Dave Heffernan joined the Connacht academy in 2011. While still an academy player, the Ballina native made his Pro senior debut in the 2011/12 season for Connacht against Scarlets. Heffernan's career started as a flanker but in the 2013/14 season he was moved to the front-row where he remains, consistently performing in the number 2 jersey. Heffernan has been capped six times by Ireland.