Colm Rigney, a native of Portlaoise and from a well known rugby family, has been a professional with both Connacht and Leeds Tykes, where he won a Powergen Cup medal in 2005. He will assume the mantle of head coach.

Gavin Duffy (pictured in his early playing days with Galwegians), a native of Ballina and educated at Cistercian College Roscrea, joined Galwegians as a player in 2000 before moving on to professional rugby.

He has played with both Harlequins and Connacht and has been an Ireland senior squad member since 2004, winning 10 Test caps including an appearance at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Commenting on the appointments, Galwegians director of rugby Mick Casserly said: "We are absolutely delighted to have secured the services of both Colm and Gavin for the coming season and hopefully beyond.

"We have, this year, an excellent balance given Colm and Gavin's experience having both played at the highest level.

"With the new changes regarding contracted players and 18 Ulster Bank League games this coming season, we hope to continue producing more of our own home-grown players in addition to furthering the careers of players who may join.

"We believe we have the coaching staff in place now to improve on last season and attract quality players to Galwegians."

Galwegians recently retained their first division status for the eleventh successive year and are grateful to their various sponsors, particularly John Killeen of Cold Chon, manufacturers of bitumen products for road surfacing.

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