Of all the difficulties about settling into his new life in Galway, new Connacht coach Kieran Keane hardly envisaged he would get a ribbing about hurling, but his disclosure yesterday that he is of Waterford blood should ensure he will hear plenty about the All-Ireland final in the coming weeks.

Connacht have completed the signing of Irish-qualified scrum half James Mitchell on a two-year deal.

Pat Lam says Connacht have got the perfect man to replace him in Chiefs’ attack coach Kieran Keane.

Captain John Muldoon says Pat Lam’s decision to walk away from Connacht had no influence on his decision to extend his stay at the Sportsground.

Bundee Aki may have committed his future to Connacht before Pat Lam announced his departure from the Sportsground, but the PRO12 player of the season remains coy about his international future.

IRFU performance director David Nucifora insists Johnny Sexton will not be rushed back to action until he is 100% fit.

Connacht have begun the process of replacing Pat Lam as head coach after the province’s top officials met at the Sportsground yesterday and CEO Willie Ruane insists it is Connacht, not the IRFU, that will decide who gets the job.

Ronan O’Gara won’t get a better chance to get into Irish provincial coaching in the next few years, according to former Connacht and Ireland stalwart, Noel Mannion.

It is believed that an escape clause which required Pat Lam to give six months notice was the primary reason why the Connacht coach made the announcement yesterday that he was departing the Sportsground at the end of the season.

Anthony Foley would be impressed.

Connacht have revealed plans for a 10,000 seater stadium as Galway turns green in advance of the province’s biggest fixture in its professional era.

Connacht have confirmed two-year contract extensions for flanker Jake Heenan and inside back Craig Ronaldson.

And so the saga has come to an end.

Connacht do not know where Robbie Henshaw will be playing his rugby next season, with coach Pat Lam confirming this afternoon that the Irish centre has not told them where he is moving to.

Connacht Academy players Sean O’Brien and Peter Robb have secured senior contracts with the province.

Connacht head coach Pat Lam has signed a new three-year deal ahead of the province’s final chance to bag a Challenge Cup quarter-final.

Connacht are hopeful of tying down a deal which will keep Pat Lam in charge at the Sportsground for several years.

Nothing ever comes easy for Connacht. Their constant battle for recognition and the right to sit as an equal partner with the other three provinces in the eyes of the IRFU has raged for over a century.

Rugby was played in a different era for Willie Ruane. Back in the late 1990s, the battle between professional and amateur rugby was the tale of the decade for the IRFU and the other three provinces.

Connacht chief executive Willie Ruane believes the arrival of All Black centurion Mils Muliaina to the province later this month will take the game in the west of Ireland to the next level.

Former Connacht Rugby captain and current Mayo footballer, Gavin Duffy, is returning to the province to take up a new role in the commercial department.

There is considerably more positivity surrounding the future of Connacht Rugby this week with the signature of their first All Black and the appointment of new chief executive Willie Ruane, but it may not translate into a much-needed win when they face a wounded Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium this evening (6.30pm).

Connacht’s search for a new CEO is complete, former player and Mayo native Willie Ruane appointed eight months after the departure of Tom Sears.

Galwegians 29 UL Bohemians 22

Leinster pair David Quinlan and Ben Willis and hooker Glen van der Wyver are the three additions to the Blackrock outfit that will travel across town for the Dublin derby against St Mary's College on Saturday.

Garryowen kept their chances of a top four finish in the AIB All-Ireland league very much alive with a dramatic late win over Galwegians at Dooradoyle.

Galwegians regained top spot in the First Division of the AIB League with a