Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

ClanofLams · 16-09-2019 10:21pm

Mul, it's over

macslash wrote: »

Looking forward to it. Hoping to bring herself but don't have a ticket for her. Could ya pay in at gate I wonder??

Would say you definitely can but tickets are available online now too. They might be a few euro cheaper too.

Diabhal Beag · 16-09-2019 10:44pm

Redo91 wrote: »

Anyone else still waiting on their season ticket?

Got mine last month but this is fairly common. They'll send you over a PDF for the Munster game if it doesn't come this week.

ClanofLams · 17-09-2019 6:55pm

Mul, it's over

Scarlets lost to Dragons at the weekend and apparently played terrible. Should be a good opportunity in the first game with so many World Cup absences and new coach still settling in.

Of course Connacht had a similar chance against a depleted Ospreys last November and turned in one of the worst performances of the season.

ClanofLams · 19-09-2019 6:27am

Mul, it's over

Marmion back with Connacht this week after last week off, will come off bench this weekend against Munster with Blade starting. Conor Dean set to start at ten. Interesting one that given he didn’t play in France or Russia, did look very good for Eagles last week. Hope it’s giving him a chance and not due to Horwitz/Fitzgerald picking up knocks.

https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/110265/marmion-to-feature-for-connacht-against-munster

macslash · 19-09-2019 12:30pm

Mul, it's over

New European and away jerseys launched. Both very nice. I'd love if they kept them for two years now, not a fan of changing every year.

Wegians89 · 19-09-2019 6:09pm

The Friend Zone

Anyone at the kit launch thing in Elverys last night hear anything interesting?

Wegians89 · 19-09-2019 6:11pm

The Friend Zone

Gallagher and dean noticeable players missing from the eagles team, could be involved with the seniors against Munster?

KBurke85 · 19-09-2019 7:15pm

The Friend Zone

Wegians89 wrote: »

Gallagher and dean noticeable players missing from the eagles team, could be involved with the seniors against Munster?

Dean is starting per the post with the piece from the Advertiser

macslash · 20-09-2019 2:04am

Mul, it's over

Wegians89 wrote: »

Anyone at the kit launch thing in Elverys last night hear anything interesting?

Did you hear something interesting?!

Wegians89 · 20-09-2019 8:25am

The Friend Zone

macslash wrote: »

Did you hear something interesting?!

Nope couldn’t make it, just wondering what went on haha

macslash · 20-09-2019 12:05pm

Mul, it's over

Wegians89 wrote: »

Nope couldn’t make it, just wondering what went on haha

Same. I was too late applying for the ticket.

You got my hopes there of some random signing haha

ClanofLams · 20-09-2019 12:10pm

Mul, it's over

https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/1175002785726832640?s=21

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-announce-squad-for-final-preseason-fixture-against-munster/

No Horwitz on team or bench looks like he is injured.

Strong team though, should be a good game.

BakeMeACake · 20-09-2019 9:22pm

No sign of Leader. Is he injured?

BakeMeACake · 20-09-2019 9:43pm

Would have definitely said roux and Thornbury are Connacht's best second row with Dillane benching. Considering Dillane was closest to the Irish team that may be considered an unusual viewpoint and maybe I will be proven wrong in time

ClanofLams · 20-09-2019 10:20pm

Mul, it's over

Was thinking same about Leader, would have him ahead of John Porch at this stage anyway. Also unusual to see Jonny Murphy on the bench, thought he was just getting a chance in Moscow but Heffernan and Delahunt must both be injured.

Second rows are a bit like Ireland centres, rarely fit together. Thought Dillane was much improved last season, he had some difficulties after breaking through in such an impressive way at 22 or whatever it was but think he still has the chance to fulfill massive potential. Good problem to have though.

Looks like Conor Fitzgerald will be first choice in Cartys absence. Nigel Carolan and Jarrad Butler talking him up at the league launch this week.

https://www.the42.ie/conor-fitzgerald-connacht-4815627-Sep2019/

Another win for eagles tonight, anyone at the game?

Diabhal Beag · 21-09-2019 2:07pm

Free scarf, fixture list and a magnet with the season ticket.

realhorrorshow · 21-09-2019 2:25pm

Thornbury and Roux would also be my preferred second row partnership, but Dillane absolutely has the ability to force the issue. If Leader and O'Halloran continue on their current trajectories I can see Leader grabbing the 15 shirt.

connachta · 21-09-2019 2:56pm

“He’s got a really useful skillset and he has grown, not only physically, but is maturing very well. I think he is going to be one of our bright sparks this year. He might even challenge Jack when he comes back from the World Cup.”

Wow, huge optimism about Fitzgerald

testtech05 · 21-09-2019 5:06pm

Some Like It TOH

Any updates from the game guys?

KBurke85 · 21-09-2019 5:12pm

The Friend Zone

testtech05 wrote: »

Any updates from the game guys?

Connacht won 40-31

Wegians89 · 21-09-2019 5:37pm

The Friend Zone

testtech05 wrote: »

Any updates from the game guys?

Connacht the much better team, felt score line flattered Munster really who were ridiculously ill disciplined and sloppy

MarinersBlues · 21-09-2019 7:00pm

Mul, it's over

https://www.facebook.com/irishrugby/videos/1130817587118941/?notif_id=1569088450894236&notif_t=live_video

For those who haven't had enough rugby today Connacht Ladies vs Leinster is live on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/irishrugby/videos/1130817587118941/?notif_id=1569088450894236&notif_t=live_video

ClanofLams · 21-09-2019 7:09pm

Mul, it's over

Connacht dominated first half should have been much further ahead. Conor Fitzgerald looked good, one bad effort at kicking to touch from a penalty aside, just went straight down pitch so he obviously just completely mis-hit it. His goalkicking was very good. Blade and Marmion both looked sharp, fair f**ks to Marmion, be easy to put head down.

First half try conceded was very soft. Peter Robb got a nice try, if he could get a break from injuries, it would be a big help. Thought Kyle Godwin looked very good, given how good he was at start of last season when guys coming from Super Rugby often struggle, he could really have an excellent season.

Jonny Murphy came on and off in about 15 mins in the second half, presumably with injury, if Heffernan and Delahunt are also injured, Tierney Martin could get an early chance next week.

Squad looks strong overall, maybe slight concerns about prop depth and back three depth, given De Buitléar is out for most of season and Porch is probably going to need some time to get up to speed to 15s. Think it will be a really good season.

BakeMeACake · 21-09-2019 8:03pm

ClanofLams wrote: »

Connacht dominated first half should have been much further ahead. Conor Fitzgerald looked good, one bad effort at kicking to touch from a penalty aside, just went straight down pitch so he obviously just completely mis-hit it. His goalkicking was very good. Blade and Marmion both looked sharp, fair f**ks to Marmion, be easy to put head down.

First half try conceded was very soft. Peter Robb got a nice try, if he could get a break from injuries, it would be a big help. Thought Kyle Godwin looked very good, given how good he was at start of last season when guys coming from Super Rugby often struggle, he could really have an excellent season.

Jonny Murphy came on and off in about 15 mins in the second half, presumably with injury, if Heffernan and Delahunt are also injured, Tierney Martin could get an early chance next week.

Squad looks strong overall, maybe slight concerns about prop depth and back three depth, given De Buitléar is out for most of season and Porch is probably going to need some time to get up to speed to 15s. Think it will be a really good season.

I know it was a warm-up game but soft trys have always been Connacht's achilles heel. That said it was a good performance in general. Conor Fitzgerald was not shabby which was a worry with Jack away. Tiernan seemed to have a bit of his mojo back and Gavin Thornbury was immense

Wegians89 · 21-09-2019 9:30pm

The Friend Zone

A lot of rustiness in the first half, Connacht came out in the second half like a train. Thought toh, Godwin and conor Fitzgerald looked particularly good. Stephan Fitzgerald will be an important player this season, can see him being first choice back three. Butler and faingaa are brilliant but still feel a big bast*rd of a ball carrier could go with them in the back row

connachta · 21-09-2019 9:55pm

Wegians89 wrote: »

A lot of rustiness in the first half, Connacht came out in the second half like a train. Thought toh, Godwin and conor Fitzgerald looked particularly good. Stephan Fitzgerald will be an important player this season, can see him being first choice back three. Butler and faingaa are brilliant but still feel a big bast*rd of a ball carrier could go with them in the back row

Have agreed about this for long, but SOB is close to be fully back and would do this job !

BakeMeACake · 21-09-2019 10:34pm

It was an important game for one reason to me. It was a very strong Connacht. But could Conor Fitzgerald stand up and be counted. And he did just that which allayed fears I had. So I think it will be a good year for Connacht

Wegians89 · 21-09-2019 10:37pm

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

Have agreed about this for long, but SOB is close to be fully back and would do this job !

Love SOB think he’s an absolutely smashing player and a work horse but he’s not a ball carrying 8. He’s more in the Ruddock role. I’d be looking for a more billy V. Or mata from Edinburgh style

macslash · 22-09-2019 2:53am

Mul, it's over

Delighted with the performance. I didn't think there was any player really that didn't aquit themselves well. Props and replacement were solid, I was very happy with Paddy Mac. Hopefully he can stay fit. Thought Tom was good. Thornbury was a collosus and it was great to see Quinn out playing again. Back row was very steady. Colby is such a clever player. Blade was his usual self and Marms when he came on was electric. Delighted for him. Conor Fitz kicking from tee was unreal. Couldn't appreciate the kicks properly as was on mainstand side but with that wind they were very good. Conor Dean has lovely hands, seemed a bit nervous which can be expected. Back three were good, TOH looked lively which is a huge plus. I thought Porch when he came on did well. Some lovely hands and his positioning seems a good bit better than before. Tom and Kyle were very good, and like a previous poster said Robb will be a huge addition if he can stay healthy. The man is a tank, with lovely feet and hands.

A few negative for me was Murphy getting injured (I presume), and I didn't think Ultan was super when he came on. Tries conceded were soft and again our inability to hammer home man advantage showed it's ugly face.
I would also love a big bruiser of a back row. That Russian 6 yesterday was very impressive and I heard the commentary say he's unattached?? I wonder will we chance anyone after seeing them in the world cup? Wasn't that how we got AJ four years ago.

Also one other thing. The speaker system is still a joke. I know it's not even day 1 yet but it's so dated. And the scoreboard is cat too. Second half timer hadn't even started and we had our 1st try of the half scored. Pitch looked great though. Such a pity we have to lose it.

macslash · 22-09-2019 10:54am

Mul, it's over

Hope Bundee is okay.

Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

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