| 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 |
| Ru Position: | Hooker, Flanker |
| Ru Amateurclubs: | Ballina RFC Buccaneers Lansdowne FC |
| Ru Clubyears: | 2012– |
| Ru Proclubs: | Connacht |
| Ru Clubcaps: | 194 |
| Ru Clubpoints: | (40) |
| Ru Clubupdate: | 8 April 2024 |
| Ru Nationalyears: | 2010–11 2015– 2017– 2019 |
| Ru Nationalteam: | Ireland U20 Emerging Ireland Ireland Barbarians F.C. Ireland Wolfhounds |
| Ru Nationalcaps: | 2 3 7 1 1 |
| Ru Nationalpoints: | (0) (0) (5) (5) (0) |
| Ru Ntupdate: | 15 November 2022 |
| School: | Blackrock College |
| University: | University of Galway |
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]