Former Connacht lock Aly Muldowney says he and his family were mistreated by the province, will not attend the 10-year Pro12 celebration, and recounts life events including being stranded in Siberia and developing a dependency on painkillers.
Muldowney will not attend Connacht’s 10-year Pro12 anniversary because he feels the club treated him and his family poorly.
He describes being stranded in Siberia during his playing career and later developing a problem with painkillers.
The remarks come as Connacht prepare to open their season at home to the Stormers and publicly mark the Murrayfield triumph’s anniversary.
# What happened
Aly Muldowney, a former Connacht front-row/lock, has publicly declined an invitation to a club event marking the 10-year anniversary of Connacht's 2016 Pro12 victory at Murrayfield. His reason: he says Connacht treated him and his family poorly during and after his time with the province.
The club is staging the anniversary as part of its season-opening build-up. Connacht begin the new season at home to the Stormers on Friday night, and the celebration is tied to that fixture.
# Why Muldowney is staying away
Muldowney frames his absence as a response to personal mistreatment by Connacht toward him and his family. He gave that explanation publicly when discussing the anniversary and his relationship with the club.
# Personal struggles he disclosed
Muldowney also spoke about difficult episodes in his life and career. He recounted being stuck in Siberia at one point, an incident that speaks to the dislocations and travel risks professional players sometimes face. He also admitted to becoming hooked on painkillers, indicating a period of dependence following injuries or medical treatment.
Connacht are using this season opener to remember the 2016 Pro12 success, an event the club and supporters treat as significant. The team's plans include anniversary references during the lead-up to the Stormers match.
# What this means for Connacht and Muldowney
For Connacht, a former player publicly refusing a reunion invitation creates a reminder that relationships between players and clubs can remain strained long after careers end. For Muldowney, speaking out places personal issues and grievance with the club into the public record ahead of a high-profile club celebration.
# Where readers might go next
Look for local and rugby-specific outlets for full transcripts or extended interviews if you want everything Muldowney said verbatim. Coverage of the Stormers match and the anniversary programming will offer the club's present-day framing of the 2016 triumph.
# Bottom line
Muldowney will not attend Connacht's Pro12 anniversary because he says the province treated him and his family poorly. He also disclosed personal hardships, including being stranded in Siberia and developing a dependency on painkillers. Connacht proceed with anniversary plans as they start the season against the Stormers.
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