Double boost for Connacht rugby

THE IRFU is on the verge of unveiling Connacht Rugby’s new CEO to fill the position left vacant by the unexpected and premature departure of Tom Sears last September.

Rugby’s governing body has also this week confirmed that it has sanctioned increased funding for Connacht, which, combined with the appointment of a new CEO, has reassured the province about its future.

It is believed that Mike Turley, well known in local sporting circles, and Michael Cosgrove, a former Connacht captain, are among the short-listed candidates for the job.

Kevin Potts, of the IRFU, has filled the role on an interim basis for the past seven months but the appointment of a permanent CEO is imminent.

Turley is the CEO of Digital Enterprise Research Institute at NUI Galway and was very involved in local sports organisations including Our Lady’s Boys Club (OLBC) and the Galway Hurling Supporters Club. Cosgrove, a former centre and captain of Connacht in the 1990s, was the ‘right-hand man’ of former head coach, George Hook’s during his time at the province. 

IRFU President, Pat Fitzgerald, in an interview on Shannonside Radio on Wednesday, had positive news to report about the province’s future.

“We are just about to announce a new chief executive for Connacht, and as of yesterday the IRFU have agreed to continue to fund Connacht and fund Connacht at a greater level than ever before. So from anybody that is thinking about rugby that is living west of the Shannon, the future is looking very bright for Connacht.

“I have no doubt that with the new Heineken Cup, or whatever it is going to be called, that Connacht will be there or thereabouts and with the investment that the IRFU is going to put into Connacht they are just going to get stronger,” he said.

Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune