Hansberry To Lead New Connacht Women’s Coaching Team

Connacht Rugby has announced the appointment of their new-look senior Women’s coaching team ahead of the upcoming 2026/27 Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship.

Connacht’s new coaching ticket will be led by Craig Hansberry who has been appointed as head coach, replacing Emer O’Dowd following the completion of her two years in the role. Former Ireland internationals Larissa Muldoon and Fiona Hayes are also coming on board.

Hansberry first joined Connacht Rugby in 2019 as a Regional Rugby Development Officer for Galway city. Originally from Killererin outside Tuam, he worked alongside Galway City Council to provide rugby coaching and sessions to primary and secondary schools and clubs across the city.

Since 2022 he has served as head coach of the Connacht Under-18 Women, leading them to an Interprovincial title in 2024. He has played a key role in the development of some of the province’s brightest young stars, many of whom have since gone on to represent Connacht and Ireland at senior level.

Most recently he led the Ireland U-18 Women’s squad for the 2026 U-18 Women’s Six Nations Festival in England, helping the team to three wins from their four matches.

This is not the first time Hansberry has been involved in the Connacht senior Women’s set-up, having previously held the role of forwards coach with the squad.

Before moving into coaching, Muldoon enjoyed a stellar playing career, earning 48 international caps and winning two Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2013.

It was 10 years later that she moved into full-time coaching, becoming the Connacht representative in the IRFU’s Women’s National Talent Squad (WNTS) Pathway staff, working to help develop elite young talent out west.

 

Like Hansberry, she too has served as head coach of the Ireland U-18 Women, and was also previously backs coach at U-20 level. She was also part of the senior coaching group that guided Ireland to WXV3 success in Dubai in 2023, and just last year worked as assistant attack & backs coach at the Rugby World Cup.

Her Ireland team-mate during her playing days, Hayes, will also be joining the new Connacht Women’s set-up. The former prop earned 24 international caps and was also a member of the Ireland squad that won two Six Nations titles in three years.

She garnered a wealth of head coach experience following the end of her playing career, taking on the role at UL Bohemian, with whom she won back-to-back Energia All-Ireland League titles, and Munster for the 2024/25 Women’s Interprovincial Championship.

Most recently, after making the move to Dublin, the Limerick native led Old Belvedere to a fourth place finish in the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division this past season.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Hansberry said: “I am incredibly proud and honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the Connacht senior Women’s squad.

“Having spent the last few years working closely with our Under-18s and the provincial talent pathway, I know firsthand the huge talent, ambition, and potential that exists within the province.

“I’m also delighted to be working alongside Larissa and Fiona, who will bring a massive amount of experience and knowledge to the team.

“We are all aligned in our vision for where we want to take the squad, and we can’t wait to get the wider squad together next month, to build a culture and level of performance that represents the best of Connacht in the upcoming Interpros.”

CONNACHT SENIOR WOMEN’S MANAGEMENT TEAM – 2026/27 SEASON:

Craig Hansberry – Head Coach
Larissa Muldoon – Attack Coach
Fiona Hayes – Defence Coach
Cathal Evans – Backs Coach/Athletic Development Support
Natalie Fox – Team Manager
Adrian Pilkington – Lead Athletic Development Coach
Amy O’Mahony – Lead Physio
Evan Gannon – Lead Analyst