While I agree with you Swifty, there is a different mentality towards drink this season from the players.
I remember speaking to all the players in the airport after the Toulouse game, and not one of them was planning on going for a few drinks on the way home, or back in Dublin.
I asked them if that was a new rule enforced by the coaches, and they all said No, they're allowed drink if they want but the players are in an agreement not to be drinking this season

@swiftforprez you nailed it there.

08/09 glasgow 30 - connacht 9..... glasgow finished 7th out of 10.
09/10 ulster 41 - connacht 10..... ulster finished 8th out of 10, there was only 5points between us before kickoff.
10/11 munster 22 - connacht 6
11/12 glasgow 24 - connacht 3
12/13 connacht 3 - glasgow 20

we averaged 6 points a game. average 27 against.

to me that spells a team 'game mode' off

overstrander wrote:
I think that's Swifty's point. Maybe Connacht wouldn't be losing the final match of the season if they hadn't been on a bender the weekend before...

I realise that's his point, and it makes for an interesting theory, but a quick look at the Rabo site shows it's absolute nonsense:

(1) Overall last day record
Our loss rate on the final day (of 10 full seasons) is 80%. Our overall loss rate is 63%.
But if you look at the home/away distribution, we have won 2/4 (50%, which approximates our long term average of 45% home wins) and away lost all 6, while our long term average of 19% wins away would suggest we should have won 1. So: 1 win down on where the stats suggest we "should" be for these fixtures.

(2) Our 5 season last day losing streak.

4 of the 5 games were away; our last 3 end-of-day beatings were against top 4 teams (Glasgow X 2 and Munster); while the 2 before that, at the tail end of the Bradley era, were in Ravenhill (no win in 60 years, isn't it?) and Glasgow. Note that over those 2 seasons we took a grand total of 0 wins and 2 losing bonus points from 18 away league games.

Conclusion: Our last day record is a disgrace, but that's what comes with the territory when you're finishing last 3 years and second last 3 other seasons of a 10 season league; it has nowt to do with dressing up in penguin suits and getting stuck into the brandy, port, and jaegerbombs.

well this year Overstrander, its 2 weeks in advance :whistle: but its not the drinking really, it might not be called ''end of season party'' but thats what it is.

salmson wrote: Every team has an awards bash. Are you seriously suggesting we get rid of it just when it looks like the players might be earning it? Or that we postpone it until the best players are away on international tours?

I'd imagine the date is chosen so as (1) not to interfere with a game weekend (2) to maximise earning potential for the branch by having it on a big rugby w/e (HEC semis).

As to out final day travails, we're lost 5 on the trot, haven't won since 2008 against Ospreys. Hopefully that's an omen.

never said get rid of it, any time after 8.30pm on saturday 10th may, i couldnt care.
as for having it during the middle of summer when players are with ireland? NO. as i said, have it on the 17th may, week after our final game, semi finals weekend of the pro12.
as for 'maximise earnings', that might happen but getting beaten by cardiff at home or trashed by ospreys, they will be losing alot of respect money cant buy
i did think that this would be something Pat Lam would of ended.

edit: re nuig; if connacht arent happy with dates to have it in nuig, move it. again, team is more important then a dinner

salmson wrote: As to out final day travails, we're lost 5 on the trot, haven't won since 2008 against Ospreys. Hopefully that's an omen.

I think that's Swifty's point. Maybe Connacht wouldn't be losing the final match of the season if they hadn't been on a bender the weekend before...

Every team has an awards bash. Are you seriously suggesting we get rid of it just when it looks like the players might be earning it? Or that we postpone it until the best players are away on international tours?

I'd imagine the date is chosen so as (1) not to interfere with a game weekend (2) to maximise earning potential for the branch by having it on a big rugby w/e (HEC semis).

As to out final day travails, we're lost 5 on the trot, haven't won since 2008 against Ospreys. Hopefully that's an omen.

Note: Exams in NUIG start as early as March for some students due to placements etc., but the vast majority of students have exams in the first half of May.

Hmm, wonder if I can sneak into the event through college somehow
Slightly different but munster had a testimonial dinner for Radge a few months ago close to a game, I think most of the players apart from POM probably didn't attend.
I know it was the same time last year but I wonder if this time its somehow connected to the uni funding and the uni calendar? You're right that it does symbolise the end of the season and it would seem like the sort of thing Lam would want to get rid of hopefully.

I agree also. Timing doesn't seem to make any sense considering how much every point matters to us.

Also agree. It strikes me as dumb and unprofessional.

Agree with you on this one.
Going back 7-8 years the awards were given out during pissup in enclosed area of main stand after last home game.

This is something that bothers me, actually what bothers me every year, even more so the surcharge, crap season ticket gift, why oh why do connacht rugby have the awards night (connacht rugby piss up) when the season isn't over. This year it's on an off weekend (Heineken cup weekend). A week after munster game and week before the Cardiff game and two weeks before the ospreys game
If a team is having awards, end of season get together, there mind will relax and think the season is over when we could be challenging for Heineken cup spot, unlikely but who knows. Last year they had it and week after, we got kicked out the gate by Glasgow, Eric and joc last game. Second most embarrassing game I've been to after saracens
Over the years, we seem to not show up at the last game. Are the players thinking about a holiday? Sure
Yes I have raised this with the branch before, and they said it's to have all the players together.if I player is so much in a rush to feck off on holiday a day or two after the final game, get him/them go.
If a notice of few months was given to the players I'm sure they would delay there holiday a few days
Let's see how we get on vs Cardiff and ospreys.
Rant over.

Connacht Rugby is delighted to announce details of the annual Connacht Rugby Awards Night for the 2013/14 season.

This year, the event will take place in the stunning Bailey Allen Hall in NUI Galway on Saturday, April 26th.

Join the Connacht squad and friends from around the province as we celebrate the year’s achievements at all levels of the game – Underage, Club, Schools, Women’s and Professional.

This will be the greatest social event of the rugby season in Connacht and we invite all Connacht Rugby supporters to join us. Tickets are now ON SALE.

DATE: Saturday, 26th April
VENUE: Bailey Allen Hall, NUI Galway
TIME: 7.30pm – Drinks Reception followed by a three course meal with wine and live entertainment
PRICE: €90 per ticket; €900 per table of 10

For more information or to purchase your ticket/table, contact Hazel Casburn at hazel@cbirfu.com or call the Connacht Rugby reception desk on 091 561 568.

Tickets can also be purchased from the Connacht Rugby office at the Sportsground, College Road, Galway (opening hours: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm).