This is be a first rugby match for a lot of people attending and they will join the old stalwarts from both Connacht and Munster who travel far and to support their side. International stars like Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham for Connacht while Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray (set to make his 200th appearance from the bench) and the returning Craig Casey for Munster will jump off the screen and into reality for newcoming supporters on this historic occasion for the novel event. Bringing a game of this magnitude from the home of Connacht Rugby in the Dexcom Stadium in Galway is not only huge for the province but an important marker for Castlebar as it opens new doors to bring crowds of over 26,000 thousand to the town. There is an economic factor for the town as hotels and B&Bs are sold out with businesses rowing in behind the event offering promotions for the influx of people to the town for the game and turning green for the unique occasion. Sponsor partners of Connacht Rugby held an event ahead of the interpro in their Castlebar branch with Head of Bank of Ireland Galway Mayo Michael Costello delighted to see Connacht bring the game outside of Galway and to the home of Mayo football. “It is huge for the town. When we heard about it first there was a huge level of excitement around the town. The match was sold out within a few hours. To the town economically every hotel is booked out, every B&B, restaurant I am sure the pubs and restaurants will be full as well in the evening. “It is great to get Connacht, everyone knows a lot of the players, Bundee Aki and getting all these guys down to Castlebar would be great for the people of Mayo in particular to see and wider Connacht. “It is great that Connacht is bringing these games outside of Galway, I know their stadium is being done but its great for the town and hopefully the likes of Sligo, the likes of Roscommon these other big towns can host games in the future.” This historic event provides a template for Castlebar to host events of this size in the future with President of Castlebar Chamber of Commerce Anne Conlon delighted to be involved in hosting the event to the town. “It is an historical because the resident of Connacht Rugby is a Castlebar man so we are thrilled about that. The town has an amazing buzz in it, it is actually quite incredible. The run for bunting over the weekend was crazy. The town has really got behind it, the businesses have got behind it. They are doing different promotions for people that are coming from Connacht and Munster to stay with us and also to come down into the town afterwards. “This will be our template and we would love to be running these events consistently. We would be open to concerts, we are looking at bands as well coming to Castlebar town. We have a fantastic stadium that fits between 26-28,000 people. We have got the facilities around it, we have the people in the town to support it and run it. There is a great spirit, there is a great collaboration and we would love as a Chamber to be leading out events like this.”