Elwood leaves the Connacht stage with no regrets over exit

IT’S been the longest of long goodbyes.

Since October when Eric Elwood publicly dropped the bombshell that he was stepping aside as Connacht’s director of rugby, after 25 years with the province, everything was winding down towards the farewell. Friday was D Day, departure day, for the Mervue man who has given more to the province in its 125 year plus history than anyone else.

Eric Elwood is regarded as a true legend of the game not only in Galway and Connacht, but right across the country. He is – was – Connacht Rugby.

After 17 years as a Connacht player, Over 150 appearances and 35 Ireland caps, seven years as assistant coach and the past three as the head honcho, it’s unsurprising that there wasn’t a dry eye at the Sportsground on Friday after the Glasgow game for Elwood’s swan song.

Nearly every one of the 6,000 plus fans stayed on afterwards to say goodbye, as Elwood did a poignant lap of honour round the pitch, waving to the fans, among whom he enjoys folk hero status.

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins led the tributes on the big screen at the Bohermore end. The fact that Connacht stalwarts including Johnny O’Connor – did he cry tears of concrete? – and Adrian Flavin were retiring and Mike McCarthy, and others were moving on, ensured an emotionally charged night. Elwood knew it was coming. It was still overwhelming.

“It had been coming for a long time. I made my decision last September so obviously I knew the night was going to come, I knew it was going to be emotional but I was totally taken aback by the reaction of the crowd afterwards. I went to the four corners of the pitch and wanted to clap and thank everyone for staying on.

"Obviously I saw a few people I knew in the crowd and it got a bit emotional at times. All in all it was very special. Those last 15 minutes on the pitch at the end saying goodbye was very special,” he says.

Read the full interview in this week's Connacht Tribune.