They will be successful wherever they go because they re good people
Nigel Carolan and Jimmy Duffy’s time with Connacht came to an end last night. By Murray Kinsella Saturday 5 Jun 2021, 6:00 AM 1 hour ago 715 Views 0 Comments
Jimmy Duffy and Nigel Carolan.
Jimmy Duffy and Nigel Carolan.
THERE WAS NO crowd at the Sportsground to bid them farewell after Connacht’s win over the Ospreys, but last night in Galway brought to an end the outstanding service Nigel Carolan and Jimmy Duffy have provided for the province.
The pair of assistant coaches are moving onto new, as-yet-unannounced challenges after each spending more than two decades of their lives working to improve Connacht rugby.
The unluckiest player in Irish rugby - forced into retirement at just 25
Stephen Fitzgerald was tipped for greatness as a teenager but injuries got in the way. Now he hopes younger brother Conor can carry the family flame and become an Ireland international. By Garry Doyle Saturday 5 Jun 2021, 10:00 AM 1 hour ago 16,545 Views 2 Comments
Stephen Fitzgerald had to retire last week.
Image: James Crombie/INPHO
Image: James Crombie/INPHO
THE FINAL GAME of Stephen Fitzgerald’s career felt like a beginning rather than the end.
He had just turned 24 and was no longer the kid whose confidence had been ‘shattered’ after four years at Munster. The Stephen Fitzgerald dream, intact and alive.
Connacht finish season on a high with bonus-point win over the Ospreys
Caolin Blade was outstanding as Andy Friend’s men deservedly beat the Welsh visitors. By Murray Kinsella Friday 4 Jun 2021, 8:00 PM 1 hour ago 5,952 Views 14 Comments
Connacht 26
Ospreys 19 Peter Sullivan scores in the corner for Connacht. Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
A wild first half at the Sportsground included seven tries as the visiting Ospreys played their part and though the second half was scoreless, there were still moments like Jack Carty’s delightful cover work and offload under pressure as Connacht defended their seven-point lead.
The Welsh region had more to play for coming into this contest, their Rainbow Cup final hopes still alive at that stage, but Connacht always had the attacking quality and ambition to cause them problem