City centre fan zone for Connacht’s Champions Cup opener

Galway City has been encouraged to ‘go green’ to back Connacht Rugby in its opening Champions Cup pool game of the season against French giants, Toulouse.

The clash of reigning PRO 12 champions and four-times European champions at the Sportsground is on course to be a sell-out tomorrow, Saturday (5.30pm).

But Forster Street in the city will be closed to traffic to facilitate a ‘fan zone’ for supporters who don’t have a ticket – a ‘big screen’ will be erected on-street, and DJ will also play music.

Businesses in the self-styled ‘East Village’ area of the city off Eyre Square, promise a ‘great atmosphere’ at the first ever fan zone.

“Come down and support your team and turn Galway green this Saturday,” the organisation, which includes Tigh Fox Trad House and An Púcan, said.

Galway City Council Director of Services, Joe O’Neill has approved the closure of Forster Street to facilitate the fans’ party. It will be closed to traffic for five hours on Saturday, between 3.30pm to 8.30pm. Vehicles travelling from Bóthar Bhreandain Ui Eithir or College Road will travel onto Lough Atalia Road, Dock Road, Merchants Road and into Eyre Square. Diversions will be signposted.

Galway Gardaí have approved an events licence, which will facilitate the drinking of alcohol on the street, which in normal circumstances, is not permitted by city bylaws.

It is understood that if the Toulouse closure goes smoothly, the businesses at that end of town will seek similar closures to facilitate the two other home pool games in the Champions Cup against Wasps and Zebre, and possible other events.

For more on this story, Pat Lam’s honorary degree and a match preview, see this week’s Galway City Tribune