Connacht Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Part II

Robbo

The Indo today says that Jimmy Duffy is likely to be the new forwards coach.

Redo91

Currently trying to renew my season ticket. I'm looking to go from a family ticket to just a single adult ticket. It seems like if you want to renew a ticket you must get the same one as last season. I tried buying a ticket as a new season ticket holder but then it won't let me use my e-mail address as it's already on the database. Any idea how to get around this? Will I just have to set up a new e-mail address?

Edit: It appears you can only select different season tickets once you have renewed your current season ticket. Such a stupid system. How are you supposed to manage if you had a season ticket for the main terrace and wanted to change to the Clan? It wouldn't let you select the Clan until you've renewed your season ticket for the Clan.

death1234567

errlloyd wrote: »

There doesn't need to be. That experience is actually valuable to them. Getting used to travelling to various grounds in Europe and winning knock out matches should be enough incentive in it's own right.

All of that is nonsense IMO. The Challenge cup is like the Europa league, over half the teams in it don't want to be there. Without the carrot of a Champions Cup spot for the winner the competition is a farce.

ouncer

Its a strange thing. You watch premier league soccer in england and wonder why folks could support Everton or west ham. These teams have managed to remain in the premiership over the years with nothing remarkable. Now I'm a Connacht supporter I get the point. We will maybe not win the league next year but we will try.

b.gud

Duffy confirmed as new forwards coach
http://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-appoints-new-forwards-coach/#ConnachtNews

Robbo

I know there's a seperate thread on the Pearse Stadium rumour doing the rounds but I saw that the Greyhound Board are up to their necks in debt and are proposing a sale of Harold's Cross stadium, with some opposition to the plan.

Could be exactly the opportunity that's needed to strongarm them over the future of the Sportsground.

total former

Robbo wrote: »

I know there's a seperate thread on the Pearse Stadium rumour doing the rounds but I saw that the Greyhound Board are up to their necks in debt and are proposing a sale of Harold's Cross stadium, with some opposition to the plan.

Could be exactly the opportunity that's needed to strongarm them over the future of the Sportsground.

I don't think Bord na gCon own the Sportsgrounds.

freyners

The sg is owned by a farming coop if I remember correctly

Robbo

total former wrote: »

I don't think Bord na gCon own the Sportsgrounds.

freyners wrote: »

The sg is owned by a farming coop if I remember correctly

The Galway Agricultural & Sports Society Ltd are owners. They're a registered friendly society so their records aren't as easily available as those of a company. However, I may request them in person for the craic.

Bord na gCon are tenants in the same way that Connacht Rugby are and from what I'm led to believe the dogs might enjoy a "superior" tenancy. As the Sportsground is unregistered land, a trip to the Registry of Deeds might be throw some light on this.

My point is that their parlous finances might lead to them being open to having their tenancy (or principles) open to offer. Who knows though, the greyhound industry is subsidised to a ridiculous amount and those involved seem to be quite unbothered by scandal after scandal. They do like a bit of cash though.

Foxychick

Just after getting city link bus from Dublin to Galway. Safety talk for journey done by a few of the lads on the team. Cringe

freyners

Foxychick wrote: »

Just after getting city link bus from Dublin to Galway. Safety talk for journey done by a few of the lads on the team. Cringe

Sponsors get what the want i guess

Robbo wrote:

The Galway Agricultural & Sports Society Ltd are owners. They're a registered friendly society so their records aren't as easily available as those of a company. However, I may request them in person for the craic.

Bord na gCon are tenants in the same way that Connacht Rugby are and from what I'm led to believe the dogs might enjoy a "superior" tenancy. As the Sportsground is unregistered land, a trip to the Registry of Deeds might be throw some light on this.

My point is that their parlous finances might lead to them being open to having their tenancy (or principles) open to offer. Who knows though, the greyhound industry is subsidised to a ridiculous amount and those involved seem to be quite unbothered by scandal after scandal. They do like a bit of cash though.

Thats the group, thought it was a co-op for some reason. The superior tenacy thing I've heard before too.

Couple of problems I could see with any takeover (not that it seems likely or possible at the moment).

Running of the facilities on the main terrace side might be costly. The costs that side arent Connachts (or the revenue generate on match days) I'm led to believe, which is why the few times I'm that side I try to loop over to the clan for pint(s).
Ripping up the dog track would be costly and would make the pitch seem ridiculously far away on the main terrace side, worse than the time Ireland was in croke park. the dog track at least offers a clear idea of the sideline to specatators and players (altho this could end up being an advantage to our players when used to it should it happen)
Feck knows how much rent would be too if we were the sole tenant. We are only a year form a massive overrun so I imagine things are tight.


Of course, if we could get it we could probably increase capacity that side and get rid of the temp stand

connemara man

Let's start a crowd funding campaign to buy it all out and make the perfect little stadium

ki

Sportground would make an ideal location for a 10-15 all-seater with a roof.

Padkir

Would be a shame to seat it all though; better atmosphere generally in a terrace. Could leave one side terraced though; or at least the front of it terraced and seats at the back?

ki

Padkir wrote: »

Would be a shame to seat it all though; better atmosphere generally in a terrace. Could leave one side terraced though; or at least the front of it terraced and seats at the back?

I agree with a better atmosphere in the terrace but if there was a way to have easy swap in and out seats for concerts etc. it would be a greet revenue stream for whoever owns its - concerts etc.

freyners

Kingholm impressed me with the set up there. Mix terraced and seating and good facilities. Not a bad model to follow if possible

total former

I think the major problem is that Connacht / IRFU just wouldn't have the money to buy and completely redevelop the Sportsground.

franglan

Kingsholm would be the model to follow. We already have the shed with the clan terrace. Just need to get some local cider brewers in place!

freyners

total former wrote:

I think the major problem is that Connacht / IRFU just wouldn't have the money to buy and completely redevelop the Sportsground.

Yup. But it's good to have a long term plan in place should an opportunity ever come up.

Good for the supporters to dream too

ouncer

Anyone know of a stream for the emerging Ireland games

b.gud

ouncer wrote: »

Anyone know of a stream for the emerging Ireland games

Last year they were streamed on the IRB, now world rugby, site so I'd assume it'll be the same this year but if I get confirmation I'll post back here

its_phil

total former wrote: »

I think the major problem is that Connacht / IRFU just wouldn't have the money to buy and completely redevelop the Sportsground.

They've both tried. It's the dogs that are a nightmare to deal with. The commitment is there financially

ouncer

Hoping to see Buckley, Masterson, toh and Healy involved. If Healy rips it up (as I expect he will) he could pose a headache for Joe. Realistically I can't see him making the world cup squad. Gilroy has had a fantastic season, tommy bowe is a definite, Keith earls is playing out of his skin, and then there is the likes of zebo and (Dave) Kearney. Winger is a hotly contested spot and even if matt plays well I suspect Joe will stick with experience. The usual catch 22 situation.

The Lost Sheep

ouncer wrote: »

Anyone know of a stream for the emerging Ireland games

Try in the Irish thread tomorrow....

ouncer wrote: »

Hoping to see Buckley, Masterson, toh and Healy involved. If Healy rips it up (as I expect he will) he could pose a headache for Joe. Realistically I can't see him making the world cup squad. Gilroy has had a fantastic season, tommy bowe is a definite, Keith earls is playing out of his skin, and then there is the likes of zebo and (Dave) Kearney. Winger is a hotly contested spot and even if matt plays well I suspect Joe will stick with experience. The usual catch 22 situation.

Post better suited to Irish thread no? Dont see Healy being near world cup squad

b.gud

ouncer wrote: »

Anyone know of a stream for the emerging Ireland games

Georgian rubgy union are providing the streams, keep an eye on social media for details

freyners

TOH, Healey, Buckley and Marshall (and griffin) all starting. Belham heff cooney browne masterson on bench

Hopefully his doesnt lead for Buckley/Bealhams IRFU photos to be updated

Bazzo

Already linked it in the Ireland thread but for anyone who missed it, and seeing as the team is about a third Connacht , the link to the live stream of the match is:

http://rugbyge.tulix.tv/

ouncer

As matches go this one was highly forgetful. Penalty after penalty, messed up scrum after messed up scrum. Bright sides was that heffs lineouts were flawless and good to see grif and toh get tries. And to lump trajedy on tragedy I spent a further two hours of my life watching an Irish soccer game. Four hours never to be returned :-). On the plus side if your a rugby supporter at least there is the potential to witness a decent game

ouncer

You would expect it to be unlikely for any further rugby in Tbilisi this week after last nights natural disaster. Hope the team are all ok. Must have been a shock after the heatwave they played in yesterday. Thoughts to all the people who lost their lives and livelihoods in the floods

freyners

Team for uruguay match. Healy, Cooney, Heff, Browne, Masterson at 8 starting

Buckley and Marshall on the bench

Robbo

freyners wrote: »

Team for uruguay match. Healy, Cooney, Heff, Browne, Masterson at 8 starting

Buckley and Marshall on the bench

Healy out and Conway in to replace.

Also, today's the day for the Challenge Cup draw. We're in with the top seeds apparently.

b.gud

It's hard to be sure given the complicated nature of the draw, but I had a quick look and I reckon that the best possible group we could come up with is:

Connacht, La Rochelle, Zebre, Agen

The worst possible would be

Connacht, Harlequins, Cardiff Blues, Pau

I used this to get the info in case anyone would like to come up with what they think might better/worse scenarios. Or to point out how I've completely misunderstood the seedings

b.gud

La Rochelle and Edinburgh confirmed as tier 1 teams, Harlequins in tier 2

b.gud

Here are the final tiers confirmed

b.gud

Connacht are in pool 1

Joining them are Brive from tier 2

From tier 3 it's Newcastle Falcons

Final team is Enisei-Stm

b.gud

Here's the final table for Connacht, not a bad draw

wp_rathead

WE'RE GOING TO RUSSIA LADS

freyners

Who's coming to Russia lads??

connemara man

Rainbow trousers and a Connacht jersey

I'd urge as many as possible to make the weekend trip to Newcastle. Cracking city for a night out, lots of great people.

Robbo

Not the best draw, not the worst. All will depend on how motivated Newcastle are.

I believe Ensei are playing their home matches in Sochi so we can take in some of the crumbling Winter Olympics infrastructure.

its_phil

Robbo wrote: »

Not the best draw, not the worst. All will depend on how motivated Newcastle are.

I believe Ensei are playing their home matches in Sochi so we can take in some of the crumbling Winter Olympics infrastructure.

Good draw in my opinion and we should pick up a home QF, which will hopefully mean a semi too. Brive were 0-6 last year. But I'm actually more worried about the trip to Russia than anything else. Long journey, lets just hope it is on Saturday (and head-to-head with Russia first) and get a 7 day turnaround.

Larbre34

Lol @ Russia for the away trip

Bazzo

Just caught Marshall's try in the emerging Ireland game. He's some size of a lad.

slingerz

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd urge as many as possible to make the weekend trip to Newcastle. Cracking city for a night out, lots of great people.

Would be a top quality trip alright!

Robbo

I've already pencilled in Newcastle for a jolly. What's not to like; handy flights, the match and then getting mortal in the toon.

b.gud

New signing for Connacht. He's a league convert but played union at under age and is Irish qualified

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-signs-apirana-pewhairangi/#ConnachtNews

irishbucsfan

IQ? Of the Ballyshannon Pewhairangis?

b.gud

irishbucsfan wrote: »

IQ? Of the Ballyshannon Pewhairangis?

His grandmother is from Ireland, he represented Ireland in the rugby league world cup

from the link I posted

Pewhairangi, whose grandmother was from Lucan, Co. Dublin, represented Ireland in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. He had previously represented the Junior Kiwis.

Evil_g

b.gud wrote: »

New signing for Connacht. He's a league convert but played union at under age and is Irish qualified

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-signs-apirana-pewhairangi/#ConnachtNews

How could they write that press release without saying what position he plays?

I hope he can play centre.