Dave Heffernan | |
Birth Name: | David Heffernan |
Birth Date: | 1991 1, df=yes |
Birth Place: | Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland |
Weight: | 110kg (240lb)[1] |
Ru Currentteam: | Connacht |
Ru Currentposition: | Hooker |
Position: | Hooker, Flanker |
Amatteam1: | Ballina RFC |
Amatteam3: | Lansdowne FC |
Years1: | 2012– |
Clubs1: | Connacht |
Apps1: | 194 |
Points1: | 40 |
Ru Clubupdate: | 8 April 2024 |
Repyears1: | 2010–11 |
Repyears2: | 2015– |
Repyears3: | 2017– |
Repyears4: | 2019 |
Repteam1: | Ireland U20 |
Repteam2: | Emerging Ireland |
Repteam5: | Ireland Wolfhounds |
Repcaps1: | 2 |
Repcaps2: | 3 |
Repcaps3: | 7 |
Repcaps4: | 1 |
Repcaps5: | 1 |
Reppoints1: | 0 |
Reppoints2: | 0 |
Reppoints3: | 5 |
Reppoints4: | 5 |
Reppoints5: | 0 |
Ru Ntupdate: | 15 November 2022 |
School: | Blackrock College |
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.[2]
Heffernan studied at University of Galway.[3]
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.[8] In April 2014, Heffernan signed a contract extension with Connacht to keep him with the side until the end of the 2014–15 season.[9]
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.[10]