Encouraging signs for Connacht

d-gal

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/domestic/content/view/1247/84/

gavkm27

Yes Yes thank you,after that bashing on Friday night i need some hope and there it is

siltirocker

I know Nigel Carolan well enough. And the vibe im getting from a few down there is that they are quitely confident in the knowledge that Connacht's u-20s are the best in the country.

il gatto

siltirocker wrote: »

I know Nigel Carolan well enough. And the vibe im getting from a few down there is that they are quitely confident in the knowledge that Connacht's u-20s are the best in the country.

Can we keep them, can we? Please? I wonder if they actually turn into top level senior players (rare enough that more than a few under age turn out top class), will the big provinces syphon off players as they become in need of them.

Luckycharm

:DOh I was hoping it was going to say Bradley had finally got the bullet

Size=everything

siltirocker wrote: »

I know Nigel Carolan well enough. And the vibe im getting from a few down there is that they are quitely confident in the knowledge that Connacht's u-20s are the best in the country.

In fairness the Munster youth teams are terrible. Its encouraging but I wouldn't get too excited until I see them against Ulster and Leinster. Leinster beat Ulster comfortably the other day and I have no doubt are the best in the country. I believe 12 of the 15 U20s in the world cup were Leinster

mr_edge_to_you

Luckycharm wrote: »

:DOh I was hoping it was going to say Bradley had finally got the bullet

that makes two of us!

Unfortunately for Connacht they've actually not fielded an U19 team for the tournament this year.

Ulster U19s beat Leinster U19s 8-6 in Donnybrook on Friday, and Leinster play Munster this Friday. No Connacht team at U19s was a major let down for the tournament I feel.

Leinster U20's beat Ulster's U20's quite well in Donnybrook on Friday after the younger teams' game.
Definitely some stars of the future playing with Noel Reid starting at 12, engineering 2 tries, then moving to out half for the second half and doing it all over again. He missed one kick from the touchline and nailed everything else. Andrew Conway at 15 is incredibly lively, and with the right nurturing we could well have a fantastic headache for the fullback selection in a few years.
To their credit, Ulster dug deep, and never made it easy for Leinster, they scored a try in the last minute after some dogged phases of rugby and a lovely break by ten.

chupacabra

Deleted User wrote: »

Andrew Conway at 15 is incredibly lively, and with the right nurturing we could well have a fantastic headache for the fullback selection in a few years.

Not to mention Dave Kearney and Ian Madigan starting their transition into the full squad, I feel Madigan would definitely be getting a start in one of these opening ML games if it wasn't for injury.

Hyperbullet

Fantastic to see the youth coming through in Connacht. There have been some brilliant players coming through the youth ranks at Corinthians and 'Wegians the last few seasons. About time its come through at provincial level.

Size=everything wrote: »

In fairness the Munster youth teams are terrible.

Sorry but how have you drawn this conclusion, or is this one of your typical post where you make a statement and have nothing to back it with?

Size=everything

Hyperbullet wrote: »

Sorry but how have you drawn this conclusion, or is this one of your typical post where you make a statement and have nothing to back it with?

The under 20s for Munster will lose all their inter pro games, mark my words. I watch the youth teams regularly and know what I'm talking about.

Hyperbullet

Size=everything wrote: »

The under 20s for Munster will lose all their inter pro games, mark my words. I watch the youth teams regularly and know what I'm talking about.

Right, I'll take your word for it...:rolleyes:

Size=everything

Hyperbullet wrote: »

Right, I'll take your word for it...:rolleyes:

Munster Under 20s lost to Leinster U20s last night 26-14 last night.

Hyperbullet

Size=everything wrote: »

Munster Under 20s lost to Leinster U20s last night 26-14 last night.

:rolleyes: how did I know you'd gloat?

I am well aware of that thanks. Still doesnt add weight to your remark though does it?

Size=everything

Hyperbullet wrote: »

:rolleyes: how did I know you'd gloat?

I am well aware of that thanks. Still doesnt add weight to your remark though does it?

Well it will next week when they lose to Ulster as well.

I watch a lot of underage and know what I'm talking about. I said Munster would lose all their inter pro games and Leinster would win all theirs and so far I'm right on the mark.

Hyperbullet

Size=everything wrote: »

Well it will next week when they lose to Ulster as well.

I watch a lot of underage and know what I'm talking about. I said Munster would lose all their inter pro games and Leinster would win all theirs and so far I'm right on the mark.

Your comment originally was that Munster's underage set-up was rubbish. Yet Munster are still producing top class players at youth level that are coming through the academy's. A few years back Connacht won out the interpro and very few of that squad progressed onto senior level. Think John Muldoon was one of the only ones. Might be losing games but from I can see Munster youths are still producing top players. If it was rubbish as you say it is, that wouldnt be the case now would it? And quite frankly I dont care if you keep saying that "you know what you're talking about". Unless you are somehow involved in a provincial underage setup it adds no weight writing that.

Size=everything

Hyperbullet wrote: »

Your comment originally was that Munster's underage set-up was rubbish. Yet Munster are still producing top class players at youth level that are coming through the academy's. A few years back Connacht won out the interpro and very few of that squad progressed onto senior level. Think John Muldoon was one of the only ones. Might be losing games but from I can see Munster youths are still producing top players. If it was rubbish as you say it is, that wouldnt be the case now would it? And quite frankly I dont care if you keep saying that "you know what you're talking about". Unless you are somehow involved in a provincial underage setup it adds no weight writing that.

Might want to re read my post I said the Munster underage team were terrible that in no way reflects Munster's entire underage set up just that particular team :rolleyes:

Hyperbullet

To quote your good self:

Size=everything wrote: »

In fairness the Munster youth teams are terrible.r

Now, were you referring to just the u20's? Doesn't look like it.

RuggieBear

enough from the pair of you

Diom

Connacht win the Youths Interpro.

Tiernan O'Halloran and Eoin Griffen playing for the Seniors. Hopefully these guys will reach their full potential

Hyperbullet

Really hope so. Think Connacht really have to rely heavily on the youth coming through for the next few seasons because no more funding is coming their way. Brilliant to see these lads winning.

Size=everything

Hyperbullet wrote: »

Really hope so. Think Connacht really have to rely heavily on the youth coming through for the next few seasons because no more funding is coming their way. Brilliant to see these lads winning.

They lost to Ulster in their last game there but if Munster manage to beat Ulster they could finish second.

Hyperbullet

Diom wrote: »

Connacht win the Youths Interpro.

Tiernan O'Halloran and Eoin Griffen playing for the Seniors. Hopefully these guys will reach their full potential

Actually, what position's do these lads play?

siltirocker

Size=everything wrote: »

They lost to Ulster in their last game there but if Munster manage to beat Ulster they could finish second.

Connacht Youths didn't lose to Ulster in there last. Are you speaking of a different team or age level?

siltirocker

Hyperbullet wrote: »

Actually, what position's do these lads play?

Centre and Wing respectfully.

leeroybrown

In their first start Griffen was at Centre and O'Halloran on the wing. Those seemed like fairly natural positions for them.

g5fd6ow0hseima

I was talking to what I can only describe as your typical 'munster rugby head', you know, the type of fella who believes Munster are the creme de la creme of world rugby - telling me of all the teams he coached etc.... The kind of fella that would lash out if you told him Munster only won the HC when French teams stopped giving a ****e

When I pointed out that Connacht regularly defeated the likes of Munster and Leinster in underage in recent years, he disregarded it immediately by saying that Munster usually hold back in those games, and dont give a **** about playing Connacht in underage.

Some of you might have more of a knowledge of the underage provincial scene to be able to comment on his view, it'd be interesting to hear what some of you have to say on the matter.

Size=everything

Issac Shy Blouse wrote: »

I was talking to what I can only describe as your typical 'munster rugby head', you know, the type of fella who believes Munster are the creme de la creme of world rugby - telling me of all the teams he coached etc.... The kind of fella that would lash out if you told him Munster only won the HC when French teams stopped giving a ****e

When I pointed out that Connacht regularly defeated the likes of Munster and Leinster in underage in recent years, he disregarded it immediately by saying that Munster usually hold back in those games, and dont give a **** about playing Connacht in underage.

Some of you might have more of a knowledge of the underage provincial scene to be able to comment on his view, it'd be interesting to hear what some of you have to say on the matter.

I've met those types many times. Whenever Munster lose it's because they aren't trying etc. Quite annoying. In answer to your question Connacht do for some odd reason score a large number of victories over Munster in the underage games (I say odd because of the huge gulf in Connacht and Munster when it comes to the senior team) However Connacht dont beat the likes of Leinster or Ulster regularly. In fact I can't remember the last time the Connacht Under 20s beat Leinster Under 20s, it certainly hasn't been in the last 2 years anyway.

Essentially at underage level Leinster and Ulster dominate. Right now Leinsters under 20s squad are streets ahead of what the other provinces are offering but these things come in cycles.

Hyperbullet

Issac Shy Blouse wrote: »

I was talking to what I can only describe as your typical 'munster rugby head', you know, the type of fella who believes Munster are the creme de la creme of world rugby - telling me of all the teams he coached etc.... The kind of fella that would lash out if you told him Munster only won the HC when French teams stopped giving a ****e

When I pointed out that Connacht regularly defeated the likes of Munster and Leinster in underage in recent years, he disregarded it immediately by saying that Munster usually hold back in those games, and dont give a **** about playing Connacht in underage.

Some of you might have more of a knowledge of the underage provincial scene to be able to comment on his view, it'd be interesting to hear what some of you have to say on the matter.

First off, that guy doesnt represent the the majority of Munster fans. Every club has these people that have no interest in anything outside their own club.

Munster definitely seem to be underperforming at u20's level for whatever reason. I cant really comment on it further. Connacht have had great u20's teams though over the last few seasons. The u18s beat Leinster on saturday and won their third interpro in 4 years. This isnt something new in Connacht. The focus needs to shift to bringing these guys through to senior level.

It could be to do with the fact that most of Munsters players seem to come from the club game.maybe they start pinpointing the really good players around 22 or so and so they are late developers?

The senior cup is a godsend for Leinster because you can be sure 95% of the best talent in Leinster will be in this comp.So they can get them really young.

il gatto

Connacht don't have the funding to develop them further. Whatever money they get is used to bring in journeymen to just about keep the pro team alive. It's bad long term planning but it's hand to mouth stuff. I know a couple of lads who played under 20s and weren't offered anything afterwards as Connacht needed all available funds to pay for the running of the first team. They wouldn't risk money on lads who might not make the grade. One of them went to Bordeaux and has been there a couple of years now.
The potential is there but the money isn't. Ironic that the province most in need of a little cash injection gets the least amount from the IRFU every year.

Size=everything

Just an update Leinster won all their games, Munster just managed to beat Ulster by 1 point last night avoiding the wooden spoon by the skin of their teeth

Finished up,

Leinster
Ulster
Connacht
Munster

Not suprised by the finishing though a bit suprised Munster beat Ulster as that Ulster team came close when playing the Leinster team just goes to show how close all the teams were at the end of the day

wixfjord

Size=everything wrote: »

Just an update Leinster won all their games, Munster just managed to beat Ulster by 1 point last night avoiding the wooden spoon by the skin of their teeth

Finished up,

Leinster
Ulster
Connacht
Munster

Not suprised by the finishing though a bit suprised Munster beat Ulster as that Ulster team came close when playing the Leinster team just goes to show how close all the teams were at the end of the day

Jesus size I thought you were only good for Munster bashing but you seem to be very informed! Got that fairly right anyway!