Shelflife wrote: Stephen Kearns Scrum half injured with hamstring atm

Conan due back this month

Thanks I've updated the list. Kerins plays with Corinthians doesn't he?

Stephen Kearns Scrum half injured with hamstring atm

Conan due back this month

After seeing similar posts on other forums I thought I might post updates on the whereabouts of our academy and fringe players that people might be wondering about. If I've missed anyone please let me know.

Prop

Ivan Soroka (Senior) - Came off the bench for Clontarf (AIL 1A).
Dominic Robertson-McCoy - Started at 1 for Galwegians (AIL 1B).
Saba Meuargia (Year 3) - With Doncaster on loan, no game this weekend.
Jamie Dever (Year 3) - Started at 1 for Buccaneers (AIL 1B).
Conan O'Donnell (Year 2) - Injured.
Conor Kyne (Year 2) - Didn't play this weekend.
Conor Kenny (Year 1) - Didn't play this weekend.

Hooker

Shane Delahunt (Senior) - Came off the bench for Buccaneers.
Jack Dineen (Year 3) - Didn't play this weekend.

Second row

Danny Qualter (Senior) - Started at 4 for Buccaneers.
Cian Romaine (Year 2) - Didn't play this weekend.
Peter Claffey (Year 1) - Started at 5 for Galwegians.
Cillian Gallagher (Year 1) - Injured.

Back row

Eoghan Masterson (Senior) - Started at 8 for Galwegians.
Stephen McVeigh (Year 3) - Started at 6 for Buccaneers.
Marc Kelly (Year 3) - Started at 6 for Galwegians.

Scrum half

Conor McKeown (Year 3) - Started at 9 for Buccaneers.
Conor Lowndes (Year 3) - Started at 9 for Galwegians.
Stephen Kerins (Year 1) - Injured.

Out half

Shane O'Leary (Senior) - Started at 10 for Buccaneers.

Centre

Eoin Griffin (Senior) - Started at 12 for Buccaneers.
Rory Parata (Senior) - Started at 13 for Galwegians.
Cormac Brennan (Year 2) - Injured.

Back 3

Darragh Leader (Senior) - Started at 11 for Galwegians.
Ciaran Gaffeny (Year 3) - Started at 14 for Galwegians, 1 try.
Ed O'Keefe (Year 2) - Didn't play this weekend.

Obviously I've missed a few players, hopefully I'll be able to fill in the blanks with time. Might be worth noting Shane O'Leary played scrum half last week.

EDIT: Does anyone know where I could find Corinthians teamsheets?

wow
hope he'll be back right for the play-offs...

Ireland confirm that Ultan is to have surgery on his shoulder and is to be out for 8 to 10 weeks (ie early-mid may).

RoadRunnerR1 wrote: Lads, I love nothing more than a good debate with someone who's view's differ even slightly from my own and the satisfaction at the end of a good debate is it's own reward whether consensus goes with, against me or rules it a tie. Debate is not only good but is as necessary for the mind as exercise and a good diet is for the body. But the one sure thing in every posting on this site is that we are all passionate Connacht rugby fans who really care about our club and genuinely offer up our opinions for the betterment of our club. That's not to say that every opinion we post is a good idea but it is reasonable to say that even the bad opinions are given in good faith. There is therefore no reason for anybody to take exception from another opinion just because it runs contrary to our own or to fire back with sarcasm or sometimes downright nastiness. As Connacht fans we have to deal with enough s**t all the time from our pretentious wealthy neighbors in the east and south. We are Connacht, still the reigning Pro12 champions and despite all of the massive upheaval of the last year, we're still the best rugby team to watch when we get it right on the pitch. So you're mission if you all choose to accept it is to find the quality players for all of the positions we know they're needed most within the budget constraints the club have to operate in. I mean how hard can it be, we did it last year and had loads left over in the end. Peace and Harmony Brothers.

Nice one RoadRunner.. I follow Connacht with passion and passport and although lacking on the finer points of law I support who's on the pitch because these are the lads who signed up to us and give their best on the day. And when they're all on their VERY best on the same day it's a joy to watch, and when there's a trophy at the end of it...

For the buccaneers supports, how would ye rate romaine compared to previous locks that played with ye through Connacht ie Kearney and Qualtar. Seen him play few years ago and he looked like a big unit but looked bit raw. Have things changed?

RoadRunnerR1 wrote: Lads, I love nothing more than a good debate with someone who's view's differ even slightly from my own and the satisfaction at the end of a good debate is it's own reward whether consensus goes with, against me or rules it a tie. Debate is not only good but is as necessary for the mind as exercise and a good diet is for the body. But the one sure thing in every posting on this site is that we are all passionate Connacht rugby fans who really care about our club and genuinely offer up our opinions for the betterment of our club. That's not to say that every opinion we post is a good idea but it is reasonable to say that even the bad opinions are given in good faith. There is therefore no reason for anybody to take exception from another opinion just because it runs contrary to our own or to fire back with sarcasm or sometimes downright nastiness. As Connacht fans we have to deal with enough s**t all the time from our pretentious wealthy neighbors in the east and south. We are Connacht, still the reigning Pro12 champions and despite all of the massive upheaval of the last year, we're still the best rugby team to watch when we get it right on the pitch. So you're mission if you all choose to accept it is to find the quality players for all of the positions we know they're needed most within the budget constraints the club have to operate in. I mean how hard can it be, we did it last year and had loads left over in the end. Peace and Harmony Brothers.

I object to that viewpoint on the basis I can. Otherwise I agree with it.

Lads, I love nothing more than a good debate with someone who's view's differ even slightly from my own and the satisfaction at the end of a good debate is it's own reward whether consensus goes with, against me or rules it a tie. Debate is not only good but is as necessary for the mind as exercise and a good diet is for the body. But the one sure thing in every posting on this site is that we are all passionate Connacht rugby fans who really care about our club and genuinely offer up our opinions for the betterment of our club. That's not to say that every opinion we post is a good idea but it is reasonable to say that even the bad opinions are given in good faith. There is therefore no reason for anybody to take exception from another opinion just because it runs contrary to our own or to fire back with sarcasm or sometimes downright nastiness. As Connacht fans we have to deal with enough s**t all the time from our pretentious wealthy neighbors in the east and south. We are Connacht, still the reigning Pro12 champions and despite all of the massive upheaval of the last year, we're still the best rugby team to watch when we get it right on the pitch. So you're mission if you all choose to accept it is to find the quality players for all of the positions we know they're needed most within the budget constraints the club have to operate in. I mean how hard can it be, we did it last year and had loads left over in the end. Peace and Harmony Brothers.

Devils own wrote:

Darragh wrote: It's all a bit of craic lads! I think it's completely ok to want to dream the very best for us and why not.

There will always be realists and dreamers.

So for me I will take

Alex Corbisiero -1
Dominic Bird - 5
Liam Messem - 7/8
Ian Madigan -10/12

and some squad players!!!

Thank you santa!!!!

Haha I'm probably a realist in relation to you Darragh, thought corbisiero was out injured great player

Santa will make it right!!!!

Thought he just took a break and must be primed for a cheeky offer!!!!!!

Darragh wrote: It's all a bit of craic lads! I think it's completely ok to want to dream the very best for us and why not.

There will always be realists and dreamers.

So for me I will take

Alex Corbisiero -1
Dominic Bird - 5
Liam Messem - 7/8
Ian Madigan -10/12

and some squad players!!!

Thank you santa!!!!

Haha I'm probably a realist in relation to you Darragh, thought corbisiero was out injured great player

It's all a bit of craic lads! I think it's completely ok to want to dream the very best for us and why not.

There will always be realists and dreamers.

So for me I will take

Alex Corbisiero -1
Dominic Bird - 5
Liam Messem - 7/8
Ian Madigan -10/12

and some squad players!!!

Thank you santa!!!!

Bazzo wrote:

Devils own wrote: Gosh I wonder how exactly we got to over 6000 people attending a dragons home game or became pro12 champions and to turning thousands away for tickets and millions of euro in cash away for European Cup games because we couldn't accommodate them, I presume you thought that would never happen either.

I wonder why we have more and better sponsors than ever now why kids in connacht are buying and wearing connacht jerseys in droves.
Its certainly not because of your exciting attitude of "we will never be" that's for sure. [/]b

No, I just don't think like you[b/]

Why do you think I responded to you as I did? Throwing totally unnecessary digs like this in all over your posts shows a huge level of immaturity. Nice one mate, have a good night, I'm not going to bother discussing things with anyone who doesn't want to behave like a reasonable adult.

Darragh wrote: I'm not talking about loads of new players.

I think it is realistic to expect 2-3 high quality signings and 3-4 squad signings for next season?

Anyway, its just a bit of fun and ok we all have differing views!!!!!

Sorry Darragh, wasn't talking to you.

Ya probably too much so apologies if I gave offense with comments, you did have a bite at my views first and of course our views seem total opposites so it is hard not to be polar when discussing reasons for and against. No offence Bazzo we're all supporters and we won tonight.
Peace

Devils own wrote: Gosh I wonder how exactly we got to over 6000 people attending a dragons home game or became pro12 champions and to turning thousands away for tickets and millions of euro in cash away for European Cup games because we couldn't accommodate them, I presume you thought that would never happen either.

I wonder why we have more and better sponsors than ever now why kids in connacht are buying and wearing connacht jerseys in droves.
Its certainly not because of your exciting attitude of "we will never be" that's for sure. [/]b

No, I just don't think like you[b/]

Why do you think I responded to you as I did? Throwing totally unnecessary digs like this in all over your posts shows a huge level of immaturity. Nice one mate, have a good night, I'm not going to bother discussing things with anyone who doesn't want to behave like a reasonable adult.

Darragh wrote: I'm not talking about loads of new players.

I think it is realistic to expect 2-3 high quality signings and 3-4 squad signings for next season?

Anyway, its just a bit of fun and ok we all have differing views!!!!!

Sorry Darragh, wasn't talking to you.

Bazzo wrote: Yeah you're dead right. We should just buy in a few players for millions of euro with monopoly money. How exactly do you expect us to compete with teams that get 2-3x our attendences and much bigger advertising revenue and sponsorship when our stadium capacity is 8k(and bursting at that stage), we have no big financial backer, and a much much smaller population which means a lot less advertising and sponsorship revenue.

Bare bones argument is rubbished by the the fact you are stating we already have too many players in one area.

Grand so, we'll sign another back row instead of proper squad players and end up not being able to field a team. Makes sense.

If we are lucky the high class signing remains fit we get into champions cup and even possibly challenge for it, this in turn increases revenue, profile sponsors etc etc etc etc allows us to grow on all fronts including fans and stadium.

You're right. We should gamble on cutting loads of players and spending all the money on a marquee player and hope to god he stays fit.

Your way is totally defunct and the past and only leads to stagnation and with that attitude of course the "we never will" can't do attitude prevails.

I'm sure you would have been one of the people giving us no chance last year.

Classy stuff. And you're wrong, but nice try.

Gosh I wonder how exactly we got to over 6000 people attending a dragons home game or became pro12 champions and to turning thousands away for tickets and millions of euro in cash away for European Cup games because we couldn't accommodate them, I presume you thought that would never happen either.

I wonder why we have more and better sponsors than ever now why kids in connacht are buying and wearing connacht jerseys in droves.
Its certainly not because of your exciting attitude of "we will never be" that's for sure.

I wonder if the fans are now swarming in to see our Ireland internationals, henshaw before Marmion and the almost legendary Aki etc now. No it's probably because they want see an exciting better than the sum of their parts team with ambitions to never be anything more. (Sarcasm is easy)

Our pro12 champions team was a million times ahead of the quality of much older sides and we can continue to go that way.

Pat Lam doesn't have a restricted ideology despite limitations when he arrived initially. He had to deal with it and he found ways to breach them and reach new heights despite them and his goal was for us to strive to be the very best and I agree with him.
Its unfortunate you don't have such aspirations but that's not my fault.

Again as you pointed out we have a number of players far beyond bare bones in the backrow which you conveniently ignored as it contradicts your point. The idea is to cut areas of average excess down and bring in much increased quality I was obviously exaggerating the point which you failed to grasp.

At what position exactly are we bare bones hooker nope!, lock definitely not!, backrow definitely not! prop nope, backline nope. Loosehead after Loughney yes that is low but your bare bones argument is ridiculous for most areas and its also transferable, if we have an excess in areas of locks or backrow we should as suggested trim and bring in a high quality be it a loosehead or whatever, I'm not adverse to that.
It's the very highest quality in some areas that we lack not quantity.

They way you attract huge sponsors etc is you put your team on the map. If you don't strive to better then you won't get very far. Who would have thought munster leinster would dominate Europe against French and English teams that had far bigger sponsors and money than them at the time and still have more money.

No, I just don't think like you

Farrell did well has a good brain bit light. Dominic did well also and Dawai, good to see Masterson back. Great to get bonus point and more momentum