Connacht next year

d-gal

What do Connacht need to do for next season to make a serious attempt of qualifying for the HC?
We seem to have a good team and should have one a good few more games but for lack of concentration failed miserably!
I reckon that the back line can produce the goods and just needs a few more games this season, majority of the starting line up have been only there less than a season. The pack is ok but needs to beef up in the back 5, need a strong dynamic six to help muldoon and o'connor.

thomond2006

Hire a coach. Jake White for Connacht!! :D:D

Diom

Connacht need to get rid of MB, get rid of all the journeymen on the team (Roberts, Lynne, Nathan, Bibo etc...) and get local players in (Riordan, Browne, Loughney etc...). They would at least have some pride in their team. They have nothing to lose after all we're bottom of the table. The money saved should be pumped into new clubs and promoting the club game.

They also need to get 7:30 KOs not 6:30, as well as getting some kind of shelter on the Clubhouse side.

In terms of rugby, we need Keats to return to his earlier kicking form. We need FM to stop taking so much out of the ball at the break down. We need a fromt 5 who will get to the bloody ruck.

Back row for Friday is Mull(6), JOC(7) and Ofisa(8). MB prob wants to see how that will work. Colm Rigney is heading so we need a 6/8 or if Ofisa can do the job there then we need a backup 7 for JOC.

Podge_irl

Diom wrote: »

They also need to get 7:30 KOs not 6:30, as well as getting some kind of shelter on the Clubhouse side.

Is the kick-off time not to accomodate the dog races?

chupacabra

money

anonymous_joe

We only get 3 HC slots?

In which case, they won't qualify. Ulster have recovered from a serious low point and are putting together a good side...

Podge_irl

The better placed of the fourth Welsh and fourth Irish team in the ML goes into a play-off with the third team from the Italian league for a HEC spot.

marco_polo

anonymous_joe wrote: »

We only get 3 HC slots?

In which case, they won't qualify. Ulster have recovered from a serious low point and are putting together a good side...

Finishing above the 4th Welsh Side (Dragons) would also get them into the HEC via a very winnable playoff game against the 3rd best Italian Team. But even to do that they would need to be winning at least 3-4 more games a on year on average.

Actually I wonder, I presume the expanded ML competition will mean the end of this playoff game after next season?

EDIT: Damn you podge irl * Shakes Fist *

sickpuppy

Connacht have many problems there not good enough for starters.
The chance to get in good players is limited by money for and also who would want too play for connacht?
your nearly guaranteed to get hammered in most matches you play it cant be fun,totally demoralising id say
A new management might help but looks like Bradley is there for life
no way possible to get same funding as other provinces as supporter base is too small,
they will have to do with winning the odd game againest depleted sides hooray
and any player they develop will go to pastures greener who could blame them

Webbs

sickpuppy wrote: »

Connacht have many problems there not good enough for starters.
The chance to get in good players is limited by money for and also who would want too play for connacht?
your nearly guaranteed to get hammered in most matches you play it cant be fun,totally demoralising id say
A new management might help but looks like Bradley is there for life
no way possible to get same funding as other provinces as supporter base is too small,
they will have to do with winning the odd game againest depleted sides hooray
and any player they develop will go to pastures greener who could blame them

The cycle you describe can be broken by money. Money gets better players/coach, gets better results, gets bigger crowds, gets more money.
Suits the IRFU not to have a good Connacht, so the downward cycle wont be changed by them putting money into Connacht anytime soon

Diom

We don't need money, we need a management who doesn't treat every Connacht native as a joke. Connacht players at underage are every bit as good as the other provinces. They won the inter-pros 2 years in a row a couple of years back at U-18 level.

We need a better coach, who won't waste money on pieces of shiz like Mike Roberts or good but not great players like Mel Deane. We could have Connacht players for half the fecking price. Young ones who can be developed and won't be injured every second game.

The spare money should be directed back into the schools game and the clubs game.

EDIT: Money would be nice as well.

il gatto

There's too much to be done to expect much next season. Bradley should go. Whether he's a good coach or not, he's had long enough and the vast majority of fans want a change. We need money for coaches as much as for players. The Sportsgrounds are a dive. Wish they hadn't ploughed money into it. Kick off needs to change. 6.30 is unsuitable for anyone more than 20-30 miles away. We need to know players like Keatley and Carr can be kept for a certain time, not at risk of being pulled as soon as a "big" province needs them.
Connacht need to market themselves to the rest of the province. There's a fanbase waiting to be courted, but Connacht seem content to get 1,000-1,500 regulars week in week out. They need to play a few matches in Athlone, Sligo etc. and market them, to make people feel they represent them and grow the support base. Sports news in many local rags and radio stations don't even report results. More than enough people who follow rugby in the province, but Connacht aren't at the races marketing wise. It's a long held view that rugby is a distant fouth in terms of sports in Connacht. It's simply not true. A lack of effort and a lack of results have crippled Connacht. It all comes back to the IRFU being seemingly content to let it go on. It's only a few years since they wanted to disband Connacht rather than invest in them.
The "development" sh1te needs to be dropped or implemented properly.
I wouldn't expect much change in the next 12 months.

Trojan

Bring back Sir Clive.

bamboozle

here's my 5 point plan to boost Connacht rugby

1- Appoint Eddie O Sullivan Coach & also as Irish U20's coach (too late i know but hear me out)
2- All players must be Irish qualified
3- Bring in players who are in running for Irish U20's team, have them training together as Connacht and U20 players under same coach EOS
4- Play at least 1 home match in each County in the province to increase exposure
5- Host at least 1 Autumn international or Six Nations A international each year in Connacht.

chupacabra

bamboozle wrote: »

here's my 5 point plan to boost Connacht rugby

1- Appoint Eddie O Sullivan Coach & also as Irish U20's coach (too late i know but hear me out)
2- All players must be Irish qualified
3- Bring in players who are in running for Irish U20's team, have them training together as Connacht and U20 players under same coach EOS
4- Play at least 1 home match in each County in the province to increase exposure
5- Host at least 1 Autumn international or Six Nations A international each year in Connacht.

In the sports ground? Are you mad?

thomond2006

chupacabra wrote: »

In the sports ground? Are you mad?

I second that, for god's sake who the f**k would turn up to a match in Galway?

Attendance: old man with a dog.

chupacabra

thomond2006 wrote: »

I second that, for god's sake who the f**k would turn up to a match in Galway?

Attendance: a dog.

Fixed :pac:

While we're on the subject of Connacht rugby, they had a great win tonight against the Dragons, 39 - 16 i think in the end.

Of course an Autumn International in the Sportsground isn't viable but these fans commenting on there being no-one at matches in Galway would do well to look back a few years when there was only a few hundred at some Munster games and the Leinster phenomenon has only come about in the past few year prior to that they weren't a well supported team.Ulster fans probably are the most hardcore fans in this island.

Cue outrage I know!

il gatto

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Of course an Autumn International in the Sportsground isn't viable but these fans commenting on there being no-one at matches in Galway would do well to look back a few years when there was only a few hundred at some Munster games and the Leinster phenomenon has only come about in the past few year prior to that they weren't a well supported team.Ulster fans probably are the most hardcore fans in this island.

Cue outrage I know!

There were people out there into rugby, but they sure as hell weren't following their provinces in numbers anything like now. Money changed all that and it wasn't from success, it was from the IRFU. The IRFU can well afford to invest in Connacht but they just don't seem to think it's worth it.
It doesn't help when alot of rugby fans around the country are dismissive of Connacht, all wrapped up in the cosy glow of finances and success. Nobody has a God given right to be top flight and I think Ulster fans found that out in the last few seasons. Connacht drew the short straw when the game went pro and have been paying the price ever since.

chupacabra

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Of course an Autumn International in the Sportsground isn't viable but these fans commenting on there being no-one at matches in Galway would do well to look back a few years when there was only a few hundred at some Munster games and the Leinster phenomenon has only come about in the past few year prior to that they weren't a well supported team.Ulster fans probably are the most hardcore fans in this island.

Cue outrage I know!

No offense intended mate, im a Connacht fan and make a few trips north to the sportsground every season. I were only avin a laugh.

il gatto

chupacabra wrote: »

No offense intended mate, im a Connacht fan and make a few trips north to the sportsground every season. I were only avin a laugh.

As a fellow Connachter, I feel I should point out that we shouldn't have a laugh. It's all doom and gloom west of the Shannon (and that bit of Leitrim that's actually east of it). We really should know our place, as so helpfully outlined by the IRFU:rolleyes::D.

Sorry ya fair enough.Reading comments like that is like a bull to a red rag with me.

7mountpleasant

bamboozle wrote: »

here's my 5 point plan to boost Connacht rugby

1- Appoint Eddie O Sullivan Coach & also as Irish U20's coach (too late i know but hear me out)
2- All players must be Irish qualified
3- Bring in players who are in running for Irish U20's team, have them training together as Connacht and U20 players under same coach EOS
4- Play at least 1 home match in each County in the province to increase exposure
5- Host at least 1 Autumn international or Six Nations A international each year in Connacht.

Where to start, I can imagine someone like the ospreys really loving the atmosphere Leitrim Gaels Community Pitch, Leitrim Village where carrick on shannon play their rugby, definitely going to get this ball rolling. Or welcoming the mighty Sprinboks to Dubarry park!

Diom

The Irish U-20s would be destroyed week in and week out if they were a magners league team. They'd be playing against adults.
Connacht if anything should be the Ireland A team. But then again I don't agree with that either.

il gatto

7mountpleasant wrote: »

Where to start, I can imagine someone like the ospreys really loving the atmosphere Leitrim Gaels Community Pitch, Leitrim Village where carrick on shannon play their rugby, definitely going to get this ball rolling. Or welcoming the mighty Sprinboks to Dubarry park!

I've been advocating for a while (to nobody in particular, mind) that they should look at playing a game or two a season at Athlone Town or Sligo Rovers. If the pitch is the right size, a few lines and a set of posts is all you need. A bit of heavy marketing on local radio and papers, some roadside signage and pick a decent opposition (another Irish province or Ospreys and Cardiff).

A large part of the ML is in the FAI off season and a 50/50 split on the gate receipts should help everybody concerned. It shouldn't be impossible to get 3,000 into a ground against star players with some effort. Then, even splitting the gate, Connacht lose nothing except the bus fare up and down. I know loads of people who'd not necessarily drive to Galway to watch but would certainly go if it was on locally.

Connacht can't afford to ignore the rest of the province because they just can't rely on Galway's population. Galway is about 75,000. Limerick is almost 100,000. Cork is over 200,000. Dublin is 1.5million and Belfast is over .5million.
The total population of Connacht is 500,000 so there's no reason that couldn't sustain the provincial side. If only half those people like sport, it's 250,000 and if only 1 in 5 follow rugby (whether primarilly or not, it doesn't matter) it's 50,000 and if only 1 in 5 would regularly attend a match, it means they should be able to get 5-10,000 at matches (not every match, but it should be a realistic goal).

Connacht have a product to sell, namely top class players and teams coming to play against them It's not like the Eircom League which is a decidely third rate affair. Rugby is on an upward trend and you would think bringing the likes of Munster, Leinster, Ospreys, Cardiff, Newcastle and the Springboks should be an easy thing to sell. They're just really not doing it properly.

Diom

Thing is that against the Irish provinces Connacht already get about 5000-6000 at the SG. Plus Galway alone could support 10,000 fans easily enough. I think they'd be better off targeting places like Moycullen, Oughterard, Barna, Oranmore, Claregalway etc... with buses, and posters and by pushing the KO time back half an hour or more.

corny

I think it all boils down to the product on the pitch. If Connacht were able to field a side capable of regularly challenging the likes of Toulouse, Leicester and Munster in the HC the crowds would quickly grow and create a culture of their own. The Munster and Leinster phenomenon (the dramatic rise in attendences over the last 10 years or so i mean) is a direct result of success on the pitch. There's no shortage of potential punters in connacht, they just want to see a modicum of success first (we're all glory hunters really). People don't want to go see their team have it handed to them every week. A new stadium or diversifying your market won't increase attendences or interest. It all starts on the pitch.

Diom

Yeah Corny, but it would help. The fact of the matter is that we are handicapped by the IRFU. By their choice of coach and funding decisions.

velocirafter

Can i just point out that there is a fighting chance that connacht can finish above the dragons this season. connacht need to win two games and pick up a bonus point, if the dragons lose the rest of their games which is quite possible looking at the teams they've left to play connacht would get a playoff against an italian side for the heineken cup.

robgloster

All they need is a cash injection and to receive the same resources as Munster, Leinster, Ulster

velocirafter

Surely its in the interest of the IRFU to have a good connacht side. They are choosing an international side from a pool of roughly 100 players, surely an extra 40 odd quality players could only improve the national side

robgloster

velocirafter wrote: »

Surely its in the interest of the IRFU to have a good connacht side. They are choosing an international side from a pool of roughly 100 players, surely an extra 40 odd quality players could only improve the national side

Not really , They see connacht as a starting club for players. And young players who are just outside the leinster and munster teams can get expierence with them and then move back if and when they are needed. I feel its only a matter of time before Keathly moves and the IRFU look at him as being ROGs replacement

velocirafter

robgloster wrote: »

Not really , They see connacht as a starting club for players. And young players who are just outside the leinster and munster teams can get expierence with them and then move back if and when they are needed. I feel its only a matter of time before Keathly moves and the IRFU look at him as being ROGs replacement

well trying to turn connacht amateur would not have helped them as a development team either.


If they could sort out the sportsground, galway would be a great city for away fans to travel to.

robgloster

No doubt it would be, A 10,000 capacity stadium would be great but i dont think the support is there at the moment for that type of investment. Altough I do fell they should get the same funding as the other provinces

velocirafter

It doesnt need to be massive, just somewhere that could hold a bit of atmosphere and maybe block the elements.

robgloster

Okay maybe 10,000 is wishfull thinking but anywhere other that that hole that is the sportsground. For the Dogs its Great. Rugby looks a little lost there

Zzippy

The only viable alternative short of a greenfield site and new stadium is Pearse Stadium, but the GAA are not going to let that be used anytime soon. We're stuck with the Sportsground for the moment, lets make the best of it.
Kickoff time is a problem alright, I don't see why they can't negotiate a later time with the dog track. I'm lucky I live in Galway City so I can make 6.30 games, but for anyone outside Galway thats impossible without taking time off work.
As for next year, well the front row needs another couple of reserve props, we have good starting props but reserves are poor, so any injuries mean seriously weakening the side. Second row same, new guy coming from NZ will hopefulyl strengthen that. Backrow is decent especially when Muldoon O'Connor and Ofisa are all fit. Halfbacks are good, I was well impressed with O'Loughlin the other night, and Keatley is a star in the making. Ta'auso is starting to fit in well, but second centre is a problem position, need strengthening there, and need a better left wing (Bibo is good at times but awful at others) and need better cover than Troy Nathan at wing/fullback.
Also, and most importantly, I think we need a new coach.

robgloster

Zzippy wrote: »

The only viable alternative short of a greenfield site and new stadium is Pearse Stadium, but the GAA are not going to let that be used anytime soon. We're stuck with the Sportsground for the moment, lets make the best of it.
Kickoff time is a problem alright, I don't see why they can't negotiate a later time with the dog track. I'm lucky I live in Galway City so I can make 6.30 games, but for anyone outside Galway thats impossible without taking time off work.
As for next year, well the front row needs another couple of reserve props, we have good starting props but reserves are poor, so any injuries mean seriously weakening the side. Second row same, new guy coming from NZ will hopefulyl strengthen that. Backrow is decent especially when Muldoon O'Connor and Ofisa are all fit. Halfbacks are good, I was well impressed with O'Loughlin the other night, and Keatley is a star in the making. Ta'auso is starting to fit in well, but second centre is a problem position, need strengthening there, and need a better left wing (Bibo is good at times but awful at others) and need better cover than Troy Nathan at wing/fullback.
Also, and most importantly, I think we need a new coach.

Here Here

il gatto

Diom wrote: »

Thing is that against the Irish provinces Connacht already get about 5000-6000 at the SG. Plus Galway alone could support 10,000 fans easily enough. I think they'd be better off targeting places like Moycullen, Oughterard, Barna, Oranmore, Claregalway etc... with buses, and posters and by pushing the KO time back half an hour or more.

All those places are a 20 minute commute. If you don't bother going from that distance, a bus might not make the difference. Anyway, if Connacht only want supporters from Galway city and it's immediate hinterland, why not rename the team "Galway" and be done with it? It's been so parochial for so long, I'm not sure they would know how to spend the money if the IRFU gave it to them.

Robbo

I don't see the reason in moving the games around the province in the name of some form of fairness or proportionality. Surely, it is up to movers and shakers from the various provincial outliers like Ballina and Athlone to campaign and lobby for a game first rather than giving them one out of some misplaced sense of obligation? It's the same kind "famine relief" mentality that spawned Knock Airport, the Pee Flynn Expressway and the Western Rail Corridor.

As far as I'm concerned, the Sportsground is the only viable option. Pearse Stadium will never happen because of opposition from the locals and the political elements of the GAA, there's no money for a greenfield development and nowhere could be better located. There are things that need to be changed. There needs to be a shelter and an upward extension of the terrace over the clubhouse side. The kickoff times need to be tweaked and some Saturday games brought back.

robgloster

We can dream of a nice stadium. And all games should be played in Galway. Munster dont play in Kerry trying to be fair. Its the biggest city and most support will come from Galway

Zzippy

Robbo wrote: »

As far as I'm concerned, the Sportsground is the only viable option. Pearse Stadium will never happen because of opposition from the locals and the political elements of the GAA, there's no money for a greenfield development and nowhere could be better located. There are things that need to be changed. There needs to be a shelter and an upward extension of the terrace over the clubhouse side. The kickoff times need to be tweaked and some Saturday games brought back.

Yep, I don't know how you guys stand there some nights in the pouring rain! Mad!

Robbo

Zzippy wrote: »

Yep, I don't know how you guys stand there some nights in the pouring rain! Mad!

In the words of Mrs Doyle, maybe I *like* the misery.

robgloster

Zzippy wrote: »

Yep, I don't know how you guys stand there some nights in the pouring rain! Mad!

Made of tuffer stuff

Digifriendly

Robbo wrote: »

In the words of Mrs Doyle, maybe I *like* the misery.

What a gem! Have this episode on DVD and keep watching this part again and again! BTW the actress who played Mrs. Doyle appeared in a BBC Wales 'Grand Slam' quiz show recently and she's a real hoot even when not acting!

il gatto

Robbo wrote: »

I don't see the reason in moving the games around the province in the name of some form of fairness or proportionality. Surely, it is up to movers and shakers from the various provincial outliers like Ballina and Athlone to campaign and lobby for a game first rather than giving them one out of some misplaced sense of obligation? It's the same kind "famine relief" mentality that spawned Knock Airport, the Pee Flynn Expressway and the Western Rail Corridor.

As far as I'm concerned, the Sportsground is the only viable option. Pearse Stadium will never happen because of opposition from the locals and the political elements of the GAA, there's no money for a greenfield development and nowhere could be better located. There are things that need to be changed. There needs to be a shelter and an upward extension of the terrace over the clubhouse side. The kickoff times need to be tweaked and some Saturday games brought back.

The difference is that Connacht are not Munster and will never even come close to that level if they procede as they do. Galway produces a regular crowd of 1,000-2,000 with occasional big crowds. Galway hasn't provided adequate support to coerce the IRFU into putting more money into Connacht, so Connacht should be looking to expand it's support base.

Far from "famine relief" mentality, it's Connacht Rugby that needs the support. Bringing matches to other parts of the province would benefit Connacht more than anybody. Talking of a "mentality", tweaking kickoff times and a roof on a terrace is not anywhere close to the amount of inititive they need to show.

robgloster, Galway doesn't support Connacht in any meaningful way, so why should all games be played there? If games should be played in the biggest town, why dont Munster play in Cork all the time? If the fans won't travel, bring the game to them, gain their support. Struggling to get a decent gate whilst having a disenfranchised fanbase around the province does suggest the staus quo isn't working.

I know Connacht fans in Galway don't want to travel to home games, but I have to travel 2 hours to whatever few games I can make on a Friday at 6.30. Then park, then drive 2 hrs home, often by myself as friends find it a lot of hassle to stand in the kip of the Sportsgrounds and risk watching Connacht being trounced.

And by the way, Knock airport is considerably busier and larger than Galway airport.

Zzippy

il gatto wrote: »

The difference is that Connacht are not Munster and will never even come close to that level if they procede as they do. Galway produces a regular crowd of 1,000-2,000 with occasional big crowds. Galway hasn't provided adequate support to coerce the IRFU into putting more money into Connacht, so Connacht should be looking to expand it's support base.

Far from "famine relief" mentality, it's Connacht Rugby that needs the support. Bringing matches to other parts of the province would benefit Connacht more than anybody. Talking of a "mentality", tweaking kickoff times and a roof on a terrace is not anywhere close to the amount of inititive they need to show.

robgloster, Galway doesn't support Connacht in any meaningful way, so why should all games be played there? If games should be played in the biggest town, why dont Munster play in Cork all the time? If the fans won't travel, bring the game to them, gain their support. Struggling to get a decent gate whilst having a disenfranchised fanbase around the province does suggest the staus quo isn't working.

I know Connacht fans in Galway don't want to travel to home games, but I have to travel 2 hours to whatever few games I can make on a Friday at 6.30. Then park, then drive 2 hrs home, often by myself as friends find it a lot of hassle to stand in the kip of the Sportsgrounds and risk watching Connacht being trounced.

And by the way, Knock airport is considerably busier and larger than Galway airport.

And where do you think is going to support Connacht better? Sligo? Ballina? You might get a thousand people going for the novelty value, but they are not rugby playing strongholds and very few people are actually interested enough to go and watch a game. Galway is the best chance of building on the support base.

Oh, and Knock airport is extremely heavily subsidised by the State

il gatto

Zzippy wrote: »

And where do you think is going to support Connacht better? Sligo? Ballina? You might get a thousand people going for the novelty value, but they are not rugby playing strongholds and very few people are actually interested enough to go and watch a game. Galway is the best chance of building on the support base.

Oh, and Knock airport is extremely heavily subsidised by the State

Having worked in the industry for a good few years, I can assure you Galway is well subsidised as well.:)

I'm not talking about randomly throwing a Connacht-Dragons game to a town and play on some rugby club pitch. I mean make an event of it. Ensure you get several thousand. I mean, surely all the "hardcore" Galway fans will travel to it, the same as fans from other places have to do:rolleyes:.
It's about raising the base profile, ensuring local radio and papers report on Connacht. Sell some replica kit, sign some autographs, get some people interested.

I don't think a single rugby fan within 30 miles of Galway city don't know exactly when Connacht are playing and against who. Galway is the proper base for Connacht, but in itself, it's not big enough or interested enough, I don't know which.

I realise that other parts of Connacht are not regarded as a hotbed, but the interest in rugby is underestimated. Sligo has two rugby schools, one long established (Sligo Grammar) and a recent and quickly developing (Summerhill). There's also a rugby club (since 1890) which is building a lovely new complex with 3 pitches and a new clubhouse and gym. Athlone is well known as a rugby town and Buccaneers are only a few points behind Galway's best offering, Galwegians. Ballina has a decent club as well (1928) There's also St. Muredachs school in Ballina and Westport CS. I realise they're not all of Garbally's standard or even the Jes or the Bish (except SGS maybe), but rugby is alive and well beyond east Galway.

At the end of the day, the success of Leinster and Munster in a financial sense, was not based on how many clubs or schools were in the area, or how many people play. It was about bringing casual fans out. People who only ever watched the 6Ns or people who never watched rugby. For all the Munster pedigree in rugby terms, any honest fan or official will admit the need for a bigger Thomond was not based on purely Garryowen, Shannon and Cork Con fans showing up.

Irish rugby is on the crest of a wave these past few years and Connacht has singularly failed to take advantage of that. Living in Sligo, I can assure you that certain pubs are jammed for HEC matches like the one's next Sunday. Alot of pubs showed the Munster-Leinster match last Saturday with some Premiership dross on the small T.V. in the corner. The 6Ns was all pervasive. The AIs were big news. The local club is thriving. Sligo Grammar has featured in 5 of the last 10 Connacht Senior Schools cup finals and won 2. Marist College Athlone featured in both the 07 and 08 finals. And yet Connacht just doesn't seem to register.

We should be looking to have an all inclusive provincial team. It's the only way to ever consider challenging the likes of the top teams. Take whatever fans Sligo, Ballina, Athlone, Roscommon etc. has to offer, rather than dismiss them as not rugby strongholds.

Diom

It might be a good idea if done correctly Gatto, you argue convincingly enough for it. But to be fair, they should still concentrate on making the best of the situation in Galway first. Putting a cover on the club side should be the NUMBER 1 priority right now, and let me tell you why.
At the Munster and London Irish games, there was rain this year. The 1.5k fans (or more) over on that side get soaked. They don't have a nice impression of rugby despite what is done on the pitch.
It's a cheap improvement that would definitely have a direct impact on the impression of the SG. Thus it would have a direct impact on the impression that the newbs have of Connacht Rugby. It's not like we're talking about a Thomond style re-development, it only needs to be a clear plastic covering, and some extra concrete.

Once that is done there is still plenty of opportunities to travel to Sligo, Ballinasloe, Athlone, Ballina, or Westport. Hopefully some kind of bus would be organised for the couple of hundred season ticket holders from Galway though.

velocirafter

Some great ideas flying about but do you think the IRFU are acutally going to do anything?? is there anything the fans can/should be doing to try and force their hand

Diom

velocirafter wrote: »

Some great ideas flying about but do you think the IRFU are acutally going to do anything?? is there anything the fans can/should be doing to try and force their hand

If we boycott the games then they'll shut us down. Anyways with so many people losing their jobs or being threatened with it people have more important things to be rallying against.