Have seen on another forum that we may have nabbed Will Connors from Leinster. Would possibly explain why Timmins wasn't signed.

The Craggy Crew got confirmation that McKeon did sign a two year contract last season.

Hooker has been a strange position for us this year.

Tom out of form.
Dave capped for Ireland then seemingly falling out of favour big time.
Shane ostensibly being 2nd choice but seemingly out of contract this summer. I highly doubt he’s looking to leave.
O’Toole deemed good enough to get a senior contract but not good enough to play a single senior game.
No one in the academy.
Was hoping we might go after Eoghan Clarke but he’s off to Munster apparently.
Options within Ireland would include Vincent O’Brien and Sean McNulty. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Paddy Finlay from Trinity, he’s rated as the best hooker in the AIL I’ve seen a few Leinster fans mention him as an option to replace Strauss.

Ah right I'd forgotten Leader had signed last month I still don't think it's beyond the realms of possibility that McKeon signed for 2 years. Leader was coming back from a long injury layoff when he signed wasn't he? But McKeon would have been a long term regular in the team.

Darragh signed an extension last year and another one this year.
Eoin just signed one last year but none this year as yet.

The squad page is a bit out of date as JP/Pita/Brownie are gone and Hercules is staying on board. Shane D is the only other one outstanding alright.

Lads I was just looking back at it and I think we may all have been mistaken about McKeon being out of contract this season. He re-signed at the same time as Leader this time last year presumably both on 2 year contracts. Or else both are out of contract with no news but I think that's less likely.

Does that just leave Delahunt? He's almost definitely on 1 year as the people he signed with were Crosbie, Farrell and JP Cooney who we know were all on 1 year deals.

Well Timmins is out anyway. He's posted on Instagram that he's moving to the USA to further his studies at the University of Notre Dame

Bazzo wrote: I would take Timmins. Wouldn't be that keen on Marsh.

In relation to Marsh at his age he hasnt kicked on and even the staunchest of Leinster supporter believe he is only AIL to Championship English Standard.

I would take Timmins. Wouldn't be that keen on Marsh.

thehoneybadger wrote: Cathal Marsh leaving Leinster - anyone know where he's going?
www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/isa-nacew...-of-season-1.3472525

Think Timmins would be a better pickup for us, Marsh never really impressed even behind a very powerful Leinster pack.
Timmins only has 12 caps but no one needs told how impressive that Leinster backrow is.

thehoneybadger wrote: Cathal Marsh leaving Leinster - anyone know where he's going?
www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/isa-nacew...-of-season-1.3472525

We have our ginger quota filled.

Cathal Marsh leaving Leinster - anyone know where he's going?
www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/isa-nacew...-of-season-1.3472525

Munster are downsizing their academy according to the Independent

"Last year, Munster recruited 11 players, which brought their tally to 20. The likes of Jack Power and Conor Fitzgerald were amongst the new faces brought in, and both are believed to be finishing their time with the province.

Fitzgerald, younger brother of Munster senior player Stephen, is a former Ireland U-20 out-half.

He was instrumental in guiding Shannon to the All-Ireland League Division 1B title this season, and is now in line to join Connacht."

www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/munster-r...turing-36838168.html

Thought it was forward myself - would have been a great try if given though. He looked good - as ever with him the issue is keeping injury free. Hopefully Connacht's new found medical department expertise will stand to him!

ThisYearWillBeDifferent wrote: Any thoughts on Copeland's performance when he came on against Racing? (Couldn't watch it in peace where I was).

Pretty decent, the sort of dynamism you usually expect from him.
Munster should have expected the blitz that Racing were going to hit them with from the off, given his recent form I thought it was a huge mistake not to have started him either at eight or six and moved PO'M to Seven to combat the physicality and pace that Racing have at the start of a game. Don't think they have a quicker player from 5-8 in their squad, Clotee perhaps if he isn't broken, and if you're playing Billy Holland in the pack then you're already more than a bit short and light in your eight, and especially in the conditions in Bordeaux...

ConamaraOB wrote: Still no sign of new signings bar Copeland, Horowitz and Godwin. Losing Mul, Heenan and Dawai leaves us very bare in back row. Honestly think we need at least 3 /4 top signings if we're gonna make any progress, especially at lock and prop.

“Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.”