Connacht To Hold Open Training Session In Ballinrobe
The Connacht senior squad are on the road again and will be in Ballinrobe, County Mayo next Tuesday (July 22) to take part in a pre-season training session at Ballinrobe RFC.
Ballinrobe RFC President Brendan Flanagan will welcome Pat Lam and his provincial squad to the newly redeveloped rugby pitch at the green as Connacht continue their preparations for the new GUINNESS PRO12 campaign with the training starting at 2pm and open for all to watch.
At 3pm some of the budding young rugby stars from the region will be divided into groups and invited onto the pitch for a session with the Connacht coaches and players. After the fun, the players and management will sign autographs and pose for photos.
Once the session is over, the squad will then attend the Family Race Day meeting at the Ballinrobe Racecourse where they will have a meal and get ready for an evening of top quality racing, including a special race in their honour – the Connacht Rugby Handicap Hurdle.
Speaking about the upcoming event, Connacht head coach Pat Lam said: “We’re really looking forward to getting up to Mayo again. We brought the whole squad out to Castlebar and Westport last season and it was a huge success.
“It’s really important that we continue to connect with our Connacht supporters throughout the province.
“We’re into week three of pre-season already now and it’s very full-on for both the players and management so it’s nice to change things up with a training session in a different location and in the process help support the Ballinrobe.
“I know everyone is particularly excited about attending the races once the hard work is done training-wise!”
John Flannelly, Ballinrobe Racecourse Manager and Brendan Flanagan, President of Ballinrobe RFC, are both delighted to welcome the Connacht squad.
John Flannelly commented: “It’s fantastic to have the Connacht squad taking part in rugby training and enjoying the racing action in our local community, bringing the two sports together. It will be an added bonus for all the children attending family day to be able to meet the Connacht rugby stars.
“Our track extension was very well received last month and we are looking forward to racing on it again.”
For further information on the Family Race Day Meeting, please contact Ballinrobe Racecourse Office on 094 9541811.