Connacht coach Wilkins excited about prospect of playing at the home of Mayo GAA in Castlebar

Connacht have reduced capacity while they redevelop their home in Galway and while work is progressing well at their long-term home now known as Dexcom Stadium, the novelty at moving a match against Munster to Castlebar could yield a big payday.

“It will be interesting,” said Wilkins. “I'm aware there's been discussions, exploratory discussions I suppose, going on, above my head at CEO and board level in conversations they had with Mayo GAA. And the Munster game is one of the options that they've talked about.

“But I think our reaction as coaches and players, is one of excitement, I suppose. It's obviously a little way off actually coming together into forming as a plan, but I I think the prospect of it is brilliant, to go to a historic venue of that size.” 

Connacht previously moved games to Dubarry Park in Athlone and Corinthian Park outside Galway city when development work was previously being carried out two decades ago at the Sportsground.

But this is the first time Connacht have looked at playing at a GAA ground in the province and Wilkins said playing in Castlebar would be an opportunity to expand their supporter base.

“Taking the game to another part of the province is a really good opportunity,” he added. “I think as well to be playing in front of whatever crowd we would get up there, as great as the atmosphere has been here at Dexcom with the reduced, standing and seating, to go in a place somewhere larger where we get an opportunity for for more supporters from a different part of the province to come and watch us, it'd be brilliant.

“And we've seen the success of the games taken to GAA venues by other provinces. So, look, if it does happen, then, we would be right behind the idea, because I think there's a bit of road to go,” added Wilkins, whose side return to URC action this weekend when they host the Bulls at Dexcom Stadium in Galway.