RUGBY NEWS:IT WAS refreshing to read Eric Elwood's comments regarding the dire need for the construction of a second stand at the Sportsground to entice Galway residents to improve upon the 1,371 that bothered to show up for the opening Magners League victory over the Dragons.
It was further confirmation that the new Connacht regime has adopted a markedly different attitude that must prove highly encouraging for both players and supporters.
Elwood told the Sunday Times he expected construction work to begin before Christmas. However, Connacht chief executive Gerry Kelly stated yesterday initiating such a project was proving slightly more challenging.
“We have engaged in a fundraising exercise with the objective of developing the Sportsground but it is embryonic at the moment,” said Kelly. “Eric is impatient, and rightly so, but I can’t see it happening that quickly but hopefully we would be lucky to have it in place for next season all right.”
Maybe Connacht could borrow the Donnybrook stand that was completed just before Leinster moved down the road to the RDS Showgrounds two seasons ago. It fills up for a few schools games but, really, the under-used structure is a symbol of how the three priority provinces thrive in comparison to Connacht.
“We have currently applied for the sports capital project tax exemption scheme,” Kelly explained, adding that investment needs to come from successful Connacht people no longer based along the western seaboard. “We have a high-powered fundraising group sitting down together to examine ways of increasing the funds available to Connacht rugby.
“It is business people from the area and outside. We would be looking to the Connacht diaspora who have done well both inside and outside Ireland.”
The Connacht fundraising committee is headed by Eimer Gilvarry, the managing partner of the Dublin-based solicitors firm Mason, Hayes and Curran.
The IRFU are due to rubber stamp a new business model for Connacht next month. The branch approached the union last January seeking assistance. There followed a complete review of their organisation, conducted in conjunction with Morgan Buckley, managing director of consultancy firm Atlantic Sports Management.
“There won’t be major structural changes but there will be a greater input from (the IRFU in the running of Connacht),” said Kelly. So, the current worrying and highly contentious one-year contracts handed out to management and players may be extended? “Well, that would be a key part of it.”
Connacht have had an impressive start to the Magners League, narrowly losing their second game away to the Scarlets last weekend but they travel to Glasgow tomorrow evening keen to end a long running losing streak on the road. Andrew Browne returns to a pack that may struggle in the absence of their entire backrow as captain John Muldoon, Johnny O’Connor and Ezra Taylor are still recuperating.
“Glasgow are a very physical side,” said Elwood. “They have a good set of forwards and they compete very heavily at the breakdown. They work very hard in their defence. They are very committed. We won’t get anything easy over there. We will be looking forward to a “roll-your-sleeves-up” type of affair!”
The type of affair that Connacht must face both on and off the field in the coming months.
CONNACHT SQUAD– Forwards: R Loughney, B Wilkinson, S Cronin, A Flavin, R Sweeney, J Hagan, A Browne, D Nolan, M Swift, B Upton, M McCarthy, R Ofisa, M McComish, S Conneely. Backs: C Willis, F Murphy, M Nikora, I Keatley, F Carr, K Matthews, N Taauso, T O'Halloran, A Wynne, T Nathan, G Duffy, D Fanning.
