connachtexile wrote: Did anyone read the offical Connacht release? Nigel Carolan actually mentioned that they were hoping to be in the B&I Cup next year. I know it's an open secret but I think it's the first time it's been mentioned openly by anyone on the Connacht Staff. I thought it was interesting...

It's been mentioned many times through the season by Eric as well and I think Gerry Kelly might have alluded to it too.

It's a numbers game though so an existing team will need to drop out if it goes ahead next season and we are to participate.....

problem is there mite not be a b+i cup next year.

Did anyone read the offical Connacht release? Nigel Carolan actually mentioned that they were hoping to be in the B&I Cup next year. I know it's an open secret but I think it's the first time it's been mentioned openly by anyone on the Connacht Staff. I thought it was interesting...

Ya decent team considering we are missing the lads for the u20 game.

Is Dermot Murphy injured or whats the story with him? Though he did ok in the couple of senior games he was required to play last season but haven't heard much on him since.

Good to see Brian Murphy get a chance he's been a good performer at AIL level.

McCrea seems a favourite of some on here, he's been a mixed bag for me, but probably deserves to be closer to the 23 than he has been. This is his chance. Its not a glamorous game but its a platform for him to get himself back in contention. Given he can play centre too he has the potential to get himself into the no.23 jersey given his versatility and go from there.

I know Matt Dever is with Galwegians but is he in the Connacht academy? Any background on him, seems to have come over from England?

Only recognise a handful of the Ulster players but I'm sure they'll be a good side who are well drilled since they reached the knockout stages in the B&I Cup. We haven't played at this level in a while but most of these lads are used to playing with each other at one level or another.

Aye, but if I was him I'd have started the countdown early!

He left Ulster to get game time. Now he's playing against the reserves he would have been playing for if he had stayed.

Not saying he deserves a start 'just because', but he has done well any time I've seen him play.

ummm, wrote: Deramore Park, Wednesday 7th March (kick off 5pm):

McCrea must be counting down the days to when his contract is over.

Doesn't he have a year left on his contract? That's a long countdown.

Deramore Park, Wednesday 7th March (kick off 5pm):


Connacht XV & replacements
1 Denis Buckley
2 Kevin O’Byrne
3 Stewart Maguire
4 Brian Moylett
5 Mick Kearney
6 Dave Heffernan
7 Eoghan Grace (capt)
8 Eoin McKeon
9 Dave Moore
10 Jack Carty
11 Mark McCrea
12 Tadhg Leader
13 Brian Murphy
14 Matt Dever
15 Callum Boland

16 Stevie Collins
17 Finlay Bealham
18 Peter Borlase
19 Conor Kindregan
20 Isaac O’Grady
21 Marcus Walsh
22 Darragh Leader
23 Conor Fitzgibbon



Ravens XV & replacements
1 Richard Lutton (Belfast Harlequins)
2 John Burns (Ballymena)
3 Conor Carey (Ballymena)
4 Michael Shiels (Rainey)
5 David Houston (City of Derry)
6 Conor Joyce Malone)
7 Dominic Gallagher (Dublin University)
8 Neil Faloon (Armagh)
9 Paddy Farrell (Queen’s University)
10 James McKinney (Queen’s University)
11 Chris Quinn (Queen’s University)
12 Luke Marshall (Ballymena)
13 Michael Allen (Belfast Harlequins) (capt)
14 Conor Gaston (Dungannon)
15 Ricky Andrew (Ballymena)

16 Andrew Warwick (Ballymena)
17 Michael Cromie (Banbridge)
18 Stephen Mulholland (Ballymena)
19 Paul Pritchard (Ballymena)
20 Andrew Semple (City of Derry)
21 Johnny Burgess (Malone)
22 Taylor Acheson (Malone)



Lots of home grown talent in the 'A' team, great to see. Glad to see Jack Carty getting to start.

Not sure why Eoghan Grace is captaining a side after starting two games for the big boys.

McCrea must be counting down the days to when his contract is over. And no sign of TJ Anderson? Is he injured?