A good quality signing. Bears fans sorry to lose him by all accounts. He has big boots to fill.
Not sure how much 13 he's played but from the clips package Connacht posted on Twitter earlier a good few of his tries seemed to come when he had 13 on his back
Just rewatched it. Of the 6 highlights, 5 were tries and 1 a line break, that I could make out a number 5 of them were while wearing 13 and the other was while wearing 12
You’re completely wrong, he’s just been covering those positions for Bristol a bit lately but he’s primarily a centre. He’s played the majority of his career at 13 and 12 is his secondary position, playing either 12/13 a combined 92 times. He’s only played fullback 9 times and fly half 5 times.
Correct, and two thirds of his starts at centre were at 13. He's a direct replacement for Farrell.
yup a big lad too by all accounts- 6ft2 and 100kg
That's a serious signing for us.
Made the premiership team of the season the year Bristol topped the league so he has genuine quality.
Will only have turned 29 when he signs so an experienced operator who should be in his prime. Also a guy who didn't get capped when many felt he deserved one.....so will fit in well with us!
If this spells the end of Farell at connacht that will be a shame as he's been an immense player for us for many years. Munster are getting a hell of a player.
Great signing, gives Gavin time to develop at 13, if thats where they see him long term. Really need a 10 now
Toh has announced his retirement
My favourite memory is him ghosting between the 2 Kearneys in the final.
Sad to see Tiernan call it a day. Seems like he’s been around forever. 100% a Connacht great.
Just did a trawl of the recent "Tom Farrell going to Munster" speculation.
According to Cian Tracey in The Independent: [Piers] O'Conor is likely to offset Tom Farrell's impending move to Munster.
[Piers] O'Conor is likely to offset Tom Farrell's impending move to Munster.
John Fallon in The Examiner: speculation that Munster could be making a move for Connacht’s Tom Farrell
speculation that Munster could be making a move for Connacht’s Tom Farrell
Murray Kinsella in the 42: outside centre Tom Farrell has been linked with a move to the southern province too.
outside centre Tom Farrell has been linked with a move to the southern province too.
And as someone reported on here, Bernard Jackman said it on an RTE podcast recently too.
So, all of the rugberati seem to have it that Tom Farrell is moving to Munster. Most of the time when you hear of these rumours and speculation, the information usually comes from a player's agent. So I see two scenarios:
The second option has been done time and again during new deal negotiations so could well be true, but if it is, the Piers O'Conor signing slightly strengthens Connacht's hand. To me we could do with two specialist 13s anyway in case of injury. Look at the problems we've had there and at fullback without Tom and Tiernan.
There's gifs of that one floating around, aren't there?
I don't have any inside source in the Connacht camp but another bit of info I have leads me to believe that it is 99% certain that he won't be in Connacht next year
Great servant. Had a lot of good times and his partnership in the back 3 with Niyi and Matt Healy during 2016 was a pleasure to see. Has taken a bit of flak the last few years but to me he's rarely let us down and any criticism of him being selected should be levelled at management for not sourcing suitable alternatives.
Wish him well in retirement. Down to just 3 of the 23 used in the final remaining now. Where do the years go. 😕
He is a 13… Can play other positions but his is a 13…
Thats the Dillane playing Kearney conkers one I think. Tiernan burned heaslip and r Kearney if memory serves.
Good an excuse as any to go watch those highlights again!
Just watched the highlights again! Goosebumps!
TOH got some bang in the head in the lead up to Cronin's try
https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/tiernan-ohalloran-to-retire-from-rugby/bp3017/
Just read his announcement of retirement . Touch of class. Felt a lump in my throat reading it!
What a player TOH has been. He has had his own ups and downs like any normal person which can be seen on the field. You can clearly see he is in a good place at the moment with how has played in the last couple of years with the birth of a baby boy. I know he would be thrilled to get Connacht to top 8 this year and how pleasing would it be if it were points against Leinster in the last game that qualified Connacht
Any idea/inkling as to what the academy intake will look like?
Walsh and Flynn likely?
Who's Connacht's primary fullback next season?
If they need someone they could do a lot worse than signing Jack Kelly or Billy Dardis from the 7s.
Cordero. Jennings as an understudy and McNulty if he is retained
This year we've also seen Mack there on three occasions, JJ, Smith, and Jennings.
We need to pray that Cordero stays fit and can manage it - he does not have many starts at 15, he's really a winger.
Wouldn’t mind if they took a chance on someone like Chris Cosgrave at Leinster
Tiernan is a true Connacht great, and will rightfully be long remembered for his role in the 15/16 season. Probably could have had more caps as he was the form 15 in the country for a couple of years, and was very unlucky that he got injured in that game in South Africa. His performances dropped off a bit earlier than you'd typically expect, which is maybe a consequence of being exposed to senior rugby from 18 years old.
Heard very good things about him as a coach, from his time with Wegians.
Can Chay Mullins play fullback? Certainly has the right athletic profile and probably a higher ceiling in 15s than the two mentioned.
Played there for the emerging Ireland I think
Don't have any inside information but I'd imagine so, probably Tomas Farthing also. Maybe we'd look at bringing Diarmuid O'Connell or Rory Gavin in, not unheard of for u19s to join but not sure if either of those will still be in school.
https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/adam-mcburney-joins-connacht-rugby/bp3019/
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://wa.vanillicon.com/v2/ad289898c0c6dda7e667bf900ae26d0c.svg)
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://wb.vanillicon.com/v2/bd40ed787997615a97439817a5018a3c.svg)
