Gerry is a gentleman and a scholar and has been a great servant of Connacht Rugby. He's helped keep us afloat over the years when Dublin wanted us closed down.
Gerry taught me Maths in Garbally many many years ago. Wonder if he's returning to teaching?

I think Gerry knows that he is part of an era Connacht need to move on from and it's a brave and commendable decision to move on, fair play to him.

I met him a few years ago and all my complaints about the team went out the window. I didn't have the heart to have a rant at him, even though I promised myself I would if I ever got the chance. It was clear that he's a rugby man and passionate about it.

The last two years have been the end of the beginning for Connacht and I agree with Gerry that it's the right time to step down. Time for new blood and new energy, but the best of luck to Gerry as he rides off into the sunset with the memories of being our first Heineken Cup CEO, well deserved.

Congrats and Best of luck to Gerry Kelly in the future, he was a very hard worker and had the best interests of Connacht Rugby at heart, he really had a thankless job for years and its only this season he has got some level of the backup that his job requires in a commercial sense. There is no doubt he has given his all to the job and he deserves thanks and praise for his efforts and hopefully he will enjoy his retirement or whatever he moves onto next.

Moving forwards, the next man for the job needs to be carefully considered, Connacht are a professional side, the CEO can't be just an honorary position. It has to be given to someone with a serious business background and preferably a rugby background too. We have made major strides in that regard with the calibre of people coming in between PGB and Marketing roles etc. Everyone needs to be held accountable for results on and off the field from top to bottom including the coaching team which hasn't happened in the last number of years.

With the IRFU coffers likely to drop once Kidney is left in charge, money will be tight so whoever comes in needs to exploit every opportunity for sponsorship deals and ways of increasing our budget internally.

www.connachtrugby.ie wrote:
Connacht Rugby’s CEO Gerry Kelly has announced that he is to step down at the end of the 2011/12 season.

Having been involved with Connacht Rugby at committee level for many years the former Garbally College teacher became the President of the Connacht Branch in 1995. In 1999 he became the first Chief Executive Officer of the club and has been at the helm of Connacht Rugby throughout the professional era.

Commenting on his decision to retire, Gerry Kelly said:

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of Connacht Rugby for the last 30 odd years and I have seen the game grow at every level since then. I feel that it is the right time for me to pass on the reins and, by doing so right now, it leaves the path clear for the recruitment process to start so the right candidate can be in place for the start of next season.”

“I have seen dramatic changes to the sport over the years. I remember there being less than 1000 people in the Sportsground for Challenge Cup games in 1999 and then you had this season where we had over 9000 in the same venue for a Heineken Cup match - that’s a tremendous growth figure.”

“For me personally I am delighted to see the expansion in youth and schools rugby across the province. As a former Irish Schools Selector that area has always been close to my heart. To see new clubs springing up across the province and rugby being developed in schools that would never have traditionally had a rugby team is a source of great pride to me and the evidence is there to support further growth into the future.”

“It is also very promising to see the promotion of indigenous players to coaching positions within the club. Eric Elwood, Dan McFarland, Tim Allnutt, Nigel Carolan, have all played with Connacht and their experience and knowledge of Connacht are helping to shape the future and define the very being of the club.”

“The last number of years have been very exciting for Connacht Rugby and this season is no exception with our first ever Heineken Cup campaign and the redevelopment of the Sportsground being just two of the highlights. The PGB have brought a new energy and skill-set to their task and their progress is already evident throughout the club. The future of Connacht Rugby looks bright with the Connacht Branch Management Committee, the PGB and the IRFU working together to push on to new levels.”