Dave Heffernan

Dave Heffernan (born 31 January 1991) is a rugby union player from Ireland. As of 2024, he plays for Irish provincial side Connacht in the Pro14. Heffernan started his career playing as a flanker, before moving to the position of hooker. He plays his club rugby for Buccaneers. Heffernan has represented the Ireland U20 team.^[1][2]

Dave Heffernan

Birth name	David Heffernan
Date of birth	(1991-01-31) 31 January 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth	Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	110 kg (17 st 5 lb)[1]
School	Blackrock College
University	University of Galway
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker Current team Connacht Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Ballina RFC () – Buccaneers () – Lansdowne FC () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2012– Connacht 194 (40) Correct as of 8 April 2024 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2010–11 Ireland U20 2 (0) 2015– Emerging Ireland 3 (0) 2017– Ireland 7 (5) 2019 Barbarians F.C. 1 (5) – Ireland Wolfhounds 1 (0) Correct as of 15 November 2022

Heffernan studied at University of Galway.^[3]

Career

Connacht

The County Mayo native went to school in Blackrock College before playing with Connacht at Under-19 and Under-20 level. Heffernan joined the Connacht Academy in 2011.^[4] Heffernan had played in the 2011–12 Pro12, making his first start against Scarlets on 2 March 2012, while still an academy player. He played as a blindside flanker, and stayed on the field for the full 80 minutes.^[5] After having spent two years in the Connacht Academy, Heffernan progressed to the full senior set-up, ahead of the 2013–14 Pro12 season.^[4]

Before the start of the 2013–14 season, Heffernan was converted from a back-row forward into a hooker.^[6] He made his first senior appearance in his new position on 26 October 2013, coming on as a replacement for Seán Henry against Leinster.^[7] In total, Heffernan made 12 appearances in the 2013–14 league, 11 of these coming from the bench.^[2] In April 2014, Heffernan signed a contract extension with Connacht to keep him with the side until the end of the 2014–15 season.^[8]

International

Internationally, Heffernan has represented Ireland at Under-20 level. He played against France in the 2011 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, starting at blindside flanker.^[9]

References

1. "Connacht Rugby | Homepage".
2. "Connacht Squad Index: Dave Heffernan". Guinness PRO12. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
3. Rooney, Declan (27 October 2017). "NUI Galway renew deal with province". Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 October 2017. NUI Galway became Connacht's Academy and University partner in 2013, and since then 19 Connacht players have graduated, or are about to graduate, from NUI Galway including current senior squad members Denis Buckley, Eoin Griffin, Eoin McKeon, Andrew Browne, Dave Heffernan, Jack Carty, Darragh Leader, Eoghan Masterson, Seán O'Brien and Conor McKeon.
4. "Irish Rugby : Provincial Rugby : News : Heffernan And Qualter Graduate To Connacht Senior Squad". Irishrugby.ie. 15 March 2013. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
5. "Scarlets 38 - 10 Connacht Rugby". RaboDirectPRO12. 2 March 2012.
6. "Connacht team to face Leinster". Guinness PRO12. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
7. "Leinster Rugby 16 - 13 Connacht Rugby". Guinness PRO12. 26 October 2013. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
8. "Connacht Reward Five Players With New Deals". Irish Rugby. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
9. "4 Connacht players make Irish U20 team". Connacht Rugby. 10 February 2011. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013.