Connacht CEO to step down at the end of the season

Gerry Kelly image:irishrugby.ie

CONNACHT Rugby’s first ever CEO Gerry Kelly announced this evening that he is to retire at the end of the season. The former Garbally College teacher has been involved with the province for over 30 years.

He became branch president in 1995 and then took over the newly created role of CEO of the province in 1999. Gerry Kelly has led Connacht rugby throughout the professional era.

Announcing his decision, Mr Kelly said that he brought the date of his retirement forward so that his successor would not have to be appointed midway through next season and that the recruitment process could begin straight away.

“I would have been due to retire anyway in January of next season and talking to the branch, the PGB (Professional Game Board) and the IRFU I would be happier to have someone come in at the start of the season. It would be unfair to ask someone to get up to speed in January so with the blessing of all those three groups I have decided I will retire at the end of the current season,” he explained.

Gerry Kelly has seen many changes in his time at the helm of Connacht rugby and oversaw the transfer from the amateur era to full professionalism. When he became CEO 13 years ago, Connacht’s players were still amateurs. “When I came in first I was the first CEO so the first thing was to transfer from mainly a volunteer run organisation into a more professional run one.”

Surprisingly he doesn’t view the province’s recent first ever victory in the Heineken Cup as the outstanding highlight of his 13 years in charge of Connacht rugby.

The Toulouse match this year would have to be very high up there but I think the stand out highlight was Toulon (Amlin Challenge Cup semi final 2010). I think that it was such an occasion and we have built on that and I go back to the semi final here against Harlequins (Amlin Challenge Cup semi final 2004). That and Toulouse and Toulon.

“I think the most satisfying one was the win over Harlequins this season but they were all in their own way highlights. I remember Eric (Elwood) scoring a try underneath the posts in that match against Harlequins in 2004. There are a lot of good memories,” he added.

After steering Connacht through some very stormy waters when the very existence of the province was threatened he feels he is leaving a province whose future is secure.

“I think that now is the time for Connacht rugby to push on. A lot of the time I was here was spent wondering whether we would be around the following season. I think that’s been safely put to bed. The great thing now is that there is a definitive and clear future for Connacht rugby,” he said.