Mayo GAA lodge application to host Connacht rugby clash

by John Melvin

AN application has been made by Connacht Rugby to Mayo GAA County Board for the hosting of an interpro rugby game between Connacht and Munster on March 29 next year at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

The matter was raised at a Mayo GAA county board meeting, where there was general support for hosting such a game.

Should it happen, it would be the first ever rugby game to be played at the Castlebar venue.

The matter has been forwarded to Croke Park by the Mayo board for consideration, but there are strong vibes within GAA and rugby circles that history is likely to be made, with GAA hierarchy expected to give the green light to the fixture given that headquarters has already hosted a number of rugby international and interprovincial games.

Connacht Rugby’s home venue in Galway, The Sportsground (now rebranded Dexcom Stadum), has a capacity to hold around 9,000 but there is no doubt that such a fixture in Castlebar would fill Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, which has a capacity to hold 28,000.

Since extensive work was carried out on the pitch, the surface has never been in better shape.

Despite some heavy rains last month, the venue has not suffered from flooding, which was one of the main problems that forced a number of games to be moved elsewhere or even be cancelled in previous times.

The meeting of two of the top provincial sides would not just attract supporters from Connacht but is also expected to draw a big crowd from Munster along with many neutrals who would love to be able to see a clash between two top sides, while the town of Castlebar would also benefit greatly from the business it would bring to the area.

Hosting such a big match would also mean a financial windfall for the Mayo GAA County Board and could go towards repaying the debt which still remains on Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.