Connacht Clan open their HEC history at Buskers

As Connacht Rugby flew to London and prepared themselves for their first HEC match, some of those left behind gathered to watch this historic occassion in Busker Browne's. With the biggest screen in Galway, Busker's proved to be a great spot for the match as in front of a packed venue Connacht put on a display that left many in the crowd with a hoarse voice afterwards. The crowd had great fun and with the free raffle winners getting a little something extra as well.

Congratulations to David Arkins the winner of the Toulouse Hospitality Package. He gets to upgrade his ticket to a full hospitality package, including free food and drink before the match, a guest speaker, and access to the marquee area throughout the match and afterwards to meet the players.
Thanks to everyone for coming along to make it such a memorable night for us all, and to Busker Browne's for providing the venue. A big thanks to Jonathan Curren of Sporting Occassions, who was on hand to capture the craic for the EVENT GALLERY.

Youtube Clip of the action!

New Connacht Clan Website

Above: Site designer Michael Monagahan (Liskillen Media) with Busker Browne's Dave Keogh and Dennis Laffey.

The Connacht Clan are proud to announce that they have partnered with Liskillen Media to design and implement a brand new and cutting edge website for Connacht Rugby fans all over the world. The website was developed by Michael Monaghan, who volunteered his time and expertise and the site developement “aimed to bring the excitement of supporting Connacht to a whole new level and a new audience”.

The site came online on Wednesday last week and had a very busy first weekend over 11,000 hits from all around the world. These stats go to show the large fan base that the club has, and with great online services like our forums for our twitter and facebook aggregation, merchandise and ticketing, and even games for the Junior Eagles we aim to deliver the best to those fans.

The official launch took place in Busker's on the night of the Connacht Rugby's first match in the HEC. If you not checked it out yet head over to ConnachtClan.com and sign up! Check the event gallery for photos of the launch night.

Connacht vs Toulouse

On Friday Connacht walked out onto the field at the Stoop in the heart of London. They had been there before, but this was different. This was the Heineken Cup. They put on a display that proved to those who doubted that they were where they belonged.
This Saturday they take on a team whose history in this competition is what all teams must aspire to... Stade Toulousain (a little history). The members of this newsletter are all members of the Connacht Clan, and so you all appreciate how important this is, and you will all be there... but let's take it a little further than usual this Saturday. Be greener, be louder, be more passionate, and get behind the lads more than ever before.
Don't forget to get onto Facebook to leave a message of support for the lads.

 www.facebook.com/Connachtrugby

Connacht Rugby Clubs' Night

The Connacht Clan are organising a 'Clubs Night' for the Connacht vs Edinburgh game in February next year. This will be a celebration of the superb clubs' scene in Connacht, and it is hoped that all clubs within the province will participate.
On the night itself, there will be some fantastic prizes on offer(including cash prizes!), to be given out to the victors of our fun-filled games pitting club against club at half time, and also for a raffle draw for all participants. The aim of each club should be to bring as many people as possible (including supporters, sponsors and families) for a the first night in what is hoped will become an annual event in the rugby calendar.
For an amazing price of just €25, one will get the match ticket and a return bus ticket for the return trip. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket please contact either Patrick Carr (087-0574023) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Fergus Farrell (087-6874594) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Connacht Clan Up-Coming Events!

• 20th of November - After the Osprey's match the Connacht Clan are going to hold a Players Forum in Massimo's post match. Your chance to ask questions to the players.


• 26th of December - For the Munster away match we are organising a return bus trip from Galway. We will be meeting in Busker Browne's and the bus will be leaving at 5pm sharp from the Spanish Arch to arrive in Thomond Park for 6:30pm, with KO at 7:45. After we will head straight back to Galway. Tickets are only €15! Get them online.


• 1st of January - For the Leinster match, we are going to hold a post match New Year Party in Busker Browne's. Finger food, musics, beer, and craic will be available on the night for all.


• 17/18/19 Feb - Companies' Night for the Connacht Vs Glasgow Match


• 24/25/26 Feb - Clubs' Night for Connacht vs Edinburgh Match

Meeting Minutes 14th November 2011

• Everybody gave a warm welcome to new committee member Mike Monaghan
• A big sincere thanks for all the effort and hours put into the creation of the new website to both Dennis Laffey and Mike Monaghan

• Patrick put the question to the floor whether we wanted to do a players forum for the Toulouse Game
• Martin advised that there was enough events going on around this game and that it will take care of itself
• Shane advised if possible to erect waterproof signage outside the walls of the sportsground to make it more ‘green’ but Martin advised that due to restrictions this was not possible
• Barry volunteered to do some of the spray painting for the remainder of the green mile route up shop street and eyre square and was commended in advance for taking this burden

• All in agreement, the discussion then centered around shifting of merchandise for the Toulouse game, again it was agreed to leave the selling online until after the Toulouse game and re-visit it next week
• Dennis advised the exact stocktake of hoodies and t-shirts inclusive of the new batch that was recently received
• Dennis also advised the exact numbers with myclubfinances which are to be sold online and also advised the numbers of the stock in storage
• Fergus advised that he will look after the stock in storage

• Table Quiz
  • Patrick proposed that a table quiz be held with the theme of Connacht Rugby players, coaches, branch staff and clan members aganist the general public
  • It was agreed to go ahead with this idea. Patrick advised that David Keogh general manager of Busker Brownes was happy to facilitate such an arrangement.
  • Barry and Aaron nominated themselves to take over the management of this event in its entiretly which was approved by everyone present.
• Player’s Forum
  • Dennis advised that he is waiting for feedback on exact venue for the players forum but advised that it cannot be held in the Clan Bar due to the dearth of seating capacity available
  • Martin advised it may be possible to hold it in Massimo’s
• Munster vs Connacht away game
  • It was noted since the last meeting that the game was advertised in the clan newsletter and on the website there is an option to purchase tickets
  • Press release for both the Galway Independent and Galway Advertiser to be included after the Toulouse Game. Patrick and Fergus to draft same for inclusion.
  • Flyers also to be designed for circulation to clubs and it will be designed with the assistance of Mike and Patrick is to liase with him in this regard.
• Companies Connacht Clan Night
  • Patrick proposed Companies Clan Night and this was approved by everyone with Dennis and Martin volunteering to organise this event
  • The game to be targetted is the Connacht vs Glasgow home game
  • Dennis and Martin to work away on this and to report back to meeting on progress
• Golf Outing / Christmas Party
  • Shane advised that the Christmas party is to be scheduled for after the home game aganist Leinster
  • Shane also advised that he has approaching a number of golf clubs regarding hosting the 2012 golf outing and is awaiting feedback to same in due course.
• Fight Night
  • Fergus proposed organising a fight night for the off-season.
  • He advised that it is great opportunity to sustain the finanical viability of the club
  • All were in agreement and it was agreed to look at this as a big event to be organised next year
• North West Express
  • Dennis advised that the newspaper the North west express want to provide us with an article on the Connacht Clan.
  • Dennis to co-ordinate same and liasise with Luke in the Branch
• Clubs Night
  • Patrick provided a few images to use for the poster for the clubs night to see if they were suitable or not. Martin then showed us another sample which was approved for use.
  • Mike offered his expertise to design the poster and Patrick to liase with him in this regard.
  • Fergus requested permission from Martin for use of the team coach for the clubs night
• Area Representatives
  • Patrick advised that a lot of area representatives have been secured and once the remaining candidates have been fulfilled a circular will be presented for adoption and they will be included on the website
  • A big thank you to John Carr President of the Connacht Branch for taking the time out to meet Patrick and Fergus and provide his assistance with this
• Website Update
  • Mike advised that the website is functioning perfectly
  • Mike also advised 11,000 hits already which is exceptional
  • Patrick proposed to include a section on clubs and community similar to the IRFU website
  • Fergus proposed to include links of all connacht province clubs to the website which was agreed by everyone present.
• Membership Count
  • Membership count now stands at 3,248 members or thereabouts.
  • A general discussion was held centered around ideas to increase membership and this will be discussed further after the Toulouse game
• Clan Pub Affiliates
  • Martin advised that he is in the process of finalising the purchase of Clan sticker emblems for distribution
  • Further work to be done on this with the target of having a Connacht Clan Affiliate Pub in each area which will televise Connacht games

• Martin thanked the volunteers for assisting in the display of flags along the green mile and also to the spray painters

Don's Diary

This was my 3rd visit to the stoop. My 1st game was the infamous Bloodgate affair. Unfortunately I also ended up in a Middlesex hospital for 2 days due to seizures!

This weekend Connacht were very unlucky not to win but Nick Evan's boot caused all the damage and Connacht failed to even get a deserved BP. It was great though to see some of the Connacht squad in the hotel before the match (as well as Branch President John Carr). Also it was great to get my first glance Swifty's new shoes!

I stayed in the Twickenham Guest House and many thanks to Bubbs and his staff who took great care of me. The guest house is only 200 yards from twickenham stadium. I dined in the William Webb Ellis Pub in the town centre where Nick and team serve great food at great prices. Saturday morning i went over to the hotel but only Martin Fallon was there filling up the kit van, so I got the train to Reading for the Edinburgh match where I called into the 3 Guineas Pub, owned by old friends of mine Graham and Sue.

I had a great time at the Edinburgh match. I wished Michael Bradley all the best as he was alighting from Edinburgh bus and I also met, and had a photo taken with, the voice of Channel 4 Racing Mr.Derek Thompson who was on the bench for Edinburgh. I also met our journalist John Fallon who alerted the Chief Steward, who alerted St. Johns Ambulance and I had a paramedic near me throughout the match! At the end of the match I had my photo in my Connacht green with Cencus Johnstons brother 8 quins.

Until my next away trip to Gloucester as they say in Toulouse "Bon Nuit",
Dónal C