eezipc wrote:

Evil_g wrote: It's not going to happen. The GAA don't give their resources to other sports (and I'm perfectly fine with that).

Nice to see we have official confirmation from GAA HQ. That puts that to bed.

I'd love the idea of 30K at McHale or Pearse Park for a one off game against Toulon or Leinster or Leicester but -

It's not put to bed. It's a complete non-starter.

It's either (or both of) lazy journalism - the factual inaccuracies in the report would suggest that - or Connacht Rugby refused to rule out anything yesterday pour encourager les autres in Galway to get their fingers out; the quote from Willie has no question against it so possibly out-of-context, but Ruane mentioned they considered moving the semi to Thomond so quite likely.

Just to be clear on this (because this Pearse/McHale thing is getting repetitive and tedious):

- GAA grounds countrywide may be used for rugby only for a RWC in either 2023 or 2027 (not an open-ended offer).
- Croke Park is the only ground that can be used (subject to Central Council approval) on an ad-hoc basis for other sports.
- The earliest date for *any* rule change is Congress in Feb 2017, after our Champions Cup pool games.
- A key point the scribe of this article misses is that since a motion to this effect was defeated in this year's congress, then it (or a similar motion) cannot be submitted for two years. Therefore the earliest possible date for a Connacht Rugby match in a GAA ground, even assuming the GAA were amenable to promoting competitor sports for not very much in return, would likely be an interpro or European QF in April 2018.

Evil_g wrote: It's not going to happen. The GAA don't give their resources to other sports (and I'm perfectly fine with that).

Nice to see we have official confirmation from GAA HQ. That puts that to bed.

It's not going to happen. The GAA don't give their resources to other sports (and I'm perfectly fine with that).

eezipc wrote: Connacht considering MacHale Park.
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-...k-move-34728391.html

Even if it's for a Pro12 game against Zebre, I would be all for it.

Well I would be against it for a pro 12 game against Zebre, because it needs to be a big game to draw a crowd, but yeah it's worth looking into for sure. Some clarification on "the clauses" in Pat's contract too. Nothing to see there it would seem.

Connacht considering MacHale Park.
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-...k-move-34728391.html

Even if it's for a Pro12 game against Zebre, I would be all for it.

Isn't the term phalanx of blue dandies some kind of oxymoron

I think this is the quote of the article made me laugh out loud in the office
" I found the whole adventure fascinating on a number of fronts. Firstly, I could not for the life of me see Henshaw if he has his laptop stolen next season rocking up to some housing estate flanked by a phalanx of blue dandies demanding they return their mate's laptop."

I have to admit this is a good read but franno being complimentary about Connacht makes me very, very uncomfortable.

m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-ru...-thief-34728385.html

greyingbeard wrote: I wouldn't worry too much it's a pretty standard negotation tactic in professional sport, lets potential employers know that he might be available and lets Connacht know that he might consider leaving so that who ever offers him a contract won't low ball him.

That is all that is happening here. Sport is a fickle business. If Connacht collapsed next year and finished near bottom, there would be plenty of noises for Pat to be sacked. We all know it.
He is just being straight I think. He is in the middle of something big here and as long as some bigwigs in the IRFU don't piss him off, there is no reason why he would leave.

I wouldn't worry too much it's a pretty standard negotation tactic in professional sport, lets potential employers know that he might be available and lets Connacht know that he might consider leaving so that who ever offers him a contract won't low ball him.

I am concerned about the Lam quotes. I don't think he lets things slip. He seems to choose his words carefully. It seems to me that he deliberately made it known that he has clauses in his contract. I'd be worried he did this to encourage clubs to come and get him.

A couple of weeks ago (I can't find the quote) he spoke about building Connacht into an organisation that isn't dependent on him (or anyone else). I remember at the time thinking it was a bit of an odd thing to say and it reminded me of when Robbie Henshaw said Connacht fans needed to realise there was a chance he'd leave.

I obviously hope I'm wrong about this....

biffo77 wrote:

eezipc wrote: Leitrim, again they love their GAA.

Always thought they loved their sheep more?

So it's a battle between GAA and BAAaaaa is it?

eezipc wrote: Leitrim, again they love their GAA.

Always thought they loved their sheep more?

You'd imagine Bath would have had someone lined up and a deal agreed in principle before they sacked Ford

That is what it is nonsense. He's a coach who has got a team playing well, so will be linked to most jobs that come up. I'm sure he'll be linked East whenever Leo's contract runs out

Assuming Pat's initial 3 yr deal was the standard 2+1 option (negotiated new deal in middle second season which indicates it was) and that his current contract is also 2+1, then negotiation time is six months away and Connacht have an option to dispense with him (unlikely I know) in a year's time. Can't be closing off his options completely. Papers aren't making as big a deal out of it as they might.

Scots are worried about Townsend, we're worried about Pat, but Bath papers are saying Meyer all the way.