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Great delight as Dave named Connacht captain for tonight's big game
Michael Gallagher20 Apr - 12:35
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'A huge honour for me, my family and my club, Ballina' - Heffernan
Our own Dave Heffernan will captain Connacht this evening when the western province host Zebre at Dexcom Stadium in the BTK United Rugby Championship. This will be Dave's 196th cap for Connacht and we're all looking forward to seeing him lead out the men in green for the pivotal clash as the chase for a top-eight finish gathers pace.
Dave reacted to his appointment with delight and expressed his pride with a heartfelt message on Connacht RFC social channels.
"I've been lucky enough to captain this club before and to be asked to do so again is a huge honour for me, my family and my club, Ballina."
Dave's front-row colleague Finlay Bealham will make his 200th appearance for the province and become only the seventh player to reach the milestone for the club, joining his teammates Denis Buckley, Tiernan O’Halloran and Jack Carty, and former players John Muldoon, Michael Swift and Kieran Marmion.
Meanwhile there’s a first Connacht start for Academy graduate Matthew Devine, who’s named at scrum-half, while his Ballinasloe and Garbally College teammate Shane Jennings lines out at full-back.
Jordan Duggan lines out as loosehead. Locks Niall Murray and Joe Joyce are paired together, while a reshuffled back row sees Shamus Hurley-Langton move to blindside flanker, Conor Oliver coming in at openside and Sean O’Brien starting at number 8.
JJ Hanrahan continues at out-half, while Tom Farrell comes in to partner Bundee Aki in the centre. In the back three there’s a return to the starting team for John Porch, while Andrew Smith is on the opposite wing.
Commenting ahead of the game, head coach Pete Wilkins says:
“Tomorrow marks the first of five crucial games for us to ensure we break back into the top 8 and remain in control of our destiny this season. We’re very clear in what we need from the coming weeks to make the playoffs and we’re confident that we can achieve it.
It’s a special day for the club, with Finlay earning his 200th cap for Connacht, and Matthew making his first start. Although at different stages of their careers, both are respected and valuable members of the squad, and we are determined to mark their milestones with a strong team performance.”
The match kicks off at 7.35pm.
Dave reacted to his appointment with delight and expressed his pride with a heartfelt message on Connacht RFC social channels.
"I've been lucky enough to captain this club before and to be asked to do so again is a huge honour for me, my family and my club, Ballina."
Dave's front-row colleague Finlay Bealham will make his 200th appearance for the province and become only the seventh player to reach the milestone for the club, joining his teammates Denis Buckley, Tiernan O’Halloran and Jack Carty, and former players John Muldoon, Michael Swift and Kieran Marmion.
Meanwhile there’s a first Connacht start for Academy graduate Matthew Devine, who’s named at scrum-half, while his Ballinasloe and Garbally College teammate Shane Jennings lines out at full-back.
Jordan Duggan lines out as loosehead. Locks Niall Murray and Joe Joyce are paired together, while a reshuffled back row sees Shamus Hurley-Langton move to blindside flanker, Conor Oliver coming in at openside and Sean O’Brien starting at number 8.
JJ Hanrahan continues at out-half, while Tom Farrell comes in to partner Bundee Aki in the centre. In the back three there’s a return to the starting team for John Porch, while Andrew Smith is on the opposite wing.
Commenting ahead of the game, head coach Pete Wilkins says:
“Tomorrow marks the first of five crucial games for us to ensure we break back into the top 8 and remain in control of our destiny this season. We’re very clear in what we need from the coming weeks to make the playoffs and we’re confident that we can achieve it.
It’s a special day for the club, with Finlay earning his 200th cap for Connacht, and Matthew making his first start. Although at different stages of their careers, both are respected and valuable members of the squad, and we are determined to mark their milestones with a strong team performance.”
The match kicks off at 7.35pm.
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