How Mayo boss helped Connacht prep for Munster showdown in Castlebar

"You know, it's an inter-pro as well, which obviously adds another layer.” 

Connacht face Munster this Saturday at MacHale Park in Castlebar (kick-off, 2.30pm).

The Westerners are expecting a sold-out crowd of 26,000 at the home of Mayo GAA, as they venture away from the Sportsground in Galway.

The history, and the fact that it is an inter-pro, aside, it is a crucial game for both sides in the context of the league, with both teams looking to secure a play-off berth as the regular season draws to a close.

The top-eight teams will qualify for the knockouts, with Munster currently in sixth but only two points off ninth, while Connacht are in 12th and two points off eighth in a tightly-packed URC table.

These sides last met in round one, which saw Munster edge a 35-33 thriller at Thomond Park.

Ahead of this weekend's clash, Castlebar-native, former Mayo player and current manager, Kevin McStay, was brought into Connacht camp to talk to the squad.

Connacht scum and contact coach Colm Tucker discussed how McStay gave a talk on the background of the stadium and its importance to Mayo GAA.

He said: “Friday will be the first time we will have a session there. We actually had Kevin McStay with us this morning, just to chat a little bit around it. So that was brilliant for the people to hear around MacHale Park and around Mayo and how they approach things.

“So that was a lovely presentation from him this morning and we were very appreciative of him sharing his thoughts and wisdom with us. It was fantastic.

“I think it's, first of all, acknowledging it by having somebody like Kevin in to explain the background of the stadium and the importance of Mayo GAA to Connacht Rugby and the relationship there. And then it's just process driven from there, really. You know, it's an inter-pro as well, which obviously adds another layer.”