The Try Rugby Summer camps ran a competition during the summer months, offering 15 lucky players from across the province the chance to train with their Connacht heroes. It was all smiles on Tuesday in the Sportsground when they took to the pitch, with Dan McFarland putting the fun session together.
Wendy Hickey, Rugby camp coordinator, was delighted the idea went down well with all players, kids, and parents. “It was an idea we came up with during the summer, and the professional management were on board straight away and supported it whole heartedly. It’s a chance not many kids would get, and we were delighted to make it happen for them. I would like to thank in particular Dan, the senior management and players for making it a great day for everyone “

Connacht U20 will start their 2010 Inter-Provincial campaign against title holders Leinster on Friday 3rd September at the Sportsground, Galway (kick-off 5.00pm) Connacht will look to improve on last year’s 30 – 19 lose in Greystones and Assistant Coach Dan McFarland believes the side have what it takes “The lads have worked very hard over the Summer with a 9 week intensive course of skills, strength and conditioning. We were unfortunate last year to lose to Ulster and the win over Munster gave us a huge boost so we are hoping we can go one step further this year and lift the trophy.”

Connacht U20 Management:
Head Coach – Nigel Carloan
Assistant Coach – Dan McFarland
Fitness Coach – Antoine Mobian
Team Manager – Bernard Finneran

Fixtures:
Friday 3rd  Sept  Connacht U20 v  Leinster U20 Sportsground 5.00pm
Friday 10th Sept  Munster U20 v Connacht U20 Marydyke Cork  7.00pm
Friday 17th Sept  Connacht U20 v Ulster U20 Sportsground  5.00pm

Connacht U19s played Munster in a friendly at Old Cresent RFC on Tuesday night in prepration for the upcoming U19s interpros. Munster scored first with a try and conversion but Connacht kept their composure to play some very good rugby. Taigh Leader scored a great try after some great Connacht interplay. He also convereted it to leave the score 7-7. More hard work at the breakdown forced a penalty which Leader converted to make it 10 - 7 to Connacht. at hallf time. Munster played some great rugby in the second period and the Connacht defence had to work hard to keep them at bay and it was a great defensive display as Munster could not breach the line. A well worked try by Conor Finn finished off the scoring. it was a great workout for the u19s.