Michael Bradley Interview

Zzippy

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/heineken-cup/connacht-can-bring-ireland-to-next-level-1491709.html


Some interesting points, a lot of people have been saying the same for a while but its the first time I've heard it publicly from Bradley or anyone in the Connacht branch...

'Connacht can bring Ireland to next level'

Tuesday October 07 2008

THE morning after the night before.

It's 10am in a Galway hotel a few hundred metres down the road from the Sportsground, where Connacht stunned Magners League champions Leinster the previous evening.

Michael Bradley strolls in. He is casually clad in a Connacht hoodie, but that's not what the Connacht coach wants to get off his chest today. Bradley doesn't do swagger but, over the course of an absorbing hour and a quarter, the Connacht coach's passionate views are underscored by pride in his team's against-the-odds victory over Michael Cheika's 2/11 favourites.

The request for this interview had occurred after witnessing the Munster 'A' versus Leinster 'A' game in Donnybrook last Sunday week. Munster's second string included a host of Heineken Cup medal-holders, the likes of Tony Buckley, Denis Fogarty, Denis Hurley and Anthony Horgan, and there were numerous others, such as Leinster's Cian Healy and Stephen Keogh, who are out of the first XV picture but could follow the example of Fionn Carr, Sean Cronin and Ian Keatley in doing a job for Connacht.

Humiliation

The fact that Bradley's men were coming off a 58-0 humiliation in Cardiff made the point even more pertinent. Bradley has a reputation for reticence with the press but agreed to meet -- although nobody truly envisaged the conversation taking place against the backdrop of a Leinster defeat in Galway.

"The reason I'm talking today is because I want things to change. I agreed to do the interview before the Leinster match and I would have made exactly the same points had we lost. As it is, it's good timing because that victory has made a statement and maybe now people will take notice," he said.

"What Connacht can offer Irish rugby going forward is hugely significant. The underlying indicators in Irish rugby are not good. I was coach of the 'A' side last season when we lost 67-7 to Scotland 'A'. That should not be happening. We played England Saxons before that and were beaten 34-13, when we spent over 80pc of the match in our own 22. Eighty per cent?" he shakes his head at the memory.

"Ireland lost to England at Twickenham last season when Ronan (O'Gara) was captain and we had three players on the bench (Tony Buckley, Mick O'Driscoll and Paddy Wallace) who weren't guaranteed a starting place with their provinces.

"The same 15 or 16 players are being asked to line out for Ireland and we are praying those guys are available because if they are not, we're on our knees. There is a desperate need to bring players through and that's where Connacht come in."

Bradley makes an excellent point, particularly in light of Ireland's recent record which has seen them lose 10 of their last 15 internationals with the victories coming against Namibia, Georgia, Scotland and Italy (twice). A former Ireland captain who won 40 caps at scrum-half between 1984 and 1995, he knows better than to make demands of the IRFU. Rather, it is a plea for action born out of deep concern.

"I'm passionate about Connacht rugby, I've worked here for five years and they're fantastic to work for and I'm passionate about Irish rugby. I was always passionate about playing for Ireland and I feel the same way now," he said.

"Things have to change because we're on a slippery slope. And the objectives are the same, helping Connacht can help Ireland. It requires leadership from the IRFU. Connacht can't compete on money in terms of gates, our currency is game time.

"We've tried to get our point across and it hasn't worked. We made a logical argument last year and the year before to bring Keith Earls to Connacht and he could go back to Munster in two years' time. He'd have had 25 or 26 games a season and how much better a player would he be?

"He's a quality player but he's playing full-back for Munster. Ireland are short centres and he's not playing in the centre because Munster have the two Kiwis (Lifeimi Mafi and Rua Tipoki) who are excellent themselves. Munster management will turn around and say 'we've played Earls four times this year' -- no good.

"Donnacha Ryan is a second row and they're playing him in the back row as a stop-gap because of injuries. Connacht would play him regularly at four or five. It's about quality game time in the correct position. Tony Buckley played a lot for Munster last season but he was playing in games that didn't matter and frequently at loose-head when he is better suited to tight.

"They're the arguments we've taken to the union and they tell us to fight our own corner. So we say to Keith Earls 'come down and play here' and he's looking at it going: 'Well, Munster are winning the Heineken Cup and Connacht are down the bottom of the Magners League, why should I go to Connacht?'

"He should go to Connacht because he's a special player and capable of playing international rugby but he's not getting game time in the right position. In theory, the salaries are the same so that shouldn't be an issue.

"The true benefit in having Connacht is the game time. Surely the IRFU/national management can identify promising players and suggest to them to come to Connacht for a period of time and that we work together for the betterment of Irish rugby. It's about leadership from the top down. The other approach where we approach the players to come across hasn't worked. So, let's look at this in a creative way.

"Why should we do this? Because of the Keatleys, the Cronins, the John Muldoons, Carrs and Frank Murphys. These guys will get proper game time with Connacht and that will bring them on, which can only help Ireland.

"There are other players coming through, not getting game time elsewhere that if Irish management show leadership could ask to come down here. We petition for these guys, we go to the IRFU and say 'We want Cian Healy or Donnacha Ryan' but it's independent of the IRFU.

"They don't issue dictats telling players where they should go to get game time with a view to boosting the national side, which is what happens in other countries. Players are taking the choice of sitting on benchs or getting the odd run in second-string sides because they're with 'big clubs' on big money and it's a nice career but how is that helping (Ireland coach) Deccie Kidney?

"We need more Irish players of an international or potential international standard playing on a weekly basis to give Declan Kidney options. It's not about winning games, it's about the future of Irish rugby and Irish rugby needs Connacht as much as Connacht needs Irish rugby."

Bradley is speaking from a position of authority following the win over Leinster while the decent job he did on Ireland's Summer Tour (when he made intelligent selection calls and knew to let an experienced team play to its strengths) adds extra weight to his words.

The national side should always take prominence and Bradley makes a logical and valid argument as to how Connacht and Ireland can benefit simultaneously. Whether Sunday's victory heralds a turning point for Connacht remains to be seen but Bradley and his men have left us with much to ponder.

murphym7

Great points there from a legend.

The major barrier I see would be that the emphasis is definitely shifting/shifted towards the provinces, Munster and Leinster in particular. It would be a brave decision for a winning coach to start making a decision for the good of the national side that may impede their own team. With H cups and ML's being won who is going to step up and convince the likes of Earls or Ryan to move to Connacht? What manager would want to? The idea of decisions being made for the greater good isn't even on the table. Lets rremember the nationalities of our Munster and Leinster coaches. Do their hearts lie with the team they coach or the Irish rugby side.

Tim Robbins

murphym7 wrote: »

Great points there from a legend.

The major barrier I see would be that the emphasis is definitely shifting/shifted towards the provinces, Munster and Leinster in particular. It would be a brave decision for a winning coach to start making a decision for the good of the national side that may impede their own team. With H cups and ML's being won who is going to step up and convince the likes of Earls or Ryan to move to Connacht? What manager would want to? The idea of decisions being made for the greater good isn't even on the table. Lets rremember the nationalities of our Munster and Leinster coaches. Do their hearts lie with the team they coach or the Irish rugby side.

It reminds me a bit of the schools / youth debate. If they go to a rugby school, they can't play for their club. Solution / compromise is if they are not in first 25 in the school / province, well then the club / Connaught should get em.

Pshan

Tim Robbins wrote: »

It reminds me a bit of the schools / youth debate. If they go to a rugby school, they can't play for their club. Solution / compromise is if they are not in first 25 in the school / province, well then the club / Connaught should get em.

But what happens when someone in the first 25 gets a long term injury, like Leamy for Munster or D'Arcy for Leinster, their back-up is now with Connacht? Weaken three provinces to strenghten one, I'm not sure that this is the solution for Connacht.

ALH-06

Pshan wrote: »

But what happens when someone in the first 25 gets a long term injury, like Leamy for Munster or D'Arcy for Leinster, their back-up is now with Connacht? Weaken three provinces to strenghten one, I'm not sure that this is the solution for Connacht.

Well that didn't happen, did it? Leinster brought in Nacewa and Munster brought in Melck. Neither brought in their young academy stars to fill the gap...

But the point is more about the likes of Keatley, Felix Jones, O'Donohue, Earls, even Barry Murphy. Keatley realised that if he stayed in Leinster, he'd be playing for Clontarf every week, while other youth players like O'Donohue and Jones are seeing limited or no game time at Leinster still. As the IRFU pay their wages, they could demand that in order to stay on the payroll, they'd better move to Connacht to augment their development, get some first team rugby against quality opposition. That's the point being made here.

Earls has impressed with Munster, but he is definitely playing out of position. He is a natural centre, and has the potential to become world class in that position. In Kearney and Fitzgerald, Ireland already has plenty of young talent at fullback, but because it's a problem position for Munster, we've got Earls playing there. Bad for his development, bad for Irish rugby.

Zzippy

ALH-06 wrote: »

Well that didn't happen, did it? Leinster brought in Nacewa and Munster brought in Melck. Neither brought in their young academy stars to fill the gap...

But the point is more about the likes of Keatley, Felix Jones, O'Donohue, Earls, even Barry Murphy. Keatley realised that if he stayed in Leinster, he'd be playing for Clontarf every week, while other youth players like O'Donohue and Jones are seeing limited or no game time at Leinster still. As the IRFU pay their wages, they could demand that in order to stay on the payroll, they'd better move to Connacht to augment their development, get some first team rugby against quality opposition. That's the point being made here.

Earls has impressed with Munster, but he is definitely playing out of position. He is a natural centre, and has the potential to become world class in that position. In Kearney and Fitzgerald, Ireland already has plenty of young talent at fullback, but because it's a problem position for Munster, we've got Earls playing there. Bad for his development, bad for Irish rugby.

Excellent post! Re fullback, Fionn Carr is now getting regular games at fullback for Connacht, who knows, in 2 years he may go to Munster to fill that role.
Maybe in a few years time, possibly Keatley, Carr and others will be making their mark elsewhere and the other provinces will realise the benefits of sending players to Connacht to develop their skills. There is no substitute for playing matches against quality opposition, and young players are never going to get that experience playing in the AIL or warming the bench...

Hazys

"Donnacha Ryan is a second row and they're playing him in the back row as a stop-gap because of injuries. Connacht would play him regularly at four or five. It's about quality game time in the correct position. Tony Buckley played a lot for Munster last season but he was playing in games that didn't matter and frequently at loose-head when he is better suited to tight.

I agree with Bradley in princible, but Munster could never give up D Ryan or K Earls or even Barry Murphy. It would have to be 4th tier players, because if Mafi got injured, Earls would have to step in with Barry Murphy next in line.

If we gave up Barry Murphy for the season who would be on the bench for munster in a critical H Cup game? also that player would have to play a lot in the ML near the end of the season when the title is on the line. Munster & Leinster need at least 40 players to be competitive in both the H Cup and ML.

As a Munster fan who lives in Galway and has a soft spot for Connacht, I feel Connacht should be given a bigger piece of the pie but we still have to be realistic, Connacht will never be as big as Munster & Leinster due to economics and fan base, but they do deserve better they should at least be reasonably competitive in the ML if IRFU wants Rugby to grow in Ireland they need to do more for Connacht, what that is i dont know.

buck65

I don't agree totally with Bradley here, Munster have certainly bought some valuable imports over the past few years but apart from Howlett, Warwick and Cullen , few were prolific signings.
Halstead, Tipoki, Melck, Payne, Williams, Holland, Puciarello were all seemingly journeymen who were sourced by Munster and played very well for the province.
Munster have developed the likes of Ryan, Ronan, O Sullivan, Earls, Hurley , O Leary in the recent past. I accept the argument that Earls is out of position but he isn't doing too bad at 15 either!! Munster have not flooded the team with overseas signings but blended a couple in each year as well as their Irish players and we now see a great balance in the squad- a squad that can compete on 2 fronts (without internationals if need be).
This is where you have to be in the modern game. In fact Munster's first choice 15 would have 12 Irish players, not bad considering some of the Welsh , English or French sides!
Even the fact that Bradley is talking about the qualities of Ryan , Earls, Ronan proves that they are beginning to establish themselves at Munster, and they are learning alot too.
I think Connacht should be funded properly with a proper coaching set up and stadium that will entice the punters in and then develop a team much like Munster did in the late 90s. Borrowing Munster and Leinster bench warmers is very shortsighted.

Hazys

buck65 wrote: »

I think Connacht should be funded properly with a proper coaching set up and stadium that will entice the punters in

First thing they should do is figure out a way to get those god damn dog track lights down for the games so they are not obstructing everybody's view.

redroar1942

Did'nt Munster get Warwick for tuppence from Connacht, hardly a prolific siging. Journymen is a bit hard on Williams and Halstead, both internationals with oodles of S12 experience. I see your point though.

Was'nt Buckley actually with Connacht for a couple of seasons. Bradley could hardly get the lazy ****e to train then not that he's much better now. It is a good point though, look how much better Flannery was when he came back from Connacht after previously been Munsters 3/4 choice hooker.

zAbbo

Hazys wrote: »

I agree with Bradley in princible, but Munster could never give up D Ryan or K Earls or even Barry Murphy. It would have to be 4th tier players, because if Mafi got injured, Earls would have to step in with Barry Murphy next in line.

Which is exactly Bradley's point, if Earls went their 2 years back, he'd have at least 25 apperances, almost certainly at centre - who knows how much better he's be.

Given that some of our best talent are consistently being played out of position

It's very possible Fitzgerald, Kearney, Earls and Buckley will all get test caps this Autumn in positions they can't hold down at provincial level.

The blame sits firmly at the IRFU, We've only 4 teams, and need to spread the talent a little smarter so we don't have situations were the International team is suffering due to poor talent management.

Maybe this season will show in the development of certain players, in particular Ian Keatley, who has outshone Sexton for the A's and at provincial level in recent months.

Winning European Cups and Magners League isn't worth anything if we've only won 5 from last 15 games...

Diom

It's a pity that so many people are unable to see the benefit of something like this. The fact that Munster and Leinster hold onto their young talent and let them waste is justified as "just in case someone gets injured we might need someone to sit on the bench". Holy cr@p is that unbelievable!

The IRFU need to get in there and stop messing about. Keatleys performance on Sunday has thrust him into the limelight, Carr is getting good press and Murphy is too. That is amazing given the fact that Keatley and Carr were on the brink of a season of AIB league rugby, waiting just in case one of the bench warmers at Leinster caught a flu. If Keatley keeps up his form he should be selected for at least the training panel for Ireland, as should Carr. If Earls had been playing for Connacht the last 2 seasons, he might have been playing in center in NZ a couple of months back instead of Wallace, and looking forward to playing in Croke Park.

The IRFU are paying the same amount for a young Irish player who warms a bench learning next to nothing except how to train for professional rugby, as they do for a young Irish player playing teams like Munster, Ospreys, Newcastle and London Irish week in and week out...with all the pressure, and all the highs and lows that go along with that.

We have talent being spoiled and wasted all over the country and so many people are still willing to defend it on the back of "just in case".

Hazys

zAbbo wrote: »

Which is exactly Bradley's point, if Earls went their 2 years back, he'd have at least 25 apperances, almost certainly at centre - who knows how much better he's be.

Given that some of our best talent are consistently being played out of position

It's very possible Fitzgerald, Kearney, Earls and Buckley will all get test caps this Autumn in positions they can't hold down at provincial level.

Yes I understand that, I was talking in the context of what he was also talking about taking Munster's 2nd and 3rd backups like Ryan & Buckley which Munster could not afford to give up and be competitive in 2 competitions.

An arguement against Earls starting for the past 2 seasons is the risk of burn out and serious injury for a young player playing regularlly against much larger and more experienced opposite. Maybe the best situation was for Earls to play the odd game last year for Munster in the ML, playing against better suited opposition in the AIL and learn from training day in and day out with the experienced Munster backs. Im not 100% sure what Bradley said should be applied for young players.

Nukem

Some good points there, hate seeing massive potential sitting on a bench so they can get a 5 min run when all is said and one. Now I must say that we have some great home grown taletns coming through in the last few years but all this talk of "oh, if ROG gets injured we are screwed, or John Hayes or BOD/Darcy". FFS, think he has hit the nail on the head.

bamboozle

I think if Connacht is to be properly utilised by the IRFU is needs to be designated as the ‘development’ province, the Connacht coaching team should also be appointed as the Irish U21 Coaching team to ensure the best young talent get proper exposure, then maybe a system in place like in the premiership over in England where the clubs loan out players to lower clubs on 1 or 3 month loans or even season long loans
I guess an issue with leinster and Munster is that while they could afford at the moment to loan a few players to Connacht, come 6 nations time they’d probably need the players back as their front line players will be on 6N duty.

While its great seeing Keatley getting the exposure its a pity to see his school & irish u21 half back partner Paul O’Donoghue not getting a look in at Leinster, he’s doing the bizz at AIL level and needs the opportunity to step up.

Hazys

Diom wrote: »

It's a pity that so many people are unable to see the benefit of something like this. The fact that Munster and Leinster hold onto their young talent and let them waste is justified as "just in case someone gets injured we might need someone to sit on the bench". Holy cr@p is that unbelievable!

We have talent being spoiled and wasted all over the country and so many people are still willing to defend it on the back of "just in case".

It is not a just in case arguement. Munster & Leinster would not be able to compete in the ML and H Cup without a squad of 40 players who are at a high enough quality to play in these competitions.

Diom

Well, I'd rather see Ireland with an embarrassment of riches to be honest.
And to be fair, Munster are not going to run out of players knocking on their doors. I guess this is really about your priority in rugby...province or country.

ALH-06

bamboozle wrote: »

While its great seeing Keatley getting the exposure its a pity to see his school & irish u21 half back partner Paul O’Donoghue not getting a look in at Leinster, he’s doing the bizz at AIL level and needs the opportunity to step up.

Well if the recent performances of Whits and Keane are anything to go by then hopefully O'Donoghue might get a chance sooner rather than later!

Or maybe that's just wishful thinking...

Godammit if only Willis' development was handled better for the last two seasons - we could have a quality Irish scrumhalf at Leinster by now.

Junior

I agree in principal with what Bradley wants to do, but he keeps citing game time as the deal breaker for why players should be shipped over there, however game time means nothing, take a look at the standard they are playing over there, so far this year they've got tanked by everyone, their big hope every year is to finish above Ulster, there doesn't seem to be a game plan for what Bradley wants to do with Connuacht, I know they aren't going to win the Magners, but realistically to achieve they need to set goals, European Cup Finals etc

No self respecting young fella is going to want to turn out for a hiding once a week, and get 'game time' when he can spend his time at a team where he's got world class players around him, world class facilities and has the time to learn. This is the other thing that bothers me about development full stop, is there the correct facilities there to develop and train players up west ?

I know the Munster setup very well, and the backroom team that's assembled is impressive, the work that goes on in UL etc - can Bradley give that sort of training to a young up and coming lad, I don't know, from what he's saying I don't think so ..

Zzippy

Junior wrote: »

I agree in principal with what Bradley wants to do, but he keeps citing game time as the deal breaker for why players should be shipped over there, however game time means nothing, take a look at the standard they are playing over there, so far this year they've got tanked by everyone, their big hope every year is to finish above Ulster, there doesn't seem to be a game plan for what Bradley wants to do with Connuacht, I know they aren't going to win the Magners, but realistically to achieve they need to set goals, European Cup Finals etc

No self respecting young fella is going to want to turn out for a hiding once a week, and get 'game time' when he can spend his time at a team where he's got world class players around him, world class facilities and has the time to learn. This is the other thing that bothers me about development full stop, is there the correct facilities there to develop and train players up west ?

I know the Munster setup very well, and the backroom team that's assembled is impressive, the work that goes on in UL etc - can Bradley give that sort of training to a young up and coming lad, I don't know, from what he's saying I don't think so ..

Well if you call beating Leinster and winning another game getting "tanked by everyone, then ok. Yes there were 2 heavy defeats, but do you think Ian Keatley or Fionn Carr would rather be playing AIL than playing the likes of Leinster, Cardiff, Ospreys, etc? If you do you're off your rocker...:rolleyes:

As for facilities, I know Munster have a great setup (using UL facilities), I don't know what the Leinster setup is. Anyone who was watching on tv on Sunday might have seen a new building adjacent to the clubhouse that contains a new gym (they are currently moving in the equipment), so their facilities will be pretty damn good soon. They have been using a couple of gyms in the city for a few years now, and a pool for recovery sessions. Pretty much everything other teams do. They've got 2 fitness coaches and 2 physios, as well as Elwood to coach backs and McFarland the forwards coach.

As for "game time means nothing" (LOL), if you've ever played sport you'll know that no amount of training, playing practice matches, or matches with lower teams gives you the same experience as playing matches against top quality opposition. So what if you get the odd beating?

Inquitus

There's a balance, success breeds success etc, and having 2....preferably 3 high performing provinces will, and has, had a knockon to the national side. It's about finding a balance between having successful provinces and advancing young players careers by giving them big game exposure at Connacht.

I am not sure we have it right at the moment, but you can see this season especially how much Munster and Leinster have far greater strength in depth. McGahan has given lots of players gametime, but been able to put out a frighteningly strong side each week nonetheless. I think it's fair to say that both Munster and Leinster can challenge on both fronts this season without any adverse effects due to this greater strength in depth. At the moment the bookies will give you a miserley 7 or 8 to 1 on Munster doing the double...as an example.

il gatto

There's no advantage to anyone sending players on for a couple of months at a time. You need some sort of settled team to get results (hear that Bradley?:rolleyes:)
I think what Bradley is getting at is the "strenght in depth" of Munster and Leinster is grand, but when the first choice players get injured, the young ones only cover the spot until a Melck, Nacewa or whatever comes in to take over. The odd time they do use the young players apart from brief injury cover is when they expect to beat someone easily (:D).
Connacht's fanbase is poor for several reasons. The Sportsgrounds needs serious money spent on it. No atmosphere, windy, dog track etc.
The Connacht board need to do some marketing outside of Galway. It should be easy to get double the numbers if they made Connacht people feel they were represented by them. And for some casual fans, they're barely aware the Connacht are a pro team in the same competition as Munster, Leinster, Ospreys and all. I keep suggesting they play the odd game away from Galway. Connacht is bigger than some people think and the roads can be pretty crap. People might be tempted to undertake a 4 hour round trip to the Sportsgrounds if the game comes to them first.
And lastly, losing 58-nil to Cardiff is enough to turn many people off. They need to start putting some performances together and that's where the "development" players come in.:cool: And Warwick was getting along very nicely here too:(:pac:

redroar1942

Inquitus wrote: »

There's a balance, success breeds success etc, and having 2....preferably 3 high performing provinces will, and has, had a knockon to the national side. It's about finding a balance between having successful provinces and advancing young players careers by giving them big game exposure at Connacht.

I am not sure we have it right at the moment, but you can see this season especially how much Munster and Leinster have far greater strength in depth. McGahan has given lots of players gametime, but been able to put out a frighteningly strong side each week nonetheless. I think it's fair to say that both Munster and Leinster can challenge on both fronts this season without any adverse effects due to this greater strength in depth. At the moment the bookies will give you a miserley 7 or 8 to 1 on Munster doing the double...as an example.

Try an english bookie they always under rate Munster/Leinster. Coral will pay just shy of 11/1 for that double.

marco_polo

Diom wrote: »

Well, I'd rather see Ireland with an embarrassment of riches to be honest.
And to be fair, Munster are not going to run out of players knocking on their doors. I guess this is really about your priority in rugby...province or country.

But the two are hardly mutually exclusive now are they? If the provinces are successful then the International side will take care of itself. More supporters, more players taking up the game and more money.

Rugbys problem used to be that that people only paid attention for six weeks in the spring bar in a world cup year. The rise of the Provinces and the now season long interest in the game has been by far and away the most signifigant reason for rugbys ever growing popularity.

On the point Bradley was making about Earls, from the looks of this season his development is being handled very well by Munster. Would it really have helped his development being an 18 year old center in a struggling Connaught side two years ago?

bamboozle

il gatto wrote: »

There's no advantage to anyone sending players on for a couple of months at a time. You need some sort of settled team to get results (hear that Bradley?:rolleyes:)
I think what Bradley is getting at is the "strenght in depth" of Munster and Leinster is grand, but when the first choice players get injured, the young ones only cover the spot until a Melck, Nacewa or whatever comes in to take over. The odd time they do use the young players apart from brief injury cover is when they expect to beat someone easily (:D).
Connacht's fanbase is poor for several reasons. The Sportsgrounds needs serious money spent on it. No atmosphere, windy, dog track etc.
The Connacht board need to do some marketing outside of Galway. It should be easy to get double the numbers if they made Connacht people feel they were represented by them. And for some casual fans, they're barely aware the Connacht are a pro team in the same competition as Munster, Leinster, Ospreys and all. I keep suggesting they play the odd game away from Galway. Connacht is bigger than some people think and the roads can be pretty crap. People might be tempted to undertake a 4 hour round trip to the Sportsgrounds if the game comes to them first.
And lastly, losing 58-nil to Cardiff is enough to turn many people off. They need to start putting some performances together and that's where the "development" players come in.:cool: And Warwick was getting along very nicely here too:(:pac:

Completely agree with you here, if Connacht opted to play at least one magners league game in each of the county's in the province they'd really get the locals out, imagine matches in Athlone, Westport/ballina, Carrick on-shannon. Free entrence for kids and they'd draw very large crowds, plus they'd probably have a lot more merchandising sales, plus growing interest at grass roots level in the game.

bamboozle

Zzippy wrote: »

Well if you call beating Leinster and winning another game getting "tanked by everyone, then ok. Yes there were 2 heavy defeats, but do you think Ian Keatley or Fionn Carr would rather be playing AIL than playing the likes of Leinster, Cardiff, Ospreys, etc? If you do you're off your rocker...:rolleyes:

As for facilities, I know Munster have a great setup (using UL facilities), I don't know what the Leinster setup is. Anyone who was watching on tv on Sunday might have seen a new building adjacent to the clubhouse that contains a new gym (they are currently moving in the equipment), so their facilities will be pretty damn good soon. They have been using a couple of gyms in the city for a few years now, and a pool for recovery sessions. Pretty much everything other teams do. They've got 2 fitness coaches and 2 physios, as well as Elwood to coach backs and McFarland the forwards coach.


Having watched Keatley with Clontarf on numerous occasions his kicking from hand and place kicking has improved big time since his move west, obviously working a lot with Elwood and there improvements are there for all to see.

Pemba

Carr and Keatley probably would have stayed in Leinster if they had been offered the right contract. Bringing in a rake of young academy players is useless unless there is adequate experience in the squad to bring them on in training and games. Its not just about game time!

Bradley is really clutching at straws pleading for game time for young players. The issue is funding. The IRFU won't give it. I do not know the reasons why. Perhaps they are political, perhaps they are financial. They know that given the size of average attendances they won't get a return on any sort of investment.

JWAD

As Dec Kidney said yesterday, Connacht would have to show some consistency before anything is happen. You can't get thrashed by 50-odd points one week, win the next and expect everything to fall into place.

Zzippy

JWAD wrote: »

As Dec Kidney said yesterday, Connacht would have to show some consistency before anything is happen. You can't get thrashed by 50-odd points one week, win the next and expect everything to fall into place.

Was this in an interview? Do you have a link?

Hazys

il gatto wrote: »

There's no advantage to anyone sending players on for a couple of months at a time. You need some sort of settled team to get results (hear that Bradley?:rolleyes:)
I think what Bradley is getting at is the "strenght in depth" of Munster and Leinster is grand, but when the first choice players get injured, the young ones only cover the spot until a Melck, Nacewa or whatever comes in to take over. The odd time they do use the young players apart from brief injury cover is when they expect to beat someone easily (:D).
Connacht's fanbase is poor for several reasons. The Sportsgrounds needs serious money spent on it. No atmosphere, windy, dog track etc.
The Connacht board need to do some marketing outside of Galway. It should be easy to get double the numbers if they made Connacht people feel they were represented by them. And for some casual fans, they're barely aware the Connacht are a pro team in the same competition as Munster, Leinster, Ospreys and all. I keep suggesting they play the odd game away from Galway. Connacht is bigger than some people think and the roads can be pretty crap. People might be tempted to undertake a 4 hour round trip to the Sportsgrounds if the game comes to them first.
And lastly, losing 58-nil to Cardiff is enough to turn many people off. They need to start putting some performances together and that's where the "development" players come in.:cool: And Warwick was getting along very nicely here too:(:pac:

Good points.

The Connacht branch can do a lot more to bring in a better crowd in Galway, the "Stadium" is a bit of a joke. Id say they could lose upto a thousand people depending on the weather conditions. I think there is a large part crowd who go to these games just to start the Friday night earlier, myself included, who dont fancy standing in the rain for 2 hours if they dont get in the main stand.

Some of those Friday night games start at 6:30 which can be off putting for people (especially if they want to attract people from outside Galway), i think a later time would bring more of a crowd. There is a lot of small things they can work on in terms of making the games more attractive to people while tackling the bigger problems.

Playing games outside of Galway would increase their fan base and have a nice payday from having people go who have never been to a professional rugby game live even just for a novelty factor. Is there any large enough (over 4000) non GAA stadiums in Connacht? Sligo Rovers' ground? maybe even Longford Town's ground?

JWAD

Zzippy wrote: »

Was this in an interview? Do you have a link?

It was at an Irish Rugby Supporters Club event we held last night where supporters attended a Q&A session with Dec, Paul McNaughton and Gert Smal. There was then an open mike session with questions from the audience.

Trojan

Hazys wrote: »

Some of those Friday night games start at 6:30 which can be off putting for people (especially if they want to attract people from outside Galway), i think a later time would bring more of a crowd. There is a lot of small things they can work on in terms of making the games more attractive to people while tackling the bigger problems.

Is there any large enough (over 4000) non GAA stadiums in Connacht? Sligo Rovers' ground? maybe even Longford Town's ground?

Would the games really require over 4k facilities? Anyone got attendance figures for Connacht home games over the year?

Crash

Magners league website says:

Fri 5 Sep 18:30 Connacht Rugby 3 - 16 Ospreys Sportsground 829
Fri 19 Sep 18:30 Connacht Rugby 15 - 8 Glasgow Warriors Sportsground 1,252

and no figures up yet for the leinster match.

bamboozle

sure in their hey-day Buccaneers were getting a few thousand at their AIL games, i'd say if there were games up in Ballina rugby club also you'd conservatively expect to see 3 or 4 thousand, given they'd be smaller crowds it would give a much better atmostphere also.

Diom

The official figure for Leinster was 2820 (or something like that), but it was larger towards the end...I'd say it had approached 3.5k. Which is less than capacity (5k ostensibly).

Trojan

I'm thinking a ground with 2-2.5k capacity would be more than sufficient in reality. Especially if the Galway fans don't travel up

JWAD

Hazys wrote: »

Is there any large enough (over 4000) non GAA stadiums in Connacht? Sligo Rovers' ground? maybe even Longford Town's ground?

Longford is in Leinster. Not Connacht.

GubMan

JWAD wrote: »

Longford is in Leinster. Not Connacht.

So is Buccaneers Ericksson park, as is much of Athlone for that matter. Last time I checked, Cistercian Roscrea played in the Leinster Senior cup, so there's been many instances of teams playing out of their 'home province'. They're even talking about it now at internatoinal level to build up interest in non-core markets.

If the room and following supports a game in Longford, play it there as well I say.

Mind you, the Connacht branch have looked at this for years and excepting a few forays to Buccs a couple of years ago, its been Galway all the way. Not sure it works but they seem determined to stick to it, as well as that bloody 6.30 Friday kick off, which pretty much ensures that only galway city gets to the game (ever tried getting into galway from even oranmore after 5pm on a friday!!!) You'd maybe get the second half!

Its time for new approaches to a lot of things west of the shannon, and the IRFU have their part to play. Support of the province in terms of sharing the spoils would be nice as would player rotation among the 4 squads to develop the talent! Need I mention Flannery, Jackman and many others! J*%$s, I think they even put Franno in a Connacht shirt in the early 90's to get him game time in an interpro!

Remember also, back in the mid 90's you got maybe 3-500 munster fans in garryowen for the interpros, as the club game was king. There was no munster roar and they didn't sing a Connacht song. I was there then, as well as in Donnybrook where there'd be more up at the bar in Kiely's. So the crowds and riches weren't always the preserve of the Munster/Leinster.

Best of luck to the big 3 provinces, 2 have won the HC, both Leinster and Munster have developed excellent facilities, good squads and play entertaining rugby. Ulster will bounce back too soon enough and have a great following and a good set up.

Just remember, there's a job of work to do to develop Irish rugby and Connacht can play a part in this, thats what Bradley is talking about and fair play to him on that!

Hazys

JWAD wrote: »

Longford is in Leinster. Not Connacht.

:rolleyes:

Robbo

Hazys wrote: »

Some of those Friday night games start at 6:30 which can be off putting for people (especially if they want to attract people from outside Galway), i think a later time would bring more of a crowd. There is a lot of small things they can work on in terms of making the games more attractive to people while tackling the bigger problems.

I don't think there's any way to move the Friday kickoffs to a later time as the dogs are on afterwards. I want to see at least some of the matches moved back to a Saturday afternoon, the novelty of people getting in for free to the dogs is long since gone.

As others have pointed out as well, traffic means that making the 6:30 kickoff is a pain in the arse at the best of times.

Zzippy

Robbo wrote: »

I don't think there's any way to move the Friday kickoffs to a later time as the dogs are on afterwards. I want to see at least some of the matches moved back to a Saturday afternoon, the novelty of people getting in for free to the dogs is long since gone.

As others have pointed out as well, traffic means that making the 6:30 kickoff is a pain in the arse at the best of times.

While I enjoy the Friday evening games as I can have a few pints afterwards, I can see that it causes problems for a lot of people. I don't think too many stay on for the dogs anyway.
I think this year a lot of games are being scheduled to suit Setanta, hence the Sunday evening kickoff this week, and look, we had nearly 3,000 people there (officially, seemed a lot more). As a fan I would go watch them on a Wednesday morning, but any time at the weekend would be great, especially if it gets more people going.

Diom

The thing is that Friday night is when Setanta want Connacht to play. That way they have something to show. Saturday is full with other rugby, soccor etc... so this suits them. And Connacht need that TV money.

il gatto

Hazys wrote: »

Good points.

The Connacht branch can do a lot more to bring in a better crowd in Galway, the "Stadium" is a bit of a joke. Id say they could lose upto a thousand people depending on the weather conditions. I think there is a large part crowd who go to these games just to start the Friday night earlier, myself included, who dont fancy standing in the rain for 2 hours if they dont get in the main stand.

Some of those Friday night games start at 6:30 which can be off putting for people (especially if they want to attract people from outside Galway), i think a later time would bring more of a crowd. There is a lot of small things they can work on in terms of making the games more attractive to people while tackling the bigger problems.

Playing games outside of Galway would increase their fan base and have a nice payday from having people go who have never been to a professional rugby game live even just for a novelty factor. Is there any large enough (over 4000) non GAA stadiums in Connacht? Sligo Rovers' ground? maybe even Longford Town's ground?

Sligo Rovers ground (The Showgrounds) has a capacity of over 5,000, 2,500 of which is seated under cover. There is excellent floodlighting and a good pitch surface. There is also training pitches (one synthetic) on the 12 acre site.
There is a rugby club in Sligo, one in Ballina and a recently re-established club in Carrick-on-Shannon. Bear in mind Donegal, Fermanagh and Cavan are just up the road and an Ulster/Connacht match may draw many Ulster fans who don't get as far as Belfast too often either. Sligo also has a long established rugby school (the Grammar) and Ballina has St. Murdechs. There's loads of local radio and rags to promote a game on too.
And the brass tacks are this. Connacht need supporters. They need to bring non rugby people, casual fans and the loyal ones out regularly. League of Ireland soccer is on the rack financially. Supposing Connacht play an Irish province or Ospreys/Blues in Sligo, and market it properly. If they half filled the Showgrounds and split the gate with Sligo Rovers, Connacht make as much as a 1,000+ crowd would make in the Sportsgrounds, Sligo Rovers make some cash in what is their off season when they have virtually no income. Connacht gain supporters, sell some shirts and boost rugby in their area. It may not work, but at least give it a shot. Tiny crowds at the Sportsgrounds is getting us nowhere. People aren't inclined to head straight from work a little early to make a 6.30 start from places like Sligo, north Mayo, Roscommon and Leitrim. Get them hooked and alot may make a few matches a season.

JWAD

il gatto wrote: »

Sligo Rovers ground (The Showgrounds) has a capacity of over 5,000, 2,500 of which is seated under cover. There is excellent floodlighting and a good pitch surface. There is also training pitches (one synthetic) on the 12 acre site.
There is a rugby club in Sligo, one in Ballina and a recently re-established club in Carrick-on-Shannon. Bear in mind Donegal, Fermanagh and Cavan are just up the road and an Ulster/Connacht match may draw many Ulster fans who don't get as far as Belfast too often either. Sligo also has a long established rugby school (the Grammar) and Ballina has St. Murdechs. There's loads of local radio and rags to promote a game on too.
And the brass tacks are this. Connacht need supporters. They need to bring non rugby people, casual fans and the loyal ones out regularly. League of Ireland soccer is on the rack financially. Supposing Connacht play an Irish province or Ospreys/Blues in Sligo, and market it properly. If they half filled the Showgrounds and split the gate with Sligo Rovers, Connacht make as much as a 1,000+ crowd would make in the Sportsgrounds, Sligo Rovers make some cash in what is their off season when they have virtually no income. Connacht gain supporters, sell some shirts and boost rugby in their area. It may not work, but at least give it a shot. Tiny crowds at the Sportsgrounds is getting us nowhere. People aren't inclined to head straight from work a little early to make a 6.30 start from places like Sligo, north Mayo, Roscommon and Leitrim. Get them hooked and alot may make a few matches a season.

As was said, for anything like this to happen some consistency is required. A Magners League or Challenge Cup campaign to write home about.
Connacht have won TWO games so far this season. There's a lot more work to be done on the field itself and nothing raises interest and gate receipts like success.

Diom

Absolutely agree with you there JWAD.

If Connacht follow on from Sunday and win in Dax, plus against LI at the SP then Connacht are going to be drawing a much bigger crowd for Edinburgh and Ulster. It's all about giving people something to cheer for.

It's hard to be a Connacht fan. 5 years of consistent disappointment are enough to put off a lot of fans.

Zzippy

il gatto wrote: »

Sligo Rovers ground (The Showgrounds) has a capacity of over 5,000, 2,500 of which is seated under cover. There is excellent floodlighting and a good pitch surface. There is also training pitches (one synthetic) on the 12 acre site.
There is a rugby club in Sligo, one in Ballina and a recently re-established club in Carrick-on-Shannon. Bear in mind Donegal, Fermanagh and Cavan are just up the road and an Ulster/Connacht match may draw many Ulster fans who don't get as far as Belfast too often either. Sligo also has a long established rugby school (the Grammar) and Ballina has St. Murdechs. There's loads of local radio and rags to promote a game on too.
And the brass tacks are this. Connacht need supporters. They need to bring non rugby people, casual fans and the loyal ones out regularly. League of Ireland soccer is on the rack financially. Supposing Connacht play an Irish province or Ospreys/Blues in Sligo, and market it properly. If they half filled the Showgrounds and split the gate with Sligo Rovers, Connacht make as much as a 1,000+ crowd would make in the Sportsgrounds, Sligo Rovers make some cash in what is their off season when they have virtually no income. Connacht gain supporters, sell some shirts and boost rugby in their area. It may not work, but at least give it a shot. Tiny crowds at the Sportsgrounds is getting us nowhere. People aren't inclined to head straight from work a little early to make a 6.30 start from places like Sligo, north Mayo, Roscommon and Leitrim. Get them hooked and alot may make a few matches a season.

Good ideas there, just one question - is the pitch long enough to accommodate rugby including in goal areas? Cos a move to Terryland Park has also been mooted before but the pitch is too short...

il gatto

JWAD wrote: »

As was said, for anything like this to happen some consistency is required. A Magners League or Challenge Cup campaign to write home about.
Connacht have won TWO games so far this season. There's a lot more work to be done on the field itself and nothing raises interest and gate receipts like success.

That was the point I made on page 2 of this thread. Consistant performances and consistant results (good ones) are the first step. All the other stuff would be a follow on. There's no point marketing a ML game against Ospreys or Munster in Sligo or Athlone, only for 4,000 to show and watch them have their ar5e handed to them and lose 60-0. They need to know they have a decent "product" before they start flogging it.