DRIVING UP COLLEGE Road in Galway, it’s impossible to miss the sight and sounds of builders at work.
Construction is well underway as Connacht look towards the new era at their home ground, known as the Dexcom Stadium since a new sponsorship deal was announced in January.
Pete Wilkins and his squad are also busy at work out on the main pitch. It’s a synthetic surface these days, meaning Connacht have guaranteed pitch quality for training. It’s not long ago that the westerners would sometimes have to train on a back pitch that became like a bog in bad weather. Soon enough, they’ll even have an indoor training pitch.
Delightfully, it’s a nice day for this visit. There are few places as special as Galway when the sun is shining. The zip in Connacht’s session is obvious. A drone buzzes overhead recording everything for analysis as Wilkins’ team prepare for this weekend’s URC visit to the Dragons.
The 4G pitch and shiny new floodlights were the first part of a redevelopment that will modernise this place.
As you move past the Clan Terrace towards the back car park, you realise the terrace won’t be there much longer. It’s due to be hauled down in June to make way for a new stand.
So the home game against the Stormers on 18 May will see some of Connacht’s most faithful fans bidding farewell to their beloved Clan Terrace.
“I think we’ve got one more game with the Clan stand there, which you don’t think about – all the players who have played in front of it, all the fans who have stood in there,” says assistant coach Scott Fardy.
“I know it’s not the most beautiful stand in world rugby but people have had a good time there and seen some big games and had some special moments. It’s almost sad to see it go in that way.
“The first time you come here and hear them sing ‘The Fields of Athenry’ when you’re in front at the end of the game, it’s spine-tingling stuff. There’s a special thing happening with the new ground but you also have to make peace with the past.”
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