Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Former Coach · 09-05-2022 3:42pm

Not very respectful to a player who has given 14 years to the club......

09-05-2022 3:47pm

No ones history entitles them to be free of criticism. I support the team, not individual players

In my opinion he offers nothing to the team, and is a liability.

He was good 6 years ago. Not so much now. There wasn't one game this season where I thought, "I'm happy O'Halloran is playing"

Connacht are regressing as a team, and we're rewarding our poor players with new contracts. I dont see how that will help us improve

SqueakyKneecap · 09-05-2022 3:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119037026#Comment_119037026

It's professional sport unfortunately and posters like myself with season tickets help fund the team so I have no issue voicing my dismay over this, nor should others. I don't begrudge TOH signing a deal but it does definitely add to my concern over how the province is being ran. TOH has been shown to be way below URC starter level for at least 3 years.

Has he been a great servant? Yes. Does that mean he can still be taking up salary that could be better used elsewhere? Yes.

RichieRich_89 · 09-05-2022 4:27pm

Connacht probably would be better off trying to tempt Shane Daly from Munster, or approaching Dardis or Jack Kelly from the 7s.

RonnieL · 09-05-2022 7:15pm

Goes without saying that Tiernan has been a great servant, but the announcement today didn't exactly add to my excitement for next year. Still, he has plenty of experience so hopefully his role next year will be more of a mentoring one, and providing cover when we're stuck.

Zeugnis · 09-05-2022 7:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119037026#Comment_119037026

This extension was telegraphed some time ago. I understand your desire to defend Tiernan, everyone knows that he has done great things for the priovince, but his performances in recent years have not been good (although it would be an absurd injustice to lay all of Connacht's current ills at his door).

I hope that his role next year is appropriate and makes the most of his talents and experience, but would be disappointed if he is given the number of starts and minutes he got this season (16, 1115 mins). But, to be pedantic, Tiernan didn't 'give' his career to Connacht, he has been (presumably) well paid for it, and critics of this decision are right in their expectation that the club's resources are used efficiently rather than to keep supporters on board sentimentally. The reality is we've had a bad season, and need to be more clinical organisationally, not less - would Leinster have extended his contract?

I'm increasingly sceptical of AF's leadership, and would like to see journalists hold him to account more seriously than they have, he's handled them well, in fairness: 'Fest, relentless, adaptable...', my arse.

Zeugnis · 09-05-2022 7:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119037236#Comment_119037236

We don't need any further recruitment in the back three.

Lost Ormond · 10-05-2022 3:08pm

Connacht Rugby can confirm the players who will depart the club at the end of the season.

As previously announced, Ultan Dillane, Sammy Arnold, Abraham Papali’i and Tietie Tuimauga will leave the club at the end of their contracts to play in France, while Matt Healy has announced his retirement from pro rugby.

Fellow centurion Eoghan Masterson will move on after a 9-year spell at the club, as does centre Peter Robb who featured in the 2016 PRO12 Grand Final.

Also leaving the club are Greg McGrath, Jonny Murphy, Ben O’Donnell, Dominic Robertson-McCoy and Peter Sullivan.

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-confirm-departing-players-4/

realhorrorshow · 10-05-2022 3:41pm

Loosehead

Denis Buckley (32) - Signed contract in 2021

Matthew Burke (25) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Peter Dooley (28) - Signed contract in 2022

Jordan Duggan (24) - Signed contract in 2021

Charlie Ward (22) - Academy year 2

Tighthead

Jack Aungier (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Finlay Bealham (31) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Sam Illo (21) - Signed 2 year contract in 2021

Hooker

Shane Delahunt (28) - Signed contract in 2021

Dave Heffernan (31) - Signed contract in 2021

Dylan Tierney-Martin (23) - Signed 1 year contract in 2022

Declan Adamson (23) - Academy year 3

Eoin De Buitléar (20) - Academy year 2

Lock

Oisin Dowling (25) - Signed contract in 2022

Leva Fifita (33) - Signed contract in 2021

Darragh Murray (21) - Signed contract in 2022

Niall Murray (22) - Signed contract in 2021

Gavin Thornbury (28) - Signed contract in 2021

Back row

Ciaran Booth (22) - Signed contract in 2022

Paul Boyle (25) - Signed contract in 2021

Jarrad Butler (31) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Shamus Hurley-Langton (22) - Signed contract in 2022

Sean Masterson (24) - Signed contract in 2021

Oisin McCormack (21) - Signed contract in 2022

Josh Murphy (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Conor Oliver (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Cian Prendergast (22) - Signed contract in 2021

Donnacha Byrne (21) - Academy year 2

Scrumhalf

Caolin Blade (28) - Signed 1 year contract in 2022

Kieran Marmion (30) - Signed 3 year contract in 2020

Colm Reilly (23) - Signed contract in 2021

Will Reilly (u22) - Academy year 1

Outhalf

Jack Carty (30) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

Conor Fitzgerald (24) - Signed contract in 2021

Cathal Forde (20) - Signed contract in 2022

Centre

Bundee Aki (32) - Signed 3 year central contract in 2020

Shayne Bolton (22) - Signed contract in 2021

Tom Daly (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Tom Farrell (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

David Hawkshaw (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Shane Jennings (21) - Signed contract in 2022

Back 3

Adam Byrne (27) - Signed contract in 2022

Mack Hansen (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2021

Diarmuid Kilgallen (22) - Signed contract in 2022

Oran McNulty (22) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Tiernan O'Halloran (31) - Signed 1 year contract in 2022

John Porch (28) - Signed 1 year contract in 2022

Byron Ralston (22) - Signed contract in 2022

Alex Wootton (28) - Signed contract in 2021

Josh O'Connor (21) - Academy year 1

IN: Peter Dooley (Loosehead, Leinster), Darragh Murray (Lock, Academy), Ciaran Booth (Back row, Academy), Shamus Hurley-Langton (Back row, Manawatu Turbos), Oisin McCormack (Back row, Academy), Josh Murphy (Back row, Leinster), Cathal Forde (Outhalf, Academy), David Hawkshaw (Centre, Leinster), Shane Jennings (Centre, Academy), Adam Byrne (Back 3, Leinster), Diarmuid Kilgallen (Back 3, Academy), Byron Ralston (Back 3, Western Force)

OUT: Greg McGrath (Tighthead, TBC), Dominic Robertson-McCoy (Tighthead, TBC), Tietie Tuimauga (Tighthead, Colomiers), Jonny Murphy (Hooker, TBC), Ultan Dillane (Lock, La Rochelle), Eoghan Masterson (Back row, TBC), Abraham Papali'i (Back row, Brive), Sammy Arnold (Centre, Brive), Peter Robb (Centre, TBC), Matt Healy (Back 3, retiring), Ben O'Donnell (Back 3, TBC), Peter Sullivan (Back 3, TBC)

*ages as at 01/09/2022

Lsdrugbyfan · 10-05-2022 3:43pm

tighthead has to be a huge worry.

you'd wonder if they'll look at the AIL for a prop, Ben Griffin of Clontarf is only 20 and could be worth a shout. Luke Rigney at Shannon and Tom Connolly at Trinity too.

b.gud · 10-05-2022 3:48pm

By my reckoning this is the breakdown of the squad for next season excluding academy players. Looking a bit tight in the front row lets hope everyone can stay relatively healthy

Loose Head

Denis BUCKLEY

Matthew BURKE

Jordan DUGGAN

Peter DOOLEY

Tight Head

Jack AUNGIER

Finlay BEALHAM

Sam ILLO

Hooker

Shane DELAHUNT

Dave HEFFERNAN

Dylan TIERNEY-MARTIN

Lock

Oisín DOWLING

Leva FIFITA

Josh MURPHY

Darragh MURRAY

Niall MURRAY

Gavin THORNBURY

Back Row

Ciaran BOOTH

Paul BOYLE

Jarrad BUTLER

Shamus HURLEY-LANGTON

Seán MASTERSON

Oisín MCCORMACK

Conor OLIVER

Cian PRENDERGAST

Scrum Half

Caolin BLADE

Kieran MARMION

Colm REILLY

Out Half

Jack CARTY

Conor FITZGERALD

David HAWKSHAW

Centre

Bundee AKI

Shayne BOLTON

Tom DALY

Tom FARRELL

Cathal FORDE

Shane JENNINGS

Back Three

Adam BYRNE

Mack HANSEN

Diarmuid KILGALLEN

Oran MCNULTY

Tiernan O’HALLORAN

John PORCH

Byron RALSTON

Alex WOOTTON

Lsdrugbyfan · 10-05-2022 3:51pm

Adam Byrne isnt a centre.

b.gud · 10-05-2022 3:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119041685#Comment_119041685

Yep realised after I posted I forgot to move him, it's been fixed now

realhorrorshow · 10-05-2022 3:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119041636#Comment_119041636

Would rather a more experienced option, as it would be hard to develop three prospects in the same position. I'd like to see us focus on developing Illo, hopefully he gets some decent minutes under his belt next season.

Lsdrugbyfan · 10-05-2022 3:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119041701#Comment_119041701

true but one injury and you are screwed, need a few bodies.

Zeugnis · 10-05-2022 4:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119041636#Comment_119041636

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119041701#Comment_119041701

Haven't we effectively been down the AIL route already with Greg McGrath? He was brought in by Leinster from Lansdowne and played very sparingly before being signed by Connacht. Given how many scrum penalties we conceded this season (and that was not all on McGrath), I don't think we can afford to take such risks again.

Surely Tuimauga wouldn't have been released unless the budget really is there for someone who can stop the leak? If not, come November when Finlay is with Ireland, Aungier will start and Sam will be on the bench, and we have no TH in the Academy. That's a scary thought, given injuries etc. This front row situation has been terribly managed, if they weren't going to retain McGrath they should have given Illo the minutes.

I note also that the statement in the Indo that all players on the SA tour were contracted for next season turns out to be untrue, seeing as Greg and Johnny Murphy were in the party.

KBurke85 · 10-05-2022 4:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119041785#Comment_119041785

Murphy probably wouldn't have travelled if Delahunt was fit. You can't believe everything you read in the papers, even if it does come from the coaches mouth

tvpc · 10-05-2022 5:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119022913#Comment_119022913

2 weeks ago these guys said Connacht have signed a international TH

Lsdrugbyfan · 10-05-2022 5:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119041785#Comment_119041785

so because one AIL prop didnt work out, theres no point trying with others?

KBurke85 · 10-05-2022 6:54pm

I think it’s a more a case with the profile of tight head we currently have we could do with an experienced signing

Zeugnis · 10-05-2022 7:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119042214#Comment_119042214

No issue with recruitment from the AIL, once we have a couple of reliable THs that can enable us to bed new players in without risking a ridiculous spanking (we've had enough of those this season). There's been a lot of problems on that side of the scrum. Jack Aungier didn't have a great season , although he's young so not writing him off, and Illo didn't get played.

I have nothing against, and know nothing about, Griffin, beyond AIL match reports, but I think the desire for a tried and tested TH is self-explanatory.

Wegians89 · 10-05-2022 8:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119042070#Comment_119042070

Any chance you’d have a link?

Wegians89 · 10-05-2022 8:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119041785#Comment_119041785

Just on no academy tight heads. Is fun. Wright, an exiles u20 and potentially a South African tight head not lined up for the academy next season? Obviously would need a signing regardless

Lsdrugbyfan · 10-05-2022 9:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119042551#Comment_119042551

oh I agree an experienced signing is needed, but Connacht need more than 1 TH signing.

eagle eye · 10-05-2022 10:52pm

I see Hawkshaw starting at 10 very soon. Until he wins that role he'll do a good job at centre but it won't take long for him to get the starting job at 10. He's a wonderful player, he did some damage against us a short while ago when he came on at 10 for Leinster in the URC.

Dubinusa · 11-05-2022 1:15am

Masterson is a good player, I hope he gets a chance somewhere else. Friend will look to Australia for imports. It's not a great squad, but there good players. I think Friend has made a mess of Connacht tbh.

SqueakyKneecap · 11-05-2022 1:40am

Masterson, Robb and Healy all departing is another 3 connections to our greatest ever season gone. Wish them all the very best, especially Masterson, who hopefully may get a chance in Scotland as has been linked previously.

realhorrorshow · 11-05-2022 8:43am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119044294#Comment_119044294

Couldn't disagree more. Look at the squad he inherited: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018%E2%80%9319_Connacht_Rugby_season

I think he's done an excellent job managing our squad, and gradually clearing out average players. Heading into next season I think almost every player is first team quality, or looks very much to have the potential to be. We have an excellent cadre of exciting prospects in their early twenties. Unfortunately for Friend he may not be the coach that gets the most out of those players, but imo he will be leaving the squad in great nick if he is replaced next year.

arsebiscuits1 · 11-05-2022 12:35pm

Salanoa from Munster I wonder is he worth a shot?

Rarely fit and firmly 4th choice at Munster.

But it looks like needs must

SqueakyKneecap · 11-05-2022 12:48pm

Hansen signed on till 2025. Great news

Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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