A brief summary of the state of each of the provences. The assessment of Connacht will not surprise anyone here!

www.punditarena.com/rugby/agloster/futur...ually-uncertain-one/

A fair summary of the season

stadium.aviva.ie/aviva-stadium-experienc...vincial-report-card/

_nobody_ wrote: www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/champions...season-31253231.html

Nice of David Kelly to see Aaron Conneely on the pitch. Makes you wonder if he even watched the game!

Whatever about that, the following comment from Pat is telling, as I know many on here were still hopeful of a big signing at out half: "We can't afford to buy international tens, we need to build them. It's been a rollercoaster for him but a development too. He was superb."

www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/champions...season-31253231.html

Nice of David Kelly to see Aaron Conneely on the pitch. Makes you wonder if he even watched the game!

Ger C wrote: Much better coverage on off the ball

They were very time pushed after spending ages talking about a poor hurling match

Felt Toland wanted to talk about it longer but they had to go to news on the hour :dry:

Ger C wrote: Much better coverage on off the ball

Lengthy coverage in the second captains podcast too. Gerry Thornley nailing it as always. They spoke a lot about the cost of us missing out on the champions cup, both financially, and with regard to recruitment. The point was also made that Connacht need to push on further in the next season or so, or there is a risk of us falling back to where we'd come from. Personally, I think another year in the challenge cup might not be the end of the world. We'll be a top seed, so we should be looking to top our group, and make it into the semis at least. A top 6 finish in the pro 12 to boot would represent success for next season in my opinion.

Decadence wrote: Less than 2 minutes of coverage on Connacht on Against the Head :pinch:

In their defense, they clearly didn't have the rights to show any footage of the game, otherwise I'm sure they would have done more analysis etc.

Much better coverage on off the ball

Less than 2 minutes of coverage on Connacht on Against the Head :pinch:

First time I have seen Connacht on the hot list

www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16016_48533,00.html

UL Bohs coach Colm Tucker joining Connacht structure....

Colm Tucker’s new role at Connacht

Colm Tucker is leaving UL-Bohemian to take up the role of coach development officer at Connacht
by Colm Kinsella
Published on the
18 April 2015
07:17

UL-BOHEMIAN head coach, Colm Tucker is leaving the Annacotty club at the end of the season to take up the role of coach development officer at Connacht.

Thirty three-year-old Tucker will largely be involved in coaching coaches in Galway and Mayo in his new role.

Tucker, who has been head coach at UL-Bohs for four seasons explained: “The job is in coach development, developing coaches around North Galway-Mayo area, so there is going to be travelling involved.

“I will be assessing coaches, co-coaching teams with them and over the summer working with some of the representative squads.

“I have been double jobbing all my coaching life, a 9-5 job in the finance sector and then coaching in the evening. To be able to do it full-time, I have to pinch myself a bit.

“Obviously, Mossy Lawler, who has been with UL-Bohs, has recently taken up a role with the Connacht Academy. He has nothing but good things to stay about the people and environment.”

Tucker spent one year as Shannon assistant-coach and two years as their head coach before moving to UL-Bohs.

“I believe I am leaving UL-Bohs in a better position that when I arrived. That is the objective of any coach. Playing for UL-Bohs remains a big attraction for any player and the club’s Academy set-up is a huge attraction.”

www.limerickleader.ie/sport/limerick-spo...t-connacht-1-6696001

Robbie H, Kieran M and Swifty nominated in different categories in this years IRUPA awards.
www.irishrugby.ie/news/34353.php#.VTAAn2Z4h4c

You can cast an unofficial vote for the try of the year here :
www.the42.ie/irupa-try-of-year-marmion-henshaw-2051385-Apr2015/

Connacht have released a statement re last Friday.

www.pro12rugby.com/mobile/17078.php#E2LYGcRVRhlZ9Bww.97

Denis Buckley is the only Irish player on this list of uncapped players who might make a late push for world cup inclusion.

www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16016_41903,00.html

pinky wrote: Lads I thought we said we wouldn't be commenting on this.

Of course I agree fully about not commenting on the arrest. I have edited my post slightly even though personally I feel this shouldn't be necessary as I wasn't making any reference to the arrest or coming down on any side.

The main point I wanted to make was that O'Reilly was having a pop at Connacht Rugby in an opportunistic manner as a result of something outside of their control that as a journalist he really shouldn't be commenting on.

Lads I thought we said we wouldn't be commenting on this.