1998–99 Connacht Rugby season

May 2026 1998–99 Connacht Rugby season The Sportsground, Galway Glen Ross Simon Allnutt (88) Simon Allnutt (4)Russell Southam (4) Challenge Cup (5th of 7)IRFU Interprovincial Championship (4th) 1997–98 1999–2000 The 1998–99 season was Connacht's fourth season under professionalism. New Zealander Glenn Ross was head coach,John Fallon, "New Zealand influence will continue as Ross succeeds Gatland as Connacht coach", City Tribune, 15 May 1998 appointed to replace Warren Gatland, who had been appointed head coach of the Ireland national team.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/rugby_union/59832.stm Gatland takes over as Ireland coach BBC Sport 24 February 1998 5 May 2008 They competed in the Challenge Cup, finishing fifth in their pool, and the IRFU Interprovincial Championship, finishing fourth. They hosted Morocco, defeating them 30–5. Players selected Connacht Rugby squadProps IRE rugby union Martin Cahill (Buccaneers) IRE rugby union Michael Finlay (Galwegians) IRE rugby union John Maher (St Mary's) IRE rugby union Jimmy Screene (Buccaneers) Hookers IRE rugby union Bernard Jackman (Clontarf) IRE rugby union Billy Mulcahy (Skerries) IRE rugby union Joe McVeigh (Buccaneers) Locks IRE rugby union Jimmy Duffy (Galwegians) IRE rugby union Graham Heaslip (Galwegians) IRE rugby union Justin Cullen (unattached)Back row IRE rugby union John Casserly (Galwegians) NZL Junior Charlie (Galwegians) IRE rugby union Neil Culliton (Buccaneers) IRE rugby union Ronnie Culliton (Wanderers) IRE rugby union Ian Dillon (Bohemians) IRE rugby union Barry Gavin (Galwegians) IRE rugby union Shane McEntee (Lansdowne) NZL Martyn Steffert (Buccaneers) Scrum-halves IRE rugby union Conor McGuinness (St Mary's) IRE rugby union Diarmuid Reddan (Galwegians) IRE rugby union David Mescal (Ballina) Fly-halves NZL Simon Allnutt (Buccaneers) IRE rugby union Eric Elwood (Galwegians)Centres IRE rugby union Pat Duignan (Galwegians) IRE rugby union Mervyn Murphy (Galwegians) Wings IRE rugby union Nigel Carolan (Galwegians) IRE rugby union Alan Reddan (Galwegians) IRE rugby union Russell Southam (Buccaneers) Fullbacks IRE rugby union Owen Cobbe (Wanderers) IRE rugby union Willie Ruane (Galwegians) (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality. Squad IRFU Interprovincial Championship IRFU Interprovincial Championship Team P W D LFA BPPts StatusMunster Munster 6 4 0 2 125 92 2 18 Champions; qualified for 1999–2000 Heineken CupUlster Ulster 6 3 0 3 137 119 3 15 Qualified for 1999–2000 Heineken CupLeinster Leinster 6 3 0 3 135 136 2 14 Qualified for 1999–2000 Heineken CupConnacht Connacht 6 2 0 4 95 145 3 11 Qualified for 1999–2000 European Challenge Cup 15 August 1998 Connacht Connacht 13–18 Reporthttps://munsterrugby.ie/match-stats/?FixGuid=98CM3133 Connacht 13-18 Munster Munster Rugby 7 June 2019 Munster Munster Ruane Elwood Elwood (2) LaceyKeane Keane Keane (2) Galway Sportsgrounds Connacht lineup: 1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Billy Mulcahy, 3. Martin Cahill, 4. Justin Cullen, 5. Jimmy Duffy, 6. Junior Charlie, 7. Shane McEntee, 8. Barry Gavin, 9. Diarmuid Reddan, 10. Eric Elwood, 11. Nigel Carolan, 12. Alan Reddan, 13. Mervyn Murphy, 14. Nigel Carolan, 15. Willie Ruane. Replacements: Bernard Jackman (for Mulcahy 46'), John Maher (for Screene 68'). L 22 August 1998 Connacht Connacht 21-18 Report"Duignan does it for the West", Sunday World, 23 August 1998Micheal McGeary, "Chastened Shadows", Sunday Life, 23 August 1998 Ulster Ulster Duignan (2)Murphy Elwood (3) CunninghamWard Mason Mason (2) Galway Sportsgrounds Connacht lineup: 1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Billy Mulcahy, 3. Martin Cahill, 4. Justin Cullen, 5. Jimmy Duffy, 6. John Casserly, 7. Shane McEntee, 8. Barry Gavin, 9. Diarmuid Reddan, 10. Eric Elwood, 11. Alan Reddan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Pat Duignan, 14. Nigel Carolan, 15. Willie Ruane. Replacement: Ian Dillon (for Casserly 40') W 28 August 1998 Leinster Leinster 29-24 ReportKieran Rooney, "Elwood injury blow as Leinster go top", Sunday Independent, 29 August 1998 Connacht Connacht DempseyCostello McGowan (2) McGowan (5) GavinMurphyDuignanScreene Allnutt (2) Donnybrook Stadium Connacht lineup: 1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Billy Mulcahy, 3. Martin Cahill, 4. Justin Cullen, 5. Jimmy Duffy, 6. Shane McEntee, 7. Ian Dillon, 8. Barry Gavin, 9. Diarmuid Reddan, 10. Eric Elwood, 11. Alan Reddan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Pat Duignan, 14. Russell Southam, 15. Willie Ruane. Replacements: Bernard Jackman (for Mulcahy 5'), Simon Allnutt (for Elwood 39'), John Maher (for Cahill 47'), Graham Heaslip (for Duffy 57'), David Mescal (for D. Reddan 62'), Nigel Carolan (for A. Reddan 79'). L 12 September 1998 Munster Munster 21–7 Reporthttps://munsterrugby.ie/match-stats/?FixGuid=98MC9154 Munster 21-7 Connacht Munster Rugby 7 June 2019 Connacht Connacht QuinlanLacey Keane Keane (3) Heaslip Allnutt Dooradoyle Connacht lineup: 1. John Maher, 2. Joe McVeigh, 3. Jimmy Screene, 4. Graham Heaslip, 5. Jimmy Duffy, 6. Ian Dillon, 7. Junior Charlie, 8. Shane MCEntee, 9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Simon Allnutt, 11. Nigel Carolan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Pat Duignan, 14. Alan Reddan, 15. Willie Ruane. Replacements: Bernard Jackman (for McVeigh 42'), Neil Culliton (for McEntee 79'), Diarmuid Reddan (for McGuinness 11-21) L 3 October 1998 Connacht Connacht 24-23 Report"Allnutt is alright for Connacht", Sunday Life, 4 October 1998 Leinster Leinster MulcahyA. ReddanAllnutt Allnut (3) Allnut NowlanDempsey McGowan (2) McGowan (2) Galway Sportsgrounds Connacht lineup: 1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Billy Mulcahy, 3. Martin Cahill, 4. Graham Heaslip, 5. Jimmy Duffy, 6. Junior Charlie, 7. Shane McEntee, 8. Barry Gavin, 9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Simon Allnutt, 11. Alan Reddan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Pat Duignan, 14. Russell Southam, 15. Willie Ruane. Replacements: Michael Finlay (for Screene 5-8', 10-14'), Ian Dillon (for McEntee 43'), Nigel Carolan (for Southam 50') W 23 October 1998 Ulster Ulster 36-6 ReportJim Stokes, "Bell and Ward in top gear", Belfast Telegraph, 24 October 1998 Connacht Connacht WardMcKintyToppingClarkeMason Mason (4) Mason Allnutt (2) Ravenhill David McHugh Connacht lineup: 1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Billy Mulcahy, 3. Martin Cahill, 4. Graham Heaslip, 5. Jimmy Duffy, 6. Junior Charlie, 7. Ian Dillon, 8. Barry Gavin, 9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Simon Allnutt, 11. Alan Reddan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Pat Duignan, 14. Nigel Carolan, 15. Willie Ruane. Replacements: John Maher (for Cahill 45'), John Casserly (for Charlie 67'), Neil Culliton (for Dillon 77'). L European Challenge Cup 1998–99 European Challenge Cup Pool 1 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffPts FRA Narbonne66003213+1922898+13012 WAL Caerphilly64021619−3167154+138 FRA Périgueux63032313+10168119+496 FRA Racing Club de France63031723−6127184−576 Ireland rugby union Connacht63031619−3129156−276 WAL Newport61051423−9123183−602 ITA Rugby Rovigo61051220−8108156−482 26 September 1998 14:30 Newport WAL 12–31 Report"Five-try Connacht get back to basics", Sunday Independent, 27 September 1998 IRE rugby union Connacht Connor (4) DillonMulcahyAllnuttHeaslipSoutham Allnutt (3) Rodney Parade 655 Connacht lineup: 1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Billy Mulcahy, 3. Michael Finlay, 4. Graham Heaslip, 5. Jimmy Duffy, 6. Junior Charlie, 7. Ian Dillon, 8. Barry Gavin, 9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Simon Allnutt, 11. Alan Reddan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Pat Duignan, 14. Russell Southam, 15. Willie Ruane. Replacements: Owen Cobbe, Joe McVeigh, Martin Cahill. W 7 October 1998 14:30 Connacht IRE rugby union 29–28 Report"Another Houdini act from spirited Connacht", Irish Examiner, 8 October 1998 FRA Périgueux DuffyCarolanRuane Allnutt Allnutt (4) CheyrouBlondyNelsonMiquel Doussy (3)Miquel The Sports Ground 1,000 Connacht lineup: 1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Billy Mulcahy, 3. Martin Cahill, 4. Graham Heaslip, 5. Jimmy Duffy, 6. Junior Charlie, 7. Ian Dillon, 8. Barry Gavin, 9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Simon Allnutt, 11. Nigel Carolan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Pat Duignan, 14. Alan Reddan, 15. Willie Ruane. Replacements: Shane McEntee, Joe McVeigh, John Maher. W 11 October 1998 15:30 Rugby Rovigo ITA 20–21 Report"Allnutt is hero for Connacht", Irish Independent, 12 October 1998 IRE rugby union Connacht GolfettiGross Scanavacca (2) Scanavacca (2) Allnutt (2) Allnutt Allnutt (3) Stadio Mario Battaglini 1,200 Connacht lineup: 1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Billy Mulcahy, 3. Martin Cahill, 4. Graham Heaslip, 5. Jimmy Duffy, 6. Junior Charlie, 7. Shane McEntee, 8. Barry Gavin, 9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Simon Allnutt, 11. Nigel Carolan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Pat Duignan, 14. Alan Reddan, 15. Willie Ruane. Replacements: Joe McVeigh, John Maher. W 17 October 1998 14:30 Connacht IRE rugby union 26–38 Report"Allnutt is hero for Connacht", Irish Independent, 12 October 1998 FRA Narbonne McEnteeMaherScreene Cobbe Allnutt (2)Cobbe SchisanoPlataretCalvelRaynaudTanirStoica Valls (4) The Sports Ground 2,500 Connacht lineup: 1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Billy Mulcahy, 3. Martin Cahill, 4. Graham Heaslip, 5. Jimmy Duffy, 6. Junior Charlie, 7. Shane McEntee, 8. Barry Gavin, 9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Simon Allnutt, 11. Alan Reddan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Pat Duignan, 14. Russell Southam, 15. Willie Ruane. Replacements: Owen Cobbe, John Maher. L 31 October 1998 14:30 Caerphilly WAL 39–8 Report"Connacht's Euro dream squelched in Welsh mud", Connacht Tribune, 6 November 1998 IRE rugby union Connacht MarshallBidgoodDaveyJohn Davey (4) Davey (2) Carolan Elwood Virginia Park 600 L Connacht lineup: 1. John Maher, 2. Billy Mulcahy, 3. Jimmy Screene, 4. Graham Heaslip, 5. Jimmy Duffy, 6. Junior Charlie, 7. Shane McEntee, 8. Barry Gavin, 9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Eric Elwood, 11. Nigel Carolan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Pat Duignan, 14. Alan Reddan, 15. Willie Ruane. Replacements: John Casserly, Joe McVeigh, Ian Dillon, Martin Cahill. 7 November 1998 14:30 Connacht IRE rugby union 14–19 Report"Distribution of top players queries after Connacht's exit", Irish EXaminer, 9 November 1998 FRA Racing Club de France A. ReddanScreene Elwood (2) ChevallierGoirandTerryn Bentayou (2) The Sports Ground 500 L Connacht lineup: 1. John Maher, 2. Billy Mulcahy, 3. Jimmy Screene, 4. Graham Heaslip, 5. Jimmy Duffy, 6. John Casserly, 7. Shane McEntee, 8. Martyn Steffert, 9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Eric Elwood, 11. Nigel Carolan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Pat Duignan, 14. Alan Reddan, 15. Willie Ruane. Replacements: Bernard Jackman, Martin Cahill, Ronnie Culliton. Representative 7 August 1998 18:30 Connacht IRE rugby union 30-5 Report"Three tries of Southam against the Moroccans", Irish Examiner, 8 August 1998 Morocco Morocco Southam (3)Mescal Cobbe (2) Cobbe (2) El Oula The Sportsground, Galway W Connacht lineup: 1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Bernard Jackman, 3. Martin Cahill, 4. Jimmy Duffy, 5. Graham Heaslip, 6. Junior Charlie, 7. Barry Gavin, 8. Shane McEntee, 9. Diarmuid Reddan, 10. Owen Cobbe, 11. Alan Reddan, 12. Mervyn Murphy (c), 13. Pat Duignan, 14. Nigel Carolan, 15. Russell Southam. Replacements: Billy Mulcahy (for Jackman 44'), John Maher (for Cahill 47'), David Mescal (for D. Reddan 49'), Willie Ruane (for Carolan 63'), John Casserly (for Duffy 65'), Allnutt (for Cobbe 52-58'). Friendly 4 September 1998 Gasgow Caledonians SCO 28-13 ReportDavid Kelso, "Craig lifts Reds but there's still room for improvement", The Scotsman, 5 September 1998 IRE rugby union Connacht CraigStarkSimpson Hayes (2) Hayes (3) Carolan Cobbe Cobbe (2) Stirling L Connacht lineup: 1. John Maher, 2. Joe McVeigh, 3. Michael Finlay, 4. Graham Heaslip, 5. Jimmy Duffy, 6. John Casserly, 7. Shane McEntee, 8. Ian Dillon, 9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Owen Cobbe, 11. Nigel Carolan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Pat Duignan, 14. Russell Southam, 15. Willie Ruane. Replacements: Diarmuid Reddan (for McGuinness 34'), Simon Allnutt (for Cobbe 40'), Neil Culliton (for McEntee 48'), Alan Reddan (for Southam 54'), Jimmy Screene (for Finlay 60') References 1998-99 Category:1998–99 in Irish rugby union Category:1998–99 European Challenge Cup