Connacht v Ulster 25-9-09

Zzippy

The first interpro of the season, and us ever-hopeful Connacht fans are slightly optimistic this year of beating Ulster in the Sportsground. With Stephen Ferris ruled out with a back injury, and Rory Best missing, the Ulster pack are less formidable than before, and Connacht's pack this year is a lot stronger than ever. In the backs, Ian Keatley continues to improve, and Fionn Carr seems to score tries for fun.
Having said that, Ulster were very impressive in their win away to Ospreys, and dominated Edinburgh for much of the game last week, and really should have won. Connacht were thumped by Edinburgh away, but were unlucky to lose their opening match to the Ospreys, conceding 10 points while Mike McComish was in the bin for coming in from the side, a ridiculous decision by the ref, and the yellow card has since been rescinded. Last week's win against Cardiff, with some great defence and actually managing to turn possession into scores, will have given the team a great morale boost, and they should be well up for it.
The 8.00 kickoff should help boost the attendance too - I know a good few lads heading to the game who wouldn't normally make it.

If we can put together back to back wins for the first time in a while, it will be a big step forward, and hopefully give the players some real belief.
Come on Connacht!

Connacht: G Duffy; B Tuohy, T Nathan, K Matthews, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan, A Browne, B Upton, J Muldoon, capt, R Ofisa, M McComish.
Replacements: A Flavin, R Morris, M McCarthy, J O'Connor, C O'Loughlin, L Bibo, A Wynne.

Ulster: C Schifcofske; T Nagusa, P Wallace, D Cave, S Danielli; I Humphreys, I Boss; T Court, A Kyriacou, BJ Botha, E O'Donoghue, D Tuohy, C Henry, W Faloon, R Diack.
Replacements: N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, N McComb, T Anderson, P Marshall, I Whitten, A Trimble.

Robbo

I'm cautiously optimistic on this one. We have the better pack which gives us the option of giving it the full gun up front and then springing the likes of Johnny and McCarthy from the bench on 50-55 with a brief of causing chaos. With Ferris out, the balance has tipped nicely in the back row.

I'd be worried about replacements in the backs though as Bibo hasn't played a single minute since he came back from the Colonies and has just done a belated pre-season conditioning. Likewise, Wynne hasn't seen much action so far.

Looks like the weather will be calm enough so kicking conditions should be decent and I hope the lads can make up for throwing the same fixture away at the end of last season.

Has Wallace played much at 13 before?

Zzippy

Yeah cover in the backs is a bit thin, but thats what you get for trimming the squad to less than 30. No cover at outhalf really, who goes to 10 if Keatley gets injured?
No idea about Wallace at 13, thought he was a 12. Cave could be a handful for Nathan, Troy did well against Roberts last week, but not sure his defence is as good against a smaller faster centre...

johnnyboy4711

Lets hope that he will let the game flow,and that their is no hidden agenda.
I totally disagree with the ref being from the IRFU when there are two provincial teams playing,too much politics involved!
Should be a neutral for me!
CONNACHT ABU!!!!

slan
john

anonymous_joe

johnnyboy4711 wrote: »

Lets hope that he will let the game flow,and that their is no hidden agenda.
I totally disagree with the ref being from the IRFU when there are two provincial teams playing,too much politics involved!
Should be a neutral for me!
CONNACHT ABU!!!!

slan
john

It's not politics that'd worry me about George Clancy reffing a game. :rolleyes:

OldJay

johnnyboy4711 wrote: »

I totally disagree with the ref being from the IRFU when there are two provincial teams playing,too much politics involved!
Should be a neutral for me!

George is neither from Connacht nor Ulster. He is from Munster and is therefore neutral.

anonymous_joe

Justind wrote: »

George is neither from Connacht nor Ulster. He is from Munster and is therefore neutral.

And shíte.

jj72

Anyone know if you have to buy ticekts or if u can pay on the gate?

You can pay at the gate JJ.

Inside the glass(Enclosed Stand) is sold out alright though.

Zzippy

Justind wrote: »

George is neither from Connacht nor Ulster. He is from Munster and is therefore neutral.

Justin, we know you work for the IRFU, but you don't have to come on and defend everyone involved all the time. The standard of refereeing in the ML is a joke, and that includes some of the Irish referees. Peter Fitzgibbon is a case in point, I don't know one Connacht supporter that would have anything good to say about him. Some of the decisions I've seen him give are indefensible, and would make you wonder about the way referees performances are reviewed. Just wondering, do the senior referees ever sit down with these guys and go through their games, looking at decisions they've made?

phog

Zzippy wrote: »

Justin, we know you work for the IRFU, but you don't have to come on and defend everyone involved all the time. The standard of refereeing in the ML is a joke, and that includes some of the Irish referees. Peter Fitzgibbon is a case in point, I don't know one Connacht supporter that would have anything good to say about him. Some of the decisions I've seen him give are indefensible, and would make you wonder about the way referees performances are reviewed. Just wondering, do the senior referees ever sit down with these guys and go through their games, looking at decisions they've made?

That surely is a different point entirely from the one around being neutral???????

Zzippy

phog wrote: »

That surely is a different point entirely from the one around being neutral???????

Yes, but there is a very strong opinion here that some of the refs we get are very biased. I should have clarified my point - just because someone is supposedly neutral doesn't mean that they ref that way, and it also doesn't mean that they aren't crap.
Anyway, enough about refs, off to the pub, then the match!

anonymous_joe

Darran Cave - Trimble with hands.

FridaysWell

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Darran Cave - Trimble with hands.

*scratches head*

Connacht really need to put the pressure on now, get a try before half time. Typical western game.

conf101

anyone have a stream of this?

frankie2shoes

considering the relative budgets of the 2 teams, ya gotta be impressed with Connaught's performance so far. Have really killed Ulsters possession. 7-6 to Ulster, but there's still a chance for the underdogs..............

Stev_o

You know what, Issac Boss is the most inform SH in the country at the moment. Yes i just said that and yes it's justified, his pass his crisp clean and fast and he's stopped crabbing and his box kicks have been brilliant tonight.

FridaysWell

Stev_o wrote: »

You know what, Issac Boss is the most inform SH in the country at the moment. Yes i just said that and yes it's justified, his pass his crisp clean and fast and he's stopped crabbing and his box kicks have been brilliant tonight.

Agree, he most certainly is, and was better then O'Leary anyway.

6-14 c'mon Connacht

Stev_o

Also at this rate Kyriacou would be my choice to replace Best for Irelands number 2 bench spot or even challenge for the first spot iv been mighty impressed with him since he switched from Scarries.

anonymous_joe

FridaysWell wrote: »

*scratches head*

Connacht really need to put the pressure on now, get a try before half time. Typical western game.

He has pace and power and didn't drop the ball.

FridaysWell

Stev_o wrote: »

Kyriacou

Don't think he can play for Ireland. He was born in Liverpool and played for England U21s. Be good if he could though.

FridaysWell

anonymous_joe wrote: »

He has pace and power and didn't drop the ball.

Trimble pace? Hmmmm. . .

Stev_o

FridaysWell wrote: »

Don't think he can play for Ireland. He was born in Liverpool and played for England U21s. Be good if he could though.

He has Irish connections though im sure of hearing it that he is actually Irish qualified.

FridaysWell

Stev_o wrote: »

He has Irish connections though im sure of hearing it that he is actually Irish qualified.

Sure it be no harm if he could. Certainly a good hooker.

anonymous_joe

FridaysWell wrote: »

Trimble pace? Hmmmm. . .

He definitely has some.

FridaysWell wrote: »

Don't think he can play for Ireland. He was born in Liverpool and played for England U21s. Be good if he could though.

Think it's only A's, 7's and real caps that count?

Chucky the tree

How do the ref and linesman miss the most obvious right uppercut ever?

FridaysWell

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Think it's only A's, 7's and real caps that count?

Hmm, think you are right, but is he Irish qualified?? Thats the Q.
He would certainly strngthen an area where, well I don't think we have a problem there?

Chucky the tree wrote: »

How do the ref and linesman miss the most obvious right uppercut ever?

You must admit 'twas a nice one, bloody blind refs though.

aftermn

How'd it end up?

FridaysWell

aftermn wrote: »

How'd it end up?

Well it is 6-30 (conversion pending) to Ulster at 75 minutes gone.

Connacht

chupacabra

Fell asleep at 6 - 7 dreaming of a great victory for Connacht! Woke up just as Humphries touched down the 4th try. Sorry lads i cost ye the game by not being able to stay awake

outwest

good crowd, good atmosphere. good 1st half.

then typical connacht. when were 8 points down. just give up. defending was awful for the two 1st trys. conancht were playing 16 men with clancey as a ref. missed alot of things i nthe game. boh set of supporters dont like him. i was near some ulster supporter and they seem to dispise him.

an frank murphy must be dropped for next game. conner is a better passer. frank messed up a attacking phase of play with an awful pass to keatley. our pack were great today. but once again the backs mess evrything all up.

that ulster hooker ownt be in irish squad. connacht stole a few lineouts tonight and to my knowledge we didnt lose one.

this bit might get me banned. but bradley go back to cork u prick

RuggieBear

outwest banned.

il gatto

This is only killing Connacht at this stage. There's nothing to be gained by persisting with Bradley and underfunding. No province could sustain this sort of crap season after season.
The best solution, imo, is to try and get EOS back from the U.S. He lives in Galway, he's had time away from the IRFU, he's a systems man and he might even weedle a bit more cash from the IRFU. And no doubt he could convince them of the need to send more young talent this way for the national good. I'm fed up ragging on Bradley at this stage. I'm just going to endure it all for the duration in the hope that he eventually goes away and Eddie rolls into town and we have a rennaisance culminating in a ECC final and HEC qualification. You know it makes sense;):rolleyes:.

OldJay

Zzippy wrote: »

Just wondering, do the senior referees ever sit down with these guys and go through their games, looking at decisions they've made?

To answer your question, all referees at all levels undergo regular assessment.
I don't automatically jump to the gate for refs every time, by the way, so you're barking up the wrong tree there, zzippy mate. The poster I replied to implied that George Clancy would be biased because he was from another province and that he was an IRFU referee, which to my mind is bananas.
Of course refs make mistakes and so do their assistants running the line. The more games you do and the bigger the games you do, the greater the experience. Just like a player.

In the latest Total Rugby edition, there's a discussion between Alan Lewis and Test cricket umpire, Ian Gould. Have a listen to the podcast or watch the show. An excellent insight into the role and experiences of a referee.

Size=everything

To be honest I'm sick of hearing all this underfunding ****e from Connacht. The IRFU will obviously fund more to the bigger clubs as they have bigger operating costs. If Connacht really aspire to be a big club then they need to get the supporters into the ground first but to be honest there just doesn't seem to be the support in numbers. I mean its Connacht's own fault they have the money to get some very good ML players but instead they pay out to players like Troy Nathan etc. Connacht generally buy poorly. Keatley and Carr being exceptions. Even if it was because they can't afford good ML players (which I highly doubt) why didn't they go for the likes of McIreney, Felix Jones, McLaughlin who only last season were itching to be signed for game time.
Why is it that Munster, Leinster and Ulster seem to be able to bring through quality players yet Connacht struggle so much. I know rugbys more popular in those regions than Connacht but it still doesn't explain such a huge void. I mean one has to ask if this is all Bradley, Surely Bradley can't be blamed for years of bad transfers and a youth set up that simply isn't yielding. I think Connacht need a serious shake up and I don't think sacking Bradley is the solution (though it would be a start) Honestly the IRFU should stick the finger out and sort the problems out once and for all. There is absolutely no point in the IRFU throwing money at Connacht when they'll piss it away on terrible signings and won't grow any players for Irish rugby.

Please don't take my rant as an attack on Connacht rugby by the way, just the people in charge of Connacht rugby.




As an aside how was Trimble last night? Who stood out? How was Keatley?

phog

outwest wrote: »

.....conancht were playing 16 men with clancey as a ref. missed alot of things i nthe game......

How can any reasonable supporter blame the ref for the result last night, yes he missed a few things but it was well balanced in that he could have penalised Connacht a few times when it was actually Ulster he penalised, overall it didnt have any bearing on the result.....btw, Connacht were lucky to finish with 15 men on the field.

Size=everything wrote: »

...... I mean its Connacht's own fault they have the money to get some very good ML players but instead they pay out to players like Troy Nathan etc. ........?

I think Nathan is possibly Irish qualified and this may have influenced their decision to buy, I think he was one of the better players last night for Connacht.

Diabhal Beag

Defending was a really disappointment for me watching last night, another season where we will struggle. A lot of mistakes and poor turnovers in Ulster's favor. 6 points is just a terrible score.

I think Bradley may not have long left, but that's being way too positive.

LOL at a Leinster fan being annoyed at hearing about Connacht's problems and financial structure. Get off that high chair and understand that we are getting nowhere near the funding of Leinster.

Size=everything

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

LOL at a Leinster fan being annoyed at hearing about Connacht's problems and financial structure. Get off that high chair and understand that we are getting nowhere near the funding of Leinster.

Eh If you cared to actually read my post thats exactly what I said of course your not getting anywhere near the funding of Leinster, Leinster are one of the biggest club teams in NH and have massive operating costs. Connacht get more than enough money to mount a sufficient campaign yet piss it away on woeful signings and don't develop their young players. No amount of money will change that. I am sick of the insufficient funding excuse some of their players are on double what a good player in the ML is on. There were some excellent signings avaliable for them last season on the cheap and they failed to captalise.

crisco10

Size=everything wrote: »

Eh If you cared to actually read my post thats exactly what I said of course your not getting anywhere near the funding of Leinster, Leinster are one of the biggest club teams in NH and have massive operating costs. Connacht get more than enough money to mount a sufficient campaign yet piss it away on woeful signings and don't develop their young players. No amount of money will change that. I am sick of the insufficient funding excuse some of their players are on double what a good player in the ML is on. There were some excellent signings avaliable for them last season on the cheap and they failed to captalise.

Not that Leinster haven't signed their fair share of (pricey-ish) lemons either... Hekenui, Finnegan etc.

Chucky the tree

Size=everything wrote: »

To be honest I'm sick of hearing all this underfunding ****e from Connacht. The IRFU will obviously fund more to the bigger clubs as they have bigger operating costs. If Connacht really aspire to be a big club then they need to get the supporters into the ground first but to be honest there just doesn't seem to be the support in numbers. I mean its Connacht's own fault they have the money to get some very good ML players but instead they pay out to players like Troy Nathan etc. Connacht generally buy poorly. Keatley and Carr being exceptions. Even if it was because they can't afford good ML players (which I highly doubt) why didn't they go for the likes of McIreney, Felix Jones, McLaughlin who only last season were itching to be signed for game time.
Why is it that Munster, Leinster and Ulster seem to be able to bring through quality players yet Connacht struggle so much. I know rugbys more popular in those regions than Connacht but it still doesn't explain such a huge void. I mean one has to ask if this is all Bradley, Surely Bradley can't be blamed for years of bad transfers and a youth set up that simply isn't yielding. I think Connacht need a serious shake up and I don't think sacking Bradley is the solution (though it would be a start) Honestly the IRFU should stick the finger out and sort the problems out once and for all. There is absolutely no point in the IRFU throwing money at Connacht when they'll piss it away on terrible signings and won't grow any players for Irish rugby.

Please don't take my rant as an attack on Connacht rugby by the way, just the people in charge of Connacht rugby.

Eh who else is to blame? He's been there 6 or so years hasn't he?

anonymous_joe

crisco10 wrote: »

Not that Leinster haven't signed their fair share of (pricey-ish) lemons either... Hekenui, Finnegan etc.

I've always had a soft spot for Eddie Hekenui. It's the name really.

I just struggle to think of a decent player who Connacht have signed who wasn't an Irish player needing a club.

RuggieBear

warwick
gatland

Size=everything

Size=everything wrote: »

To be honest I'm sick of hearing all this underfunding ****e from Connacht. The IRFU will obviously fund more to the bigger clubs as they have bigger operating costs. If Connacht really aspire to be a big club then they need to get the supporters into the ground first but to be honest there just doesn't seem to be the support in numbers. I mean its Connacht's own fault they have the money to get some very good ML players but instead they pay out to players like Troy Nathan etc. Connacht generally buy poorly. Keatley and Carr being exceptions. Even if it was because they can't afford good ML players (which I highly doubt) why didn't they go for the likes of McIreney, Felix Jones, McLaughlin who only last season were itching to be signed for game time.
Why is it that Munster, Leinster and Ulster seem to be able to bring through quality players yet Connacht struggle so much. I know rugbys more popular in those regions than Connacht but it still doesn't explain such a huge void. I mean one has to ask if this is all Bradley, Surely Bradley can't be blamed for years of bad transfers and a youth set up that simply isn't yielding. I think Connacht need a serious shake up and I don't think sacking Bradley is the solution (though it would be a start) Honestly the IRFU should stick the finger out and sort the problems out once and for all. There is absolutely no point in the IRFU throwing money at Connacht when they'll piss it away on terrible signings and won't grow any players for Irish rugby.

Please don't take my rant as an attack on Connacht rugby by the way, just the people in charge of Connacht rugby.

Ok first of all the points you have made in your posts basically says why we can't develop a fanbase.I could go through all the points but it can be basically be put down to poor facilities,lack of any faith in Bradley,lack of respect for supporters by the Connacht Branch,lack of finance to spend on proper marketing,Journeymen being brought in year after year who are hard for fans to identify with and Bradley but the main reason is if you are thinking of going to the sportsground on a Friday night you read about us losing by 50 points to Edinburgh the week before you see the rain bucketing from the sky and you know there is no shelter up there,are you willing to stand in the cold and wet for approx 100 minutes watching your team being beaten?Maybe once or twice but people aren't going to chuck away 20 euro if they are not getting something in return.

It is the people running Connacht Rugby who have a lot to answer for I agree.They are compliant in this Irfu underfunding and continuing with a failed coach season in season out.

The youth system in Connacht is relatively strong and getting stronger each year and is starting to bring through some talented young players some of whom Bradley won't select or only if backed into a corner.3 out of 4 youth interpros and a win over Munster at u20 this year and giving Ulster and Leinster a good run.

Also it hasn't all been terrible signings even if there have been a lot of bad ones but for example we picked the likes of Ray Ofisa and Brett Wilkinson up for peanuts and both are good players.

There are lots of problems in Connacht Rugby but I think thats its the system that allows Bradley to stay in charge this long that really shows whats wrong with rugby in the province

Zzippy

Size=everything wrote: »

Eh If you cared to actually read my post thats exactly what I said of course your not getting anywhere near the funding of Leinster, Leinster are one of the biggest club teams in NH and have massive operating costs. Connacht get more than enough money to mount a sufficient campaign yet piss it away on woeful signings and don't develop their young players. No amount of money will change that. I am sick of the insufficient funding excuse some of their players are on double what a good player in the ML is on. There were some excellent signings avaliable for them last season on the cheap and they failed to captalise.

1. Its not so many years since Leinster were a poorly supported team, so get off your high horse about being so big - not everyone is lucky enough to have a few thousand bandwagon-jumpers. The big Leinster support is a recent phenomenon, many attracted by success - founded on sufficient funding and resources.
2. Connacht don't get more than sufficient money - the squad was trimmed from 34 to 29 this year because of costs. Yes we should do more to bring on young players, but we don't have the academy resources other provinces have, and with such a small squad it would be a huge risk to include a young player.
3. Can you name any of these supposed high earners and what they're supposed to earn?
4. Who were these excellent signings available on the cheap last year? Any names??

The only thing I agree with you on is that its not just a matter of resources. The coach is responsible for success or failure - the standard required should be finishing higher than last, and not losing regularly by huge scores. That has not been achieved in Bradley's time. I believe even with our lack of resources that a good coach could achieve a lot more than Bradley has.

il gatto

As mentioned, it isn't all Bradley's fault, but as head coach for so long he has to be held responsible for the signings. Some have been good, many have been crap.
Leinster may be one of the largest "clubs" in Europe now, but surely that provides them with an income stream which would enable them to receive less funding. If the IRFU were in any way serious about bringing Connacht up to a decent level, surely more money should be ploughed in to achieve that,
It's not so many years since Donnybrook would be only 1/4 full to watch a Celtic league match against the likes of Border Reivers. Success brings support and it's wishful thinking that Connacht can draw big crowds in the expectation of future success based on their ticket money now.
In fact the only province who could boast high attendances a decade ago was Ulster and they were more or less the best province on the island at the time.
Accademy wise, loads of potential talent is going to waste because Connacht can't afford to risk scare resources on young players. The squad is small, money is tight and unfortunately journeymen players make up too big a percentage of Connacht's players.
Bradley going would only be the first step. There's far more to fix than just his extended tenancy.

irishbucsfan

Zzippy wrote: »

1. Its not so many years since Leinster were a poorly supported team, so get off your high horse about being so big - not everyone is lucky enough to have a few thousand bandwagon-jumpers. The big Leinster support is a recent phenomenon, many attracted by success - founded on sufficient funding and resources.

This is true, Leinster are benefitting hugely from the explosion of popularity of rugby in Ireland. 10 years ago neither Leinster or Munster had the kind of support they get today.

I'd never heard of the 34->29 reduction of the squad before, that's sad to hear. Connacht need that space in their squad to develop young players from inside the province, otherwise it will be impossible for them to succeed. Maybe the IRFU should look at a system of combining the Connacht academy with another team's.

il gatto

irishbucsfan wrote: »

This is true, Leinster are benefitting hugely from the explosion of popularity of rugby in Ireland. 10 years ago neither Leinster or Munster had the kind of support they get today.

I'd never heard of the 34->29 reduction of the squad before, that's sad to hear. Connacht need that space in their squad to develop young players from inside the province, otherwise it will be impossible for them to succeed. Maybe the IRFU should look at a system of combining the Connacht academy with another team's.

If Connacht looked at how much NIQ players are paid compared to young academy players in their first couple of seasons professional, would the squad have been cut? I don't know what the difference (if any) there is, but I know in soccer, alot of League of Ireland teams were paying hack players who couldn't make it in Scotland of the lower English divisions silly money. I would be interested to know what sort of pay Nathan, Ofisa, Bibo etc. receive and is it realistic for Connacht to pay them at the expense of squad size. As I said, if there's a big difference.
This season's squad page shows 30 at the moment, but one of them is probably out on a long injury. Pretty sparse looking. 29 is not quite 2 teams and only 6 players more than the new 23 man squad for every match. That's cutting it very fine indeed.
By the way, has anyone noticed Connacht don't have a home game for over 2 months before Christmas? Oct 30 and then Jan 2. That's not normal, is it? I've never noticed that in fixture lists before. Maybe it's happened loads of times, but I've never noticed it.

Zzippy

il gatto wrote: »

By the way, has anyone noticed Connacht don't have a home game for over 2 months before Christmas? Oct 30 and then Jan 2. That's not normal, is it? I've never noticed that in fixture lists before. Maybe it's happened loads of times, but I've never noticed it.

Eh, we've Worcester at home on December 18th. Big gap is cos of the Autumn Internationals in November, no league games. We've 3 home games in a row then in January so not all bad...

Oct 30th ML Connacht v Scarlets 6:30pm Sportsground
Dec 6th ML Cardiff Blues v Connacht 3:00pm Arms Park
Dec 12th ECC Worcester v Connacht 3:00pm Sixways
Dec 18th ECC Connacht v Worcester 7:00pm Sportsground
Dec 26th ML Munster v Connacht 7:30pm Thomond Park
Jan 2nd ML Connacht v Leinster 4:00pm Sportsground
Jan 9th ML Connacht v Dragons Sportsground
Jan 16th ECC Connacht v Montpellier Sportsground

il gatto

Sorry, I just meant league games. I can't make the Worcester game due to work and I was hoping to see one in the run up to Christmas but there's nothing until 2nd Jan. When I also can't make it.

Digifriendly

According to ML website less than 2,500 at last Friday's inter-pro and this with a later KO time. It's a bit disappointing to see so few through the gates for Irish derby especially when compared to over 12,000 at Cardiff vs Scarlets Welsh East West derby.

Chucky the tree

Digifriendly wrote: »

According to ML website less than 2,500 at last Friday's inter-pro and this with a later KO time. It's a bit disappointing to see so few through the gates for Irish derby especially when compared to over 12,000 at Cardiff vs Scarlets Welsh East West derby.

Would you pay money to see connaught play?