Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

ElisaAtWar

I think back to when Mils Muliaina and Bundee Aki were signed at Connacht. At that time I was informed that Aki was the real signing. And since then he has been proven to be just that. His performances alongside Henshaw are a thing of Connacht folklore these days.

But as the years rolled on and Pat Lam was replaced by Andy Friend you began to see the fractures appearing. So while Andy replaced him or didn't even select him Bundee went from strength to strength at international level. Now Wilkins didn't have the balls to do that which was unfortunate.

I think of all the players who has played for Connacht for a decade, Bundee will be probably the only player who will leave Connacht next year to mixed reviews.

I did think he was an incredible player ( and still is at international level). He just decided he was too big for the province.

And that was the point I was really trying to make. His priorities are a mess. So the less we see him in a Connacht jersey next season the happier I will be. As a Connacht supporter I'm used to losing but I would prefer losing with players that are committed

FtD v2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123707932#Comment_123707932

You’re being ridiculously unfair to him here, and the notion that he’ll retire to anything other than absolute fanfare and acknowledgment as one of Connacht’s greatest ever players is implausible.

He’s been an incredible player for Connacht.

sydthebeat

The Contrarian view is important sometimes, even if just there to present the ridiculous.

ElisaAtWar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123709697#Comment_123709697

Or to provide an alternative perspective which has value. Everyone has a perspective, some hide behind it. I am not one of those

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123709845#Comment_123709845

Well I'd say a large majority disagree with your view on Bundee.

Lost Ormond

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123709857#Comment_123709857

Sometimes the contrarian view is fine. Amd as long as it doesnt resort to name calling/abuse then who cares. If it gets a few more posts here in the off season then we're better off than no posts at all!

But yeah id totally disagree on bundee and dont think many would agree with that post at all

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123709845#Comment_123709845

Ah but you see, when you present the Contrarian view constantly, when it is obviously the incorrect viewpoint, it's becomes your "Schtick" and you become a pantomime. So actually yes, that Contrarian persona actually DOES become the viewpoint you hide behind because you feel you have to be the odd one out all the time.

Like the bundee thing you're doing. Any impartial analysis of bundees Connacht career will show that his actual input to connacht did drop over time, at a time when he becomes both older and full time test player. His pro COVID career at Connacht will have him as a Connacht legend and one of the best players ever for the province. You can do this impartial analysis without calling into question his respect for this teammates ("to big for the province") and his life decisions ("his priorities are a mess"). However YOU chose to do that to further your own Schtick.

Be edgy if you want, as I said the Contrarian viewpoint is valuable sometimes, but when you become a parody and the alternative view is constant and for its own sake, then unfortunately it becomes very difficult to take the viewpoint with any seriousness.

Lost Ormond

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123710061#Comment_123710061

I was on my phone earlier but totally agree with all of this, But still in off season can see point of posts like it as long as they dont resort to abuse/name calling. being completely wrong is almost a good thing considering there can be so little news at times here in July/August!!

El_Duderino 09

I don't agree with the sentiment of the poster, and I don't make any suggestion of lack of effort or desire when playing for connacht.

I think you could argue that Aki is more effective or more able to express his ability in the Ireland team than the connacht team. The quality and threat posed by players inside and outside him for Ireland mean opposition defence can put less focus on him when playing for Ireland than Connacht.

Plus the most obvious element is that he's more often playing with a relatively better pack with Ireland than Connacht. Nobody looks as good when their pack tends to be less dominant and I think Connacht's pack are more likely to be dominated than dominant in big games against top teams when Aki is more likely to play.

Aki will retire a Connacht hero. Few players have done more for Connacht both on and off the pitch.

cson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123709845#Comment_123709845

Definite stretch to claim it has value Ellie.

It is something though, I'll grant you that.

lavrenti

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123712476#Comment_123712476

It's a cri de coeur from Eliza, a desire to have someone, somewhere engage with them.

cson

Anyone local to the Sportsground got an update on progress? I know we're in or around builders holidays so that'll slow things but haven't seen anything from Conack or Connacht since June.

ElisaAtWar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123714002#Comment_123714002

A cry from the heart or maybe un cri pour être remarqué. Or just maybe a very simple cry to get this darn thing right. Time and again I hear how good this team is. Time and again this team doesn't show up. Let's start there. Honesty is more important

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123717167#Comment_123717167

I don't even know why I'm bothering to respond to you. We've got a great coach now. We've got a guy who will develop young players and manage everything surrounding the club. I know he prefers to leave everyday management of finances etc. to somebody else but he's hands on. He's already spoken with the head coach in my club, a junior club.

FACECUTTR

A friend who works there said they were putting in some seating this week.

seanin4711

Wonder what are the chances of new stand being open for the Ulster match 27th Dec,

or wait for a dignitary to cut the ribbon in conjunction with Dexcom Athenry etc as planned in Jan 26.

RonnieL

I've always assumed that if they finish ahead of schedule, they'll use it, but time will tell I guess. Exciting to hear talk of seats going in.

cson

Yeah it'd be amazing if it was open for the Ulster match, the place would sell out in minutes at Christmas.

Shelflife

Seats are going in already, Green seats with DEXCOM spelt out in white seats.

Looks good. Leinster game is still the target.

Shelflife

yesterday

Mr Tickle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123721607#Comment_123721607

Is there going to be a terrace in front of that seating? I thought that was in the original plans.

Shelflife

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123724591#Comment_123724591

Yes there will be.

realhorrorshow

CONNACHT U18 VS MUNSTER U18
1:00 PM, Saturday 16th August @ Creggs RFC

15. Cian Hynes (Tuam RFC / St. Jarlath's College)
14. Dan Kelly (Creggs RFC / Coláiste Mhuire Ballygar)
13. Darragh Glennon (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College) 
12. John Brendan McDonnell (Galway Bay RFC / St. Joseph's Patrician College)
11. Owen Egan (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College) 
10. Dylan Curran (Galway Bay RFC / Coláiste Chroí Mhuire)
9. Luke Molloy (Corinthians RFC / Presentation College Athenry)
1. James Siva (Galway Bay RFC / St. Joseph's Patrician College)
2. Hugh Óg Arnold (Sligo Rugby / Summerhill College)
3. Corey Kelly (Tuam RFC / St. Jarlath's College)
4. Dan Allen (Sligo Rugby / Summerhill College)
5. JJ Phillips (Galwegians RFC / Coláiste Iognáid)
6. Rueben Colleran (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College) Captain
7. Alastair Hewson (Carrick-on-Shannon RFC / Sligo Grammar)
8. Ruben Flynn (Corinthians RFC / CCR Roscrea)

16. Felix Zeray (Westport RFC / Rice College Westport)
17. Reuben Galvin (Sligo Rugby / Sligo Grammar)
18. Daithí Lambe (Cashel RFC / Rockwell College)
19. Emmanuel Albert (Ballinasloe RFC / Garbally College)
20. Cian Kiernan (Creggs RFC / CBS Roscommon)
21. Connor O'Reilly (Galwegians RFC / Coláiste Iognáid)
22. Brian McHugh (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Bhaile Chláir)
23. Giacomo Gambi-Whelan (Sligo Rugby / Grange PPS)

realhorrorshow

CONNACHT U19 VS LEINSTER U19
3:00 PM, Saturday 16th August @ Creggs RFC

15. Josh Kelly (St. Mary's College)
14. Peter Moran (Carrick-on-Shannon RFC / Mohill Community College)
13. Oisin O'Donoghue (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College)
12. Daniel Browne (Corinthians RFC / St. Joseph's Patrician College)
11. Philip Finnan (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College)
10. Oisin Kelly (Suttonians RFC / St Fintans High School Dublin)
9. Tom Walsh (Buccaneers RFC / Clongowes Wood College) Captain
1. Cathal Moffatt (Sligo Rugby / Sligo Grammar)
2. Seán Glennon (Ballinasloe RFC / Garbally College)
3. Ryan Duffy (Buccaneers RFC)
4. Pasha Thiam (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Éinde)
5. Dara Walsh (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Éinde)
6. James Greaney (Corinthians RFC / Presentation College Athenry)
7. Luke Keaveny (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Bhaile Chláir)
8. Simon Cantwell (Suttonians RFC / St Fintans High School Dublin)

16. Oisin Meehan (Corinthians RFC / Presentation College Athenry)
17. Jaynel Almanzar (Galwegians RFC / Coláiste Muire Máthair)
18. Dara Noone (Corinthian RFC / Coláiste Bhaile Chláir)
19. Matthew McNamara (Galwegians RFC / Coláiste Éinde)
20. Dylan Rice (Castlebar RFC / St. Geralds College)
21. Fiachra O'Neill (Connemara RFC / Clifden Community School)
22. Billy Cross (Naas RFC / Newbride College)
23. Oisin Berthoz (Corinthians RFC / St. Joseph's Patrician College)

Robbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123725342#Comment_123725342

Is Daniel Browne named at 12 there anything to Damian or Andrew?

ShamoBuc

Mod

Welcome and Feedback thread open for those interested.

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123732563#Comment_123732563

What's that relatiing to?

b.gud

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123733482#Comment_123733482

Seems to be related to the whole rugby forum a space to give feedback etc

cson

Jeez the new away jersey is dogsh!t.

Zero creativity altogether, I didn't love the black jersey with the county names in Irish but at least it was unique.

SqueakyKneecap

I just can't get behind Macron. They haven't really convinced me they've improved from being cheap looking soccer suppliers years back. They're still a step-up from Castore though at least.