connachta wrote: someone said 3 y deal should be exceptional, bad for motivation etc..Does Lam take part of these exceptions?

After all the crap that we got over Lam's signing initially and let's not forget especially from the Irish Independent too, and then we had a lot of naysayers here during last season too when we had a horrific injury list and lost a bunch of games. He had nearly worse luck than Eric did the year we hammered Quins (11/12). I've said it all along, the important thing for us was to get a coach who could connect with the history and struggles of Connacht Rugby and inspire players as much as they had to be technically sound. His coaching record may be mixed (not entirely through his own fault though - i.e. Auckland), but he's always been an inspiration leader going back to his playing days. We were extremely fortunate that he was available to us, at the time he was the stand-out candidate for me and the right fit emotionally for us (especially after losing Eric).

Really only the IRFU/Connacht and Pat will know the terms of any proposed new contact, so it's a bit of speculation. But I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't something like 2 Years plus the option of a years extension, rather than a straight three years. Five years in one place when you're not from that neck of the woods is a fair wedge of time.

The upside of a three year deal is that it gives stability and allows the Professional Game Board (PGB) to put in place further development plans that may be helped by his continued involvement..

Would be great for the province if he does agree to extend, I really hope he feels a strong emotional connection with our wee province...
I know whatever his decision, he'll have the support and thanks of all the Clan...

someone said 3 y deal should be exceptional, bad for motivation etc..Does Lam take part of these exceptions?

confirmed also in that article that Aki and McCartney are added to european games panel

Ballsy move - right now it seems like a good call. He has been key to bringing the big guns here, and the league table generally doesn't lie.

LAM OUT!

Also in the independent


m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-wa...easons-30797441.html

Newstalk reporting that Pat Lam has been offered a 3 year contract. Looks like the branch have liked what he has done so far.

connachta wrote:

tiger_cub wrote: Jesus that list is a worrying read!

There's a lot of young players out of contract this year who I imagine would have a lot of offers from else where. Buckley, Kearney, JHW, Browne, McKeon, McSharry and Poolman.

Worried for Buckley, has to be renewed quickly and with a 3 years deal

The good thing on Buckley is that Leinster and Munster both have 2 good options at loose head at the moment. Ulster maybe not as well fixed but I think Buckley would be foolish to move away from Connacht provided a suitable contract is offered to him.

Kearney and Poolman would be the greatest worries for me. Leinster have got Kane Douglas but still look short on options in the 2nd row.

Poolman is more than capable of playing with one of the other provinces. Hopefully we can get that one wrapped up quickly.

Its my understanding that the other provinces can only match whatever Connacht put on the table, so its only if they want to move to another province will it make a difference.

Moving outside of Ireland tends to diminish any international prospects.

for me the most important renewal will be to keep Dan McFarland at Connacht

tiger_cub wrote: Jesus that list is a worrying read!

There's a lot of young players out of contract this year who I imagine would have a lot of offers from else where. Buckley, Kearney, JHW, Browne, McKeon, McSharry and Poolman.

Worried for Buckley, has to be renewed quickly and with a 3 years deal

green13 wrote:

Craic Head wrote: Does being married to an Irish woman make you eligible for an Irish passport?

Yes it does. See previous post

And does having an Irish passport make you IQ? I wouldn't have thought so. Kind of a moot point anyway since he'd be qualified under 3 year rule before then.

Craic Head wrote: Does being married to an Irish woman make you eligible for an Irish passport?

Yes it does. See previous post

galway_gas wrote: When Tom McCartney signed we heard his fiance was eligible for an Irish passport through a grandfather from Cork. In his interview on Connacht website today he says "my wife's got an Irish passport". Does this mean that he's just an application form away from being IQ?

An application form and 3 years away!
The main stipulations are:
1) being married for at least 3 years.
2) resident in Ireland for the year prior to application
3) also resident for 2 out of the 4 years preceeding the year at point 2.

Does being married to an Irish woman make you eligible for an Irish passport?

When Tom McCartney signed we heard his fiance was eligible for an Irish passport through a grandfather from Cork. In his interview on Connacht website today he says "my wife's got an Irish passport". Does this mean that he's just an application form away from being IQ?