Connacht Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Part II

total former

connachta wrote: »

Kearney and Payne aren't young, most of the other guys you quoted don't play FB as prefered position. In a 4-year period, it might well be between him and Jones. But he will have to raise his level of play a lot

Jones is only a year younger than Kearney.

connachta

Bazzo wrote: »

Kearney is surprisingly young. 27 or 28 I believe.

29 in a month. 33 in 4 years, too old to play his best IMO

connachta

total former wrote: »

Jones is only a year younger than Kearney.

So It's between TOH and Leader for RWC 2019:D

connachta

Assuming no-one steps up in the other 3 Academies, which is unsure bet for the least
But everything based on Ouncer speculations is unsure

S12b

connachta wrote: »

Kearney and Payne aren't young, most of the other guys you quoted don't play FB as prefered position. In a 4-year period, it might well be between him and Jones. But he will have to raise his level of play a lot

Please don't tell me you're actually trying to add credence to the view that Tiernan O'Halloran is a legitimate contender for Ireland.....

Hagz

If there comes a time where Tiernan O'Halloran is Ireland's full-back, either Connacht have done an incredible job in development, or Ireland have done an atrocious job in development.

connachta

S12b wrote: »

Please don't tell me you're actually trying to add credence to the view that Tiernan O'Halloran is a legitimate contender for Ireland.....

Not is, not at all. But might be, because Ireland may have a little void in 3-4 years with Kearney/Payne retired. Just saying there are currently very few 21 to 25 y-old contenders who are mainly FB right now (I consider Zebo Conway and Dave as mainly wingers)

its_phil

connachta wrote: »

Not is, not at all. But might be, because Ireland may have a little void in 3-4 years with Kearney/Payne retired. Just saying there are currently very few 21 to 25 y-old contenders who are mainly FB right now (I consider Zebo Conway and Dave as mainly wingers)

Relax, he's just back from injury. Let him get his form going and play some games before talk like that.

S12b

connachta wrote: »

Not is, not at all. But might be, because Ireland may have a little void in 3-4 years with Kearney/Payne retired. Just saying there are currently very few 21 to 25 y-old contenders who are mainly FB right now (I consider Zebo Conway and Dave as mainly wingers)

A LOT of if's, buts and maybes there....let's move on.

connachta

S12b wrote: »

A LOT of if's, buts and maybes there....let's move on.

Yeah no prob guys, was just saying that what Ouncer said isn't completely insane (unlikely but not crazy);) . Hard task to plead his cause sometimes here and I was expecting your reactions

freyners

I see the cheap shot merchant from sunday has done the fashionable thing and given a twitter apology for letting himself dragons and his team down. Nothing to jack for the damage he could have done with such a dirty dig. Hopefully the citing commissioners see through his bull****

macslash

About when were Aki and McCartney announced last year? April/May?

porterbelly

macslash wrote: »

About when were Aki and McCartney announced last year? April/May?

Think it was after the season had ended, June/July time

It was definitely late anyway so I wouldn't be too worried.

I'd imagine any would be high profile signings may hinge on Champions Cup rugby.

We don't need much inward movement, retain what we have, bring through SOB, Moloney, Romaine, Gaffney and add 3/4 I'd be happy.

A back row, 10 (depending on how Ronaldson goes til seasons end), 2nd row, would be happy enough with that.

CatFromHue

They were both announced in April I think, so late on in the season.

connachta

porterbelly wrote: »

Think it was after the season had ended, June/July time

It was definitely late anyway so I wouldn't be too worried.

I'd imagine any would be high profile signings may hinge on Champions Cup rugby.

We don't need much inward movement, retain what we have, bring through SOB, Moloney, Romaine, Gaffney and add 3/4 I'd be happy.

A back row, 10 (depending on how Ronaldson goes til seasons end), 2nd row, would be happy enough with that.

and a TH, as I said White isn't eternal and AhYou is a 2nd choice for now...

CatFromHue

I wouldn't want to be relying on Ah You in the wet in a HEC game tbh.

wp_rathead

Still no word on Poolman contract?

S12b

freyners wrote: »

I see the cheap shot merchant from sunday has done the fashionable thing and given a twitter apology for letting himself dragons and his team down. Nothing to jack for the damage he could have done with such a dirty dig. Hopefully the citing commissioners see through his bull****

Is the twitter apology not an official mitigating factor at this stage??

evil_seed

S12b wrote: »

Is the twitter apology not an official mitigating factor at this stage??

it's on par with breaking up with someone by text. Cowards way out

Robbo

Squad update.

Leader picked up a knee injury at full time against the Dragons. Looks like TOH may be starting at FB against Treviso.

wp_rathead

Robbo wrote: »

Squad update.

Leader picked up a knee injury at full time against the Dragons. Looks like TOH may be starting at FB against Treviso.

Nah TOH will be starting at 15 for Ireland :pac:

Beery Eyed

Robbo wrote: »

Squad update.

Leader picked up a knee injury at full time against the Dragons. Looks like TOH may be starting at FB against Treviso.

That's a pity. I thought he had hurt himself in that try near the end alright, but I was hoping it was just a minor knock.

TOH did look sharp when he came on at the weekend though. Hopefully he can return to the form/sharpness that he had when he first started breaking through. With Mils & Leader out now he might get a good opportunity to push for a regular place in the back three again. There's a lot of good competition around though.

ouncer

wprathead wrote: »

Nah TOH will be starting at 15 for Ireland :pac:

Jeepers, do you really think so☺

ouncer

connachta wrote: »

Yeah no prob guys, was just saying that what Ouncer said isn't completely insane (unlikely but not crazy);) . Hard task to plead his cause sometimes here and I was expecting your reactions

Appreciate the insanity clause raised on my behalf☺. I do hope in months to come to prove that this accusation of insanity is all construed. I suspect certain members of the forum are purporting this on the basis of some slightly unusual viewpoints that I may (or may not, hence the insanity issue) may have posted. I plan to fight my case☺

connachta

ouncer wrote: »

Appreciate the insanity clause raised on my behalf☺. I do hope in months to come to prove that this accusation of insanity is all construed. I suspect certain members of the forum are purporting this on the basis of some slightly unusual viewpoints that I may (or may not, hence the insanity issue) may have posted. I plan to fight my case☺

I guess concensus won't be reached here for now:rolleyes:
Except, I hope, on one single point : Connacht for Hcup next season, we all want it!!

S12b

Whatever about Tiernan's chances of playing for Ireland, Messi just cost him a fair bitta cash!!

https://twitter.com/Tiernanoh11/status/570340285655293952

S12b

I wonder is there any chance we'll see Conor Finn get his first home start on Sunday? We're down to the bare bones at 13.....could go with Carty, Ronaldson, McSharry again or Ronaldson, McSharry, Poolman with Niyi in at 14....the latter is probably the most likely but I wouldn't mind seeing a backline of Cooney, Ronaldson, Healy, McSharry, Finn, Poolman and TOH.

deisedude

Think there will be much of a crowd at the Treviso game? Going myself but I'd imagine the Ireland game will negatively affect attendance

connachta

I'd go with

1) Buckley
2) Mccartney
3) AhYou
4) Kearney
5 ) Muldowney
6) Muldoon
7) Heenan
8 ) Masterson
9) Cooney
10) Ronaldson
12)McSharry
13) Finn
11) Healy
14) Poolman
15) TOH

16) Heff
17) Loughney
18) Bealham
19) Roux
20) Naoupu
21) Porter
22) O'Leary
23) Niyi

Kearney back to the business and Roux a bit flat at the moment, just a little swap
Poolman is a winger, and Ronaldson must be properly tried at 10. Carty has to understant he hasn't any granted spot on the teamsheet. So Finn at 13, McShazz back to natural position, O'Leary on the bench.
The rest is unchanged

connachta

Only issue I have is to cover FB in case of TOH injury. Niyi unexperienced, Healy deficient for kicking... Poolman I guess is the best option

S12b

deisedude wrote: »

Think there will be much of a crowd at the Treviso game? Going myself but I'd imagine the Ireland game will negatively affect attendance

Crowd simply has to be down....I'm not going because of the Ireland game and it's on telly. I don't know who sets the schedule, how much say Connacht have etc...but someone f**ked up fixing this match.

S12b

connachta wrote: »

Only issue I have is to cover FB in case of TOH injury. Niyi unexperienced, Healy deficient for kicking... Poolman I guess is the best option

I doubt Carty would be dropped altogether so I'd see him on bench covering 10 and 15 with Niyi in the 23 shirt.

connachta

S12b wrote: »

I doubt Carty would be dropped altogether so I'd see him on bench covering 10 and 15 with Niyi in the 23 shirt.

Carty as fullback? Don't you remember Scarlets try in the Sportsground?:eek:

S12b

connachta wrote: »

Carty as fullback? Don't you remember Scarlets try in the Sportsground?:eek:

Yes, I remember that one mistake. I also remember Jack being consistently excellent under the high ball for the last 12 months.....for a small guy, he's very good in the air.

connachta

S12b wrote: »

Yes, I remember that one mistake. I also remember Jack being consistently excellent under the high ball for the last 12 months.....for a small guy, he's very good in the air.

Poolman is, too. Taller, faster, stronger, and good up-and-under kicking.

Zzippy

Terrible scheduling alright. I plan on watching the match in town and walking up as soon as it's over, but the crowd will be well down alright.

wp_rathead

Jack can cover 15
I still expect Pat to name same lineup but with TOH in for Leader

I'd like to see Finn given a go but id be surprised if he is given the nod

The Lost Sheep

deisedude wrote: »

Think there will be much of a crowd at the Treviso game? Going myself but I'd imagine the Ireland game will negatively affect attendance

Theyre not expecting many there and I would expect anyone who buys a ticket will be let into the clan with so many gone to irish game/watching it. Most of the stewards, head guys/supervisors anyway, will be working in the Aviva at game as well.

S12b

connachta wrote: »

Poolman is, too. Taller, faster, stronger, and good up-and-under kicking.

All true, but he has never played fullback for us and he won't on Sunday either...

its_phil

connachta wrote: »

Poolman is, too. Taller, faster, stronger, and good up-and-under kicking.

Chaser perhaps but kicking isn't his strongest point IIRC

b.gud

http://twitter.com/linleymackenzie/status/570638146431549440

S12b

Another sign of progress and improvement in squad depth, Marmion confirmed to be out and I haven't instantly started sweating profusely at the thought of Frank Murphy actually being on the pitch for more than 200 seconds....remember the Munster game in Thomond Park last Christmas!!

With Cooney on-board, we arguably have the best back-up 9 in Ireland....I'd put John ahead of Williams and Marshall anyway and he'll only get better with regular game-time from here on out.

connachta

S12b wrote: »

All true, but he has never played fullback for us and he won't on Sunday either...

I just said as cover, but if Muliana is back...

S12b

The bayz taking it handy in training!! :D

freyners

connachta wrote: »

I just said as cover, but if Muliana is back...

Has poolman actually ever played FB

Hardest part of FB is positioning and thats only something you get with experience. Jack spends quite a bit of time covering that area whenever our 15 attacks so would be the obvious cover out of the two

connachta

freyners wrote: »

Has poolman actually ever played FB

Hardest part of FB is positioning and thats only something you get with experience. Jack spends quite a bit of time covering that area whenever our 15 attacks so would be the obvious cover out of the two

Still think it would be an error, but if everbody disagree... Anyway, with Mils probably on the bench, no more debate ongoing...

ouncer

connachta wrote: »

Still think it would be an error, but if everbody disagree... Anyway, with Mils probably on the bench, no more debate ongoing...

Rumour has it that mils is fully fit to take the fb position for the weekend. Toh will seemingly have to wait for his international 15 aspirations☺

connachta

ouncer wrote: »

Rumour has it that mils is fully fit to take the fb position for the weekend. Toh will seemingly have to wait for his international 15 aspirations☺

Pat to risk him for the full 80? i'd rather think that, if he starts, it will be replaced at HT. TOH will have gametime, to prepare for Wales and Scotland:D

connachta

If you missed this, look until the end:pac:

Diabhal Beag

How early will the sportsground be open on Sunday lads? Might be better off getting in early instead of rushing out of Pucan.