CONNACHT’S UNITED RUGBY Championship round five clash against Ulster will now take place at the Aviva Stadium.
Connacht have agreed to give up home advantage for the game on 23 October, which is set to take place one day after crowd restrictions will be lifted by the government.
With the capacity of Connacht’s Sportsgrounds at just over 8,000, the province are hoping to accommodate as many supporters as possible in what will be one of the first professional events in Ireland after the relaxing of restrictions.
“I was asked what I thought about it, and straight away I thought about the positives, as I tend to, but I thought I’d love to give our players a platform to play in front of maybe 20,000 or 30,000 people,” said Connacht head coach Andy Friend.
“So that was the first thing that sprung in my mind, and I actually think Interpro games, as I’ve now learned, they are massive here.
“Given we’ve had 18 months with no crowd, we could get a good crowd there. We have a lot of Connacht supporters in Leinster, a great opportunity for them just to head down the road now and get a ticket at the Aviva.
“It’s done in consultation with our key supporter group, with myself as the coach and therefore the team, and all thumbs were up for it. I see it as a brilliant opportunity to head up to the Aviva.”
Existing season tickets holders are guaranteed entry to the game, while the rest of the tickets will go on general sale on Monday, 27 September at 9am.
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Absolutely nonsensical decision. I have friends coming to Galway for the Bank Holiday weekend and we were all going to the match – do they not realise there is an exodus from Dublin for every bank holiday?
It’s a real shame, an interpro in Galway guaranteed to sell out the day after restrictions are lifted would have the city buzzing. Plenty of bars sponsor Connacht players and would’ve earmarked that weekend and game as an extremely busy night. Would be interesting to get their views on this.
I know they consulted the supporters club, but I’m a member and this is the first I’ve heard of it. I’d say the Supporters Club Committee made the decision without actually consulting the members.
@Paddy Kennedy:
Not happy about this… was really looking forward to the good old days of a match and a night on the town…
Myself and my game buddies were all looking forward to it… This is a real shame
Ah come on now both of you, not the end of the world, it’s a two hour drive, ish. Why not go to Dublin for the weekend if there is such an exodus from there. Sure might do you some good to see beyond Galway’s at a bank holiday weekend and you can tell people in Dublin how good Galway is on a bank holiday, instead of doing it in Galway! And ‘game buddies’??? What’s that about man???
@This time its personable!: I live in Dublin, I’m from Galway and I have no interest whatsoever in staying in Dublin for the bank holiday weekend especially when the restrictions are lifted. But thanks for the suggestion.
@This time its personable!: Because not every Connacht supporter lives in Co Galway. I live in Belmullet and have to drive 2 1/2 hours to matches in the Sportsgrounds. I simply haven’t enough time to drive 4 hours to Dublin and 4 hours back. Or to spend money on a hotel on top of that. I would love to know what supporters group they spoke to because I’m in 2 of them including the official one and I never heard a thing
@This time its personable!:
We buy season tickets so we can tell our wives that we have to go and to not would be a waste… Down to the game and beer for the night… Fantastic atmosphere, this was going to be the big meet up… Connacht home games have a special place in the Galwegian winters calendar,…
I am not getting a pass for a weekend to Dublin with the same excuse and it won’t be the same atmosphere
@Paddy Kennedy: ah I get your point. I wouldn’t stay in Dublin either! I’ll have a think of some other suggestions for you, don’t worry.
@Paula Cullen: massive oversight by me to fair! Surely with such an effort like that I might get some job with the government. 2 supporters clubs? How is that? The provisional Connacht supporters club and the Real Connacht supporters club? Or am I wide of the mark again.
@Cowboy Paddy: ah Cowboy Paddy are you one of Cowboy Ted’s ‘game buddies’? You lads sound as if you live in fear, a terrible way to be living making excuses to get out and about. In advance will you not just say I’m off out to the game on that date and a few pints with the ‘game buddies’ and I’ll see you later (never specify a time). Sorted. Go and watch it on the TV in a pub, surely you cowboys aren’t that afraid!
@This time its personable!: bollox
As an Ulster fan, this move benefits Ulster, Connacht move a home game to a neutral venue, its also easier for Ulster fans to travel to than Galway, so should expect a decent number of Ulster fans to attend. I actually think there will be a higher number of Ulster fans than Connacht fans in the Aviva. Wasn’t for travelling to this one anyway, but hope this doesn’t become a regular occurrence, away games in Galway are class, wouldnt want to swap it for the Aviva each year.
I wonder what Connacht season ticket holder make of this?
Overall it will be a positive for Connacht and will generate more money, which is a positive but is it putting fans first?
@Kingshu: season ticket holders will get tickets to the game i believe. I think as you have said, i think its a case of putting money before fans. A bank hol sat evening in Galway, a big interpro..first since christmas 2019 perhaps yhat fans can attend, and they switch it. I feel for the businesses who sponsor Connacht, that get a boast in Galway from the increase people about too
URC have also said, to help Connacht fans enjoy the game even more, Frank Murphy has been appointed as referee!
@This time its personable!: that will make a great weekend for Connacht ! Guaranteed to get double screwed?
@Liam O’Flaherty: the one bonus will be that commentary won’t mention that the wind and rain in the Sportsground will suit Connacht, when, and I’m not a Connacht man, they haven’t been that side for a decade nearly and I’d say are the main province who hard ground and a good day is what they want.
This is a no brainer. Opportunities for income generation must be maximised following the hit taken by the Union and branches. As an Ulster fan I would love to head to the Aviva for a URC or ERC match with 40,000 fans
@Neill Elliott: Of course you are, it’s not a bank holiday weekend in the North.
If I were a Connacht fan I’d be pissed. However, I can see why they moved it. 20-30k tickets brings in a lot more €s than 8k and they badly need that money now.
Terrible decision for many reasons. Personally, it just really suits me this time. Easy train there and back, young lad will have a seat, good view etc. But thats just me.
Glad I had the sense to book a room in Galway with no cancellation charge.
This is a sell out by Connacht Rugby. They’d better ensure they win the game given the importance of winning interpros in qualifying for HEC 22/23!
@David Finn: Can’t see Connacht qualifying for HCup 22/23, they were really screwed over by the new format, having to play the 3 best teams in the league a second time, Connacht have the toughest fixture list out of everyone. Added to that every country is guaranteed 1 HCup spot meaning in effect there are only 3 places up for grabs. I doubt Connacht will finish the top province, so really need to finish in top 4/5 in the league. Which will be very tough given they have harder fixtures than their direct rivals.