Jimmy Duffy to depart Connacht Rugby at end of the season

Connacht Rugby can confirm Jimmy Duffy will depart the province at the end of the season.

Duffy has held the role of Forwards Coach since June 2015 and was part of the coaching team that oversaw the successful Guinness PRO12-winning campaign of 2015/16. Before his appointment, he served as Elite Player Development Officer with the Connacht Academy and before that as a Coach Development Officer working across the game at grassroots level.

 
Duffy has made the following statement following the news:

 
“This has been a tough decision for me and my family, but I feel it’s the right one as I look to progress my coaching career. Connacht Rugby has been a major part of my life stretching over 25 years, so it was never going to be easy when the day comes to move on. I feel now is the time for me to stretch myself and further my development as a coach. 

 
"I cannot begin to thank everyone at Connacht Rugby enough for all they have done for me during my association with the club. It’s a great organisation with a bright future, and I leave at the end of the season firmly in the belief that even better days are ahead. I’d particularly like to thank Andy Friend and Willie Ruane for their constant understanding and support as I made my decision, as well as all the staff, players and supporters. I look forward to watching the club develop even further in the years ahead.“

 
Head Coach Andy Friend says he has nothing but praise for Duffy after their three years working together:

 
“Jimmy is a consummate professional and an excellent Forwards Coach who I’ve had the pleasure of working with since 2018. His dedication, knowledge of the game and constant drive to further develop our players has been first rate. Our current crop of forwards are all the better because of him and I know he’ll succeed wherever the future takes him.

 
"While we would have preferred to see Jimmy sign on with us again, we would never stand in the way of any coach when they feel the time is right to move on.”