Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

cson · 09-03-2023 10:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120327962#Comment_120327962

"We can watch the game afterwards"

Sorry, what? You're there for the jolly up? Why not watch it in the pub then?

Lost Ormond · 09-03-2023 11:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120337649#Comment_120337649

Theyre not wheelchair friendly though. in a wheelchair you cant see the game from where bohermore as you cant have wheelchairs in the main walkway down there and for games with extended terracing in place it would be even worse. you then have issues of getting people over the track and to see pitch with barriers etc.

leakyboots · 09-03-2023 11:45PM

Munster fan here, just catching up with the last couple of pages - I love going to the Sportsground, don't get up there often enough at all. Having it so close to town is a massive bonus - I can't imagine trekking out to somewhere on the outskirts or near the motorway. People want to visit Galway afterwards for their night out.

My 2 cents is develop the Sportsground. It's currently the same capacity as Musgrave Park in Cork, I think add another 8-10K onto it and you'd have a fine sized stadium (or building it smaller but ensure it so plenty of temporary seating can be put in if it's going to be a big game). There's an argument that they built Thomond too big at 26k.

In Limerick they do Park and Rides from all major routes in to the city. Seems to be a big success. You get a good few cars parking in LIT next door but a lot of people walk out from the town or get the bus.

EDIT: on another note, maybe this has been mentioned elsewhere and I've missed it, but what's up with Bundee being out of favour?

10-03-2023 01:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120338247#Comment_120338247

The planning permission is for a 12,000 capacity venue when all the work is complete. A big 7,000 capacity stand replacing the Clan terrace, an extension to full pitch length of the main stand, and some form of flexible end terracing to extend capacity. I think it's an ideal size for Connacht. Ambitious beyond current best case ticket sales but not too big.

I'd be hoping for a decent supporters bar for match days too. A supporters club can really build on a good match day venue to meet up early and invite away supporters clubs into.

We'll probably never find out what the full story with Bundee is. Hopefully it's mostly calmed down when he gets back from Ireland camp. I've heard various rumours but nothing worth reposting online. For my money I reckon he'd probably really frustrated by a combination of our club form, our attack malfunctioning, his own club form at times, and him not being able to have an impact when he's available. I know people think that internationals should just slot in, but that relies on a consistency of game plan and combination building in a way we just haven't had recently. Centers are the ones who tend to look completely out of sorts when all the attacking structures malfunction.

kita99 · 10-03-2023 03:23AM

I am excited to see u 20 match vs Scotland tommorow, especially their TH Barrett (Corintians). If he expectedly grow up so fast, he will become the key player of Connacht. He shuld be more bigger with mucle and need to make lower the centre of Gravity. Go for it.

Digifriendly · 10-03-2023 07:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120338771#Comment_120338771

You mean today as match is tonight not tomorrow (Sat).

kita99 · 10-03-2023 10:16AM

Sorry,I am wrong.

10-03-2023 11:55AM

Just some quick thoughts on the redevelopment of the Sportsground.

Prior to building the current Clan Stand, you were looking at average attendance of 1500/2000. Improved infrastructure encouraged more people to go.

Yes, we dont want them to build a massive stadium, that is 90% empty. There is a balance. As the Munster fan pointed out above, a stadium the size of Musgrave Park would be ideal. I know people, who dont buy tickets, because all of their friends/family have season tickets in the Clan Stand, and it is basically a closed shop to new fans. They dont want to be in the main stand on their own

As for moving the stadium out of the city, that is a terrible idea. Cardiff tried it, and moved back to a smaller stadium. Location is more important than facilities. I'm surprised park and ride hasn't been implemented already. Maybe start by forcing people to pre-book tickets, so buses can be properly organised, but having small park and ride centers in maybe, Tuam, Loughrea, the University, Barna, and the airport would allow lots of people to get to the game without needing to park near the ground

KBurke85 · 10-03-2023 03:59PM

https://galwaybayfm.ie/sports/connacht-rugby-ceo-willie-ruane-the-interview/

Utopia Parkway · 10-03-2023 04:13PM

Connacht sign Irish qualified Sean Jansen from Leicester Tigers. Seems like he's a big ball carrying number 8 type.

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/sean-jansen-joins-connacht-from-leicester/bp2482/

https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/1634207566745026560

10-03-2023 04:56PM

Is Paul Boyle's signed up for 23/24 yet?

testtech05 · 10-03-2023 05:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120341331#Comment_120341331

I was just wondering this, new signing looks promising based on my limited knowledge of him but to me it all depends whos place he is taking whether it strengthens the squad overall or not.....

Wegians89 · 10-03-2023 05:39PM

Really liking the look of the pack for next season if we aren’t losing anyone else. Joyce and Jansen should add some real beef, saw rumours of Moore from Ulster coming in at hooker too. Potentially something like:

Buckley, Dooley, Duggan, Burke

Heffernan, DTM, De Buitlear, Moore

Bealham, Auinger, Illo, Barrett

N Murray, D Murray, Dowling

Thornbury, Joyce

Prendergast, Murphy, Booth

Oliver, SHL, McCormack

Boyle, Jansen, Butler

_nobody_ · 10-03-2023 05:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120341095#Comment_120341095

That interview wouldn't fill me with a huge amount of confidence......

realhorrorshow · 10-03-2023 07:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120341493#Comment_120341493

Fiachna Barrett will be in the first year of the academy next year. He's only in his second season of playing prop, will be a a while before he's playing senior rugby I'd imagine. Be interesting to see if we retain DRM or look at another option in the meantime.

Wegians89 · 10-03-2023 07:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120341940#Comment_120341940

Don’t think he’ll see much if any game time at all, just don’t see them making a signing there either

realhorrorshow · 10-03-2023 10:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120342067#Comment_120342067

We'll need a fourth option of some form with Finlay going to the world cup.

kita99 · 11-03-2023 02:22AM

Already barrett looks to deserve senior squads member. He looks very quick leaner in the match against Scotland even though they too weak opponents. His size is huge.He is clever to understand that he shuld do at the time. Maybe , after this summer, he will put much more ability underTucker. Anyway he shuld be used in real professional matches. And he must care of food life(Other players too) Galway is one of the most rich food-variety area in the world..

connachta · 11-03-2023 08:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120343577#Comment_120343577

Yes we shouldn't spend money on TH, Aungier and Illo good enough for 2 months, if you give McCoy (who didn't disappoint) a RWC-short-term contract.

Then 3 TH with Finlay back, at worse Barrett may play 2 or 3 games on the bench in February 2024. No issue

tintedgreenglasses2016 · 11-03-2023 11:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120341541#Comment_120341541

listened to same interview. Ruane is a business dude. you wouldn't even know the product was rugby. and that's fine. he leads Connacht rugby business, not Connacht rugby.

12-03-2023 01:30AM

The Willie Ruane interview didn't really reveal anything that wasn't already know. Regardless of people's opinions of Wilkins, it's now time for the branch to back him now with the assistants he needs and whatever signings we can cobble together the budget for. There'll be a huge legacy from his time as CEO if the stadium redevelopment can be shepherded through without saddling us with too much debt.

tintedgreenglasses2016 · 12-03-2023 08:36PM

Delighted for Hansen today. And at the same time I'm gutted for Conor Murray. I suspect it may be his last international appearance. Truly appreciate all he has done for Irish rugby and wish him and his family only good things

Strand1970 · 12-03-2023 09:08PM

Murray will be in the squad for the world cup. Alot of competition at SH but he has the experience of playing big games in the past. Can't see him playing for Ireland after the world cup.

salmocab · 12-03-2023 10:01PM

Not sure why it’s in this thread but Murray did grand today in difficult circumstances, he’ll get another cap in 6 days time and go to the World Cup.

RonnieL · 12-03-2023 10:33PM

Any chance of Heff getting the nod for a bench spot against England or is he completely out of the picture?

Wegians89 · 12-03-2023 11:14PM

O’Toole has been around the squad for ages though. Stewart has what a week or two? And on top of that I think heff was injured when Stewart got the call up?

RonnieL · 12-03-2023 11:25PM

Heff had been injured, but back now, and he'd be more familiar with the calls. Would be some game to get drafted in for!

realhorrorshow · 13-03-2023 07:56PM

Loosehead

Denis Buckley (33) - Signed 2 + 1 year contract in 2023

Matthew Burke (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Peter Dooley (29) - Signed contract in 2022

Jordan Duggan (25) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Oisin Michel (21) - Academy year 1

Charlie Ward (23) - Academy year 3

Tighthead

Jack Aungier (24) - Signed contract in 2022

Finlay Bealham (31) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Sam Illo (22) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Dominic Robertson-McCoy (29) - Signed 1 year contract in 2022

Hooker

Eoin De Buitléar (21) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Shane Delahunt (29) - Signed contract in 2021

Dave Heffernan (32) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Dylan Tierney-Martin (24) - Signed 3 year contract in 2023

Lock

Oisin Dowling (26) - Signed contract in 2022

Leva Fifita (34) - Signed contract in 2021

Joe Joyce (29) - Signed contract in 2023

Josh Murphy (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Darragh Murray (22) - Signed contract in 2022

Niall Murray (23) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Gavin Thornbury (29) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Back row

Ciaran Booth (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Paul Boyle (26) - Signed contract in 2021

Jarrad Butler (32) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Shamus Hurley-Langton (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Sean Jansen (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Sean Masterson (25) - Signed contract in 2021

Oisin McCormack (22) - Signed contract in 2022

Conor Oliver (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Cian Prendergast (23) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

Donnacha Byrne (22) - Academy year 3

John Forde (20) - Academy year 1

Scrumhalf

Caolin Blade (29) - Signed 3 year contract in 2023

Colm Reilly (24) - Signed contract in 2021

Matthew Devine (21) - Academy year 1

Will Reilly (22) - Academy year 2

Outhalf

Jack Carty (31) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

Conor Fitzgerald (25) - Signed contract in 2021

Harry West (20) - Academy year 1

Centre

Bundee Aki (33) - Signed 3 year central contract in 2020

Shayne Bolton (23) - Signed contract in 2021

Tom Daly (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Tom Farrell (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Cathal Forde (21) - Signed contract in 2022

David Hawkshaw (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Byron Ralston (23) - Signed contract in 2022

John Devine (19) - Academy year 1

Hugh Gavin (19) - Academy year 1

Daniel Hawkshaw (21) - Academy year 1

Back 3

Adam Byrne (28) - Signed contract in 2022

Mack Hansen (25) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

Shane Jennings (22) - Signed contract in 2022

Diarmuid Kilgallen (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Oran McNulty (23) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Tiernan O'Halloran (32) - Signed 1 year contract in 2022

John Porch (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Shane Mallon (21) - Academy year 1

Chay Mullins (21) - Academy year 1

Josh O'Connor (22) - Academy year 2

*ages as at 01/09/2023

IN: Joe Joyce (Lock, Bristol Bears), Sean Jansen (back row, Leicester Tigers)

OUT: Grant Stewart (Hooker, TBC), Kieran Marmion (scrum half, Bristol Bears), Alex Wootton (back 3, retiring)

tintedgreenglasses2016 · 13-03-2023 09:39PM

any idea what contract Adam Byrne signed. if he gets a run of games he could be a great signing. guess there will be no further signing this year which would suggest all players contracts will be renewed for next year. any mention of where Delahunt is going and if Bundee will stay

stephen_n · 13-03-2023 09:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120355248#Comment_120355248

That’s a rather enormous “if”. Adam Byrne has not managed much of a run of games in over 4 years. It was a gamble for Connacht to sign him and one that hasn’t paid off. Great player but permanently injured.

Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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