Connacht 24-25

[hugonaut]

Great news.

There is in my opinion a very strong cohort of Connacht-produced players born in the late 90s and early 00s, especially when you consider that years 1993-1998 yielded only Caolin Blade (unfortunately some very talented players from that era were lost to injury, such as Sean O'Brien (1994) and Cillian Gallagher (1997)).

1999: Niall Murray, Colm Reilly, Dylan Tierney-Martin
2000:
2001: Eoin de Buitléar, Cathal Forde, Shane Jennings, Oisin McCormack, Darragh Murray
2002: Matthew Devine
2003: Fiachna Barrett, John Devine, Harry West
2004: Max Flynn, Hugh Gavin

Obviously, not all of those players will make the grade, but nevertheless should form a strong home grown spine of the squad. If they can be supplemented with the likes of Cian Prendergast (2000), Shamus Hurley-Langton (2000), Shayne Bolton (2000), Ben Murphy (2021), Sam Illo (2001), Chay Mullins (2002), Finn Treacy (2004), Sean Naughton (2004), etc., Connacht may possess a squad capable of reaching European quarter finals in the late 2020s.

It's also worth noting that the 2006 group was the first to win an interpro series since the 2001 group which yielded 5 senior pros. The former team featured interesting prospects such as Rory Gavin, Diarmuid O'Connell, and Sean Walsh.

The resurgence of Corinthians could also be a boon for the province as there is more high level rugby available, with two teams in the JP Fanagan u20 competition (including I believe the first Connacht team in the top tier), and a potential return to AIL Division 1 on the cards.

Very interesting information.

Another big piece of the puzzle is currently underway with the improved stadium and (I believe) training facilities.

The cost of construction is very high in Ireland at the moment, so maybe 'low-hanging fruit' is a bit of a stretch, but I think it is important to have good facilities and infrastructure with regards to attracting players. It's a definable, tangible piece of the organisation. You build it, then you have it for a long time.

You can show young players that this is a well-run, well-resourced organisation. There's the same all-weather pitches, the same track, the same scrum-machines, the same amount of racks and platforms etc. as Leinster/Munster have ... you don't have to go there to get picked for Ireland. Munster, Leinster and Ulster all have excellent training facilities and I think Connacht have been having to mend and make do in comparison.

Getting more people through the turnstiles also has obvious benefits in terms of improving the finances.

[sunshiner1]

Supposedly Porch and Cordero are both going at the end of the season. Probably explains why Porch isn't getting much gametime at the moment.

[FtD]

Supposedly Porch and Cordero are both going at the end of the season. Probably explains why Porch isn't getting much gametime at the moment.

I think this broadly makes sense. They were extremely unfortunate with Cordero getting hurt just after he arrived, but he just hasn't been a difference maker this season and I'd imagine (by Connacht standards) he's not the cheapest. They have young talent in the back three they're better off backing than these two.

[sunshiner1]

Yeah I think Cordero was brought in to give some experience to the backline when TOH left but it didn't work out with injury etc. So move him on and back the young lads. Porch is an odder one, supposedly he got a better contract as there was a lot of French clubs sniffing around him and then they don't play him. Strange decision in my book.

[Conaucht contingent]

Great news.

There is in my opinion a very strong cohort of Connacht-produced players born in the late 90s and early 00s, especially when you consider that years 1993-1998 yielded only Caolin Blade (unfortunately some very talented players from that era were lost to injury, such as Sean O'Brien (1994) and Cillian Gallagher (1997)).

1999: Niall Murray, Colm Reilly, Dylan Tierney-Martin
2000:
2001: Eoin de Buitléar, Cathal Forde, Shane Jennings, Oisin McCormack, Darragh Murray
2002: Matthew Devine
2003: Fiachna Barrett, John Devine, Harry West
2004: Max Flynn, Hugh Gavin

Obviously, not all of those players will make the grade, but nevertheless should form a strong home grown spine of the squad. If they can be supplemented with the likes of Cian Prendergast (2000), Shamus Hurley-Langton (2000), Shayne Bolton (2000), Ben Murphy (2021), Sam Illo (2001), Chay Mullins (2002), Finn Treacy (2004), Sean Naughton (2004), etc., Connacht may possess a squad capable of reaching European quarter finals in the late 2020s.

It's also worth noting that the 2006 group was the first to win an interpro series since the 2001 group which yielded 5 senior pros. The former team featured interesting prospects such as Rory Gavin, Diarmuid O'Connell, and Sean Walsh.

The resurgence of Corinthians could also be a boon for the province as there is more high level rugby available, with two teams in the JP Fanagan u20 competition (including I believe the first Connacht team in the top tier), and a potential return to AIL Division 1 on the cards.

Yea Diarmuid o'connell is a huge prospect 6 4 120 kg still in school while sean walsh is nearly 6 5 110 ,115 kg both playing for Corinthians u20s while diarmuid hoem club is carrick with sligo too
Look out for Sligo grammar games to see diarmuid Iin action hes playing 8 this year and last yr ,very impressive from him to start for grammar in TY ,only serious Tys start for grammar seniors
Rory Gavin has been dropped off ireland ,he wasent big enough I'd say

[neill_m]

Possibility of Connacht v Munster on March 29 being played at MacHale Park in Castlebar, can hold 28,000. Mayo GAA approached by Connacht and seeking the green light from GAA HQ.

[Conaucht contingent]

Possibility of Connacht v Munster on March 29 being played at MacHale Park in Castlebar, can hold 28,000. Mayo GAA approached by Connacht and seeking the green light from GAA HQ.

I doubt it

[Conaucht contingent]

Possibility of Connacht v Munster on March 29 being played at MacHale Park in Castlebar, can hold 28,000. Mayo GAA approached by Connacht and seeking the green light from GAA HQ.

I doubt it

[scentofgunpowder]

Great news.

There is in my opinion a very strong cohort of Connacht-produced players born in the late 90s and early 00s, especially when you consider that years 1993-1998 yielded only Caolin Blade (unfortunately some very talented players from that era were lost to injury, such as Sean O'Brien (1994) and Cillian Gallagher (1997)).

1999: Niall Murray, Colm Reilly, Dylan Tierney-Martin
2000:
2001: Eoin de Buitléar, Cathal Forde, Shane Jennings, Oisin McCormack, Darragh Murray
2002: Matthew Devine
2003: Fiachna Barrett, John Devine, Harry West
2004: Max Flynn, Hugh Gavin

Obviously, not all of those players will make the grade, but nevertheless should form a strong home grown spine of the squad. If they can be supplemented with the likes of Cian Prendergast (2000), Shamus Hurley-Langton (2000), Shayne Bolton (2000), Ben Murphy (2021), Sam Illo (2001), Chay Mullins (2002), Finn Treacy (2004), Sean Naughton (2004), etc., Connacht may possess a squad capable of reaching European quarter finals in the late 2020s.

It's also worth noting that the 2006 group was the first to win an interpro series since the 2001 group which yielded 5 senior pros. The former team featured interesting prospects such as Rory Gavin, Diarmuid O'Connell, and Sean Walsh.

The resurgence of Corinthians could also be a boon for the province as there is more high level rugby available, with two teams in the JP Fanagan u20 competition (including I believe the first Connacht team in the top tier), and a potential return to AIL Division 1 on the cards.

Yea Diarmuid o'connell is a huge prospect 6 4 120 kg still in school while sean walsh is nearly 6 5 110 ,115 kg both playing for Corinthians u20s while diarmuid hoem club is carrick with sligo too
Look out for Sligo grammar games to see diarmuid Iin action hes playing 8 this year and last yr ,very impressive from him to start for grammar in TY ,only serious Tys start for grammar seniors
Rory Gavin has been dropped off ireland ,he wasent big enough I'd say

I'd be surprised if either of those lads are anywhere near those dimensions, but Walsh does look dominant playing in the JP Fanagan. Seems to have decent skills too.

Are you sure Rory Gavin was dropped, as opposed to being injured? He seems to be bigger than Hugh, so you'd think he has the size to be a lock/blindside hybrid at senior level.

[Conaucht contingent]

Well he didnt play school rugby last year and no sign of him this year with Him only playing irish clubs and didnt get on NTS
Yea he probably is 6 5 ,105 or 110 kg but his skills arent great with his size for a flanker isent great

[sunshiner1]

Ulster 14 - 40 Connacht 'A'. That's a big result for Connacht. Shows that there is talent coming through.

[Ruckedtobits]

Ulster 14 - 40 Connacht 'A'. That's a big result for Connacht. Shows that there is talent coming through.

Fair do's on Connacht. Some posters on here have been bigging up the Connacht under-age prospects and this suggests that they haven't been exaggerating.

[mildlyinterested]

Hugh Gavin out for awhile with an ankle injury.

[MylesNaGapoleen]

bulls are well up for this. Connacht doing well to keep it at just 0-7. 22 mins gone.

[MylesNaGapoleen]

ouch! red card for Jansen. shoulder to head.

[cormac]

Connacht in full-on self destruct mode for the first 60 minutes until the Bulls no.8 decided to join them.

[blockhead]

Looks like that Connacht v Munster derby is going to go ahead in MacHale Park on 29th March.'
Good news for Connacht, if they can fill it (25k) they might make a few bob, great occasion too.
Although Munster might have a distinct advantage with their players having most of February and March off!
Sorry, couldn't help myself

ask yer da what "a few bob" means

[blockhead]

Mpilo Gumede (Bulls) and Sean Jansen both get 3 week suspensions. Jansen will miss game v Leinster