Looking grim for Connacht

d-gal

Connacht have announced their 09/10 squad and boy does it look grim!
14 backs and 16 forwards with 3 more players (1 back/2 forwards) to be added.
They have signed Bernie Upton (2nd row), Miah Nikora (fly half), Mike McComish (back row) and Brian Tuohy (wing).
They have also promoted Conor Higgins, Dermot Murphy and John O'Brien (the first two with practically zero AIL experience). Only four props and two fly halves in the squad as well.
Hardly good enough, the IRFU have proved yet again how little they care about Connacht, no funding and no proper signings.
Let's pray that the other 3 are superstars!

d-gal

d-gal wrote: »

Connacht have announced their 09/10 squad and boy does it look grim!
14 backs and 16 forwards with 3 more players (1 back/2 forwards) to be added.
They have signed Bernie Upton (2nd row), Miah Nikora (fly half), Mike McComish (back row) and Brian Tuohy (wing).
They have also promoted Conor Higgins, Dermot Murphy and John O'Brien (the first two with practically zero AIL experience). Only four props and two fly halves in the squad as well.
Hardly good enough, the IRFU have proved yet again how little they care about Connacht, no funding and no proper signings.
Let's pray that the other 3 are superstars!

I dont know if you are aware but the provinces pay for their own foreign players.
Connacht need to use their own money to bring in foreign players,which they obviously dont have,not having any youth to come through is Connachts problem.

d-gal

Briana Cuddly Dean wrote: »

I dont know if you are aware but the provinces pay for their own foreign players.
Connacht need to use their own money to bring in foreign players,which they obviously dont have,not having any youth to come through is Connachts problem.

I know that but as stated in another thread (think it's elsoms for some reason) that the IRFU were quoted in saying they are working closely with Connacht to bring players into Connacht.
If other players like Carr, Keatley and Croinin came in then I would be a little bit more optimistic.
The funding from the IRFU is a disgrace and it is proven with how little amount of players they have in the squad

d-gal

d-gal wrote: »

I know that but as stated in another thread (think it's elsoms for some reason) that the IRFU were quoted in saying they are working closely with Connacht to bring players into Connacht.
If other players like Carr, Keatley and Croinin came in then I would be a little bit more optimistic.
The funding from the IRFU is a disgrace and it is proven with how little amount of players they have in the squad

Leinster can only send you guys so many players,seeing as no one else seems to be.
If no one goes to the games and no one is interested then why should the IRFU pay for the foreign players.

When are Connacht going to accept some responsiblity for not developing any players?

Its a catch 22 situation,Connacht need to develop their own players and until then they will be in this situation.

Felis Jones is gone to Munster,O'Donogue and O'Malley are going to break into the Leinster team next year,so there is no way they will send them to Connacht.

phog

Not sure how this would go down in the other three provinces but I think that Connacht should get the revenue from all the Inter-Pros in Ireland. That might give them a chance to get some badly needed cash.

In the overall scheme of things it might only be a drop in the ocean but it's a move in the right direction and show the opther provinces care about whats happening west of the Shannon.

phog

phog wrote: »

Not sure how this would go down in the other three provinces but I think that Connacht should get the revenue from all the Inter-Pros in Ireland. That might give them a chance to get some badly needed cash.

In the overall scheme of things it might only be a drop in the ocean but it's a move in the right direction and show the opther provinces care about whats happening west of the Shannon.

Give them a chance to do what?
Buy foreign players?

thomond2006

d-gal wrote: »

I know that but as stated in another thread (think it's elsoms for some reason) that the IRFU were quoted in saying they are working closely with Connacht to bring players into Connacht.
If other players like Carr, Keatley and Croinin came in then I would be a little bit more optimistic.
The funding from the IRFU is a disgrace and it is proven with how little amount of players they have in the squad

Jaysus, d-gal, mind your grammar.

Don't forget that "IRFU", "working closely" and "Connacht" cannot be used in the same sentence. :P

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

Not sure how this would go down in the other three provinces but I think that Connacht should get the revenue from all the Inter-Pros in Ireland.

:D:D

Never gonna happen. As Thornley keeps telling us, the IRFU is run by Munster, Leinster and Ulster.

d-gal

Briana Cuddly Dean wrote: »

Leinster can only send you guys so many players,seeing as no one else seems to be.

3 players sent last year, 2 leinster, 1 munster. And over the years it has been an equal amount of munster and leinster that have come to connacht to develop their games

d-gal

thomond2006 wrote: »

Jaysus, d-gal, mind your grammar.

Don't forget that "IRFU", "working closely" and "Connacht" cannot be used in the same sentence. :P

Jaysus from the man with g'wan munster in his sig :rolleyes:;)

NickNolte

Connacht's development would certainly be good for Irish rugby but you have to remember that the provincial branches are businesses now. They're competing for silverware at the highest level in European rugby and they're not going to start throwing money around to bring teams like Connacht up a notch. It would be too capital intensive and would dent the progress of their own province.

Unfortuntely Connacht need to look at the grass roots, find a formula and build on it. Blaming the IRFU or other provinces is going to get you nowhere.

Zzippy

Briana Cuddly Dean wrote: »

I dont know if you are aware but the provinces pay for their own foreign players.
Connacht need to use their own money to bring in foreign players,which they obviously dont have,not having any youth to come through is Connachts problem.

For a province with so few players our youths aren't doing too bad - beat Munster and Ulster and lost to a last minute score from Leinster this year at u-18 level, narrowly missing out on winning the interpro. IIRC they won the interpro series in 2007. The youth is only starting to come through, but they need something to aim towards to develop as players...

Zzippy

Zzippy wrote: »

For a province with so few players our youths aren't doing too bad - beat Munster and Ulster and lost to a last minute score from Leinster this year at u-18 level, narrowly missing out on winning the interpro. IIRC they won the interpro series in 2007. The youth is only starting to come through, but they need something to aim towards to develop as players...

Good news,thats brilliant for irish rugby.

Im simply saying that Connacht connot be filled with foreign players because why should the other provinces pay for these players and there isnt that much youth left that are good enough to go.
Somewhere along the line Connacht has to start developing their own players,if thats already happening then great if not then they have no right to anything.

The other teams havs a quota of 5 foreign players,Connacht is no exception.

There is a fair amount of youth players coming through at Connacht and they should give the u20 championship a good lash this year.The likes of Andrew Browne is in the team regular enough and a good prospect,we need more but we also need Bradley to take the plunge and include a few more as part of the squad.Fellas like Danny Riordan,Aidan Wynne,Joe Merrigan have been shabbily treated by Bradley.

That squad is capable of being competitive and tbh I didn't expect many signings from the the other provinces with the Lions tour meaning internationals are late back meaning they want to keep hold of fringe player for early ML games.

Connacht needs a new direction but need help from the IRFU.Getting rid of most of the 13 released was a good step as most were adding no value to the squad.At least there is a better balance to the squad then last year.

Next 3 signings need to be good though.Prop,Back row and wing/centre.

anonymous_joe

Connacht need three things:

More funding from the IRFU

More players, in Connacht in general and thus giving more depth to the teams

More shít teams - other than the Dragons, all the teams in the Magners are much stronger than Connacht. They're only competitive against Irish teams usually. They need someone they can beat, otherwise they'll continue to lose. Losing's a habit as much as winning is.

phog

Briana Cuddly Dean wrote: »

Give them a chance to do what?
Buy foreign players?

Maybe yes but maybe to develope academy players properly too, give them the revenue to spend as they see most needed. Maybe even an extra coach. I dont know but I know they need additional funding.

Trojan

I'd say Connacht also needs a new face at the CEO level position (whatever it's called), with the remit to make sweeping changes where necessary. Preferably someone with business and sporting background and a hard nose.

Diabhal Beag

We are doing the best with what we can afford. IRFU won't give us proper backing so what improvements can we expect. Its ****ing shameful to see

JoeyDoh

"To hell or to Connacht".

Zzippy

JoeyDoh wrote: »

"To hell or to Connacht".

Wow. Did ya make that up yourself...? :rolleyes:

thomond2006

JoeyDoh wrote: »

"To hell or to Connacht".

Was was the point of that post or ar you just a troll? :rolleyes:

Fishtits

I'm not sure we have the player population to supply four full blooded teams TBH. We have 150 odd pro players, Munster being the primary club, Leinster have the first team but have self admitted weaknesses in squad depth, Ulster are in the "second" division albeit with some very talented players, that leaves Connaght as a "development" province.

It's not pretty but hey, if the GAA continue with their ill disciplined fights matches we may pick up enough guys to rectify that situation.

JoeyDoh

thomond2006 wrote: »

Was was the point of that post or ar you just a troll? :rolleyes:

In honesty it was merely a statement describing the state of affairs of Connacht rugby atm.Basically it comes down to this,players do not want to go to Connacht,the simple reason being it is so much more attractive to go to clubs such as Leinster,Munster and even some lower English clubs,this is because these "higher tier" clubs present a chance for them to emulate their more succesful provincial counter parts,its also doesnt help that as soon as talent is spotted,it is whisked away down south or eastwards.

anonymous_joe

Fishtits wrote: »

I'm not sure we have the player population to supply four full blooded teams TBH. We have 150 odd pro players, Munster being the primary club, Leinster have the first team but have self admitted weaknesses in squad depth, Ulster are in the "second" division albeit with some very talented players, that leaves Connaght as a "development" province.

It's not pretty but hey, if the GAA continue with their ill disciplined fights matches we may pick up enough guys to rectify that situation.

Munster being the primary club...? What does that mean?

All of the three main provinces have similar sized squads etc. There's no primacy to any of them.

bamboozle

i dont see how Connacht wouldnt get a few of the Irish U20 players. The likes of Michael Keating at Clontarf would do a good job at Connacht, he'll probably spend next season scoring lots of trys in the AIL without getting a lookin at Leinster.

To be honest i dont see why the other provinces dont see the benefits of loaning players to Connacht for a season or even 6 months to get them high level match exposure. The likes of Donncadh Ryan, Buckley, Felix Jones, Ian Whitten would have all benefited from that this season.

Goodluck2me

Briana Cuddly Dean wrote: »

When are Connacht going to accept some responsiblity for not developing any players?

Its a catch 22 situation,Connacht need to develop their own players and until then they will be in this situation.

Slight population gap there though dont you think? It's not exactly comparing apples with apples. Leinster will always have the best youth to choose from over a 10 yesr period as they will always have the most kids playing.
Connacht could really take off at underage level if it converted a few GAA strong holds into rugby areas, but without a successful professional team it will make it harder.
I think they are well on their way to achieving it, and have made huge leaps over the last number of years, but it's not like they jsut aren't bothered developing players, they can't compete with the numbers.

anonymous_joe

goodluck2me wrote: »

Slight population gap there though dont you think? It's not exactly comparing apples with apples. Leinster will always have the best youth to choose from over a 10 yesr period as they will always have the most kids playing.
Connacht could really take off at underage level if it converted a few GAA strong holds into rugby areas, but without a successful professional team it will make it harder.
I think they are well on their way to achieving it, and have made huge leaps over the last number of years, but it's not like they jsut aren't bothered developing players, they can't compete with the numbers.

Leinster and Ulster.

The last time a team from a small city won the European Cup was in 88 when PSV Eindhoven won it. And if you've been to Eindhoven you'll know it;s not that small and the funding by Philips helped.

Connacht are never going to improve without a larger playing base.

Ulster and Leinster both have massive player bases, followed by Munster who are fairly far behind the two. Connacht though, are miles behind all three. Connacht just doesn't have much rugby history.

What Connacht needs is threefold:
- More money from the IRFU (not gonna happen )
- A more successful team (not going to happen either)
- A superstar

The last is the only one that's possible, but it's not very likely either, what with the small number playing...

It's a Catch 22 as has been said countless times before.

Goodluck2me

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Leinster and Ulster.

The last time a team from a small city won the European Cup was in 88 when PSV Eindhoven won it. And if you've been to Eindhoven you'll know it;s not that small and the funding by Philips helped.

Whats size is Eindhoven? I also doubt they used even 9 starters who grew up in the City.

Ulster and Leinster both have massive player bases, followed by Munster who are fairly far behind the two. Connacht though, are miles behind all three. Connacht just doesn't have much rugby history.

To be fair, Ulster do have a good playing base, but there is also a certain element of historical reasons why they never have to compete with GAA games, and soccer.
Really, and it sounds bad - Connacht need a few more fee paying schools/boarding schools where they are living and breathing the sport - where its all kids want to be when they grow up.

What Connacht needs is threefold:
- More money from the IRFU (not gonna happen )
- A more successful team (not going to happen either)
- A superstar

Well one begets the others, more money from IRFU, providing better platform for success and attracting a big name player.
Also, and i'm not being harsh jsut realisitc, if you were a superstar likes of O Driscoll etc, why would you stay in Connacht?

anonymous_joe

goodluck2me wrote: »

Whats size is Eindhoven? I also doubt they used even 9 starters who grew up in the City.

The 80s team had a few local lads methinks.

Bout 200,000.

To be fair, Ulster do have a good playing base, but there is also a certain element of historical reasons why they never have to compete with GAA games, and soccer.
Really, and it sounds bad - Connacht need a few more fee paying schools/boarding schools where they are living and breathing the sport - where its all kids want to be when they grow up.

Well whatever the reasons, the two provinces in Ireland with the most players are Leinster and Ulster, with slightly more in Ulster.

Well one begets the others, more money from IRFU, providing better platform for success and attracting a big name player.
Also, and i'm not being harsh jsut realisitc, if you were a superstar likes of O Driscoll etc, why would you stay in Connacht?

There's no reason to stay in Connacht, but if the next O'Driscoll came from Connacht, it would at least give the fans especially the younger ones something to aim for, and might attract more attention.

Pshan

anonymous_joe wrote: »

There's no reason to stay in Connacht, but if the next O'Driscoll came from Connacht, it would at least give the fans especially the younger ones something to aim for, and might attract more attention.

Could you see the IRFU pay "the Connacht O'Driscoll" the same as they pay "the Leinster O'Driscoll" to stay at home?

I don', so home grown talent in Connacht are a major disadvantage to home talent in the other provinces.

anonymous_joe

Pshan wrote: »

Could you see the IRFU pay "the Connacht O'Driscoll" the same as they pay "the Leinster O'Driscoll" to stay at home?

I don', so home grown talent in Connacht are a major disadvantage to home talent in the other provinces.

Well an international contract's teh same no matter what province you're at. Only the top players get much more.

I'm sure they would pay more if an O'Driscoll was at Connacht. The downside is a player like that would almost certainly leave to play at a higher level.

I honestly don't see a way for Connacht to change, though I wish I did.

Phrio

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Well an international contract's teh same no matter what province you're at. Only the top players get much more.

I'm sure they would pay more if an O'Driscoll was at Connacht. The downside is a player like that would almost certainly leave to play at a higher level.

I honestly don't see a way for Connacht to change, though I wish I did.

Allow them to be at least partially taken over by private individuals, there was many coming forward when they were going to disband the CB and were told where to go by IRFU.

With private money they could attract better talent (even if still with the same limits of Irish versus foriegn), better scouting network, success brings better crowds brings more money and the cycle is broken and they pay for themselves and compete....

Its fairly straight forward business. And as a business CB isnt a bad prospect if someone is willing to put required money in (IRFU aren't), stadium is close to the town centre with a dogs night after so can be sold as a full night out, and with Rugby the 'in' sport in Ireland at present there is no better time to be trying to grow it down there.

however will never happen as IRFU will not allow for fear of losing centralised contracting

nice_guy80

two Italian teams in the Magners league would help Connacht chalk up a few wins!

We'd be better off concentrating on bringing through U-20 players from Connacht instead of taking fellas who can't get onto other provinces squads.

Maybe also going to route of bringing back some Irish players from premiership etc who are winding down their careers in order for the 'greener' players to learn off them. especially in certain positions

ManoCornuta

Michael Bradley, fecking out!

I had an argument in a pub with my coach once, who hates Connacht (I play for two teams, one of which is in Dublin), but who believes that Michael Bradley is god's gift to rugby.

If that was the case, surely he would have gotten the Munster job when that became available?

In my own personal opinion, he's a lousy coach. If he's good, then he just doesn't care enough about Connacht.

Connacht also need to seriously look at bringing on their Junior players. I've mates on that team, and they came second in the inter-pro this year (having gone five years without a single win) and I cracked a joke about it not being long before the top Junior players will be playing for the Seniors. That shouldn't be a joke, that should be a given. There are amazing players there, and the ones I know who are good enough to consider playing for seniors are looking to other provinces.

Some better coverage would be a good start too. I'm sick of getting the Irish Times every day, and not seeing a mention of Connacht. Usually any mention of Connacht fixtures is tagged on to the end of a Leinster/Munster (occasionally Ulster) article.

I once read Gerry Thornley write about Munster rugby, that you need to be a die-hard fan to follow provincial rugby, and that all Munter fans are die-hard. You want die-hard fans? Go to the Sportsground on any given Friday, and see the fans who are there. They're the die-hard fans. It's very easy to jump on the bandwagon, not so easy to support a team which is (through some fault of its own, but not entirely) the ridicule of most other provincial rugby fans.

Most of the Connacht merchandise I own I've "borrowed" from mates on the junior team, because I can't buy caps, shorts, balls socks etc. from Elverys. I think merchandise might be a good place for Connacht to look for a bit more funding, which, let's face it, they are never in a month of Sundays, going to get from the IRFU. For Connacht, every little helps.

maxxie

JoeyDoh wrote: »

"To hell or to Connacht".

hell please

chupacabra

ManoCornuta wrote: »

I once read Gerry Thornley write about Munster rugby, that you need to be a die-hard fan to follow provincial rugby, and that all Munter fans are die-hard. You want die-hard fans? Go to the Sportsground on any given Friday, and see the fans who are there. They're the die-hard fans. It's very easy to jump on the bandwagon, not so easy to support a team which is (through some fault of its own, but not entirely) the ridicule of most other provincial rugby fans.

I agree, i made the trip up to the sports ground twice this year and both times the weather was horrible. I have alot of respect for Connacht fans after that.

Fishtits

Guys, keep this in perspective.

We are a small nation, 150 odd pro players, the obvious stand out talents get filtered into the stronger provinces, the other promising guys need somewhere that can nurture them and give them a platform to show what they can do.

I think the current set up is Good TBH, it seems to be the envy of many other Countries.

I've got all but hypothermia, many times, in Ravenhill, and would have no problem traveling to the Sportsgrounds to cheer on honest endeavor. (as soon as they get the road fixed...)

Fishtits, go Conaught.

anonymous_joe

Fishtits wrote: »

Guys, keep this in perspective.

We are a small nation, 150 odd pro players, the obvious stand out talents get filtered into the stronger provinces, the other promising guys need somewhere that can nurture them and give them a platform to show what they can do.

I think the current set up is Good TBH, it seems to be the envy of many other Countries.

I've got all but hypothermia, many times, in Ravenhill, and would have no problem traveling to the Sportsgrounds to cheer on honest endeavor. (as soon as they get the road fixed...)

Fishtits, go Conaught.

Two questions:

Do you know how many pros we have? (It's something I'm curious about)

Would the problem be that players tend to be too likely to play for their home province?

What do Niall Ronan, Ian Dowling, Fionn Carr and Ian Keatley all have in common? But for any player like that, the majority stay at home.

Would Eoin Reddan have left Munster if Kidney had guarenteed him the 9 jersey? What of Mike Ross? And so on. Connacht has the smallest pool of players, and so the lowest chance of producing outstanding local lads...

That's the biggest problem they have, and they definitely need to find a way of earning more money, and perhaps an IRFU sponsored endeavour to guarentee a certain proportion of youth internationals or something get ML experience at Connacht...

themont85

Players who Connacht should consider from other provinces;
Jamie Hagan(prop, Leinster)
Eamonn Sheridan(centre), Massive player for Lansdowne.
Gary Foley, in the Leinster acadamy in just his first year out of school. Has lost his way though in the leinster system. Could be a wasted talent.
David Kearney, Rob's bro- will need to move to reach his potential me thinks with Leinster having so much talent.

I don't understand how COnnacht can't sign guys like Timmy Ryan from Munster when clearly available earlier this year...

Cosmo Kramer

themont85 wrote: »

Players who Connacht should consider from other provinces;
Jamie Hagan(prop, Leinster)
Eamonn Sheridan(centre), Massive player for Lansdowne.
Gary Foley, in the Leinster acadamy in just his first year out of school. Has lost his way though in the leinster system. Could be a wasted talent.
David Kearney, Rob's bro- will need to move to reach his potential me thinks with Leinster having so much talent.

I don't understand how COnnacht can't sign guys like Timmy Ryan from Munster when clearly available earlier this year...

That's exactly the way Connacht need to go imo. If Leinster have an overflow of props etc. coming through on top of van der Linde, Wright, Healy and Ross then its important not just for Connacht but for Irish rugby that they get regular ML and Challenge Cup time rather than just playing the odd ML game with Leinster and playing AIL the rest of the time. The advantage of having Connacht is that you should be in a position to develop players, but I dont think its made use of.

Together with the better players currently at Connacht like Cronin, Muldoon, Keatley, Carr, Duffy and a few more, adding in a few young lads from Munster and Leinster should give them enough to challenge the Dragons at least and finally get into the Heineken Cup.

drzhivago

Connacht need

1. Gates- crowds are poor
2. More development officers for schools and clubs- if you build it they will come
3. funding better than they receive
4. more marketing internally- start marketing the team in Connacht and internationally
5. more online sales of kit
6. better website and membership tsructure like leinster
7. to tap into ex connacht interpros and internationals to come to games and do some dinner speaking to draw crowds

apoch632

Might be a mad idea but would you be able to fit a rugby pitch into Terryland

overmantle

You can only do so much with the resources available to you. I think Michael Bradley has done well with what he has been working with.

Zzippy

apoch632 wrote: »

Might be a mad idea but would you be able to fit a rugby pitch into Terryland

No, its too short, the perimeter wall would allow no room for an in-goal area without drastically shortening the pitch.

ManoCornuta

A lot of work needs to be done on the Sportsground, I have a season ticket for Connacht, and I would go watch them rain hail or shine, but the quality of the venue does make me sigh before every match.

I don't drive because Rovers are stupid cars :mad: but I go to every match with the same mate, who does drive, and getting parking is a nightmare, and we're both natives of Galway. I imagine that having to park at Moinín na gCiseach and walk to the Sportsground would be off-putting for fans who only want a fun day out, or for people who aren't familiar with Galway. My mate has a son who occasionally comes to the matches with us, good-humoured, but he still complains about the walk.

A fan club would do a lot for Connacht, I imagine. Well, it'd do a bit. No reason for Connacht not to learn from what has been done in other provinces.

Getting the players right is one thing, but at the end of the day, every single issue Connacht has can be solved with greater income, and the fans are a great way of increasing the income. I would like to see fan clubs, and better merchandise (even just more of the stuff, more every-day items as opposed to rugby gear, and more rugby gear too, I want to play in Connacht socks and shorts).

There isn't enough advertising either, I know there's a few signs on the the roads in to Galway from Athenry and the likes, but it's happened a few times that mates who play and support Connacht don't know about matches until they pass the Sportsground on a Friday night. I know, because I've no life but if people who follow rugby don't know, how is anyone else supposed to find out?

I know I'm focusing a lot on off-the-pitch issues, which have nothing to do with the wuality of the players/coaches, and that's because I believe what I said in my last post- Michael Bradley, fecking out!! (also, does he look very orange to anyone else???)

Oh, and tiny little side note, it wrecks my head when people spell it Connaught :mad:

siltirocker

ManoCornuta wrote: »

Oh, and tiny little side note, it wrecks my head when people spell it Connaught :mad:

Feckin' Cromwell!:mad:

ManoCornuta

ManoCornuta wrote: »

A lot of work needs to be done on the Sportsground, I have a season ticket for Connacht, and I would go watch them rain hail or shine, but the quality of the venue does make me sigh before every match.

I don't drive because Rovers are stupid cars :mad: but I go to every match with the same mate, who does drive, and getting parking is a nightmare, and we're both natives of Galway. I imagine that having to park at Moinín na gCiseach and walk to the Sportsground would be off-putting for fans who only want a fun day out, or for people who aren't familiar with Galway. My mate has a son who occasionally comes to the matches with us, good-humoured, but he still complains about the walk.

A fan club would do a lot for Connacht, I imagine. Well, it'd do a bit. No reason for Connacht not to learn from what has been done in other provinces.

Getting the players right is one thing, but at the end of the day, every single issue Connacht has can be solved with greater income, and the fans are a great way of increasing the income. I would like to see fan clubs, and better merchandise (even just more of the stuff, more every-day items as opposed to rugby gear, and more rugby gear too, I want to play in Connacht socks and shorts).

There isn't enough advertising either, I know there's a few signs on the the roads in to Galway from Athenry and the likes, but it's happened a few times that mates who play and support Connacht don't know about matches until they pass the Sportsground on a Friday night. I know, because I've no life but if people who follow rugby don't know, how is anyone else supposed to find out?

I know I'm focusing a lot on off-the-pitch issues, which have nothing to do with the wuality of the players/coaches, and that's because I believe what I said in my last post- Michael Bradley, fecking out!! (also, does he look very orange to anyone else???)

Oh, and tiny little side note, it wrecks my head when people spell it Connaught :mad:

Excellent post!Agree totally with all the points here.Definitely unless you are working in or around the city its a real struggle to get to the 6.30 kick off and not worth the hassle for most people and even if you get around the ground at close to 6.30 its next to impossible to get parking.Ok the cb provide a limited amount of parking for 2/3 euro but for any decent size crowd thats filled in within a short space of time.

I've found also with a few friends/colleagues that they don't know matches were on either.Definitely games need to be marketed better particularly the less glamorous games because it was the Leinster and Munster games which propped up a very poor average magners league attendance.

Webbs

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Excellent post!Agree totally with all the points here.Definitely unless you are working in or around the city its a real struggle to get to the 6.30 kick off and not worth the hassle for most people and even if you get around the ground at close to 6.30 its next to impossible to get parking.Ok the cb provide a limited amount of parking for 2/3 euro but for any decent size crowd thats filled in within a short space of time.

I've found also with a few friends/colleagues that they don't know matches were on either.Definitely games need to be marketed better particularly the less glamorous games because it was the Leinster and Munster games which propped up a very poor average magners league attendance.

For parking there is plenty at the Wellpark shopping place by the Eye cinema, it is a 5minute walk to the ground from there.

I agree the 6.30 ko is a big problem as moving it even 30mins to 7 would allow a lot more people to get to the ground, advertising the games isnt really going to attract many more until results improve, its a bit of a vicious circle. If leinster for example were propping up the table would they have the same size crowds as they have now??

leeroybrown

Webbs wrote: »

I agree the 6.30 ko is a big problem as moving it even 30mins to 7 would allow a lot more people to get to the ground

The problem with going later with the Friday evening kick-off is that a large part of the season is effectively winter/spring. The Sportsground is an wet, windy, cold and exposed spot at the best of times and kicking off later during winter/spring (as we did at 7:30pm few times last year) leaves the ground a genuinely uncomfortable place to be well before the second half is over.

ManoCornuta

The Sportsground is uncomfortable any time of day, unless it was 2pm on a day like today. All over times it's a miserable place to be.

leeroybrown

ManoCornuta wrote: »

The Sportsground is uncomfortable any time of day, unless it was 2pm on a day like today. All over times it's a miserable place to be.

I'm a season ticket holder who stands at the clubhouse side of the ground so I'm willing to put up with a little more discomfort than most. Last winter the 6.30pm kick-offs left you cold by the end of the game but the 7.30pm kick-offs were right into the 'loss of feeling in the legs' territory.