It has been a tough season for Irish rugby at national and provincial level but the season finishes on a high in Edinburgh on Saturday as Connacht bid to cap a fairytale season of achievement with victory over a Leinster side that burst into life against Ulster last weekend and look set fort a positive close season regardless of the result.
The fact that the game is in Edinburgh was criticised in sections of the media this week with one commentator suggesting that the Aviva Stadium, the Millennium Stadium and possibly others should have been put on standby for a ‘just in case’ at seven days notice.
The level of planning that goes into a major event is clearly not something that has impacted on his seat in the press box and the correct decision last year to nominate a destination final is in keeping with the Guinness Pro12 ambition to be seen as a major event, as it is.
If Connacht win it is likely that there will be an imagined crowd of 100,000 packing BT Murrayfield. many of those will however be watching at home on either Sky Sports or TG4 for whom the game will be a highlight of the year.
Production company Nemeton who won a major award at the All Ireland Marketing Awards last week will be on site with a 15 strong crew pitch side and presenter Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill at the helm.
TG4 goes on air at 4.45pm and in advance of the 5.30pm kick-off, Munster and Ireland legend Marcus Horan, Eoghan Ó Neachtain and John Broderick will be offering their opinions on the historic occasion, while Garry MacDonnacha takes on commentator duties.
“This is by far the biggest sporting event of the year for us and is the culmination of 12 months of hard work,” said Fintan Walsh, Rugbaí Beo Series Producer at Nemeton TV.
“For it to end this way, it really is the stuff dreams are made of. Connacht taking on Leinster – it’s sure to be a showpiece and we’re really looking forward to bringing our audience high quality, innovative viewing this weekend.”
Among the highlights will be feature interviews with Connacht stars AJ MacGinty and Kieran Marmion.
Another winner from the day will be Lifestyle Sports whose support of Connacht and shirt front sponsorship will be beamed again to a massive UK and Irish audience.
The Final is also important for Irish gaming company Sportscarver who are running a fan engagement app with the tournament offering a free to play kicking gave on Apple and Android. We will be looking at the business model behind the game and the growing success of the company in a special feature next week.
