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Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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connachta

connachta

23 forwards, 19 backs

I'm afraid we finish on 42 with no LH or OH signed

Would be a minimun, with SOB re-signed at least

freyners

Stephen Fitzgerald forced to retire. Gutted for the lad

testtech05

freyners wrote: »

Stephen Fitzgerald forced to retire. Gutted for the lad

Very unfortunate. Must have had a horrible injury when you consider the likes of Masterson was able to get back from his that time.

He looked good for us in the games he had played and I had hoped even if he wasn't being kept on he might continue somewhere else.....

Best of luck to him!

ionadnapóca

freyners wrote: »

Stephen Fitzgerald forced to retire. Gutted for the lad

Brutal. I always liked Fitzgerald. Particularly from FB.
Looking for silver linings at leas he is still of an age to have had a professional rugby career and can still prepare himself for a new career.

Touch of class about his statement
"Lastly, I just want to thank everyone who has helped me get to where I am today. I’m extremely lucky to have amazing friends and family who have supported me. My family and girlfriend have been there for me more than they will ever realise and I just hope I’ve made them proud of what I’ve done.

"I look forward to being a fan and enjoying getting back in the stands with ye all soon.”
https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/633969/limerick-s-stephen-fitzgerald-devastated-and-heartbroken-at-being-forced-to-retire-from-rugby.html

FACECUTTR

Gutted for him.
https://www.connachtrugby.ie/stephen-fitzgerald-to-retire-from-rugby-at-end-of-the-season/

MarinersBlues

ionadnapokot wrote: »

Brutal. I always liked Fitzgerald. Particularly from FB.
Looking for silver linings at leas he is still of an age to have had a professional rugby career and can still prepare himself for a new career.

Touch of class about his statement
"Lastly, I just want to thank everyone who has helped me get to where I am today. I’m extremely lucky to have amazing friends and family who have supported me. My family and girlfriend have been there for me more than they will ever realise and I just hope I’ve made them proud of what I’ve done.

"I look forward to being a fan and enjoying getting back in the stands with ye all soon.”
https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/633969/limerick-s-stephen-fitzgerald-devastated-and-heartbroken-at-being-forced-to-retire-from-rugby.html

I ended up beside his family and girlfriend in the tent one night when he was being interviewed post match. They were very proud of him that night and are very nice people. It is tough, but he is right to say he has a good support network.

Hopefully he will have plenty of opportunity to be in the clan to watch his brother compete in european knockout games.

realhorrorshow

Loosehead

Denis Buckley (31) - Signed contract in 2021
Matthew Burke (24) - Signed contract in 2021
Jordan Duggan (23) - Signed contract in 2021
Paddy McAllister (32) - Signed contract in 2019

Charlie Ward (21) - Academy year 1

Tighthead

Jack Aungier (22) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Finlay Bealham (30) - Signed contract in 2021
Conor Kenny (25) - Signed 1 year contract in 2020
Dominic Robertson-McCoy (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Hooker

Shane Delahunt (27) - Signed contract in 2021
Dave Heffernan (30) - Signed contract in 2021
Jonny Murphy (29) - Signed contract in 2021
Dylan Tierney-Martin (22) - Signed contract in 2021

Declan Adamson (22) - Academy year 2
Eoin De Buitléar (u21) - Academy year 1

Lock

Ultan Dillane (27) - Signed contract in 2021
Oisin Dowling (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Cillian Gallagher (24) - Signed contract in 2018
Niall Murray (21) - Signed contract in 2021
Gavin Thornbury (27) - Signed contract in 2021

Darragh Murray (u21) - Academy year 1

Back row

Paul Boyle (24) - Signed contract in 2021
Jarrad Butler (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Eoghan Masterson (28) - Signed contract in 2021
Sean Masterson (23) - Signed contract in 2021
Sean O'Brien (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Conor Oliver (25) - Signed contract in 2021
Abraham Papali’i (28) - Signed contract in 2021
Cian Prendergast (21) - Signed contract in 2021

Ciaran Booth (21) - Academy year 1
Donnacha Byrne (u21) - Academy year 1
Hubert Costello (u21) - Academy year 1
Joshua Dunne (21) - Academy year 3
Oisin McCormack (20) - Academy year 2

Scrumhalf

Caolin Blade (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Stephen Kerins (25) - Signed contract in 2019
Kieran Marmion (29) - Signed 3 year contract in 2020
Colm Reilly (22) - Signed contract in 2021

Outhalf

Jack Carty (29) - Signed contract in 2021
Conor Dean (23) - Signed contract in 2020
Conor Fitzgerald (23) - Signed contract in 2021

Cathal Forde (20) - Academy year 1

Centre

Bundee Aki (31) - Signed 3 year central contract in 2020
Sammy Arnold (25) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Tom Daly (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Tom Farrell (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Peter Robb (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Shane Jennings (20) - Academy year 2
Sean O'Brien (23) - Academy year 3

Back 3

Mack Hansen (23) - Signed 2 year contract in 2021
Matt Healy (32) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Oran McNulty (21) - Signed contract in 2021
Ben O'Donnell (26) - Signed contract in 2020
Tiernan O'Halloran (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
John Porch (27) - Signed contract in 2021
Peter Sullivan (23) - Signed contract in 2021
Alex Wootton (27) - Signed contract in 2021

Colm de Buitléar (23) - Academy year 3
Diarmuid Kilgallen (21) - Academy year 1

IN: Mack Hansen (Back 3, Brumbies)
OUT: Quinn Roux (Lock, TBC), Stephen Fitzgerald (Back 3, retiring)

*ages as at 01/09/2021

Bazzo

Is there any reason you haven't included the number of years for players who confirmed it themselves on social media? For instance Carty and Porch both confirmed 1 year, Buckley 2. I'm sure there are others. Not meaning to sound like a hurler in the ditch.

Strand1970

Just curious do you think Connacht would play a game in Sligo if the rovers were to upgrade the showgrounds in a few years. They plan to lenghten the pitch which would also achieve the criteria for rugby.

FACECUTTR

James Cronin would make a nice signing. Has done very well this season and has that bit of niggle and abrasiveness. If McCallister is going he would be a fantastic replacement. Marshall would have been worth a punt for a year too if DTM and Murphy had not re-signed. He looked sure to get a few ireland caps before he picked up a few injuries.

Strand1970 wrote: »

Just curious do you think Connacht would play a game in Sligo if the rovers were to upgrade the showgrounds in a few years. They plan to lenghten the pitch which would also achieve the criteria for rugby.

Yes it's Connacht Rugby not Galway rugby. Plus Sligo is a major contributor to the local talent pool.

But like in Munster they will be games of lesser significance.

freyners

Strand1970 wrote: »

Just curious do you think Connacht would play a game in Sligo if the rovers were to upgrade the showgrounds in a few years. They plan to lenghten the pitch which would also achieve the criteria for rugby.

Ya i could see A games or pre-season games there like how they occasionally use Buccs for the same. Lease with the SG might mean all league and europe games are held in the sportsground but given the showgrounds is a higher capacity stadium (in terms of stands) compared to buccs you could see a league game there. Really depends on contracts, etc.

Disadvantage is there are enough journalists who already incorrectly use the showgrounds to refer to the sportsground and it would only give them a justification:D

b.gud

Strand1970 wrote: »

Just curious do you think Connacht would play a game in Sligo if the rovers were to upgrade the showgrounds in a few years. They plan to lenghten the pitch which would also achieve the criteria for rugby.

It would be great to see games played at other venues around the province to help grow the game, however I'd imagine that at most it would be a pre-season warm-up game. It's worth remembering that Connacht are, at least in theory, still redeveloping the sportsground so they would probably be looking to get as much use, and revenue, out of the redevelopment as possible.

Again to be clear I think it would be great to see games played around the province but not sure if we would see many of them and as Ki said definitely no major ones

RonnieL

Looks like a very exciting proposal for Sligo. I'm sure the Connacht branch would do the market research to determine how best to use it if it were to be built. Do Munster fans think the Thomand/Musgrave approach works? I don't know how having two grounds would impact season ticket sales for example. I assume there would have to be the option of a sportsground ticket, a showgrounds ticket, and an every game ticket?

Strand1970

The showgrounds would only be available during the soccer off season from November to March at best. A dragons or Italian team might be possibility I honestly think a game up here would sell out quickly and be a massive PR success for connacht.

salmocab

Strand1970 wrote: »

The showgrounds would only be available during the soccer off season from November to March at best. A dragons or Italian team might be possibility I honestly think a game up here would sell out quickly and be a massive PR success for connacht.

Heard mention on the radio the other day so not sure of any details, that Sligo rugby club are going to use it if it’s done up. I assume it helps with funding.

Strand1970

That should help funding alright having in theory a multi sports venue. Maybe 1 or 2 AIL games might be played there but rovers will be focusing on revenue like concerts and other gigs.

Zzippy

FACECUTTR wrote: »

James Cronin would make a nice signing. Has done very well this season and has that bit of niggle and abrasiveness. If McCallister is going he would be a fantastic replacement. Marshall would have been worth a punt for a year too if DTM and Murphy had not re-signed. He looked sure to get a few ireland caps before he picked up a few injuries.

I'd take him in a heartbeat but the reality is if Munster couldn't afford to keep him, we definitely couldn't afford to sign him.

siltirocker

ki wrote: »

Yes it's Connacht Rugby not Galway rugby. Plus Sligo is a major contributor to the local talent pool.

And it's something that for periods get's lost. I played underage, and again later as an adult for a year with Sligo RFC, and played junior schools with Sligo Grammar and Summerhill. And I found the Sligo disillusionment with Connacht at times was very high. For periods it was arguably Munster territory. Well maybe not that strong in rhetoric, but y'get my point.

I remember going to buy a Connacht jersey in 2008 or 2009, and Elverys, a key Connacht sponsor then, did not have a single piece of Connacht merch in the main shop in the Wine Street Car Park. But a whole section of Munster clobber. Even the progress promoted, maybe not so much with the rugby club, but 100% in the Grammar it was to get to Limerick, not Galway. For a period there the better Sligo lads joined Munster set up not Connacht's. Sean Henry, Niall Kenneally, and Cathal Sheridan come to mind. I think Sheridan even once said in the press a Munster jersey was always the one wanted from Santa.

Now that doesn't seem to be the case at all anymore, but it all stemmed from being felt left behind by Galway. And while that was addressed in the Elwood days, and with Lam certainly, I feel it's taken maybe a slight step back. So I'd 100% encourage games in Showgrounds and Dubarry Park.

ClanofLams

I think it’s important to generally have one home stadium. But definitely would like to see Sligo used a bit when redeveloped, maybe one big pre season friendly and one interpro a year on a rotating basis if possible would make sense or one European game a season. If they were to move a regular season game, it’s important it’s a significant one and not one seen as a less appealing fixture.

[Deleted User]

RonnieL wrote: »

Looks like a very exciting proposal for Sligo. I'm sure the Connacht branch would do the market research to determine how best to use it if it were to be built. Do Munster fans think the Thomand/Musgrave approach works? I don't know how having two grounds would impact season ticket sales for example. I assume there would have to be the option of a sportsground ticket, a showgrounds ticket, and an every game ticket?

It's very different from the Munster situation.

There you have two cities with the primary city/population centre not hosting the games.

Sligo is over two hours from the core support area.
It would really at best have be a 1 game a season situation and then you're facing into effectively giving home advantage for that game.

Would be good for say pool games in the Challenge Cup or the likes.
It doesn't impact season ticket holders either then.

Strand1970

Yes connacht would be playing away but still in front of connacht fans. It would be a huge PR coup and broaden the fan base. The revenue would have to add up to make it happen so it will never be an interpro game. Its a few years away but there is no harm trying it for a season or 2 and see if it becomes a fixture. The dream game would be vs ulster only being 20 miles away

thomond2006

Zzippy wrote: »

I'd take him in a heartbeat but the reality is if Munster couldn't afford to keep him, we definitely couldn't afford to sign him.

Money probably came into it but Munster have young prospects at LH joining the seniors next season.

ShineyShiney

thomond2006 wrote: »

Money probably came into it but Munster have young prospects at LH joining the seniors next season.

With Jack McGrath currently out and Connacht with a McAlister ( I'd keep him) sized hole in our loosehead ranks I'm sure both Ulster and ourselves would be a least mildly interested if he wanted to remain in Ireland. Probably not a huge amount of cash available in either province so an over seas move more likely.

I think Munster are nuts not keeping him, mind you loughman is ok the other two are pure speculation imo

[Deleted User]

gilberto_eire wrote: »

It's very different from the Munster situation.

There you have two cities with the primary city/population centre not hosting the games.

Sligo is over two hours from the core support area.
It would really at best have be a 1 game a season situation and then you're facing into effectively giving home advantage for that game.

Would be good for say pool games in the Challenge Cup or the likes.
It doesn't impact season ticket holders either then.

Considering Season Tickets include all European Pool matches, the idea would have an impact on Season ticket holders

Anyway, I'd be considerable pissed off if Connacht moved anything, other than Pre-season games from the Sportsground.

Host preseason matches all over Connacht for all I care.
They already do some out reach, by hosting open training sessions in different counties.

They do represent all 5 counties, but their home is in Galway, and they'd be doing themselves a disadvantage by hosting meaningful matches away from their home ground.

FYI gilbert_eire, I agree with everything you're saying, apart from the last sentence.

ClanofLams

For some reason I thought it was bigger, just saw it’s a 6000 seater. Given the financial loss be hard to move a big game there.

A big pre season friendly every year would be ideal I guess. Pat Lam’s Bristol or the like.

Anyway ground won’t be complete for couple of years at least.

siltirocker

Meaningless games in sister stadia don't work though. A singular prestige one, across sports, though has always been beneficial.

Connacht even went down that route 10 years ago, with pre-season games, and it was a damp squib. Troy Nathan and Mike Roberts vs Rotherham won't pull in the disenfranchised, marginalised, curious, etc as much as Muldoon and O'Concrete against Ulster!

I am not saying I have thee answer but meaningless pre season games didn't work before. And in cases of using other provincial grounds by other teams around Europe, its always been one of the big ones with a big marketing campaign. Connacht have 6 massive home games a year. Giving 1 a year to Athlone, and then Sligo on a rotation basis will, perhaps, only yield positives.

And look, without sounding too harsh: Galway fans should just deal with it. Connacht represents more than just Galway City. A Galway voice shouldn't be worth more than a Leitrim voice, which I think some fans, unconsciously albeit, think it does.

ShineyShiney

siltirocker wrote: »

Meaningless games in sister stadia don't work though. A singular prestige one, across sports, though has always been beneficial.

Connacht even went down that route 10 years ago, with pre-season games, and it was a damp squib. Troy Nathan and Mike Roberts vs Rotherham won't pull in the disenfranchised, marginalised, curious, etc as much as Muldoon and O'Concrete against Ulster!

I am not saying I have thee answer but meaningless pre season games didn't work before. And in cases of using other provincial grounds by other teams around Europe, its always been one of the big ones with a big marketing campaign. Connacht have 6 massive home games a year. Giving 1 a year to Athlone, and then Sligo on a rotation basis will, perhaps, only yield positives.

And look, without sounding too harsh: Galway fans should just deal with it. Connacht represents more than just Galway City. A Galway voice shouldn't be worth more than a Leitrim voice, which I think some fans, unconsciously albeit, think it does.

Waste of time imo, nothing against Sligo or any other part of the province. Most of these ideas are about gain for the location proposed not gain for Connacht Rugby whose priority has to be building game day experience so that attendances grow.

siltirocker

ShineyShiney wrote: »

Waste of time imo, nothing against Sligo or any other part of the province. Most of these ideas are about gain for the location proposed not gain for Connacht Rugby whose priority has to be building game day experience so that attendances grow.

The preseaon tours a decade ago, along with Heineken Cup qualification, were directly related to Connacht's average attendances almost tripling so I can't agree with you there.