Dave Heffernan has experienced more than most when it comes to wearing a Connacht jersey and he will be hoping to add an extra special day to his career later on in the season.
Born in Ballina, County Mayo, the Irish international will be hoping to be part of the squad when we face Munster on the 29th of March at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar.
Announced on Monday that Connacht will head to Mayo for their URC interpro game in the home of Mayo GAA.
“It will be a very special day I have no doubt about it”
“Growing up as a kid from Mayo gaelic football was a hugh part of my life”
“It was always a dream of mine to play for Mayo and play at MacHale Park for them”
“I never got the chance to do that and I thought the door was closed on playing there but hopefully if I get selected when that game comes around I will get the chance to”
“For the club it is hugh and hopefully we open the door for a lot of new fans”
“Theres a lot of people in Mayo and other parts of the province who haven’t been able to get to games before but now they have this to look forward to”
While there will be plenty of excitment in the lead up to that game focus for the team has already turned to this Saturday as Ulster come to Dexcom Stadium. Connacht will be hoping to end the 2024 calendar year on a high after defeat to Leinster last weekend.
“I think in the first half in that game (against Leinster) some of our defence was brilliant at times but we just felt we weren’t exiting as cleanly as we wanted”
“We had a lot of pressure on us due to our exits in that first half we felt”
“The message for us at half time was to just hang on to the ball more”
“In that second half we got ourselves in the game but didn’t take our chances to go on win which is disappointing”
Recent meetings between these two teams have seen very little between them and Heff expects the same again this Saturday.
“Its an interpro derby which is always a massive occasion especially around Christmas time”
“We know the athmosphere will be electric, for a ground that has to work with what we are this year the supporters have been so good”
“With less people around you still feel like there is a huge crowd around you with the noise those Connacht supporters bring”
“Ulster were probably a bit unlucky at the weekend but we know they will bring a huge challenge to us”
“This is a very important game for both teams and both teams looking to pick up points”