Connacht are green for go!

Galway 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 this 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 Fanzone.

“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. Diversions will be sign-posted.

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 bye-laws.

It is understood 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.

The squad visited Seamount College in Kinvara this week and trained on the schools’ new all-weather pitch, as part of the Province’s attempts to reach out beyond its city stronghold.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.