Connacht Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Part II

Shelflife

irishbucsfan wrote: »

IQ? Of the Ballyshannon Pewhairangis?

No Carrick on Shannon , his uncle has the farm on the right as you leave the town , you know the one with the two red sheds up on the hill !

irishbucsfan

Evil_g wrote: »

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

I hope he can play centre.

He played 5/8th in League from what I can see so I'd imagine he'll be playing center for Connacht.

Evil_g

irishbucsfan wrote: »

He played 5/8th in League from what I can see so I'd imagine he'll be playing center for Connacht.

Nice one. We were badly stuck for centres more than once last season.

Nice to see that the announcement wasn't accompanied by the annual "This concludes Connacht's signings for the new season" statement as well.

b.gud

irishbucsfan wrote: »

He played 5/8th in League from what I can see so I'd imagine he'll be playing center for Connacht.

This is what I was thinking as well. Plus the fact that because he is converting from league they may not have finalised the position he'll play

freyners

Good signing. Henshaw will be unavailable for long periods and McSharry has had his injury issues.

mogwai81

Evil_g wrote: »

Nice one. We were badly stuck for centres more than once last season.

Nice to see that the announcement wasn't accompanied by the annual "This concludes Connacht's signings for the new season" statement as well.

A little disappointed we didn't get to see Peter Robb last season. I know he's only in year one of the academy but he's bigger then most centre's already.

The Lost Sheep

mogwai81 wrote: »

A little disappointed we didn't get to see Peter Robb last season. I know he's only in year one of the academy but he's bigger then most centre's already.

Didn't mean he was ready to play pro12. May be bigger than a lot of centres but that wouldn't mean he's ready yet. He had some injury issues as well last season..

total former

freyners wrote: »

Good signing. Henshaw will be unavailable for long periods and McSharry has had his injury issues.

I don't think this guy is going to be at that level for a while yet, his pedigree isn't great.

Evil_g

total former wrote: »

I don't think this guy is going to be at that level for a while yet, his pedigree isn't great.

Anything is better than starting (our) wingers at centre.

mogwai81

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Didn't mean he was ready to play pro12. May be bigger than a lot of centres but that wouldn't mean he's ready yet. He had some injury issues as well last season..

Fair point. It just frustrates me that every other country seems to have no issue with young players getting games or at least an opportunity to see if there up to the standard or not.

its_phil

mogwai81 wrote: »

Fair point. It just frustrates me that every other country seems to have no issue with young players getting games or at least an opportunity to see if there up to the standard or not.

Henshaw, Finn and O'Leary were played at center this year. Plenty of young lads played there and let's not forget McSharry and Griffin when they started. Definitely not a problem out west wen our average age for back line is 24 IIRC

Robbo

First pass he throws to Niyi will make some commentator's head explode.

Lot of big savings on Connacht gear available at Lovell-Rugby

http://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/shop/Rugby-Team/Connacht#sort=price

mogwai81

its_phil wrote: »

Henshaw, Finn and O'Leary were played at center this year. Plenty of young lads played there and let's not forget McSharry and Griffin when they started. Definitely not a problem out west wen our average age for back line is 24 IIRC

Your not wrong, I'm just impatient. Can't wait to see Robb get a game at Pro 12 level.

freyners

total former wrote: »

I don't think this guy is going to be at that level for a while yet, his pedigree isn't great.

Oh yeah thats obvious enough. But we need centre cover badly, even if its just for the eagles for the first year while he familarises himself with the code

connemara man

I'd like to see a utility back signed a six that can play across the row would be great. Or is there anyone in the academy looking to break through. John Muldoon won't last forever

mogwai81

connemara man wrote: »

I'd like to see a utility back signed a six that can play across the row would be great. Or is there anyone in the academy looking to break through. John Muldoon won't last forever

Ben Marshall could take some of the work load off Muldoon at 6 and Heenan, Fox, Masterson and McKeon should have 7/8 covered barring an injury crisis.

ouncer

its_phil wrote: »

Henshaw, Finn and O'Leary were played at center this year. Plenty of young lads played there and let's not forget McSharry and Griffin when they started. Definitely not a problem out west wen our average age for back line is 24 IIRC

And yet we ended up running out of centres. And then we ended up without an experienced out half. And then we ended up with a total lack of second rows. Otherwise all is fantastic in Connacht :-).

freyners

connemara man wrote:

I'd like to see a utility back signed a six that can play across the row would be great. Or is there anyone in the academy looking to break through. John Muldoon won't last forever

Connolly has looked decent on his cameos so far and I'm sure he can go blindside

connemara man

freyners wrote: »

Connolly has looked decent on his cameos so far and I'm sure he can go blindside

It's a place I feel we lack strength in depth is all

its_phil

ouncer wrote: »

And yet we ended up running out of centres. And then we ended up without an experienced out half. And then we ended up with a total lack of second rows. Otherwise all is fantastic in Connacht :-).

Being down as many centers and second rows as we were was a freak occurance all at once. You have to appreciate we'll be the better for it, as none of the young lads shamed themselves.

An experienced backrow would be welcome. A dirty b****** specialising in the dark arts would be very welcome.

connemara man

its_phil wrote: »

Being down as many centers and second rows as we were was a freak occurance all at once. You have to appreciate we'll be the better for it, as none of the young lads shamed themselves.

An experienced backrow would be welcome. A dirty b****** specialising in the dark arts would be very welcome.

Yea I would love a player every opposition fan hates but would love on their own team.
I think we got caught out this season being a bit naive at times. A player like that would help get rid of some of that

b.gud

connemara man wrote: »

It's a place I feel we lack strength in depth is all

Fwiw Masterson has been named at 6 for the emerging Ireland team

gally74

b.gud wrote: »

Fwiw Masterson has been named at 6 for the emerging Ireland team

joe might want to see him there!

b.gud

gally74 wrote: »

joe might want to see him there!

Well by the end of this game he'll have played 6,7 and 8 in the tournament so he's certainly doing no harm showing his versatility

wp_rathead

Rumours of Marsh heading our way?
He recently signed contract extension with Leinster so don't see it happening myself

Cosmo Kramer

Robbo wrote: »

First pass he throws to Niyi will make some commentator's head explode.

If it's IQ'd players we're after we definitely need to go after this lad next.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rory_Kostjasyn

b.gud

wp_rathead wrote: »

Rumours of Marsh heading our way?
He recently signed contract extension with Leinster so don't see it happening myself

Wonder will it be a loan deal or a full time move? That's assuming it's true obviously

total former

b.gud wrote: »

Wonder will it be a loan deal or a full time move? That's assuming it's true obviously

I'd be very surprised if it's true:
- he only recently signed a new contract with Leinster
- Connacht don't need another unproven youngster, they need an established Pro12-quality 10
- both of Leinster's senior out-halves will be at the RWC; if Marsh is ever going to get a shot with Leinster, it's this year.

FrannoFan

when is jason harris-wright back or is he totally gone?

was progressing well prior to injury

b.gud

FrannoFan wrote: »

when is jason harris-wright back or is he totally gone?

was progressing well prior to injury

Haven't heard anything about him in a while but I think he was supposed to be back for pre season

Robbo

FrannoFan wrote: »

when is jason harris-wright back or is he totally gone?

was progressing well prior to injury

A few months ago, he was in some form of training with the main squad. I'd say he'll be in perfect shape for the start of the new season and will be eager to get his spot back.

thomond2006

Is Jake Heenan going to be fit for the start of next season? Connacht have a big opportunity to gain a head start in the Pro12 during RWC.

evil_seed

Who would you all have as captain for the new season? I'd have a healthy Jake myself or 1 or the Muls.

RobbieRuns

Jake if he was healthy............ but Muldoon is top candidate.

freyners

evil_seed wrote: »

Who would you all have as captain for the new season? I'd have a healthy Jake myself or 1 or the Muls.

Muldowney all day. Was very impressed with him all season, especially the away edinburgh game when he took over captaincy, led the team very well

Really wouldnt have Muldoon, half the refs seem to despise him and the others dont pay attention

freyners

disappointed Buckley and Healy couldnt get a look in but Congrats to Robbie and Kieran

wp_rathead

I'd have Tom McCartney, Jake Heenan or Aly Muldowney as captain next season

freyners wrote: »

disappointed Buckley and Healy couldnt get a look in but Congrats to Robbie and Kieran

Healy never really had a chance with the competition ahead of him..
..Buckley however, when you see some of the players in the training squad, is rather eyebrow raising that he got omitted

ouncer

freyners wrote: »

disappointed Buckley and Healy couldnt get a look in but Congrats to Robbie and Kieran

Guess this is in relation to selection of Irish extended squad. First off let's clarify I am not Joe Schmidt in disguise :-). Second there is such an abundance of proven talent on the wing that it would simply be impossible to extend that to matt. There is a case for Denis and I would think that was a close call (with the liklehood he would be first callup choice). On the captaincy matter I was just named my starting 15 in my mind, then subtracted any internationals (that was easy :-)), then looked at what's left. There is nobody in my preferred back line who could lead the team. So then its down to the pack. And honestly there is only one player in the pack who I would wish to lead this team. Muldowney 500%. And, not to surprise many, I'm happy to see kieran with the national squad. It means our current best 9 will start most of our games next year

Utopia Parkway

ouncer wrote: »

Guess this is in relation to selection of Irish extended squad. First off let's clarify I am not Joe Schmidt in disguise :-). Second there is such an abundance of proven talent on the wing that it would simply be impossible to extend that to matt.

I could believe that except Dave Kearney got selected. Nothing against Kearney who is a solid if unspectacular player but I would take Healy over him every day of the week.

Funk It

wp_rathead wrote: »

I'd have Tom McCartney, Jake Heenan or Aly Muldowney as captain next season

Completely agree, these are the best options available, hope Pat sees passed his own 'Connacht man' thinking shown picking 3 captains in his first year.

Heenan seems to pick up injury after injury so not sure if he'd be the best option?

ouncer

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

I could believe that except Dave Kearney got selected. Nothing against Kearney who is a solid if unspectacular player but I would take Healy over him every day of the week.

That's a fair comparison and a fair point

ouncer

Jett Quaint Goose-step wrote: »

Heenan seems to pick up injury after injury so not sure if he'd be the best option?

He hasn't picked up injury after injury. He had his shoulder done in and then (it would seem) got brought back into action too early. So he had to undergo shoulder reconstruction once again. Without doubt the fans are nervous on his return as he will be. While concussions have hit the headlines of recent times I'm not so sure how many times I would want my shoulder reconstructed before I figured i'm hitting the danger zone. Would I like Heenan on the team next year? Without a doubt. Other side is another shoulder injury and he is probably finished. How do you face a game knowing that?

ouncer

wp_rathead wrote: »

I'd have Tom McCartney, Jake Heenan or Aly Muldowney as captain next season



Healy never really had a chance with the competition ahead of him..
..Buckley however, when you see some of the players in the training squad, is rather eyebrow raising that he got omitted

On the basis that McCartney has leaked all year in defensive tackles and his lineouts have gone to pants I expect jhw as starter for next year. As for Jake, he has a huge injury struggle to get over. If it isn't muldowney I would be mystified

wp_rathead

ouncer wrote: »

On the basis that McCartney has leaked all year in defensive tackles and his lineouts have gone to pants I expect jhw as starter for next year. As for Jake, he has a huge injury struggle to get over. If it isn't muldowney I would be mystified

Tom missed a couple of tackles against Ulster and Ospreys alright - but in every other game he was fantastic and I actually voted for him as PotS.

While it was stupid, I'll never forget him against Gloucester in extra time being treated, seeing we were in trouble and getting up and making a tackle

Like you though, Aly would be my first choice

duckysauce

freyners wrote: »

Muldowney all day. Was very impressed with him all season, especially the away edinburgh game when he took over captaincy, led the team very well

Really wouldnt have Muldoon, half the refs seem to despise him and the others dont pay attention

Yep Irish player of the year in my book

ouncer

duckysauce wrote: »

Yep Irish player of the year in my book

In my opinion dave kilcoyne Munster.

Robbo

The Justice for Den Buckley campaign starts here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtar5eycKE0

typhoony

It appeared to me that Muldowney took a more active role as the season went by last year, think we have enough leaders now in the team that captain is not as important as it used to be. Jake would be my second choice as he seems a smart lad and knows whats happening in the game