Person: AJ MacGinty

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Tiernan O’Halloran is congratulated by team-mate Bundee Aki, right, after scoring Connacht’s opening try against Leinster in the 2016 Guinness PRO12 final at Murrayfield. The IRFU had considered disbanding the team 13 years previously. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie

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The day Connacht announced they belong in the big time

It is telling to look back at Andrew Browne’s post-match quotes after Connacht had upset the odds in remarkable fashion at Murrayfield that sunny evening in Edinburgh, just how quickly the commitment had been in the westerners’ dressing room to drive on from the first piece of silverware in 131 years.

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Connacht’s McCartney to hang up boots

Another member of Connacht’s victorious PRO12 squad is set to retire with hooker Tom McCartney about to bring the curtain down on six years at the Sportsground.

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O'Gara's La Rochelle end Sale’s hopes of Champions Cup progression

Sale’s hopes of progressing to the European Champions Cup quarter-finals came to an end as they were beaten 30-23 by La Rochelle.

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Argentina secure place at next World Cup after dominant victory

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Shark attack sinks Connacht

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Connacht crash out of Europe after defeat to Sale

Ireland ease to nine-try win over USA

Ireland made a blistering start to their summer tour with an emphatic 55-19 victory over the US Eagles at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.

Sun, 11 Jun, 2017

Ronan O’Gara adamant Joey Carbery is going to be a big star

Ronan O’Gara believes Joey Carbery has the talent to go all the way to the top and he expects that process to start kicking in this evening at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey when the 21-year-old makes his first Ireland start.

Sat, 10 Jun, 2017

Out of way New Jersey all about World Cup votes

One of the first things you learn booking flights for this summer tour is that contrary to the initial IRFU missive announcing Ireland taking on the USA en route to Japan, is that it ain’t on the way to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Sat, 10 Jun, 2017

Familiar face looks to help USA Eagles soar against Ireland

Security will be tight in the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey tomorrow night for the clash between the USA and Ireland but AJ MacGinty is no stranger to being escorted in and out of this fixture.

Fri, 09 Jun, 2017

Connacht chief Willie Ruane plays down ‘crisis’ talk despite exodus

Connacht chief executive Willie Ruane has denied that Connacht are in crisis, despite the province losing Pat Lam and two other coaches in addition to three players who started the PRO12 final win over Leinster.

Thu, 08 Dec, 2016

Tyler Bleyendaal awards MVP gong to grieving family of Anthony Foley

It was a treasured Thomond Park afternoon, and a treasured man-of-the-match award for Munster out-half Tyler Bleyendaal.

Tue, 25 Oct, 2016

Dream season complete as Connacht crowned champions

Connacht 20 Leinster 10: The Connacht team bus was a while leaving Murrayfield on Saturday night.

Mon, 30 May, 2016

Pat Lam: ‘I said to the boys: Channel what Connacht means to you’

Connacht 16 Glasgow Warriors 11: It has been the season of all seasons for Connacht —and the best may be yet to come.

Mon, 23 May, 2016

Connacht make it an All-Ireland final in the Pro12 decider in Scotland

Connacht's dream season continued at the Sportsground where they dethroned reigning champions Glasgow Warriors 16-11 to reach their first Guinness PRO12 final.

Sat, 21 May, 2016

Pat Lam: Desire, hunger and character got us through

Connacht 14 Glasgow Warriors 7: Connacht’s players will have a bounce in their step when they return to the Sportsground after three days rest to prepare for yet another seasonal first.

Mon, 09 May, 2016

Connacht have secured a home play-off semi-final in the Pro 12

Connacht earned a home Guinness PRO12 semi-final courtesy of a 14-7 win over Glasgow Warriors at the rain-soaked Sportsground.

Sat, 07 May, 2016

Connacht’s destiny in their own hands

Sold out two weeks ago, this final round of the Guinness PRO12 at the Galway Sportsground is unprecedented territory for Connacht.

Sat, 07 May, 2016

Connacht on the verge of semi-final spot

Connacht need only one point from this evening’s PRO12 fixture in Italy to guarantee a semi-final spot. But coach Pat Lam will want more, such is the expectation on Connacht to deliver a bonus-point winning performance.

Fri, 29 Apr, 2016

Pat Lam forced to plan without Denis Buckley and Bundee Aki

Connacht will be without two influential players for Friday’s Guinness Pro12 meeting with Treviso with both Denis Buckley and Bundee Aki sidelined through injury.

Tue, 26 Apr, 2016

Pat Lam: Connacht will learn from mistakes

Pat Lam has urged his young players to learn from the mistakes that cost them so dearly in Grenoble last weekend and has told his players that they could do worse than look towards Munster, their opponents this Saturday in Galway, for inspiration.

Wed, 13 Apr, 2016

Ronan O’Gara backs Pat Lam’s Connacht to come good

Ronan O’Gara can see a lot of similarities between his Munster side of a decade and a half ago and where Connacht are now going under Pat Lam.

Tue, 12 Apr, 2016

Peter Jackson: Connacht fall foul of old family curse

Nobody knows what the Irish ever did to upset the Wisniewski family but whatever it was, they’re still at it — still putting the boot into the Greenshirts after all these years.

Mon, 11 Apr, 2016

Pat Lam urges Connacht to seize European opportunity

Connacht’s long-cherished hopes of a first ever trophy will be on the line when they face Grenoble on Saturday.

Wed, 06 Apr, 2016

Connacht's Shane O’Leary ready for return to France

Shane O’Leary will complete a loop of a remarkable journey on Saturday night when he lines out at out-half for Connacht against Grenoble in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

Tue, 05 Apr, 2016

Connacht’s AJ MacGinty joins Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of Connacht fly-half AJ MacGinty.

Fri, 01 Apr, 2016

Pat Lam: It’s going to take massive collective effort

A massive litmus test awaits Connacht this evening when they host Leinster at the Galway Sportsground (5.15pm).

Sat, 26 Mar, 2016

Leinster loaded down to the bench

Leinster arrive in Galway for the biggest interprovincial derby ever hosted at the Sportsground with a bench packed with talent as they aim to hit the top of the Guinness PRO12 table for the first time this season.

Sat, 26 Mar, 2016

Courageous Connacht stay top despite scare

Edinburgh 23 Connacht 28: Connacht survived a huge examination from Edinburgh in Murrayfield last evening to stay top of the Guinness Pro 12 with their fifth win on the trot.

Sun, 06 Mar, 2016

Pat Lam’s Connacht still topping polls out west

Connacht 30 Ospreys 22: Connacht’s season continues to produce more milestones in the quest to maintain their momentum at the top of the Guinness Pro12 table. In a high-octane fixture at the Galway Sportsground on Saturday, Pat Lam’s squad saw off the Ospreys with three tries in a polished show

Mon, 29 Feb, 2016

Wily Pat Lam out to avoid trap in Dragons’s den

After a brief respite, Connacht Rugby return to Pro12 action and face an improving Newport Gwent Dragons in Newport this evening (7.30pm).

Thu, 11 Feb, 2016

Connacht must reach bonus territory

Reaching bonus territory a must for Connacht

Sat, 23 Jan, 2016

Robbie Henshaw starts for Connacht in final Challenge Cup pool game

All four Connacht players named in the Ireland Six Nations squad this week are included for the match at the Sportsground on Saturday.

Fri, 22 Jan, 2016

Brive v Connacht - European Rugby Challenge Cup Pool 1 Round 5

Pat Lam laments ‘worst’ Connacht display

Brive 21 Connacht 18: Connacht’s European hopes hang in the balance after what coach Pat Lam termed as “probably their worst game” this season.

Mon, 18 Jan, 2016

Connacht not panicking after Leinster defeat

Connacht are keeping faith with the same squad that lost to Leinster when they travel to Llanelli to face Guinness Pro 12 league leaders Scarlets tomorrow afternoon (2.30pm).

Sat, 09 Jan, 2016

Connacht v Ulster - Guinness PRO12 Round 10

Nick Williams try ensures festive derby spoils for in-form Ulster

Connacht 3 Ulster 10: Ulster’s European winning form continued in the Guinness Pro12 when they took the spoils in a tight festive derby at the Galway Sportsgound on St Stephen’s night.

Mon, 28 Dec, 2015

Landmark night for Connacht Rugby talisman John Muldoon

John Muldoon becomes the first player to make 200 appearances in the Guinness Pro12 when he leads Connacht against Cardiff at Arms Park this evening (7.05pm).

Fri, 04 Dec, 2015