, lagging behind the example of Munster, Ulster, and Leinster.
		Another one of Burgess’ ambitions is to increase the number of Connacht clubs competing in the AIB All-Ireland League.
		Overall, rugby is gaining a bigger profile throughout the country.
	www.sligoweekender.ie /news/story.asp?j=9258 (968 words)

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