RUGBY: JAMES CONNOLLY INTERVIEW
Connolly enjoying big season with Connacht
By Daire Walsh
HE is currently in his third year as a member of the Connacht Academy, but with a number of first-team appearances under his belt in 2015/16, Naas native James Connolly is already beginning to make a sizeable impact at the top level.
Injuries have affected Pat Lam’s charges throughout the current campaign, while they have also been without the services of Robbie Henshaw, Nathan White and Ultan Dillane because of international duty. Yet, this has led to opportunities for players like Connolly, and he has been extremely pleased with his own progress this season.
“Yeah, looking back on the season, it’s been pretty good I think from my perspective. I think I’ve got about 10 games or so. I kind of think back, and think to myself, I’m still in the Academy, and I’ve got 10 senior games this year between Pro12 and obviously European. I’m pretty happy, I’ve taken some good experiences with me throughout the year,” Connolly remarked.
“Like the Munster game, winning in Thomond Park was massive. I’ll never forget that for as long as I live. I take loads of good stuff out of the year, and what I’ve learnt. It’s amazing. I find what you can learn in a year is just unbelievable, and I’m just thinking about bringing that into next year, and progressing. I’m just constantly trying to get better, and that’s pretty much it.”
Connolly will turn 23 in April, and once this term has completed, his Academy contract will come to an end. However, he has already signed a development deal for 2016/17, and the former Newbridge College student is looking forward to fully establishing himself as a senior player next year.
“I’ve already signed a development contract for next year. We were just talking and negotiating that just before and after Christmas, and I’ve signed that. I’m looking forward to next year, and trying to make my stamp and my mark as a proper senior player. Just keep learning, trying to get better and see how next year goes.”
Although the move to Connacht was a daunting one for Connolly initially, he is not the only Kildare man in the squad at the present time. Craig Ronaldson and Fionn Carr also ply their trade with the Western province, and Connolly often reminisces with the latter on their respective spells in Newbridge College.
“Yeah, it’s great having a few lads there from home as well. When you’re heading home on a Friday, you’re always asking whether they want a lift or not. Because they’re not too far away, but it’s good having lads from home there as well.”
“Just relating, especially Fionn, who went to Newbridge College as well. We’d be telling stories to each other, and he’d be telling me stories. Stuff that happened in the college years ago or whatever, but it’s good to have those guys there alright.”
At the time of writing, Connacht were enjoying a remarkable run of form in the Guinness Pro12 – and found themselves sitting at the summit of the league table. They also have a European Challenge Cup quarter-final to look forward to against Grenoble on April 9, and Connolly is excited by the prospect of silverware coming to the Sportsground.
“Yeah, we’re all just delighted that we’ve made a quarter-final. Talking to the likes of John Muldoon, it’s been a while since he won some silverware with Connacht. That would be massive on a European scale to be able to win that, which is one of our goals. It starts with the quarter-final, with Grenoble.”
“We all know that won’t be an easy game, as we had a game against them in pre-season last summer, and they came over and I think they beat us. They’re a real tough team under Bernard Jackman, and it won’t be an easy task, but we’ll give it a good shot over there in France. Knowing what’s at stake, and that we might be able to bring some silverware home. Which would be amazing,” Connolly added.