I meant to post this last week but couldn't find it. It's an interview from late January where it sounds like Jake is playing for a contract, rather than us chasing him to sign one.

www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-...-again-34405190.html

"First he needs to bag himself a new contract, and only his performances towards the end of this season will give him a chance. It happens to be the most competitive time for the province, and the most talented group of players that have ever called the Galway venue home. "My personal goals never changed right the way through. I am off contract at the end of this year, and that's something that once I get a few more games under my belt we will be working through.""

I think the Muldowneys have settled in well here in Galway which must be a factor, if he does move on will he get Champions Cup rugby, of course it could be a money move to a rich mid-table french side and I would'nt begrudge him that.

Another year here and few quid extra to stay on, I think he might be persuaded.

Not sure about Heenan, for a young guy I think he's got a very clear path for himself. Unfortunately his body just can't seem to cope with the physicality of NH rugby or he's just been incredibly unlucky. He'd be better off playing in SH where the emphasis is not so much on the physical part of the game. I hope he stays and maybe adapts his game a bit to allow himself to play regularily.

I really want both Jake and Aly to stay

Playing Devil's Advocate though, if both leave, we have the following in the squad

Number 7: Fox Matamua and Connolly
2nd Row: Quinn Roux, Andrew Browne, Ben Marshall, Ultan Dillane

That's 2 players for each position, presuming I haven't forgotten anyone, which I'm sure I have
That's not enough, but they may have signings lined up for both positions.
If the coaches think that these players are as good, or have better long term promise than Jake and Aly, I can see why they're allowing them to leave.

Realistically, I can see Jake signing on for another few years, but I think Aly might leave. He's already played with Glasgow and Exeter. I'd wish him the very best if he moves on. He does seem to really like Galway, but so did Macca.
Jake would be a tough pill to swallow, as he came here as an unknown basically, and we've stuck by him through all of his injuries.

It's very important Willie and the back room team pull out all the stops to get Aly and Jake to resign. Muldowney has been a revelation and we need to draw on some of the payback we'll be due from the union for having to stomach Henshaw's desertion. We need to call that in now.
Like other posters, I would expect Jake to sign for at least another year if not two. He owes us that having stood by him during his constant injury woes of the last few years. Make it happen Willie and Pat.

Shelflife wrote: Grenoble interested in Muldowney , who apparently has expressed an interest in a new challenge in the French league .

Probably in the prep work for Connacht match they saw how fecking good he has been...
How Dave Foley is in Irish Squad ahead of him is rather criminal

I've been looking for O'Shea/Sheriff/Flanagan for a year, one of them will accept to come I guess

He's probably (rightly) pissed off that he's not getting a look into the Irish squad too. Wouldn't blame him but a big loss for us. Dillane's emergence would soften the blow a bit but he'd be hard to replace.

Our 3 best players seems to be out

Enlist Sheriff/D.O'Shea for Muldowney
Dardis for Henshaw
and Ali Birsh for Heenan

problem solved, but there's an emergency

Dam.....would like to hold onto him, but he's a guy who came in and did a hell of a job for us for three year so you can only wish him the best for the future. His performances over the last two years will really have raised his value so can't blame a guy for looking to get a good contract towards the end of his career and trying out the French league.

.......but if he want to stay that would be good too :whistle:

Grenoble interested in Muldowney , who apparently has expressed an interest in a new challenge in the French league .

Any word on our injuries from yesterday ?

I don't feel as bothered by these rumours as I should be, perhaps because of the disappointment of Henshaw leaving. Glasgow won the pro12 last season and still saw a number of quality players leave, while also signing some exciting options. No one wants to see their top players leaving but there will always be movement, its up to Connacht to continually improve their recruitment even if they start holding onto more players.

If Heenan left it would be annoying but Fox and Connolly have shown themselves to be quality options that still have room to develop. I do agree that Heenan could repay the province's support by signing for another 2 years before looking abroad but that's up to him.

Muldowney would be a bigger loss as we are light at second row but we have managed to continue to find second row options within the Connacht system against the odds. I was hoping Romaine would debut this season but assuming he has continued to develop this year, next season is the perfect time for him to start playing for the first team. Roux will be back from injury and hopefully not carrying any niggles like he has been for the last season or more, that would be like getting a new player all over again.

However, whether Muldowney leaves or not signing a quality second row would still be a priority so it doesn't change that much imo. Personally I've been happy with George in the second row and now that he's in this thirties it makes sense to transition to a role where top end pace is not as important as number 8, plus it gives the younger guys coming through at 8 a chance to establish themselves. However, I don't know how long this is set to continue.

I think we've had a lot more luck/benefit of signing under the radar players rather than established big names so we'll be depending on Pat pulling another rabbit out of the bag. Demented mole made a great case for someone signing Darren O'Shea from Worcester: dementedmole.com/2016/01/02/buy-rent-or-steal-or-loan/
The mole would obviously like to see O'Shea in blue but if he's on the market Connacht have to do their best to convince him he'll have more opportunities in Galway.

Mark Flanagan could also be an interesting option - tbh I don't think I've ever seen him play but he has managed to get himself a top 14 deal and looks a very good line out option at the very least: (turn down your volume)
I don't know when his contract expires but as he is Irish qualified he will automatically be on the provinces radars.

Come on Willie, Get them signed up. Two vital members for the next few years. Fair kick in the nads if we lose both of them.

dobby wrote:

Shelflife wrote: Hearing rumours that Jake and Aly not re signing.

thats the waffle ongoing on boards.ie. did they get anything right in recent memory

That porterbelly guy used to post on here and was invariably right unfortunately. That would be 2 hammer blows. Aly has been a cornerstone of the team for the last 2 seasons and Jake is a future international for sure if he can stay injury free. All this in the middle of our best season ever.....

That poster isnt usually far off the mark in fairness.

Shelflife wrote: Hearing rumours that Jake and Aly not re signing.

thats the waffle ongoing on boards.ie. did they get anything right in recent memory