Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Great news for Connacht and potentially Ireland

Diabhal Beag

Fully deserved. Been a standout for 2 seasons.

typhoony

troyzer wrote: »

I imagine Jack Kelly won't be given a senior contract.

I think he'd be a very poor signing, he was one of those players at school who was physically well developed, but had no scope for improvement.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

typhoony wrote: »

I think he'd be a very poor signing, he was one of those players at school who was physically well developed, but had no scope for improvement.

Haven’t really seen him play since under 20s but I think he’d be worth offering a development contract to anyways. Can play 13,14,15 and would have a serious point to prove

connemara man

The Friend Zone

https://twitter.com/ciankelleher94/status/1082684665050423296?s=19

It's official

Redo91

You've got a Friend in me

Like I said earlier a very strange move which he will more than likely regret in a few years but wish him all the best.

wp_rathead

You've got a Friend in me

Redo91 wrote: »

Like I said earlier a very strange move which he will more than likely regret in a few years but wish him all the best.

He backs himself to get into the best side in the world
Shame to see him go from Connacht POV but credit to him
We're looking light on backs next season

FACECUTTR

wp_rathead wrote: »

He backs himself to get into the best side in the world
Shame to see him go from Connacht POV but credit to him
We're looking light on backs next season

Will need at least 2 additions to the back 3. 1 realistically needs to be a decent quality niq and the other should be at least capable of challenging Niyi or Healy for a spot.
Fair play to him backing himself.

connachta

Kelleher is not to be Leinster 1st choice, not a natural defender. My opinion.
But I think Connacht stepped up enough to sign a slightly better choice too

The Lost Sheep

wp_rathead wrote: »

He backs himself to get into the best side in the world
Shame to see him go from Connacht POV but credit to him
We're looking light on backs next season

Have to admire his ambition and if he gets regular game time fair play to him but will he/
Yeah few signings needed

troyzer

Has anyone noticed that all four of the provincial threads are talking about contracts, potential signings etc. at the same time?

Bit weird. Where did that come from?

Burkie1203

Mul, it's over

connachta wrote: »

But I think Connacht stepped up enough to sign a slightly better choice too

Really? But Connacht aren't good enough to be confident of a win at Zebre according to you

Squidgy Black

troyzer wrote: »

Has anyone noticed that all four of the provincial threads are talking about contracts, potential signings etc. at the same time?

Bit weird. Where did that come from?

January first is the first date players can be approached by clubs for transfers for the next season I believe. So most are getting them sorted straight out of the gate.

The Rape of Lucretia

b.gud wrote: »

In actual contract News Jack Carty signs a 2 year extension https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/1082656806500028416

"Well deserved Jack"...well we know who had the upper hand in those discussions, even if they are a little full of themselves.

troyzer

Squidgy Black wrote: »

troyzer wrote: »

Has anyone noticed that all four of the provincial threads are talking about contracts, potential signings etc. at the same time?

Bit weird. Where did that come from?

January first is the first date players can be approached by clubs for transfers for the next season I believe. So most are getting them sorted straight out of the gate.

I knew there had to be a reason.

Cheers.

connachta

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Really? But Connacht aren't good enough to be confident of a win at Zebre according to you

Away, on a targeted game, maybe not.

Dubinusa

Some Like It TOH

Very surprised with the Kelleher decision.
I assume Connacht will sign Fitzgerald now and maybe an import.
I think Fitzgerald can do well for Connacht and become a really good player.
On a side note, I'm guessing Robb must be a goner. Especially with Daly signed on a loan.

eezipc

I can't believe it's not Butler

Unfortunately for Kelleher, he will be remembered mainly for the ball hitting him on the head and allowing Ulster in for a try.
A lot of times there is a bit of disappointment when a player leaves for another province ( Henshaw, McCarthy, Keatley etc).
This time I think the general consensus is meh....

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

eezipc wrote: »

Unfortunately for Kelleher, he will be remembered mainly for the ball hitting him on the head and allowing Ulster in for a try.
A lot of times there is a bit of disappointment when a player leaves for another province ( Henshaw, McCarthy, Keatley etc).
This time I think the general consensus is meh....

Wouldn't agree with that. He's been very good this season in particular, will be remembered as a prolific try scorer. I presume he is top pro14 try scorer for Connacht this season, is that available anywhere? Without going through game by game I mean.

He has a few months to add to that legacy too. Schmidt giving him a call in November to say he was close to the squad, or close enough to warrant a call anyway, is a reflection of his improvement.

eezipc

I can't believe it's not Butler

ClanofLams wrote: »

Wouldn't agree with that. He's been very good this season in particular, will be remembered as a prolific try scorer. I presume he is top pro14 try scorer for Connacht this season, is that available anywhere? Without going through game by game I mean.

He has a few months to add to that legacy too. Schmidt giving him a call in November to say he was close to the squad, or close enough to warrant a call anyway, is a reflection of his improvement.

We are all entitled to an opinion. You are right that he is top try scorer in top 14 for Connacht though.

Zzippy

eezipc wrote: »

Unfortunately for Kelleher, he will be remembered mainly for the ball hitting him on the head and allowing Ulster in for a try.
A lot of times there is a bit of disappointment when a player leaves for another province ( Henshaw, McCarthy, Keatley etc).
This time I think the general consensus is meh....

No he won't, that will be an unfortunate memory for (and of) him, but the abiding memory will be of him running in some great tries. Is ROG only remembered for giving away the penalty in SA? Is Sexton only remembered for being petulant to a few referees? Absolutely ridiculous comment. He will be a big loss and difficult to replace.

reap-a-rat

Mul, it's over

ClanofLams wrote: »

Wouldn't agree with that. He's been very good this season in particular, will be remembered as a prolific try scorer. I presume he is top pro14 try scorer for Connacht this season, is that available anywhere? Without going through game by game I mean.

Yeah he has 5 tries in Pro14 and 1 in the challenge cup (that super try against Perpignan). Next is Tom Farrell with 4 in Pro14 and there's a few lads on 3 - Boyle, Niyi, Bundee and Blade. Godwin is top in Challenge Cup with 3.

Tommybojangles

Mul, it's over

Sometimes Connacht fans are overly generous alright I think and my abiding memory of Kelleher will be frustration. Good finisher prone to lapses and bad defensive reads. Would be hopeful a NIQ could be signed similar to what Reece was supposed to be and should be an upgrade

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Disappointed kelleher is leaving, he’s brilliant attacking but a big new signing could improve the squad a lot.

Utopia Parkway

I presume Connacht will look to the SH again in recruiting a back three player in the Summer. Probably pick up an Irish youngster from somewhere as well whether it be Fitzgerald or not.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

I presume Connacht will look to the SH again in recruiting a back three player in the Summer. Probably pick up an Irish youngster from somewhere as well whether it be Fitzgerald or not.

I’d say you’d be looking at a first choice niq (Reece replacement). 23 standard (kelleher replacement) and a young Irish option

evil_seed

The Friend Zone

Kelleher is no loss. He's not good enough defensively and he's too inconsistent in general. Just my opinion.

His replacement will be better for sure

The Lost Sheep

Ultan signed for 2 more years
https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/1083011729343348736

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Ultan signed for 2 more years
https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/1083011729343348736

Great news. Turned down Munster again apparently, though they are reasonably well sorted in the position anyway.

thomond2006

Some Like It TOH

I'm glad Munster didn't sign Dillane and that's not a knock on him. Kleyn and Beirne will be the starters going forward at Munster and I'd look at Wycherley as someone who can compete for the position over the next few seasons. Dillane would be a luxury signing.