I forgot to mention that in the a game against the russians o byrne was one of the few who stood up to the challenge and did very well at the lineout particularly to qualter.

i wonder if maguire leaving is making way for borlase to come in? if so dave is most likely going to be converted to loosehead.
On the Hooker subject i agree with its phil that both reynecke and Flavin complement each other. the trouble is that both of them have significant weaknesses which have cost connacht dearly this season. taking that into account are either good enough for this team going forward.Imo no but eric and Dan disagree at this time. of course they have to operate in the real world and the constraints of the NIQ rule and budget mitigate against a big signing in this position.The same applies at scrum half.
I think an opportunity was lost when Fogarty was signed by the french 2nd division side. He is probably the best of the irish hookers available at that time.
Henry at 3rd choice now at Munster may be tempted and has done very well at B+I level for two seasons. He will feel he is ready for Pro12 regular starts now and may be tempted to his home province depending on his studies. He wont see much game time at munster being behind sherry and varley.

So, does that mean we get Hagan back?

Disappointed that Maguire is being cut loose so early. For whatever reason it's not a good sign for someone many have high hopes for.

Maguire definitely being let go

Borders no.2 wrote: I'd agree about the need for competition at no.2. Eric was quoted in the papers last week saying they were on the lookout for cover. As it can only be an Irish player our options are very limited but still.

Reynecke has many attributes but for me his lineouts aren't up to scratch and he has a few too many rushes of blood to the head costing us needless penalties. However, he has a season under his belt now and can offer a lot next year if he can work on these areas.

Flavin is decent cover, great servant, has made a couple of high profile mistakes this season, still happy to have him on the books but we lack options with just these two.

Its such a key position, a number 2 to at least push Flavin is essential.

Kevin O'Byrne, don't know a huge amount about him but anyone who has seen some of our promising youngsters playing against the Russian lads would realise that physically these lads can't just be fired straight into action at Pro 12 level at the moment. Regular AIL and B&I Cup are the correct stepping stone and if they prove themselves there, lets have a look.

Eric and Dan have shown they will play promising youngsters when they're ready.

I think Flavin's throwing is hugely underrated. He is probably one of the best throwers in the country and does it in the horrible conditions of the Sportsground. When you select Flavin, your selecting him based on his throwing capabilites more than anything else. Legend too may I add. But what he lacks in the loose and the tight is brought by Ethienne. He's great in the loose and has great spacial awareness in the maul off lineouts. But it's winning those lineouts that he's suspect. Hopefully after a year throwing at the Sportsground, he'll be better next year. He was a good signing in my opinion.

I'd agree about the need for competition at no.2. Eric was quoted in the papers last week saying they were on the lookout for cover. As it can only be an Irish player our options are very limited but still.

Reynecke has many attributes but for me his lineouts aren't up to scratch and he has a few too many rushes of blood to the head costing us needless penalties. However, he has a season under his belt now and can offer a lot next year if he can work on these areas.

Flavin is decent cover, great servant, has made a couple of high profile mistakes this season, still happy to have him on the books but we lack options with just these two.

Its such a key position, a number 2 to at least push Flavin is essential.

Kevin O'Byrne, don't know a huge amount about him but anyone who has seen some of our promising youngsters playing against the Russian lads would realise that physically these lads can't just be fired straight into action at Pro 12 level at the moment. Regular AIL and B&I Cup are the correct stepping stone and if they prove themselves there, lets have a look.

Eric and Dan have shown they will play promising youngsters when they're ready.

Id 100% agree with you Connachta i think you have it on the money there.
We need another starter.
Flavin although a great servant is not cutting it anymore, but would be fine for cover.

connachtexile wrote: We'll have to agree to disagree Connachta

Nicely said, but the important is that we both wish the best for the greens!

P-S : Just watched the first leg semi final of Bristol, with Harris-Wright playing all match, was average but ok, and the good news is Bristol was overwhelmed, premiership is far, it could really incite him to go back in Ireland!

We'll have to agree to disagree Connachta

I don't agree with your point about Hookers.. look at the main clubs, Strauss, Best, Varley, Rees, Servat, etc are all over 25! So my choice would be :
Reynecke as n°1, powerful, experimented, just need to continue improving his lineout throws, and adapting to the referees
An new equivalent of him as n°2, able to play immediatly in the european level, but to pick up realisticly in our limited budget (if it must be an IQ, Blaney or Harris-Wright)
Flavin as n°3, a solid cover but a little bit out of his depth
O'Byrne as n°4, a very young player in the front row needs time to develop, B&I cup + few matches if injuries ! (and will replace Flavin next year)

Deasy was very good and I think out-half suits him better than as center or fullback. As for the hooker situation I'm all in favour of giving youth its chance and I think O'Bryne should be used its all very good talking about how great our youth is but unless we give them a chance to shine then its an exercise in uselessness.

the reason dineen is still on dev contract is that he has suffered serious injuries at vital times which have halted his development.was at the game last night and he did well at 13. he needs to bulk up a bit tho if hes to survive a full season at centre.took a nasty bang to the head last night and looked concussed.A move to connacht would benefit him greatly.
Keatley injured himself in warmup and deasy took his chance. had a very good game imo and his placekicking was impressive.
The hooker thing is interesting.Are we looking to bring in a starting hooker or a cover hooker? imo its a cover hooker they are after. Reynecke and Flavin will continue to share the starting position so a good prospect from one of the other acadamies of give o byrne a chance is the likely outcome.

He made a real breakthrough in December 2010 when he had a cracking game in Ravenhill as part of a weakened Munster team who ambushed Ulster, and he scored the winning try too.

His next start is 18 months down the line. They've signed Downey and Laulala, and Barnes and Earls are there as well and Hanarahan is highly rated, Johne Murphy plays centre. Munster have shown over the last couple of years that they'd rather sign overseas nobodies like Chambers and Tokula if there's an injury or 2 rather than blood the likes of Dineen

If there's an offer on the table from us he'd be braindead not to take it. He need look no further to hangers on like Holland, Gleeson and Duncan Williams that sticking it out at Munster for the sake of going round town in the tracksuit can damage your career.

I'd agree with that. He's also 24 so needs to play NOW not in a few years time. He's also as far as I know not on a full-contract but has been kept constantly on development or short-term ones. If we came in with a full contract and gave him say 2 years were he could make an impression.

connachta wrote:

Porterbelly wrote: Dineen played well for Munster last night by all accounts. Hard running 12, strong in contact

Yeah He's the best hypothesis in my opinion, but seems to have become real 2nd choice with future in the red army, don't know if he would take the risk to give up this opportunity..

He made a real breakthrough in December 2010 when he had a cracking game in Ravenhill as part of a weakened Munster team who ambushed Ulster, and he scored the winning try too.

His next start is 18 months down the line. They've signed Downey and Laulala, and Barnes and Earls are there as well and Hanarahan is highly rated, Johne Murphy plays centre. Munster have shown over the last couple of years that they'd rather sign overseas nobodies like Chambers and Tokula if there's an injury or 2 rather than blood the likes of Dineen

If there's an offer on the table from us he'd be braindead not to take it. He need look no further to hangers on like Holland, Gleeson and Duncan Williams that sticking it out at Munster for the sake of going round town in the tracksuit can damage your career.

Porterbelly wrote: Dineen played well for Munster last night by all accounts. Hard running 12, strong in contact

Yeah He's the best hypothesis in my opinion, but seems to have become real 2nd choice with future in the red army, don't know if he would take the risk to give up this opportunity..

Dineen played well for Munster last night by all accounts. Hard running 12, strong in contact