ANOTHER PROUD DAY IS IN STORE FOR CONNACHT

GUINNESS 26,000 SET FOR A FAN-TASTIC CASTLEBAR OCCASION

- DEREK FOLEY

MACHALE PARK is one of the centres of the sporting world today.

There is certain fascination in the idea of Connacht and Munster playing a rugby match at the home of Castlebar Mitchells, a 25,000-capacity ground originally built in 1931 and the second largest sportsground in the province after Galway’s Pearse Stadium.

The ground is named after John MacHale, Catholic Archbishop of Tuam from 1831 to 1881.

As such, the Connacht-Munster match will constitute the largest attended sports event outside of a GAA match in provincial history.

Connacht Rugby, founded 140 years ago, has been based at the Galway Sportsground which doubles as the greyhound track. This previously had an 8,000 capacity but renamed Dexcom Park it will, once refurbished, hold 12,000.