Well done to all involved in the presentation, etc.
Good to see a decent crowd staying around for it after the game.

Great speech. Wish I could have stayed. I tried but my back was in bits after standing where I was for the whole game. Are you guys going to write a summary/article like you did last year?

Eric's acceptance speech, for those who haven't seen it

And polling is now closed!!

Thanks to all who took part.

Catch Dennis' article on the front page for the first inductee. connachtclan.com/news/212-harlequins-vs-connacht-120113

Right gents, just a quick update.

We're probably gonna call a halt to polling Hall of Fame this Wednesday. I'm sure, like me, you're biting your nails to see who this years Inductees will be. I'll do polling Wednesday evening, and the results will be officially announced....

At the sportsground! HA. No instant gratification for Clann-ers! We're going to have confirmation of when and where the Prizegiving will be soon, but looking like one will be awarded after Ulster, and one after Glasgow (along with the Player and Young Player awards).

Well if the ability to get to the presentation is a requirement I wonder if Eddie has sent in his application to the Clan for Hall membership yet? He doesn't live too far away.

ummm, I think there's massive merit in what you're saying, at lease when it comes to the 'Senior' HoF. I know exile had suggested some other potential people in the other thread (just in case he though we weren't paying attention) that would certainly merit consideration for either 'Senior' HoF.

My own concern, and this is purely me, is that if we waited for a number of years for a Modern HoF it might not be possible to get people down to the SG for the prizegiving. Don't forget, this is going to be a few minutes in the Clan Bar, a few short words and that's it. The Branch are having their own awards, a proper black tie do, which people would be more inclined to travel for (and the branch might have the pockets to sub them, too).

Not that that the prizegiving is the point. The point is to honor those who've given blood, sweat, tears and more blood to Connacht Rugby over the years.

To a certain degree, it's a moot point for this year. We've a fairly clear field, but certainly something we'll be keeping in mind for again.

Sol_ie wrote: Just to confirm: We are inducting two people into the Hall of Fame this year and, the current thinking is, every year. Any more and it dilutes the special nature of the HoF.

I think that's fair enough, you don't want to induct too many. But at the same time with good players likely to retire each year the emotion of inducting them early might make it hard for other people from further back to get in.

In the NFL there are two different types of HOF induction. One is for players who have been retired at least 5 years, called the Modern Era inductees, and there is another list of "Senior" players who retired 25 years ago or more. This helps induct worthy players from an older era who might otherwise get bumped in favour of modern era players. Might be worth keeping in mind as something that can be done once in a blue moon for older Connacht legends like Mannion, Geoghegan & Fitzgerald.

Ah got it. Thanks for clearing it up.

Yep, what I said stands.

We're inducting two people into the HoF this year.

Everyone gets one vote. If it's for someone in the poll, vote there. If the person you want to vote for isn't in the poll, vote in the comments by leaving their name.

The two people who receive the most votes will be this years inductees.

I'm seriously confused Sol_ie . When I voted for two as in here:

Can I vote here in the comments page? If so Gerry Kelly former CEO of Connacht and Eric Elwood

you wrote:

exile, one vote. If its for Gerry, that 100% I'll count it when doing the tally. If for Eric, the simplest (for me) if you just vote above. But either way leave another comment or edit your last one.

So I voted for Eric. Now your saying:

Just to confirm: We are inducting two people into the Hall of Fame this year and, the current thinking is, every year.

So which is it?

Just to confirm: We are inducting two people into the Hall of Fame this year and, the current thinking is, every year. Any more and it dilutes the special nature of the HoF.

We're allowing one vote per person, but again this is open to change if people feel strongly enough about it.

And the field is wide open for nominations. What is down in the poll are only suggestions that come from the Committee, not anointed front runners in any way (see me forgetting to put Faloon down in the other poll!). If anyone feels strongly enough about another candidate, let us know. All votes, be they in the poll or in the comments section will be counted.

Basically, these Awards (all of em!) are for the Clan as a whole to come to a decision on. The Committees job is to make sure that the Clan are happy with the results and organising the presentation etc. That's it.

i voted for eric, personaly i think we should have 2 a year. we got alot of catching up to do.
no harm in a past player and a current/retiring player to get it.

next year if swifty retires and when dan parks wins us the amlin/heineken cup! :woohoo:


edit to add, macca is a good player for us, spent a good few years here but to me, shouldnt be on the list. id even put flavin on the list before him, but he doesnt deserve to be on it either.
for next year, add few more retired players and even garry kelly etc. give wide range

exile, one vote. If its for Gerry, that 100% I'll count it when doing the tally. If for Eric, the simplest (for me) if you just vote above. But either way leave another comment or edit your last one.

Can I vote here in the comments page? If so Gerry Kelly former CEO of Connacht and Eric Elwood that's no offence to JOC but he could walk in any year and I think there should be a years limit before a retired player should be eligible.

Hell no, they cost to much to replace