Willie Ruane (born 10 August 1975) is an Irish former rugby union player who is chief executive officer of his former team Connacht Rugby. During his playing career he primarily played as a fullback.

Willie Ruane
Birth nameWilliam Ruane
Date of birth (1975-08-10) 10 August 1975 (age 49)
Place of birthCounty Mayo, Ireland
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
SchoolGarbally College
UniversityWaterford IT
Occupation(s)CEO of Connacht Rugby
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Galwegians ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Connacht ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Ireland Colleges
Ireland U21
Barbarians

Playing career

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Ruane played club rugby for Galwegians, and provincial rugby for Connacht. He featured for Connacht in the Challenge Cup in the 1997–98 and 1998–99 seasons, playing in every one of Connacht's games in each season.[1] Ruane retired from rugby at the age of 25 to take a job with Bank of Ireland.[2]

During his career Ruane represented Ireland youth sides internationally, playing for the national sides at Colleges and under-21 level.[3] He also played for the international invitational side the Barbarians.[4]

Banking

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After retiring from playing for Connacht, Ruane worked in a variety of roles in different banks in Ireland, including Bank of Ireland, Anglo Irish Bank and Ulster Bank.[5]

Rugby administration

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In 2014, Ruane took up his current role as CEO of Connacht Rugby.[2]

Personal life

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Ruane was born in County Mayo. He was a pupil at Garbally College in Ballinasloe and received a degree in Business Studies from Waterford IT.[5] Ruane lives in his hometown of Ballina, and is married with three sons, Billy, Tom and Robert.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Player Archive: Willie Ruane". European Professional Club Rugby. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Willie Ruane - from fullback to Connacht CEO". Galway Advertiser. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Connacht appoint Willie Ruane as new CEO". Irish Times. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  4. ^ "My job in Connacht: Willie Ruane Chief Executive Officer". Irish Independent. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Willie Ruane". LinkedIn. Retrieved 13 January 2017.