Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Lost Ormond · 22-09-2021 07:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117925533#Comment_117925533

i dont see how this shows a lack of ambition.

20k at 30 quid is far more than what you take from sportsground even with rent of aviva. Connacht say they consulted with the Clan as well which shows support.

22-09-2021 08:11PM

My problem with this, is that I can no longer go.

I've a 2year old child. I can't just tell the wife that I'm gone for the day for a rugby match.

Had the game been in Galway, its more acceptable to be gone for 3 hours.

It's a money making exercise, and that's fine. It's just frustrating that it's going to stop a lot of season ticket holders from attending.

I wonder did they ever consider using Pearse Stadium? Could have had 15k fans there easily.

salmocab · 22-09-2021 08:12PM

Out of interest are they refunding STH if they can’t go?

22-09-2021 08:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117925871#Comment_117925871

Why would they?

I have a season ticket and can't go to Friday matches due to work and travel

I don't look for my money back

salmocab · 22-09-2021 08:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117926038#Comment_117926038

Because you knew buying that ticket where the matches were being played, it’s not when it’s on it’s the fact it’s moved out of the province. I’d be very annoyed if I was a STH that couldn’t make it based on the match being moved to a different city not in the province and not even being offered a refund.

22-09-2021 10:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117925368#Comment_117925368

I'm glad for you that you have the day free but for an awful lot of fans it isn't that simple.

A game in Dublin is a full day's commitment that people mightnt be in a position to give. It's also a lot of additional expense that people mightnt have factored in particularly if you're bringing a family whereas a match in the sportsground is 2 or so hours out of a weekend and some travel time depending where you're based in the province

I have a season ticket and can't make the trip whereas I could have made the sportsground. I hope its a big success but as with any of these big stadiums there's a certain threshold you have to pass to make the game any way profitable and imo it'll be a struggle.

Connacht generally don't bring huge numbers to away interpro games and Ulster fans mightnt be pushed. Let's not forget its not a bank holiday in NI.

22-09-2021 10:44PM

I'm planning on ringing the branch tomorrow about this.

Being honest, I'm not bothered about the money, I'm more annoyed about the way its sold. Like we're so privileged to be allowed attend a match in the Aviva.

As pointed out above, this game has changed from being a few hours of my evening, to a full day commitment.

I think Connacht have misjudged how the fans feel about this

22-09-2021 10:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117926821#Comment_117926821

I doubt Connacht really had any choice. The last 18 months have been devastating for the IRFU's finances so if they think they can make more money playing games in the Aviva, they kinda have to do it. It's a real pity and ordinarily I'd agree with you but this is going to be a weird season as all sports try and work out how best to recover from the last 18 months.

It's a pity there isn't a more suitable stadium closer to Connacht, or in Connacht, but there isn't, not really, once you set flights of fancy about the various GAA grounds aside. (Arguably Thomond would suit South Connacht fans more but would be worse for North Connacht and Ulster fans)

Redo91 · 22-09-2021 11:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117925669#Comment_117925669

In a sporting sense it does. We are at an obvious disadvantage by giving up home advantage. I can’t imagine Munster or Ulster agreeing to play a home game in Dublin.

Besides I think your 20k estimate is ambitious. I really don’t think we will gain as much financially as people think.

I saw that the Clan were apparently consulted alright. I find that strange. They are just a supporters club. They don’t represent all Connacht fans. Surely an email to season ticket holders and Club 1888 members would have given them an idea of what most match going fans thought of the idea. From the reaction today I think it would have been quickly shelved. Looking on the clan forum itself the reaction has been all negative and I have even seen someone asking were they consulted at all.

Lost Ormond · 22-09-2021 11:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117926918#Comment_117926918

I dont see that it does show lack of ambition in a sporting sense. If it financially made sense to move a game Munster and Ulster most certainly would move a home game to Dublin

I dont see how 20k is ambitious. There will still be several thousand who will travel over from west, more are likely to travel down from Ulster as its easier to get to and plenty in Dublin may now go who otherwise wouldnt.

ShineyShiney · 23-09-2021 12:02AM

I'm another in the negative camp.

Poor decision imo

Former Former Former · 23-09-2021 12:10AM

Worth remembering that Connacht lost all their home interpros last year, but beat every other province away. Not sure they're losing much on the pitch.

I think it's a great idea tbh. I can see why a STH in Galway might be miffed but if you want better players and a new stadium, gotta start generating more income, it's that simple.

23-09-2021 08:03AM

Oh ffs.

Just checked. Match is at 17:15. Reasonable to expect it to finish at 19:15.

Last train from Heuston to Galway on the day of the match - 19:35

So either leave early if you want to take the train, or stay over night

Eod100 · 23-09-2021 08:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117927441#Comment_117927441

Say they will have to be proactive and put on buses. Bank holiday weekend so accommodation would be expensive that weekend.

RonnieL · 23-09-2021 08:51AM

I've got in-laws in Dublin, so I'll probably use this as an excuse to go visit with the family, but even I think this was a bad call. Really hope it works out well, but there's a fair chance it'll blow up in their faces I feel (low attendance, more Ulster fans than Connacht, and an Ulster win).

I also had checked the train times from Galway - surely they should have checked something as basic as that, and worked the times around it (even a 5pm kick off would make a difference there). Who knows, maybe they'll work with Irish rail to add an extra train - doubtful though.

23-09-2021 09:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117927120#Comment_117927120

Worth remembering too that there was no one at the games so home advantage last year was no real advantage. Connachts home record in general last year was appalling. It was actually the points got in the away games that saved the season somewhat which has never been the case before. Its always our home games that gives us the majority of our points.

Connachts home v away record (especially in interpros) in normal seasons show very clearly why home advantage matters. We've had one win away to both Munster and Ulster in living memory when there was crowds and 2002 was the last time we won away to Leinster.

23-09-2021 09:10AM

I'm a Connacht fan based in the east and I think it's a ridiculous decision to make. I can't even make it as its a Bank Holiday I had made other plans well in advance. If something like this is to be announced especially on a bank holiday weekend fans need to be given a fair amount of notice to add it to their calendar.

phog · 23-09-2021 09:21AM

It's not the end of the world but it's not a great idea either, STHs should at least be allowed to claim a refund if they can't make the trip. Booking tickets for home matches usually mean the home matches are in the home province. Fans are just being allowed back to matches and then an obstacle is being placed in the way to attend a "home" match with no word of a refund.

23-09-2021 10:09AM

I rang Connacht Rugby just now, to express my opinion.

I asked to speak to someone regarding the match, and the nice lady who answered the phone offered to speak to me about it.

Firstly, she explained that Connacht were offered the use of the Aviva, and felt that because of capacity options it was a great idea.

She through out the same reasoning that Connacht have shared in emails

More fans
Opportunity to see us play in the Aviva
Premium Level seats for Season Ticket holders
Support from the Connacht Clan

I asked was it a purely financial decision, and she adamantly denied this. Said that they dont expect to make any extra money from this game.

I then went through my reasons for not supporting the game. She let me rant/vent, and didnt give much reaction to be fair.

My reasons included

First home interpro in a long time
Time constraints - 3hours to see a game in the Sportsground vs 12 hours in the Aviva
Family commitments - can't just leave my wife and daughter for an entire day to watch rugby with such short notice
Cost of going to Dublin - No evening train, so drive (~€40 on fuel) or bus (~60 buses needed for 3,000 fans) or over night stay
Bank Holiday weekend, people make plans, and can't change that easily

I asked about the support from the Connacht Clan that they mentioned. Explained that there has been no word from Connacht Clan on this. Clan forum has about 20 active users these days, so not a great representation of the supporters

I asked about a refund, and she hadn't heard anything

She advised me to email Connacht rugby with my concerns, and she'd make sure that they get passed on

info @ connachtrugby .ie

I'm going to do that now, and see how I get on

salmocab · 23-09-2021 11:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117927863#Comment_117927863

I’d be very surprised if this was anything but a financial decision. At least you could respect them coming out and saying it even if you didn’t like the decision itself. Things like getting to see the team in the aviva has such a smell of bull off it that really she should have apologised to you for being insincere.

Eod100 · 23-09-2021 11:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117928276#Comment_117928276

Ah at end of the day worker there was likely just relaying the points they've been told to promote the game.

ClanofLams · 23-09-2021 12:05PM

15. Tiernan O’Halloran (190)

14. John Porch (40)

13. Tom Farrell (62)

12. Tom Daly (49)

11. Mack Hansen *

10. Jack Carty (159)

9. Kieran Marmion (187)

1. Matthew Burke (23)

2. Shane Delahunt (100)

3. Finlay Bealham (159)

4. Oisin Dowling (7)

5. Ultan Dillane (114)

6. Cian Prendergast (10)

7. Conor Oliver (20)

8. Jarrad Butler (73) (C)

16. Dave Heffernan (144)

17. Jordan Duggan (13)

18. Dominic Robertson-McCoy (68)

19. Niall Murray (18)

20. Paul Boyle (57)

21. Hubert Gilvarry *

22. Conor Fitzgerald (36)

23. Sammy Arnold (16)

Gilvarry seems like a left field selection..I don't recall seeing him against London Irish, I think he typically plays centre, is he emergency 9 cover??

KBurke85 · 23-09-2021 12:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117928370#Comment_117928370

"There’s also a potential debut off the bench for Hubert Gilvarry. The scrum-half has represented Sligo RFC and Sligo Grammar School and has been integrated in the Pro setup the last number of weeks."

From the team announcement on the website.

realhorrorshow · 23-09-2021 12:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117928370#Comment_117928370

Gilvarry was a wing/centre underage but has been converting to 9 I believe. Odd that he has leapfrogged Will Reilly, who has a hell of a lot more experience in the position.

Not a fan of that backrow at all, we're going to be extremely reliant on Prendergast to win gainline. If you absolutely must pick that combination starting Heffernan would help as he's basically an extra backrow.

Looking forward to seeing Hansen, must have impressed in training and for the Eagles.

23-09-2021 12:25PM

https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/1440994417440079879?s=20

so rugby

ClanofLams · 23-09-2021 12:35PM

I prefer Porch at 15 than wing, gets on the ball more often and very secure under high ball. I don't know much about Gilvarry and naturally hope he develops into a regular senior player especially considering he is indigenous but having a twenty year old recently converted 9 who has no senior team experience in the first matchday 23 reflects the squad being 3/4 players short to be honest. With the South African sides joining, this is the worst year in a long time to have a shallow squad. Could be a long season.

realhorrorshow · 23-09-2021 04:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117928518#Comment_117928518

On the flip side, perhaps his selection shows that Gilvarry has taken to 9 extremely well given that he has been picked ahead of two "natural" scrumhalves in Devine and Reilly (both are fit and playing for the Eagles this weekend). He has great feet so if he nails down the fundamentals of the position he could be an exciting prospect.

Agree that the squad seems shallow and a few injuries could leave us in big trouble, need that new loosehead asap.

ClanofLams · 23-09-2021 05:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117929738#Comment_117929738

Yeah that's certainly the glass half full outlook! Hopefully you are right, it just seems when he wasn't involved with Ireland u20s or the pre season warm ups (afaik) this is a big step up and reflective of depth issues. But as you say he has passed out two 9s who have been in the position far longer, one of whom was selected for Ireland u20s ahead of him. Obviously hoping he has an outstanding cameo and develops, great to see any young player making it from academy but indigenous Connacht players are really vital.

KBurke85 · 23-09-2021 06:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117930171#Comment_117930171

Interpros in the sports ground are normally in and around 30 anyway

24-09-2021 12:16AM

im away at the home at the moment in the Us, but id love to see them play in the Aviva, I know it annoys some folks, but if We face reality we have to grow the Fan base. Drawing in some folks from the West of Ireland but are based in dublin will help in the long term.

Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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