Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Jansen is injured, shoulder issue.

Keep long SHL would be my first choice, but I’d imagine he’ll have interest from abroad.

Think there’s a good crop coming through in most positions bar maybe loosehead, hooker and fullback.

Might have missed it else where but Jansen wasn’t named in the squad update.

Oh thanks, missed that. Hope he’s fit to go on Friday.

Loosehead

Denis Buckley (34) - Signed 2 + 1 year contract in 2023

Matthew Burke (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Peter Dooley (30) - Signed contract in 2022

Jordan Duggan (26) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Oisin Michel (22) - Academy year 2

Charlie Ward (24) - Academy year 3

Tighthead

Jack Aungier (25) - Signed contract in 2022

Finlay Bealham (32) - Signed 2 year contract in 2024

Sam Illo (23) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Dominic Robertson-McCoy (30) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Fiachna Barrett (21) - Academy year 1

Hooker

Eoin De Buitléar (22) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Dave Heffernan (33) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Tadgh McElroy (27) - Signed short term contract in 2023

Dylan Tierney-Martin (25) - Signed 3 year contract in 2023

Matthew Victory (21) - Academy year 1

Lock

Oisin Dowling (27) - Signed contract in 2022

Joe Joyce (30) - Signed contract in 2023

Josh Murphy (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Darragh Murray (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Niall Murray (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Gavin Thornbury (30) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Back row

Paul Boyle (27) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Jarrad Butler (33) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Shamus Hurley-Langton (24) - Signed contract in 2022

Sean Jansen (25) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Oisin McCormack (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Sean O'Brien (24) - Signed contract in 2023

Conor Oliver (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Cian Prendergast (24) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

Scrumhalf

Caolin Blade (30) - Signed 3 year contract in 2023

Michael McDonald (25) - Signed 1 year loan contract in 2023

Colm Reilly (25) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Matthew Devine (22) - Academy year 2

Outhalf

Jack Carty (32) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

JJ Hanrahan (32) - Signed contract in 2023

Sean Naughton (21) - Academy year 1

Harry West (21) - Academy year 2

Centre

Bundee Aki (34) - Signed 2 year central contract in 2023

Tom Daly (31) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Tom Farrell (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Cathal Forde (22) - Signed contract in 2022

David Hawkshaw (25) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

John Devine (20) - Academy year 2

Hugh Gavin (20) - Academy year 2

Daniel Hawkshaw (22) - Academy year 2

Finn Treacy (20) - Academy year 1

Back 3

Shayne Bolton (24) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Santiago Cordero (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Mack Hansen (26) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

Shane Jennings (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Diarmuid Kilgallen (24) - Signed contract in 2022

Liam McNamara (27) - Signed contract in 2023

Oran McNulty (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Tiernan O'Halloran (33) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

John Porch (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Byron Ralston (24) - Signed contract in 2022

Andrew Smith (24) - Signed contract in 2023

Shane Mallon (22) - Academy year 2

Chay Mullins (22) - Academy year 2

James Nicholson (21) - Academy year 1

Josh O'Connor (23) - Academy year 3

*ages as at 01/09/2024

Connacht’s Sportsground set to be renamed in rights deal with American multinational

Galway venue is likely to be called Dexcom Park or Dexcom stadium as part of agreement with medical devices company 

Expand

A general view of The Sportsground. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho 

John Fallon

Tue Jan 16 2024 - 19:49

The Sportsground in Galway is set to be the next stadium to sell its naming rights with an American multinational making a deal with Connacht Rugby.

It is believed that US company Dexcom, which is set to open its first European manufacturing plant in Athenry, approached Galway GAA with a view to securing the naming rights for the county grounds at Pearse Stadium in Salthill but this did not progress when it was made clear that Galway GAA had a strong preference to maintain ‘Pearse’ in the name.

Galway GAA have been seeking a title sponsor for the stadium in Salthill, which was redeveloped 20 years ago and where floodlights are set to be installed in the coming year, but have made it known that they are keen to continue honouring the 1916 patriot Pádraig Pearse.

The ground was named in his honour when it was opened in 1957 and was redeveloped with a then capacity of 34,000 in 2003.

READ MORE

The Counter Ruck: the rugby newsletter from The Irish Times

Connacht’s Sportsground set to be renamed in rights deal with American multinational

Peter O’Mahony’s contract situation an ‘ongoing process’, says Denis Leamy

The road to American football – how do Louis Rees-Zammit and Rory Beggan get to the NFL?

Dexcom, a company which has its headquarters in San Diego and which is renowned for manufacturing glucose monitor devices which help manage diabetes, announced last year that it would create up to 1,000 jobs when it opens its first European manufacturing site in Athenry.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is expected in Galway this Friday when the sod will be turned at the IDA site in Athenry in what will be a €300m investment over the next five years and it is also expected to be announced that the Sportsground will be renamed Dexcom Park or Dexcom Stadium this week.

Learn more

[ SuperValu Páirc has a ring to it all right, the ring of desperation in Cork GAA ]

The renaming of the Sportsground comes as an ongoing redevelopment of the city centre facility, initially priced at €30m when first announced three years ago, continues. A new artificial pitch surface and floodlights have been installed, with work on a new stand and indoor training facility due to start in the coming months.

The stadium will then have a capacity of 12,000 and further phases are planned for the other side of the ground which also accommodates the Greyhound Racing Ireland offices and operation centre, who share the stadium with Connacht Rugby.

It is understood the venue will continue to be known as Galway Greyhound Stadium for that sport.

The Sportsground on College Road, a few minutes walk from Eyre Square, is owned by the Galway Agricultural and Sports Society and has been used as a sports venue since 1927. It has hosted a variety of sports aside from rugby and greyhound racing. Galway GAA finals were played there prior to the opening of Pearse Stadium, the venue was also home to Galway United for a brief period, and it has also staged athletics events.

Any idea what sort of revenue boost this will bring ?

I want to know when the stadium be completed. In Galway there are many talented architects, so it (stadium) will be very beautiful. I cannot wait to see it.

IRFU released U20 suads for this year. I am overwhelmed by the size of Hue Gavin (I know that he has been very big at last season.). He became bigger than in last season. He look very dependable.

Thanks, have edited the list and double checked all, should be correct now.

Josh Murphy is back next season to furfill the final year of his contract.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-dealt-big-blow-as-josh-murphy-to-take-a-year-out-of-professional-rugby-to-focus-on-medicine-studies/a7346791.html

There are worse names than "Dexcom Stadium" in fairness. And the fact that it's coming at the same time as a big redevelopment means it won't seem as tacky as when they just change the name of an existing stadium like Musgrave or (potentially) Pairc Ui Caoimh.

And "The Sportsground" is kind of a generic name at the moment anyway so it doesn't feel like you're removing some kind of heritage in place of a corporation. As long as they pay handsomely for it, happy days.

I think Bundee and Finlay selected (with Mack missing out through injury) is a fair enough reflection of our season so far.

Prendergast will be disappointed but he's spent too much of the season getting on the wrong side of referees for lying on rucks and giving away avoidable penalties. Deficiencies in our game has left him without the opportunity to show off his other skills as regularly. O'Mahony being made captain also made getting selected a bigger ask.

I don't think Blade was in the conversation. He hasn't had the platform in enough big games to show off his value and his service has been a little slow at times.

If you remember Zeugnis, Forde took over from JJ during the Glasgow game in the Sportsground, when JJ took a heavy ariel challenge,and slotted everything. On top of that his lower elevation of kicking style suits the conditions normal to Galway

I thought young Forde might get on that development/training selection list. Prendergast is unlucky to miss out but in fairness some of the best depth we've every had at backrow.

Agree with regard to Blade. Cian is still very young and will have other opportunities, he's also probably next cab off the rank in terms of an injury during the tournament.

I think Jack Aungier isn't a million miles away, he's made good progress and is very young for a prop. It was natural that Farrell would take a look at Jager as a 28 year old with a lot of self belief and experience in NZ. Finlay's absence means more opportunities for Jack to start and go at good quality opponents.