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.
| Birth name | William Ruane | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 10 August 1975 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | County Mayo, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Garbally College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Waterford IT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | CEO of Connacht Rugby | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Playing career
editRuane 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
editAfter 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
editIn 2014, Ruane took up his current role as CEO of Connacht Rugby.[2]
Personal life
editRuane 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
edit- ^ "Player Archive: Willie Ruane". European Professional Club Rugby. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Willie Ruane - from fullback to Connacht CEO". Galway Advertiser. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- ^ "Connacht appoint Willie Ruane as new CEO". Irish Times. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- ^ "My job in Connacht: Willie Ruane Chief Executive Officer". Irish Independent. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Willie Ruane". LinkedIn. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
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