Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Did we expect otherwise?

Time to draw a line under this season. Get as much exposure for the fringe players in the next 2 games. Being down a head coach and our defence coach seemingly relieved of his duties was always going to be a shitshow. A couple of decent signings with a head coach and defence coach and a good pre season is the best we can look forward to now. We have a decent crop of players but I believe they were mismanaged the last 2 seasons.

Hopefully no truth in that. I think someone mentioned here recently Devine is signed for next season. I hope he is anyway.

Mark Sexton will not want anyone to see that in Ulster..

It was very poor… Generally aimless….

There was no lines of any inventiveness from the back line. Carty and Forde were shovel and kick, hard to much blame on them at outhalf… Nothing from Fullback or Wings….

Team wa very flat, maybe something at altitude caught them out… Even Shane who comes from the place seemed off pace…

I am very worried about the contract of Devine. Ulster which released John Cooney want good SH. Absolutely Connacht must not lose this gifted ( and Co Galway native) player. Did you watch his try saving tackle? That was the play of Antoine Dupont level ( that happened 4th quarter when Lions aimed BP try) in high humidity and altitude. He will become one of the star-players at the new stadium. Ben Murphy seems a very skilfull precocious player to my eye. If Devine want to leave Connacht, he should select other country.

Why should he select a other country, like any IQ player here, he would have ambitions to play for Ireland. Leaving kills that

Murphy is the top dog at 9 for me by a considerable distance and I'm concerned that we have a 1 year deal.

In typical Connacht fashion we will probably lose Devine to Ulster, piss blade off so he's on the move next season and fail to resign Murphy due to a big money offer from the UK.

In an ideal scenario we would agree an extended deal with Murphy and Devine both on 2+1 that recognizes their value.

Oue incoming 10 Ciaran Donaghue scored a cracker yesterday on his prem debut. ( Wishful thinking).

Not fair on Devine.. I am as Connacht as the next, we were the ones that gave him that coaching ticket. We selected Murphy when we knew Ulster had to come to us, Gunne not leaving Leinster he is leading the heir apparent, Munster are loosing Murray and hanging on to what they got…

This was definately coming, now or when JGP retires and Leinster will be sniffing like around with cheque book in hand…

I would have kept Devine because Murphy could be in Leinster at the end of it all…. In few years time, JGP goes, Murphy and Devine are going to be the bells of the ball unless Gunne shoots serious from the line..

Would keep Murphy and Devine and seriously would let Sexton take Blade to Ulster. He is what they need now… They need a guy who is senior to help lead that team. Matt Devine is still finding his path and might struggle to grasp this team…

Devine or Murphy are goingto be number one pick for Ireland in next few years. Casey doesn't have their speed, not even close, his legs move fast but he does get the yards. Lot of heart and strong but modern SH have winger speed.

Ciaran Donaghue, If we went, IRFU should stump the cash… Ulster would be all over it too… 22yrs of age no International underage and leading Bath… Bath aint giving him away but this is about Ireland having a stable of Out halves.

Last home game this weekend. Looks like 33 players confirmed for next season. It would be very unusual if we didn't have a few details of players leaving for a send off. I haven't heard anything on the following players.

Joyce, Oliver, Lassisi, Reilly, David O Connor, Cordero.

Also clarity on Piers O Connor and Smyth and I would assume some announcements about Academy like Tracey and Naughton moving up.

Thanks 👍

Absolutley. I think it would be a disgrace if he was allowed to leave.

I'm surprised there hasn't been more of an effort by the PR team to generate some positive feeling around the province. Since the Wilkins announcement there hasn't been a single news item posted to the website other than team announcements. We're on a losing streak, our slim chance in each competition has been extinguished, we have no head coach, there are question marks over the status of several players, and we haven't announced a single signing for next year. It's a grim time to be a Connacht fan.

Squad Update 25/26 : please correct me where I'm wrong.

Prop: Denis Buckley, Peter Dooley, Jordan Duggan, Finlay Bealham, Jack Aungier, Illo Academy: Barrett Unknown: Lasisi

Hooker: Heffernan, Dylan Tierney Martin, De Butlair Academy: Victory

Lock: Josh Murphy, Darragh Murray, Niall Murray, Oisin Dowling, Academy: None Unknown: Joe Joyce, David o Connor

Back Row: Cian Prendergast, Sean o Brien, Paul, Boyle, SHL, McCormack, Jansen Academy: Max Flynn, Unknown: Oliver

Scrum Half: Devine, Murphy, Blade Academy: Farthing Unknown: Reilly

Out Half: Ioane Academy: Naughton, Unknown: Carty

Centre: Forde, Gavin, Ralston, Aki, Hawkshaw Academy: Devine, Hawkshaw Unknown: O Connor

Back 3: Hansen, Jennings, Bolton, Mullins Academy: Tracey, West, Nicholson, Unknown: Smith, Cordero

My guess is that Naughton and Tracey will move on to senior contracts and Jack will resign as rumoured.

I was only adding academy guys I thought might get some minutes this year. Eg, if we dont add a 2, 9 and a prop we might need a few of those guys.