Connacht V Warriors Friday 18th Feb @19.00 The Sportsground

seanin4711

Hi all!
Lets hope the momentum keeps on rolling !
The scarlets game we were bullied about the park for all of the first half but defended great!
Good second half display and closed it out!
More of the same!!!
lets be havin it!!!

Hope there are more supporters at the sportsground as we need as many as possible!!!!

porterbelly

Another win here would be huge and give us some real momentum. Lots of winnable games on the horizon and its time to kick and earn ourselves a respectable finish

SparKing

Should be more supporters as there is no 6N next weekend and it's not on TV, so hopefully it will pull them out from wherever they're hiding:D
1135 on Saturday according to the Magners League site :rolleyes:
What do ye reckon? didn't seem like it to me,

Zzippy

1135 was about right I'd say, probably fewer over the clubhouse side because of the weather so it looked bare.

Seanin's right, it was a great defensive display on Saturday, but we need to get our hands on more ball and retain it longer this week, and start creating more chances.
Anyone know is Matthews injured? I'd rather see him at 12 and Troy at 14 this week, or if Griffin is back have Niva at 12 and him at 13.
Cronin might be released for this one too seeing as he only got a few minutes on Sunday, Kidney may want him to get some gametime. Best was poor IMO so Cronin has a great chance of starting against Scotland.
Rodney was great when he came on too, I'd actually give him a start at tighthead, especially seeing as Hagan is leaving - if Rodney's good enough I wouldn't mind seeing Hagan left on the bench for the rest of this season after agreeing a deal and reneging on it.
Great to see Ray back in action too, he should start this week.

Wilko
Cronin
Ah You
Swift
McCarthy
Ofisa
JOC
Browne
Murphy
Keatley
Carr
Matthews/Ta'auso/Nathan
Ta'auso/Griffin
Nathan/Tuohy
Duffy

Bench: Flavin, Hagan, Barry, Upton, McComish, Willis, Nikora, Tuohy

Super chance to get some momentum going, a huge factor for the end of the season!

A lot of games over the next period that Connacht should be targetting, back to back wins at the Sportsground will make a big difference to the mood.

I'm seeing Connacht by 8 to be honest!

seanin4711

Warriors Home 18th Feb
Ospreys away 27th Feb
Treviso home 4th march
Aironi home 11th march
Arioni away 26th march
Edinburgh Home 1/2/3 April
Cardiff Home 16/17/18 April
Ulster away 22/23/24 April
Munster away 6/7/8 May

OUr 5 home games are very winnable and if we can get some bonus points along the way in the away games we should be in with a shout!!!

porterbelly

seanin4711 wrote: »

Warriors Home 18th Feb
Ospreys away 27th Feb
Treviso home 4th march
Aironi home 11th march
Arioni away 26th march
Edinburgh Home 1/2/3 April
Cardiff Home 16/17/18 April
Ulster away 22/23/24 April
Munster away 6/7/8 May

OUr 5 home games are very winnable and if we can get some bonus points along the way in the away games we should be in with a shout!!!

In with a shout for what?

seanin4711

the big show of course!
I dare not speaketh it atm!!!

jolley123

seanin4711 wrote: »

the big show of course!
I dare not speaketh it atm!!!

To reach the finals Connacht would have to get at least 5 wins and hope that neither Scarlets or Ospreys get any from here onwards.....

seanin4711

jolley123 wrote: »

To reach the finals Connacht would have to get at least 5 wins and hope that neither Scarlets or Ospreys get any from here onwards.....

I am not going to say it cos I will jinx them for sure!
Delighted we don't have the European cup to contend with so we can focus completely on moving up the league table!

freyners

porterbelly wrote: »

In with a shout for what?

this

couple of 5 pointers on the home games and ulster are well catchable, or am i just dreaming

seanin4711

freyners wrote: »

this

dont say it until it happens plz!

freyners

seanin4711 wrote: »

dont say it until it happens plz!

im afraid to say it myself, too supersitious, but its possible

porterbelly

freyners wrote: »

this

couple of 5 pointers on the home games and ulster are well catchable, or am i just dreaming

Yes. I've been doing the maths and its not all that unthinkable. We just have to keep winning, but Ulster aren't going to fall apart like they did last season. Its very unlikely. One game at a time though, cliched as it may be.

Top 4 is out of the question

cuculainn

Lets play this down a little bit and focus on ensuring a 4 point win Friday first off...If we actually move up the table then we can start looking further up....

Those two games home and away to Aironi are a great opertunity

seanin4711

Just got excited but not out of the question,here's hoping.
Gwan connacht

[Jackass]

No disrespect, but Connacht wont finish ahead of Ulster. I fancy Ulster as outsiders for the play-offs, but Connacht could certainly climb the table and get a mid-table finish, which would be great progress.

And despite some big names leaving, I think it's one of the best things that could have ever happened to Connacht, with all the promising young players around at the moment, Connacht is no longer seen as a last chance saloon for players and a graveyard for many careers, but really good players are going there, doing a few seasons, and moving back to the other provinces, so this will, initially at least, attract a lot of good youth to Connacht, and if they get enough, sooner or later the team will be doing well enough that players wont want to leave after a season or two.

I think Connacht might be done a favour for the big show, but I think they'll be in it next season, and if so, I think they'll have a happy transfer market in the off season, and not before time.

I think both Connacht and Ulster will come on leaps and bounds over the next few seasons.

evil_seed

no squad named yet. I find it very strange that it's this close to the game and nothing has been announced. Are they waiting on injuries/knocks to clear up?

Robbo

Murphy was the only worry, according to the Indo yesterday. The Advertiser doesn't have a squad today, which is quite unusual.

evil_seed

1 Brett Wilkinson
2 Sean Cronin
3 Jamie Hagan
4 Michael Swift
5 Mike McCarthy
6 Andrew Browne
7 Johnny O’Connor (C)
8 Ray Ofisa
9 Frank Murphy
10 Ian Keatley
11 Fionn Carr
12 Troy Nathan
13 Niva Ta’auso
14 Brian Tuohy
15 Gavin Duffy

16 Adrian Flavin
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Bernie Upton
20 Mike McComish
21 Cillian Willis
22 Mia Nikora
23 Shane Monahan

evil_seed

1 Ryan Grant
2 Fergus Thomson
3 Ed Kalman
4 Aly Muldowney
5 Tom Ryder
6 Robert Harley
7 Calum Forrester
8 Johnnie Beattie
9 Colin Gregor
10 Ruaridh Jackson
11 DTH van der Merwe
12 Peter Murchie
13 Federico Aramburu
14 Hefin O’Hare
15 Bernardo Stortoni

16 Finlay Gillies
17 Jon Welsh
18 Kevin Tkachuk
19 Ryan Wilson
20 Chris Fusaro
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Duncan Weir
23 Peter Horne

Digifriendly

evil_seed wrote: »

1 Ryan Grant
2 Fergus Thomson
3 Ed Kalman
4 Aly Muldowney
5 Tom Ryder
6 Robert Harley
7 Calum Forrester
8 Johnnie Beattie
9 Colin Gregor
10 Ruaridh Jackson
11 DTH van der Merwe
12 Peter Murchie
13 Federico Aramburu
14 Hefin O’Hare
15 Bernardo Stortoni

16 Finlay Gillies
17 Jon Welsh
18 Kevin Tkachuk
19 Ryan Wilson
20 Chris Fusaro
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Duncan Weir
23 Peter Horne

Looking at that side Connacht should have definite edge up front and deprive Glasgow backs (who look dangerous on paper) of the ball.

evil_seed

Can't wait for the game tonight. I'm proper excited. Haven't been this excited for a game in a while

Robbo

evil_seed wrote: »

11 DTH van der Merwe
12 Peter Murchie
13 Federico Aramburu
14 Hefin O’Hare
15 Bernardo Stortoni

Am I right in remembering some televised game earlier in the season where van der Merwe was an absolute defensive liability?

Zzippy

Robbo wrote: »

Am I right in remembering some televised game earlier in the season where van der Merwe was an absolute defensive liability?

I hope its a premonition, not a memory

Robbo

Half time.18-8. 2 tries for us. Tuohy and duffy. They have most the territory but we're better. They have one in the bin for 5 mins into the second half

Robbo

Half time.18-8. 2 tries for us. Tuohy and duffy. They have most the territory but we're better. They have one in the bin for 5 mins into the second half

CIARAN_BOYLE

Good to hear, a win tonight for Connacht is so important for them.

sickpuppy

Following it on facebook is there a wind in connachts favour in the first half?

Robbo

Job done. Bonus in

molloyjh

Robbo wrote: »

Job done. Bonus in

Nice. What's the score?

CIARAN_BOYLE

molloyjh wrote: »

Nice. What's the score?

according to the ML website 30-8

Go on the lads!

CIARAN_BOYLE

37-8 now penalty try

galwayrush

On fire tonight:cool:

TheHighRoad

galwayrush wrote: »

On fire tonight:cool:

Incredible. Connacht are going great places in the near future. As of right now they are more represented than even Munster at all underage levels and are on par with Ulster. I really think they've great talent coming through.

Zzippy

Super win, and for the second week in a row the defence was outstanding. Glasgow had plenty of possession but couldn't make it pay, when Connacht got possession they used it well. The high temp and offloading killed Glasgow, as well as great counter attacking. Keatley's break to set up Carr's try was outstanding, and his chip through for Duffy's try was class.
Cronin was very good tonight, he surely deserves to start against Scotland next week.

seanin4711

really long way to go i know but!
do we still have to finish ahead of ulster for HEC?
or whats the story?
thanks
j

PhatPiggins

seanin4711 wrote: »

really long way to go i know but!
do we still have to finish ahead of ulster for HEC?
or whats the story?
thanks
j

Seriously???? Do you honestly have to ask that question, its been answered at least 148 times on Connacht threads since the quarter against Bourgoin last year

Zzippy

seanin4711 wrote: »

really long way to go i know but!
do we still have to finish ahead of ulster for HEC?
or whats the story?
thanks
j

We can finish ahead of Ulster, or rely on Leinster to win the HEC, or Munster to win the Amlin. Those are the 3 ways we can qualify. Ulster look too far ahead tbh, and of course we're fixed to play them in Belfast second last game. We haven't won there in 50 years!

AngeGal

Zzippy wrote: »

We can finish ahead of Ulster, or rely on Leinster to win the HEC, or Munster to win the Amlin. Those are the 3 ways we can qualify. Ulster look too far ahead tbh, and of course we're fixed to play them in Belfast second last game. We haven't won there in 50 years!

Yeah obviously our best chance is Leinster/Munster. But I wouldn't totally rule out getting close to Ulster (it's really a shame the opportunites we let slip earlier in the season but no use talking about them now I suppose). In any case, It's be great to travel to Ravenhill with hope. Obviously I would be delighted with HC rugby in the sportsground via any method but to finish above Ulster and feel like we done it ourselves would be amazing.
Edited to say thought Scarlets had beaten Ulster when I wrote the above, Pienaar got last minute penalty to win it for Ulster, that probably means we have no chance of catching Ulster now.

Brenireland

Well Done on a Big win to connacht & I hope the fans enjoyed it,from Leinster fan.

pappyodaniel

It's more of a shame that Connacht are losing their high-profile players for next season.
Well done tonight.

Brenireland

pappyodaniel wrote: »

It's more of a shame that Connacht are losing their high-profile players for next season.
Well done tonight.

going to better teams.

evil_seed

The only payer we'll miss is Cronin. Hagan is being replaced by Rodney. Keats is good on his day but too inconsistent, and O'Connor is a capable replacement. As for Carr, well tonight is the first time I've ever shouted at one of our own players. He was at fault for their try and at maul time it looked like he was more interested in waltzing than getting the player with the ball. He also ****ed up the 3 on 1. Lets not even mention his letting of the ball roll out of play last week... oh too late

AngeGal

evil_seed wrote: »

The only payer we'll miss is Cronin. Hagan is being replaced by Rodney. Keats is good on his day but too inconsistent, and O'Connor is a capable replacement. As for Carr, well tonight is the first time I've ever shouted at one of our own players. He was at fault for their try and at maul time it looked like he was more interested in waltzing than getting the player with the ball. He also ****ed up the 3 on 1. Lets not even mention his letting of the ball roll out of play last week... oh too late

I would agree that O'Connor may be as good as Keatley has been for us, but it's a maybe. We will definitely miss Jamie Hagan though, the man is a beast and an excellent scummager. We're also sure to miss Fionn, he's one of those rare players who has the ability to make something out of nothing. I couldn't make it tonight unfortunately but Carr has been a fantastic player for us, to say we won't miss him is crazy.

CIARAN_BOYLE

evil_seed wrote: »

Hagan is being replaced by Rodney.

Big step down after Rodney to your second choice TH once Hagan is gone. No real option to substitute someone, especially now a days when replacing all props is normal.

pappyodaniel

evil_seed wrote: »

The only payer we'll miss is Cronin. Hagan is being replaced by Rodney. Keats is good on his day but too inconsistent, and O'Connor is a capable replacement. As for Carr, well tonight is the first time I've ever shouted at one of our own players. He was at fault for their try and at maul time it looked like he was more interested in waltzing than getting the player with the ball. He also ****ed up the 3 on 1. Lets not even mention his letting of the ball roll out of play last week... oh too late

Well that's me told!

You're right about Cronin, he needs to move on if he wants to claim the the Irish jersey.
Same about Keatley. He still has a lot to learn but on his day he can control a game, kick, pass and run with the best Irish out-halves. I don't O'Connor is up to much. He's very one dimensional in my eye.
It's not that long ago ye Westerners were going ape at Kidney not giving Fionn Carr a chance. He's without a doubt the most dangerous attacker on the Connacht team so with that in mind I'd say he'll be a big loss.

evil_seed

Carr in space is lethal and our best finisher. But he is too much of a mé Féiner. If you look back at our last 4 or 5 games what has he done? If he goes to Leinster he'll not get a game playing like that. Same at Ulster. I realise how fickle I sound, but maybe (ahem) Kidney was right (:o)

roycon

i think keatleys future may lie at full back or centre.

porterbelly

Lads you're kidding yourselves if you don't think we'll miss all 4 lads. Keatley for me has the potential to go all the way to the top. He's really come into his own in the last couple of months. Ok he may be inconsistent, but he can iron that out. Carr has been poor for awhile, his head isn't in it IMO, but he still can get a try out of nothing and we'll miss his gas on the wing. Hagan has been brilliant all season, and while Rodney looks a more than capable replacement, we'll miss the comfort of having 2 quality tightheads. Cronin is virtually irreplaceable.

These lads are 1st names on the teamsheet. What we needed to do was build around them and bring lads in and create more depth and competition, and add more quality all around the team. If we had kept these 4 with George coming back and adding 9/10 players to the squad, and letting a few go we'd be in a very strong position next season. However the rug has been pulled from under us somewhat, and unless we get significant investment and backing from the IRFU (which I won't hold my breath for), we're in a worse position next season than we were at the start of this season. This would have been considered unthinkable back in December after the big announcement by the IRFU.