As the countdown continues to the start of the 2025 Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship, we are delighted to officially announce the Connacht Senior Women’s Management Team.
The quality, competitiveness and excitement around the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship has been building year-on-year.
Connacht began their 2024 August campaign with a tough away match to Leinster 38-19 in Energia Park. They went on to draw 25-25 to Ulster at Kingspan Stadium in the second round, and then fell just short to Munster 24-29 in a thrilling match at home in Dexcom Stadium. Their final match of the campaign saw a 33-19 win against Ulster in the 3rd place final at Kingspan Stadium.
The Connacht Senior Women’s squad will look to capitalise on their progress with a successful 2025 campaign.
The four-round Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championships kicks off on Sunday, 10th August when Connacht travel to Virgin Media Park to face Munster (KO: 4.15pm).
Connacht will then host Ulster at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday, 16th August (KO: 4.15pm) and Leinster in Dexcom Stadium on Saturday, 23rd August (KO: 2.30pm).
Finals Day will be held on Saturday, 30th August at Energia Park, with the top two teams from the round-robin facing off for the title while the bottom two fight for third place. Kick-off times TBC.
Head Coach Emer O’Dowd returns for the 2025 season with the same coaching staff as last season in Gavin Duffy, Tommy Ellard and Doron McHugh. David Mannion joins Emma Finnegan in an S&C coaching capacity while Evan Gannon (Analyst), Róisín Hession (Nutritionist), Caileen Meehan (Physio) and Lisa Ryan (High Performance Coach) stay on this year’s management ticket from the August 2024 campaign. They add Zoë Langsdale and Chloe McCrann as Team Managers for the 2025 Interpro season.
Emer O’Dowd
Head Coach
"I am honoured and so proud to be part of this group of players & management again. We want to build on last year's performances and I truly believe this management team will challenge these players to improve & excel in a high-performance environment. From existing players to young blood coming through, the competition for selection will give us headaches in a good way. I'm looking forward to what the 2025 season brings.”
Gavin Duffy
Backs & Attack Coach
“Looking forward to working with this ambitious group of coaches and players again.”
Tommy Ellard
Defence Coach
"I'm really looking forward to the season ahead. It's great to be part of things right from the start this year after joining a bit later last season. We all took a lot from last year, so I’m excited to build on that and see how much we can grow and improve together as a team."
Doron McHugh
Forwards Coach
"It's a privilege to be involved with this ambitious squad of young players again. I'm looking to challenge both the players and myself to bring the best out of them and build on the solid foundations we laid together last year. This will give our exciting backline a solid platform to attack off."
Zoë Langsdale
Team Manager
"I had the privilege of being around this team and management group last season and was blown away by the drive, support, work-ethic and enjoyment that they all had. I am honoured to be able to officially join the Connacht Women's management team this season and can't wait to see what this group of players accomplishes."
Chloe McCrann
Team Manager
"I'm delighted to be joining the Connacht Women's management team this year. It's an incredibly exciting time for Women's Rugby and I am looking forward to supporting the squad and management in the season ahead."
Lisa Ryan
High Performance Coach
"I'm delighted to be involved with Connacht Senior Women's team again this year, we are really excited to be welcoming back our returning players and about the talent we have coming through and looking forward to season ahead."
Emma Finnegan
S&C Coach
"I’m absolutely buzzing and honoured to be back with the Connacht Women’s team. Last year, I caught the bug — the team spirit on and off the field, grá for green, love of competition, respect, relentless work ethic, the fun and shared energy among players and management are something truly special — unstoppable. I’m excited to build on last year with everyone in their new high-performance environment and see how far we can go this Interpro season!"
David Mannion
S&C Coach
"I am delighted to be coming on board this year and working with this group of players and management. I’m hoping I can help in preparing the players to be able to perform to their highest level and challenge them along the way. I’m really looking forward to getting started with this group and seeing what we can achieve this season."
Caileen Meehan
Head Physio
"I’m delighted to say it’s my third season working with the Connacht Women's team. They are a powerful group of players, I’m really looking forward to watching these girls achieve success in the 2025 Interpro season."
Evan Gannon
Video Analyst
"I'm really looking forward to working with the Connacht Senior Women again this season. I'm also excited to continue developing the performance analysis side of things and help the players and coaches build on last season."
Róisín Hession
Nutritionist
"I am really looking forward to working with an ambitious and talented group of players and coaches this season."
