Connacht Could Be Set For Stadium Switch

The rise of Pat Lam’s Connacht this season has been nothing short of remarkable.

The western province have proved themselves worthy contenders to the PRO12 crown heading into this weekend’s semi-final against holders Glasgow following a superb season.

With this superb season comes Champions Cup rugby next year and a growing need for upgraded facilities. Connacht’s current home, the Sportsground, only holds a mere 9,500 at capacity which will prove a real stumbling block as they prepare for big European match-days.

Connacht would ideally need a capacity somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000. Chief executive Willie Ruane says the province would be more than willing to team up with another sporting body, or team, to see that goal achieved.

Ruane stated that Connacht Rugby were looking into the possibility of hosting a future Champions Cup game at Mayo GAA’s MacHale Park [capacity 38,000]. He told The Irish Independent:

“It would be foolish to rule anything out. If something makes sense, we’ll look at it.

“You can be pretty sure that there aren’t too many stones that we haven’t turned over to try and establish what might be feasible or not.”

In order for Connacht to be able to host a game at MacHale Park, they would have to get a proposal passed by the GAA Congress