Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

ElisaAtWar · 14-01-2024 10:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121615925#Comment_121615925

Bealhams absence down to tiredness. I think that sums it up nicely and simply says all that is needed to be said. As a fan I am tired week in and week out with these selections. It must be twice as hard being a player

Zeugnis · 15-01-2024 03:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121616249#Comment_121616249

Surely they wouldn't have made this decision of that was the case? That would be seriously shooting themselves in the foot.

I'd like to hear Rob Murphy or someone else with access ask for an explanation about Niall Murray lack of starts And where was Hurley Langton last weekend?

ElisaAtWar · 15-01-2024 06:33PM

So this would be my team and replacements for the Bristol game and many will note the two players missing

TOH

Smith

Farrell,

Aki,

Bolton

Forde (if available)

McDonald/Devine

Buckley

Heff

Bealham

Dowling

Joyce

Prendergast

Hurley Langton

Jansen

and then subs

Dooley

DTM

Aungier,

Niall Murray

Devine/McDonald

Hawkshaw

Oliver

Zeugnis · 15-01-2024 09:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121619884#Comment_121619884

Three, really, seeing as you'd drop JJ as well as Carty and Blade.

You want Forde to take the kicks? JJ has had a good conversion rate.

ElisaAtWar · 15-01-2024 11:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121620571#Comment_121620571

JJs exits are shocking. Caolin whines instead of just getting on with the game

Zeugnis · 15-01-2024 11:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121620979#Comment_121620979

Yes, JJs exits are poor. I'm surprised they didn't make any use of Tom Daly for kicking out of the hands, he has a big boot on him. Still, don't think I've seen enough of Forde to want him to be shooting on goal for us, so there's an issue of we don't have JJ on the pitch.

Elsewhere, lot of missed tackles on Saturday.

dockysher · 16-01-2024 12:28AM

Connacht 8/15 favs for Fridays game at moment, which is surprising considering our recent loses bar the munster result, I would expect or strongest team possible out though with no Game for 5 weeks after.

Need a min of win with bonus point to get in challenge cup. And hope bristol get zero points, big ask IMO.

kita99 · 16-01-2024 03:44AM

I want to know some issues. If anyone (very kindly) will give any answers, I would appreciate you from the heart. 1.Why Connacht changed Jansen (who didn't look get injury) to (light-class) Oliver? 2.Why Connacht didn't use Devine at more early time.(McDonald looked a middle lebel SH in Ireland) 3.Why Connacht don't try the pair by N.Murray and Thornbury who worked very impressive last season(especially stealing and charging down and field running) 4.Why Aki didn't attend the game. ( was he too busy many events?) 5.Is Carty will be gotten many teammates despite of such big mistakes (at first 5min. he kicked no touch penalty and then Knocked-on for opponent return kickking. And at 2nd half He failed to kick for passing to Smith. It looked so easy for veteran OH. 6.Why Connacht select a PG when the chance came 4th try in front of opppnent gall at 4th quarter? Then Hanrahan added 3 points and the margin went to 20-27 but Connacht missed any chance to get 4th try. Who selected that PG decision? (Then the game time has remained enough.) At last, Hanrahan was easily overtaked by opponent player and gave Lyon's last try. I watched that he did the same defending mistake at his Munster era. I think that it's caused slow reactionand the lack of speed.

I'm sorry my poor English.

kita99 · 16-01-2024 08:12AM

I'm sorry to post in a row. In the above (my question), about no.4, I got the answer at Connacht HP.(according to IRFU guidline) And about no.5, I want to correct「 gotten」→「gotten any confidence from」.

16-01-2024 10:44AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121621819#Comment_121621819

1. Jansen substitution

There's very little point in making all three back rows play 80 mins. One of the three was always going to be replaced my a fresh man.

Also, Jansen defended really badly for the try on 51 mins that gave Lyon control of the second half. He bought a dummy at pillar when he should never have left his defensive role. Lyon would probably have scored anyway but you need to make them pass it.

2. Matthew Devine

It was Devine's first ever professional start. He's got lots of promise but he was an emergency sub who got a few minutes at the end. It's great to see him finally get on the pitch but there was no point in risking a young academy guy getting overwhelmed by an enormous French team on debut. He's not even a full member of the professional squad yet.

I thout McDonald did reasonably well. He picked the wrong option a few times but did pretty well given his inexperience too.

3. Thornbury and Niall Murray

I'm not sure about Thornbury. He's just back from a year out injured so his body may have taken a beating over the Christmas fixtures. It does take a while to build match resilience.

Unfortunately for Niall Murray the coaching team seem to want power and size in the starting pack. It's not obvious from a distance but Niall is a far lighter guy than Darragh. Darragh could potentially add another 10Kg with good conditioning over a couple of seasons. Right now Niall seems to be an impact substitute.

4. Bundee

As you noted above Bundee is IRFU minutes managed. He's played 80 minutes in our last four games so I guess we'll see 50-60 minutes of him against Bristol. This was probably pre-agreed with the Ireland coaching team. He could end up playing 300+ minutes in the Six Nations.

5. Carty

That compounded error was a very Carty thing to do. I don't join in some of the harsh criticism of him you see online, but simple concentration errors like this kill us sometimes.

If it's the crossfield kick I remember, he'll be disappointed not to execute it but I think it was off his weaker foot while slightly off balance, and we had a penalty advantage. He did have lots of space to kick into but that's not what you expect on the turn.

6. The Penalty

I think this was brain-dead too. Realistically we needed a bonus point win to progress in the Champions Cup. Kicking the penalty changed this from a two score objective to a three score objective. The players might have thought that a draw was worth bringing into play. I didn't agree.

7. Hanrahan's pace

I agree. I don't think either of Carty or Hanrahan have enough pace to play as a 10 / 15 combination unless we're forced to. In this case we probably were but I'm not sure if the coaches have done enough to get extra back three options with pace into the game squad.

His kick distance from hand is also a concern when he covers full-back. At least Carty can punt the ball 50+ metres down the field consistently.

FACECUTTR · 16-01-2024 12:14PM

https://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/champions-cup/pete-wilkins-niall-murray-has-been-on-wrong-end-of-rotation-this-season/a31847498.html

Wilkins addressing the lack of Niall Murray gametime.

Wegians89 · 16-01-2024 12:21PM

Seeing a lot of rumours and announcements for the other provinces ins and outs For next season lately, just wondering what people think is needed and who would you want for Connacht?

I think a loosehead and ten are needed. Ideally an NIQ loosehead and a Leinster ten, realistically Harry Byrne or Tector.

Depending on SHL’s contract situation I’d look at Will Connors or Penny.

And potentially a full back depending on Cordero’s recovery.

If you could convince Gus McCarthy from Leinster, I’d be all for that.

Zeugnis · 16-01-2024 12:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121622377#Comment_121622377

Jansen is injured, shoulder issue.

Zeugnis · 16-01-2024 12:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121622822#Comment_121622822

I think we can, and should, solve our problems internally except 10. I'd love to see Harry Byrne coming west.

Connors I don't see going anywhere, actually i think he may overtake VDF again at Leinster and Ireland. Oliver and SHL have been good for us, albeit CO is having a quieter season so far.

Otherwise I'm reluctant to peep in Leinster's window and salivate about what can be picked up. I find that habit among Munster fans very off putting. Deegan and Penny are fantastic players who would enhance any team, but at 8 we recruited Jansen and O'Brien last season and both have shown promise. Let's see how they go, and become more active about using our academy lads, you know, player development and all that...

Wegians89 · 16-01-2024 12:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121622899#Comment_121622899

Keep long SHL would be my first choice, but I’d imagine he’ll have interest from abroad.

Think there’s a good crop coming through in most positions bar maybe loosehead, hooker and fullback.

16-01-2024 12:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121622848#Comment_121622848

Damn. He was starting to look the part. At least back row is somewhere we're quite strong in.

Wegians89 · 16-01-2024 01:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121622848#Comment_121622848

Might have missed it else where but Jansen wasn’t named in the squad update.

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/squad-update/bp2854/

Zeugnis · 16-01-2024 01:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121623074#Comment_121623074

Mentioned by Linley MacKenzie here:

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2024/01/16/bundee-aki-and-finlay-bealham-set-to-return-for-connachts-clash-with-bristol-in-champions-cup/

Wegians89 · 16-01-2024 01:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121623114#Comment_121623114

Oh thanks, missed that. Hope he’s fit to go on Friday.

kita99 · 16-01-2024 02:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121622377#Comment_121622377

THank you very much for your kind and very polite answer for me. Anyway I cheer for Connacht rugby as long as I live.

realhorrorshow · 16-01-2024 04:14PM

Loosehead

Denis Buckley (34) - Signed 2 + 1 year contract in 2023

Matthew Burke (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Peter Dooley (30) - Signed contract in 2022

Jordan Duggan (26) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Oisin Michel (22) - Academy year 2

Charlie Ward (24) - Academy year 3

Tighthead

Jack Aungier (25) - Signed contract in 2022

Finlay Bealham (32) - Signed 2 year contract in 2024

Sam Illo (23) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Dominic Robertson-McCoy (30) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Fiachna Barrett (21) - Academy year 1

Hooker

Eoin De Buitléar (22) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Dave Heffernan (33) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Tadgh McElroy (27) - Signed short term contract in 2023

Dylan Tierney-Martin (25) - Signed 3 year contract in 2023

Matthew Victory (21) - Academy year 1

Lock

Oisin Dowling (27) - Signed contract in 2022

Joe Joyce (30) - Signed contract in 2023

Josh Murphy (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Darragh Murray (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Niall Murray (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Gavin Thornbury (30) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Back row

Paul Boyle (27) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Jarrad Butler (33) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Shamus Hurley-Langton (24) - Signed contract in 2022

Sean Jansen (25) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Oisin McCormack (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Sean O'Brien (24) - Signed contract in 2023

Conor Oliver (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Cian Prendergast (24) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

Scrumhalf

Caolin Blade (30) - Signed 3 year contract in 2023

Michael McDonald (25) - Signed 1 year loan contract in 2023

Colm Reilly (25) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Matthew Devine (22) - Academy year 2

Outhalf

Jack Carty (32) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

JJ Hanrahan (32) - Signed contract in 2023

Sean Naughton (21) - Academy year 1

Harry West (21) - Academy year 2

Centre

Bundee Aki (34) - Signed 2 year central contract in 2023

Tom Daly (31) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

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

Cathal Forde (22) - Signed contract in 2022

David Hawkshaw (25) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

John Devine (20) - Academy year 2

Hugh Gavin (20) - Academy year 2

Daniel Hawkshaw (22) - Academy year 2

Finn Treacy (20) - Academy year 1

Back 3

Shayne Bolton (24) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Santiago Cordero (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Mack Hansen (26) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

Shane Jennings (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Diarmuid Kilgallen (24) - Signed contract in 2022

Liam McNamara (27) - Signed contract in 2023

Oran McNulty (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Tiernan O'Halloran (33) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

John Porch (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Byron Ralston (24) - Signed contract in 2022

Andrew Smith (24) - Signed contract in 2023

Shane Mallon (22) - Academy year 2

Chay Mullins (22) - Academy year 2

James Nicholson (21) - Academy year 1

Josh O'Connor (23) - Academy year 3

*ages as at 01/09/2024

realhorrorshow · 16-01-2024 04:14PM

Definitely out of contract

Matthew Burke (24) - loosehead

Jordan Duggan (26) - loosehead

Dominic Robertson-McCoy (30) - tighthead

Gavin Thornbury (30) - lock

Paul Boyle (27) - back row

Jarrad Butler (33) - back row

Conor Oliver (28) - back row

Michael McDonald (25) - scrum half

Tom Daly (31) - centre

Tom Farrell (30) - centre

Shayne Bolton (24) - back 3

Oran McNulty (24) - back 3

Tiernan O'Halloran (33) - back 3

Probably out of contract

Peter Dooley (30) - loosehead

Jack Aungier (25) - tighthead

Tadgh McElroy (27) - hooker

Oisin Dowling (27) - lock

Darragh Murray (23) - lock

Shamus Hurley-Langton (24) - back row

Oisin McCormack (23) - back row

Cathal Forde (22) - centre

Shane Jennings (23) - back 3

Diarmuid Kilgallen (24) - back 3

Byron Ralston (24) - back 3

Possibly out of contract

Joe Joyce (30) - lock

Sean O'Brien (24) - back row

JJ Hanrahan (32) - outhalf

Liam McNamara (27) - back 3

Andrew Smith (24) - back 3

Former Coach · 16-01-2024 09:14PM

Connacht’s Sportsground set to be renamed in rights deal with American multinational

Galway venue is likely to be called Dexcom Park or Dexcom stadium as part of agreement with medical devices company

Expand

A general view of The Sportsground. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho

John Fallon

Tue Jan 16 2024 - 19:49

The Sportsground in Galway is set to be the next stadium to sell its naming rights with an American multinational making a deal with Connacht Rugby.

It is believed that US company Dexcom, which is set to open its first European manufacturing plant in Athenry, approached Galway GAA with a view to securing the naming rights for the county grounds at Pearse Stadium in Salthill but this did not progress when it was made clear that Galway GAA had a strong preference to maintain ‘Pearse’ in the name.

Galway GAA have been seeking a title sponsor for the stadium in Salthill, which was redeveloped 20 years ago and where floodlights are set to be installed in the coming year, but have made it known that they are keen to continue honouring the 1916 patriot Pádraig Pearse.

The ground was named in his honour when it was opened in 1957 and was redeveloped with a then capacity of 34,000 in 2003.

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Dexcom, a company which has its headquarters in San Diego and which is renowned for manufacturing glucose monitor devices which help manage diabetes, announced last year that it would create up to 1,000 jobs when it opens its first European manufacturing site in Athenry.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is expected in Galway this Friday when the sod will be turned at the IDA site in Athenry in what will be a €300m investment over the next five years and it is also expected to be announced that the Sportsground will be renamed Dexcom Park or Dexcom Stadium this week.

Learn more

[ SuperValu Páirc has a ring to it all right, the ring of desperation in Cork GAA ]

The renaming of the Sportsground comes as an ongoing redevelopment of the city centre facility, initially priced at €30m when first announced three years ago, continues. A new artificial pitch surface and floodlights have been installed, with work on a new stand and indoor training facility due to start in the coming months.

The stadium will then have a capacity of 12,000 and further phases are planned for the other side of the ground which also accommodates the Greyhound Racing Ireland offices and operation centre, who share the stadium with Connacht Rugby.

It is understood the venue will continue to be known as Galway Greyhound Stadium for that sport.

The Sportsground on College Road, a few minutes walk from Eyre Square, is owned by the Galway Agricultural and Sports Society and has been used as a sports venue since 1927. It has hosted a variety of sports aside from rugby and greyhound racing. Galway GAA finals were played there prior to the opening of Pearse Stadium, the venue was also home to Galway United for a brief period, and it has also staged athletics events.

FACECUTTR · 16-01-2024 10:13PM

Any idea what sort of revenue boost this will bring ?

Wegians89 · 17-01-2024 12:00AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121624336#Comment_121624336

As usual there’s some big names on that list this year.

Bealham, Farrell, and Bolton need to be extended from that first list.

kita99 · 17-01-2024 02:14AM

I want to know when the stadium be completed. In Galway there are many talented architects, so it (stadium) will be very beautiful. I cannot wait to see it.

IRFU released U20 suads for this year. I am overwhelmed by the size of Hue Gavin (I know that he has been very big at last season.). He became bigger than in last season. He look very dependable.