Described by Club Chairman as ‘the greatest day in the short history of Claremorris Colts RFC’ on the visit last Friday of former Pro12 Champions Connacht Rugby to the Convent Pitch for a pre-season training session. Following the workout, squad players spent some time with the Club’s mini and underage members offering playing tips and advice as well as signing autographs and standing in for photographs.

On their arrival Colts members welcomed the Connacht Rugby team with a guard of honour as they ran out on to the pitch.

In thanking the Connacht Rugby squad and team management on coming to Claremorris, Jarlath Sweeney wished the team every success for the forthcoming season and welcomed new head Coach Kieran Keane to the West of Ireland. “ Special thanks to Mount St. Michael School and Claremorris Soccer Club for the use of their facilities and to the local GAA Club. And to the Colts Committee members, parents and children for the great attendance, tremendous  help and support, on this most memorable day for the Club.”

“We don’t have a long rugby history in the locality, as we were only established in 2009, but what we are doing is creating history. We have a very busy period ahead on-field and off-field as we continue to develop our minis and underage structure to support our Junior team in the Connacht League and also we are about 25% into the development of our new pitch facilities at the Sports Park nearby.”

Jarlath acknowledged the attendance of Cllr Richard Finn, Chairman, Mayo County Council and Cllr Tom Connnolly.

Connacht Rugby Team Captain John Muldoon was delighted with the warm reception and thank Claremorris Rugby Club for the great welcome and paid special reference and praise to the collaboration between the local sports clubs, “We need more of this to happen around the Country,” he said.

On the conclusion of the visit, the Connacht squad then took up another physical challenge in climbing Croagh Patrick!