Connacht plan to thrive under the floodlights

Celtic League News: This is fast becoming a week of ticket-hunts and record attendances as Leinster line up Munster and a hoped-for 20,000 Lansdowne Road Celtic League attendance, while Connacht rub their hands at the size of last week's crowd and look forward to their European Challenge Cup match against NEC Harlequins.

Yesterday Connacht Rugby decided the game with the English side at the Sportsground on Friday, October 20th, would be an all-ticket affair.

After the turn-out in Galway for their match against Leinster, the branch CEO, Gerry Kelly, believes floodlit rugby on Friday has proven to be - as they have in Ravenhill Road and Donnybrook - a great success for the team because of the significant increase in crowds.

Connacht's record Magners League crowd of 3,678 for the game against Brian O'Driscoll and company would appear to support Kelly's view. The match against Harlequins will also kick-off at the later time of 7pm, as there will be no greyhound racing at the Sportsground that evening.

"We have received a lot of interest in the European Challenge Cup game against Harlequins and have taken a decision to make the match all-ticket," said Kelly. He also confirmed that season tickets would be applicable for the game, as well as Connacht's other European Challenge Cup ties against Montpellier and Bath.

In the short term, Connacht prepare for this Friday night's home match against Ulster in round six of the Celtic League. Ulster coach Mark McCall has had to leave Irish winger Tommy Bowe out of the squad.

Bowe along with Mark Bartholomeusz, damaged a hamstring in last week's bruising encounter with Munster, and both will miss the province's hopes of gaining revenge for last season's 22-12 defeat in Galway.

But that gives McCall the chance to bring Andrew Maxwell and Scott Young into the fray.

Centre Paul Steinmetz, who was doubtful because of a shoulder problem, and Justin Fitzpatrick, who injured his calf, have been named in the 23-man squad, which will be reduced tomorrow.

With the senior Ulster team on the road, supporters around Belfast can still get their Friday night rugby fix at Ravenhill Road when the Ulster A team takes on New South Wales Waratahs Development team in a friendly, kick-off 7.30pm. And on Sunday the Waratahs play Leinster A team.

The Australians defeated Saracens Academy last Thursday in a five-try thriller, with Saracens unable to match their pace. An outstanding performance from Daniel Halangahu from Sydney University ensured that NSW Waratahs started their tour in the best possible way.

However, Monday's game against the Northampton Wanderers was a different story and the Saints side beat the Waratahs 24-6 with former Ulster player Seamus Mallon scoring.

In Leinster, Michael Cheika has a number of injury worries, notably with Robert Karney and Kieran Lewis.

The Aussie coach will announce his extended squad today before naming the team to face Munster tomorrow.

On a lighter note, the message of the oval ball spread to Tory Island on Monday, when a representative from the Ulster Branch delivered rugby coaching to the 20 children of Tory as part of the Buntús Programme, which is organised by Donegal Sports Partnership.

Lying 11 miles off the north west coast of Donegal, Tory Island measures three miles by one mile, and has a population of 170, divided among four towns: An Baile Thoir, An Baile Thiar, Middletown and Newtown.

Representatives from the Ulster Branch (IRFU), the FAI and the GUI's Junior Golf Ireland delivered training to the children.

The Ulster Branch development officer for Donegal, John Llewhellin, delivered the rugby session on the day. It was the first time an IRFU/Ulster Branch development officer had visited the island.