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Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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Comments

  • #15512
    CowboyTed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 950 ✭✭✭CowboyTed


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123513425#Comment_123513425

    Now now… There will be none of that…😀

    Stu probably didn't check out property rental prices in Galway before he signed the contract…

    =====

    Seriously, Richie Murphy had a lot of cleaning house to do this year… I wish Pete was like that in Connacht two years ago…

    Mark Sexton is a good coach and we saw(lived through) him learning his trade in Connacht…

    What Ulster lacks is players, especially half backs IMHO..

    Not one of the 4 scrum halves Ulster have would be better than Connacht Devine, Blade or Murphy…

    Jack Murphy is your best out half and he was just ahead of Sean Naughton at under age who Connacht have given 17min too yet. Connacht could be wrong not increasing that but he is a far way from leading the club.

    Rest of the team struggles to have any real stars.. Academy has no stand outs(Jack Murphy aside)… Connacht can point to Gavin, Devine & Treacy from just last year's crop alone…



  • #15513
    CowboyTed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 950 ✭✭✭CowboyTed


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123513794#Comment_123513794

    I am excited… Lancaster has the bones of a good team and has a history of making silk purses out of pigs ears…

    I think he might be able to get a couple of forwards (Leinster Academy) in to bolster the pack and I say we are set…

    I know you might laugh but Connacht have a fan base of relatively low expectations. Connacht last year missed top 8 by two wins… If we got those two wins we would have said fair enough season (some complain, but mainly happy). We let in 40 points in one game and lost by 3 point (seriously)… Any attempt at defence would make us better…

    This could give Lancaster the time to build his own house, which he is good at… Develop players into being being better players, this is one of his real gifts…

    Thing is, we would complain why nobody would leave Leinster to get game time in Connacht. You are seeing one of the main reasons in Lancaster..



  • #15514
    eagle eye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,719 ✭✭✭✭eagle eye


    I think players like Clarkson, Baird, Deegan, Harry Byrne and Frawley who came through the Leinster academy and flourished under Lancaster might be eyeing a move west with him here now.

    I'd love to see interest from players like that. We don't need them all but an indication that they want to come here woukd make us a more attractive club to a lot of players.



  • #15515
    ionadnapóca
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,272 ✭✭✭ionadnapóca


    Lancaster - Head Coach & Defence coach.

    Rod Seib - Attack coach.

    Cullie Tucker - Scrum & Contact coach.

    John Muldoon - Lineout & Maul coach.

    Gavan Duffy? - Skills

    ? - Kicking

    ? - S&C

    ? - Psychologist

    https://www.connachtrugby.ie/our-staff/115/

    Note: Billy Millard General Manager of Performance

    https://www.irishrugby.ie/2025/04/09/millard-appointed-general-manager-of-performance-at-connacht/



  • #15516
    CowboyTed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 950 ✭✭✭CowboyTed


    BTW Tom Daly Retired today at 31. Great servant to Connacht..

    https://kclr96fm.com/the-highlight-of-my-career-carlows-tom-daly-retires-from-rugby/

    “I spent the six best years of my life with Connacht. To captain the province was the highlight of my career,” he said.

    “Galway will always feel like home.”

    ===================

    Tom Daly was Connacht 20/21 player of the year.

    CONNACHT RUGBY AWARD WINNERS 2020/21

    Fans’ Player of the Year sponsored by Genesys – Tom Daly

    Players’ Player of the Year sponsored by Heineken Ireland – Tom Daly

    ==============

    https://all.rugby/player/tom-daly

    Was unlucky, Nice got relegated this season… He played over 1100 min this season for them.. Shows, Tom Farrell was looking at the end of the road last year and got picked up and Daly was looking good in D2 and got relegated..

    He got two degrees in his time playing rugby one in science (health & performance) and another in Physiotherapy(think he got this is Galway)…

    Best of luck Tom, thanks for the memories..

    https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=932800667386077



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  • #15517
    CowboyTed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 950 ✭✭✭CowboyTed


    https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=932800667386077



  • #15518
    CowboyTed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 950 ✭✭✭CowboyTed


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbJcQH1Jx-g

    Memories



  • #15519
    lavrenti
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69 ✭✭lavrenti


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512499#Comment_123512499

    Knob



  • #15520
    For Petes Sake
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 758 ✭✭✭For Petes Sake


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123513866#Comment_123513866

    Some of those younger players I think will be allowed to properly break out I think. Treacy, Gavin etc can only get better under Lancaster I believe.



  • #15521
    cson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,550 ✭✭✭✭cson


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512048#Comment_123512048

    The only lad complaining about it, I wouldn't consider a fan.

    Just a professional whinger.



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  • #15522
    FACECUTTR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,613 ✭✭✭FACECUTTR


    I was so deflated at the end of the season with how it finished up and really thought that we could be another season or 2 in the doldrums. Signing Lancaster has absolutely flipped that on its head. This is a big step forward for Connacht and I'm absolutely delighted.



  • #15523
    Utopia Parkway
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,029 ✭✭✭✭Utopia Parkway


    Interesting to see Lancaster being shown around the Dexcom today meeting players and coaches. Seemed quite a few around. For some reason I thought they'd all be away on their holidays.



  • #15524
    ElisaAtWar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,252 ✭✭✭ElisaAtWar


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512823#Comment_123512823

    I felt that was a most interesting question so I choose to answer this rather than the usual 'hate mail'. How could I possibly feel that Lancaster is a bad mix for Connacht? Its clearly ridiculous and misinformed.

    I always use historical data. And historical data is how our future is defined. And Lancaster is an historical nightmare. Yes he may have held positions of significance, but in his time he has failed time and again to achieve at these positions. And time and again he has failed for the exact same reason. He presses the wrong buttons, selects a team that nobody agrees with until finally everyone is sick to death of him and he needs to move on.

    So then why would I mention Jarrad Payne? And it's simply because he doesn't have the baggage that Lancaster has. He would play with the team rather than just fight the case that Lancaster feels he needs to prove for himself alone



  • #15525
    Gaztric
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21 ✭Gaztric


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123516038#Comment_123516038

    It's not hate mail. You seem to find fault with so much that it becomes frustrating. The appointment of Milliard and Lancaster are significant. Whilst next year might be a transition year, I think we will see bigger crowds at games, become more attractive to players and maybe entice more private revenue to the club. All reasons to be optimistic!



  • #15526
    CowboyTed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 950 ✭✭✭CowboyTed


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123516038#Comment_123516038

    We just disagree… No biggy… time will tell…

    Lancaster has been a success in the places he has been and you don't become a national coach unless you have success behind you…

    His term at Leinster was successful…

    I would strike Racing as it is club environment very different from ours…

    But time will tell…



  • #15527
    Paddy_Mag
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 58 ✭✭Paddy_Mag


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123516038#Comment_123516038

    When Leo Cullen told sexton he had spoken to Lancaster in 2016, sexton texted Lancaster and asked what was needed to get the deal done.

    Lancaster only lost once to Ireland as England coach. He missed out on 6n titles on PD a few times IIRC

    He changed things big time at Leinster very much for the positive. Leinster were incredibly accurate in his time there. Connacht Look a little lost at times in the last few seasons. I think that is about to change. The days of connacht making one monumental cock up after another are ending i feel.

    Every coach at this level has failures on his/her CV. Lancaster is no different but he also has European cup and URC titles to his name.



  • #15528
    The Moist Buddha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,032 ✭✭✭The Moist Buddha


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123513196#Comment_123513196

    🫶 reet bo hit there

    https://youtu.be/QqLM10oj-e8?si=tQboUt1Gq3he9Wq_


  • #15529
    Gaztric
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21 ✭Gaztric


    https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2025/0604/1516712-lancaster-says-connacht-can-be-up-to-40-better/

    Exciting comments from the new boss!



  • #15530
    Pete_Cavan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,398 ✭✭✭Pete_Cavan


    I have no doubt that Lancaster will bring about significant improvements for Connacht, both on and off the pitch. There are some very high potential young lads in Connacht and he is the ideal person to get the best out of them.

    Lancaster's comments indicate that he and his wife are moving to Galway which I think is important. AFAIK, his family were still based in England while he was with Leinster and he travelled back and forth each week. Being based in Galway is important imo.



  • #15531
    RonnieL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 858 ✭✭✭RonnieL


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123516446#Comment_123516446

    Absolutely. He confirmed a lot of what we've been discussing on here - his preference for hands on coaching, and the support he's going to get from Millard and Tim Allnut on the management/admin sides of things. My hope is that some of the long standing frustrations we've had about the Connacht play will be addressed, such as our poor restarts, and general confusion at times - in summary, I expect us to become a more well oiled machine, and where we've been less than the sum of our parts in recent times, I hope that will be flipped. No pressure Stuart :-)



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  • #15532
    ionadnapóca
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,272 ✭✭✭ionadnapóca


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123516560#Comment_123516560

    Ben Murphy playing for Ireland v Japan in Nov and in the 6N 2026 squad.

    Really interesting to see how Devine will progress & Hugh Gavin. Will Gavin stay at 13 or will he be moved to 12?



  • #15533
    Mr Tickle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,191 ✭✭✭Mr Tickle


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123516723#Comment_123516723

    It's tricky to know what to do with Gavin and Forde. Both probably play best as 12's and both are capable of playing elsewhere. With Bundee probably on the way out, having Forde at 12 and Gavin at 13 seems to be the best way of getting them both on the pitch, and unless another 13 comes along and pushes for a place those seem like the best centres available.



  • #15534
    For Petes Sake
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 758 ✭✭✭For Petes Sake


    I think there's a lot to be said for Finn Treacy eventually moving to 13.



  • #15535
    b.gud
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,878 ✭✭✭b.gud


    Fantastic interview with Lancaster. I already thought he was a great appointment but after watching im even more excited about what's to come

    https://youtu.be/ePjI5QUPvrc?si=ftulThqztZZf3pfV


  • #15536
    CowboyTed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 950 ✭✭✭CowboyTed


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123516446#Comment_123516446

    Yea… I really hope himself and Nina enjoy their time here… Millard can explain how hard it it is to leave…

    Seems a very interesting person..



  • #15537
    CowboyTed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 950 ✭✭✭CowboyTed


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123517041#Comment_123517041

    There are a number of combinations and there will be a certain amount of playing with the cards you are dealt…

    At the moment I would think it is

    11- Treacy , 12 - Forde , 13 - Gavin, 14 - Hansen/Bolton

    But that I would expect to change with Lancaster… I think Millard might be an inspired selection and can do more Cullen duties while Lancaster is the main guy… Buck stops with him but he is closer to players than previous head coaches… Getting exciting for next year…

    Really hope by the time we play Leinster next year we are sitting in a great full stand with a bunch of points collected and have the Leinster worried a little… That would be close to perfect..



  • #15538
    eagle eye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,719 ✭✭✭✭eagle eye


    I love that he's moving to Galway, many people fall in love with Galway.



  • #15539
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,297 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    Hi all,

    as season ticket sales lets you choose your seat on the north stand

    can anyone tell me will the north stand be open for 1st home game of the season for season ticket holders?

    I know it seems obvious but is this nailed down?

    what's the actual date of the ribbon cutting etc.

    thanks



  • #15540
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,297 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123516560#Comment_123516560

    da wesht is da besht

    FYI there seems to be a new kit brand for the new season judging by SLs polo top,or is it a new version of macron?



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  • #15541
    RonnieL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 858 ✭✭✭RonnieL


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123519355#Comment_123519355

    The new stand won't open until January - the website allows you to specify where you want to stand for the first half of the season when ordering.



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