Great news about Tiernan O'Halloran, right move for him at this stage. He'll still only be 22 when his contract expires so he'll still be in a good position to assess his options then. Its up to Connacht now to get things right to make sure that O'Halloran, Griffin, McSharry etc. will develop here and will be here for the long haul.

Of the rest Gavin Duffy, David Gannon, Kyle Tonetti, Matthew Jarvis are the other targets for me. Full contract for Eoin McKeown and Kearney too. Shouldn't be too many issues there.

Rodney Ah You and Fa'aili to go for me. Stephens too (good honest AIL player but having a prop of almost 31 on a development contract and nowhere near the team is madness). A good chunk more I'd like to see gone but unfortunately we're stuck with them until the summer of 2013.

Rodgers has done fairly well and is a good backup but I wouldn't rush into that one I think we need to be looking for a real solution at tight head. Is Maguire not here on a two year deal? Hasn't worked out as hoped so far.

The higher profile NIQ's probably wouldn't come to us, but it would be useful to sound out someone like Nathan White

Does anyone think there is potential for us to nab any of the NIQ's that are likely to be let go by other provinces when the new rules kick in? For example, if Howlett is deemed surplus to requirements at Munster, might he decide to finish off his career here?! Not that we are in desperate need for a new winger, but you get the idea.

so that means if we are raided for squad members by other provinces we are screwed.

Ya agree with above, Ray is a terrific servant and will always be remembered for the heart and soul he put into the green jersey, but the change in NIQ status for his next contract, and seeing as we've already 1 injury prone openside on the books, and some good lads coming through, then I'd say this will be his last year.

2012 in that list of contracts means they're out of contract at the end of the season

We are still subject to the 5 + 1 NIQ rule, which is being changed to 4 + 1 next season, it's the new rule coming in in 2013/2014 that doesn't apply to us.

That would mean probably 2 NIQ spots available for us to fill next season, although there may be scope for 1 more hopefully

Robbo, are we not exempt from that NIQ stuff now?

rossie wrote: lets sign up gav,gannon,jarvis,mckeon,kearney,ray, rodgers and tonetti asap.

Ray has become an issue in that since he played for Samoa, he's taking up an NIQ slot. The man's given everything in his time here and put in some monster performances but he's 31, increasingly prone to injury and taking up an NIQ slot that might be better used for a Tighthead.

If he does go, I will be there applauding him off the pitch long after the Terrace has emptied.

Porterbelly, when u say 2012 i presume contract expires at end of this season? If so they still have a lot of work to do. some very important players out of contract soon so hopefully they will continue to sign.

On the positive side tho it appears a lot of our players are happy with current set up in spite of results. They musnt be reading here lol.
suppose if they can stay commited so should we.
lets sign up gav,gannon,jarvis,mckeon,kearney,ray, rodgers and tonetti asap.

Theres a few on that list we havent seen at all this season which makes you wonder why they are here at all. Moore,d murphy, stephens, maguire?

Also loxton isnt on list, any news on his injury and contract situation?

Looks like we'll be seeing a bit of turnover in the NIQs this summer anyway anyway. With Rodney and Rodgers out of contract at the end of the season do you think we'll keep one or will both go? Also doesn't look like we'll see any changes in the 3 OHs we have, lets just hope one of them stamps their authority on the position. It is encouraging to see some sort of consistency in the back line over a couple of years to see them gel together rather, especially with the potential there. Thankfully we wont have 14 new players to try and settle in like this season.

Ah You Rodney 2012
Anderson TJ 2013
Browne Andrew 2013
Buckley Dennis Academy
Duffy Gavin 2012
Fa'afil Henry 2012
Flavin Adrian 2013
Gannon Dave 2012
Grace Eoghan 2013
Griffin Eoin 2014
Jarvis Matthew Dev 2012
Kearney Mick Academy
Layden Shane Academy
Loughney Ronan 2013
Maguire Stewart Dev 2012
Matthews Keith Retired
McCarthy Mike 2013
McCrea Mark 2013
McKeon Eoin Dev 2012
McSharry Dave 2014
Moore Dave 2012?
Muldoon John 2014
Murphy Dermot Dev 2012
Murphy Frank 2013
Naoupu George 2013
Nikora Miah 2013
O'Connor Johnny 2013
O'Connor Niall 2013
O'Donoghoe Paul 2013
O'Halloran Tiernan 2014
Ofisa Ray 2012
Reynecke Ethienne 2013
Rogers Dylan 2012
Stevens Jamie Dev 2012
Swift Michael 2013
Tonetti Kyle 2012
Tuohy Brian 2013
Vainikolo Fetu'u 2013
Wilkinson Brett 2013

Anyone have a list of all the players who have signed new contracts for next season?

O'Halloran
Griffin
McSharry
Swift
O'Connor
????


Great news by the way. A back 5 of Duffy, -_-, Griffin, McSharry, O'Halloran

All playing together for a few more seasons is very good news for Connacht

great news, was awaiting this news ever since Griffin and McSharry resigned.

"At the moment, Connacht is the place for me to be because I am getting the chance to play. After injuries over the last few years, I am very grateful to Eric,"

Not too sure about the at the moment part, but hes young and is obviously ambitious. Great to be keeping him here

Irish Times also mentions a new contract for Michael Swift:

Furthermore, virtually all of their key players have re-signed for next season and beyond, and the latest to do so yesterday was another of those local youngsters, 20-year-old Tiernan O’Halloran, as well as the longest serving Connacht man of all, 34-year-old Swift.

“Tiernan has been terrific. To be fair to Tiernan, he had a bad injury last year with his knee; did all the work, had to be very patient and thankfully it has paid dividends because this season he’s been ever present bar being rested for one game. He’s playing well, he’s playing with confidence, he’s got a new lease of life and we’re delighted he’s staying. He’s in a happy place and we’ve also got the 102-year-old Michael Swift, who’s re-signed for another year,” quipped Elwood.

Excellent news, all our young and promising back line is now contracted for 2 years, this can only be good.

Tiernan Signs:

From the Independent

Promising Connacht winger Tiernan O'Halloran has pledged his future to the side by signing his first full contract.

The 20-year old, who has scored four tries this season, including two in the Heineken Cup, has signed a two-year contract. And in a further boost to a Connacht side who have lost a dozen on the spin, their longest-serving player Michael Swift has extended his contract by another season and will be at the Sportsground until the summer of 2013 at least.

O'Halloran was signed on a development contract last season after graduating from the Connacht academy, but a series of eye-catching performances saw his stock rise rapidly. Connacht coach Eric Elwood was delighted to secure the services of the Clifden native.

"Tiernan has been ever-present all year and he has been very consistent for us," Elwood said. "He has got this contract on merit and has been our attacker of the week on a few occasions. He is putting himself out there, his contribution and the consistency of his effort has been justified. He has been one of our top players all season."

After being given his big break this season, O'Halloran was thrilled to see his hard work come to fruition with his home province.

"At the moment, Connacht is the place for me to be because I am getting the chance to play. After injuries over the last few years, I am very grateful to Eric," he said.

Never been a huge fan of Parks, always considered him a pretty one dimensional fly half, but Connacht are essentially zero dimensional so he would be a step up. He can certainly strike the DG so Connacht probably would have won 4-5 of the last 12 they lost.