[TheTMO]

Originally Posted by Amazotheamazing

Nope, Dowling went straight to UL from Kilkenny, never darkened the door of either Munster or Leinster's academy, afaik. Cusack wasn't in the Munster Academy.

Nope Cusack was in the academy.
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/7357.php

[Amazotheamazing]

Originally Posted by TheTMO

Nope Cusack was in the academy.
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/7357.php

Don't want to labour this, but one summer training with the Academy doesn't mean you're in the academy. He was invited to train on the back of his AIL games with a view to joining it, but was offered a training contract instead. A fair few AIL players train with Munster and play training games with them. Mike Ross was in a similar position a few years back, as was Peter Bracken all the way back when he played with Boh's.

[toomevara]

Nice piece from Tony Ward in today's Indo:

Hard-up WESTERN HEROES can gun down aristocrats.

By Tony Ward
Tuesday April 27 2010

THE weekend's results may have been a relief to Ulster and maybe a handful of decision-makers at the IRFU, but they have thrown a damper on a basement scrap that was building to quite a final-day crescendo.

At the top end, it's still all to play for, with home advantage and the fourth semi-final spot still to be decided between Cardiff, Munster and Edinburgh, although realistically the winner of the shootout between the Blues and Tony McGahan's men will take that final Magners play-off slot.

Unfortunately for Connacht, the first of three possible routes to Heineken Cup involvement has been nipped in the bud: they would have to beat Ulster by 66 points at Ravenhill on Friday week to overtake the northerners in the league table.

Ulster, then, have effectively qualified for Europe's premier club competition, and deservedly so; Connacht can join them either if they win the Amlin Challenge Cup, or if Leinster or Munster land the Heineken Cup.

There can be few complaints with demolition of the westerners' shadow team at Parc y Scarlets, followed immediately by a full five-point return for fired-up Ulster at Murrayfield. Full credit to Brian McLaughlin's side for the quality of this performance under pressure but equally, what a sad reflection on Edinburgh.

Since Andy Robinson moved on to take up the national reins, the quality of Edinburgh rugby has dipped alarmingly. They are a pale imitation of the side that had been promising so much. Under Robinson there was a sense of excitement, but even more a sense of purpose to what they were about.

Overdue

That decline, though, should not in any way detract from this long-overdue Ulster performance. I agree with former coach Matt Williams' contention that this squad has far too many quality players to be struggling in the way they are.

But just as Irish rugby needs a successful Ulster side, so too does it need a professional Connacht set-up operating on a level playing field financially.

Once Michael Bradley goes beyond his core first-up squad, he is struggling badly when compared to the other three. Despite the exciting promise of former Colaiste Iognaid and Cistercian College Roscrea backs Eoin Griffin and Tiernan O'Halloran, the trip to Llanelli was always set to be an exercise in damage limitation.

Those two, with scrum-half Conor O'Loughlin and centre Troy Nathan (who has become a real leader of late), gave it their best shot but Connacht still leaked nine tries and shipped 58 points in a potentially demoralising demolition.

Yet, just four days after the uplifting victory over Leinster, I believe Bradley called it right in fielding an under-strength line-up ahead of Friday's Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final and what he had hoped would be a Heineken Cup qualification play-off at Ravenhill a week later.

So for Connacht, all eyes turn to Friday and the visit of wealthy, talent-laden Top 14 title contenders Toulon to the Sportsground. The ambitious French club's primary aim in this campaign was to qualify for next season's Heineken Cup and they have already done that, thereby lifting the pressure somewhat for what lies ahead.

That said, when you bring in Philippe Saint Andre as head coach and proceed to sign 16 Test players representing 13 different countries, plus a former New Zealand rugby league star in Sonny Bill Williams, the owner and fans have every right to demand silverware.

To that end, all the pressure will be in the red and black corner as Connacht -- like Munster and Leinster -- will be underdogs when kicking off a weekend of French/Irish knock-out action.

Logically it should be no contest, but as Jonny Wilkinson, Felipe Contepomi, Timmy Ryan and Pierre Mignoni know from experiences with Newcastle, Leinster, Munster and Toulon (back in 1999) respectively, the Sportsground is no place for the faint-hearted.

Despite it being something of a fortress of late, I would have some concern on the basis that for this special occasion, there will be temporary seating installed, making undoubtedly for a better and certainly more intimate atmosphere, but therein lies the rub.

What I and every one of my contemporaries dreaded about playing in the Sportsground was its utter isolation. It was cold, almost desolate, and in winter, nearly always wet and exceptionally windy. It was the most unwelcoming representative venue bar none -- a horrible place to play. Connacht players knew that and capitalised on it to the full.

Now it has a beautifully firm sod which along with a spring evening and relatively enclosed playing area should not faze the French aristocrats one iota. Contrast that with the feeling of lonesome self-pity in a place devoid of atmosphere.

Hopefully that unique Wild West advantage will not be entirely lost on Friday.

Opportunities like this -- a home European semi-final -- don't come along too often, perhaps once in a playing career.

Bradley is right when he says his team will have little problem refocusing despite Sunday's mauling at the hands of Scarlets.

Joint top of the French championship (with Perpignan) against bottom of the Celtic equivalent should equal no contest, but rugby doesn't work like that. Too much hard graft has gone in for Connacht to get this far and roll over. It is Bradley's last hurrah --the last chance to achieve that Heineken Cup goal off their own bat.

In terms of class on paper it's no contest, but mix heart with desire in Bradley's last competitive game in charge at the Sportsground and the raw ingredients are in place for something different -- perhaps something special.

For once the Heineken Cup is on hold as a nation holds its breath in support of a team it has slowly but surely taken to its heart.

Toulon are red-hot favourites and rightly so. Would Connacht want or expect it any other way?

[outwest]

great artical.


what the story about flavin leaving next year.

[fatguy2k1]

Originally Posted by outwest

what the story about flavin leaving next year.

no story - all the players are on 1 year contracts - as per the irfu directive. doesn't mean he's leving.

[Dave Joyce]

Yea, agree with you, its a great article and I think that the weekends result shouldn't/won't affect the squad. Met Johnny O'Connor yesterday in the Sportsground and he was saying that the buzz about the match this Friday is great

[ScrubsfanChris]

Less than 1,000 tickets left!

Supporters are advised to purchase tickets as soon as possible as the game looks set to be a sell-out.

All tickets for the terrace on the stand side of the ground have been sold and all tickets for the terrace on the clubhouse side have also been sold.

The only remaining tickets are for the Bohermore terrace and the College Road terrace.

Tickets cost €30 for adults, with concession tickets €20 and juniors €10.

Tickets are available from the Connacht Branch headquarters at the Sportsground during office hours or online through Ticketmaster on www.ticketmaster.ie

[outwest]

we had 9 points from the 1st 10 games, not good enugh. hopefully half of the crowd there tonight will be impressed with conancht and not travel down to leinster and munster to support them instead.

if they can perform the way they half since elwood got announced as new coach, next year could be a good year for connacht.

a win in ulster would be nice to end the season.

[Borders no.2]

Ya its hard to think ahead to next season at this moment but with Eric coming in hopefully he can bring something fresh to the setup. Most of the key first team players are signed up for next season but we need that bit of class in the backline and a couple of players in the pack to make the difference.

Obviously we'll have to see how the HC finishes up but its not the end of the world if we end up in the Challenge Cup again next year, our seeding should improve a fair bit and a home q/f could easily be on the cards next year again. We need more consistency in the league alright. Obviously qualifying for the hc would help a few quality players undecided on their futures to consider the move west. The core of a good squad is there.

Gutted but very proud to be a Connacht supporter this evening. Considering how the last few years have ended up we finished on a high having the French multi-millionaires clinging on for dear life. Can't help having the nagging feeling that we should have brought it to extra time at least though.

[thomond2006]

Based on tonight's performance/endeavour and the brilliant support, Connacht has a bright future.

[Aidric]

Originally Posted by thomond2006

Based on tonight's performance/endeavour and the brilliant support, Connacht has a bright future.

You can't base the future on one match ffs. That was their biggest ever crowd, reason being it was a semi-final and Toulon were in town. Where is the 8k for the Magners game? They'll most likely finish bottom of the Magners again.
No one is questioning their effort and endeavor but get a bit of perspective.

[profitius]

They should check out the academies of the other provinces and the AIB league. Theres plenty of lads around who would be good for Connacht. Its the squad that really needs strengthening. The first 15 are not too bad but after that.. well we saw what happened away to llanelli.

[evil_seed]

I know it's common knowledge that George is heading for japan. I was talking with the man himself lastnight about games and performances of the likes of lastnight and if it'd change his mind. He said he thought about it long and hard but "what would you do for half a million quid?" was his response. He'll be a big loss but fair play to him for gettin that dough

[Truckle]

I'm sure they do check those academies, if those players wanted to play for connacht then that's where they'd be.

[Zzippy]

Originally Posted by Aidric

You can't base the future on one match ffs. That was their biggest ever crowd, reason being it was a semi-final and Toulon were in town. Where is the 8k for the Magners game? They'll most likely finish bottom of the Magners again.
No one is questioning their effort and endeavor but get a bit of perspective.

Do you ever have anything positive to say if its not Munster-related?
Its not so long since Munster wouldn't have got 8k supporters unless it was a touring international team that brought them out. You've been spoiled the last few years, and success has bred the support base you have now, don't get too arrogant about it.