MACHALE & HEARTY

Excitement building as Connacht prepare for Munster in Castlebar

- BY MICHAEL SCULLY

THE west's awake this week and it's all hands on deck with Mayo boss Kevin McStay giving a big dig out to Connacht Rugby ahead of their historic home game at Castlebar's MacHale Park.

Connacht will host Munster in the vital United Rugby Championship game on Saturday as the province play in Mayo for the first time - a special event that ensured the 26,000 tickets on offer were instantly snapped up in January.

It's the biggest home game in the history of the westerners - their previous best was 9,120 for their first-ever Champions Cup game in 2011.

Connacht will only train on the pitch for the first time during Friday's Captain's Run but McStay (below), whose Mayo footballers are preparing for the Division One final this week, gave a vital insight into playing at the GAA ground.

"We were very appreciative of him sharing his thoughts and wisdom with us, it was fantastic," said Cullie Tucker, who has stepped in as Connacht's head coach in the absence of Pete Wilkins who is on sick leave.