clanman wrote: I had a suspicion this was going to happen see my post above, at least we have a couple of ex-players who no doubt will or have been interviewed, I,d expect an announcement in the next few weeks

I wonder if Coaching is in Swifty's horizon post retirement, there's a bit of me that thinks because of the specialist knowledge required for Front Row it should nearly always go to a former Front Rower.

There are a couple of ex-player who might look at this opportunity, Johnny O'Connor for one...

I had a suspicion this was going to happen see my post above, at least we have a couple of ex-players who no doubt will or have been interviewed, I,d expect an announcement in the next few weeks

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo


www.connachtrugby.ie/mcfarland-to-leave-...-years/#ConnachtNews

Anyone else hearing Heenan out injured again?

Of those ones that you want to let go, are they out of contract?

Think that Fionn has another year left (I'd let him go too) and who would take him? He can stay and get paid for another year.

My personal preference

swift4prez wrote:
Jason Harris-Wright - Keep
Seán Henry - Keep
Dave Heffernan - Don't mind
JP Cooney - Dont mind
Mick Kearney - Gone
Danny Qualter - Let go
Andrew Browne - Keep
Mata Fafita - Let go
Miah Nikora - Let go
Shane O'Leary - Keep
Conor Finn - Keep
Fionn Carr - Let go
Mils Muliaina - Keep
Shane Layden - Keep

swift4prez wrote:

ConnachtCows wrote: Do we know who's left, without a contract for next season?
Off the top of my head I can only think of Fionn and Mils.
I'm really excited. No new signings announced, apart for Roux and Cooney. The majority of our starting team signed up for next season. I trust Pat is looking for players to improve the first team, rather than flesh out the squad. Hopefully start hearing news next month

Jason Harris-Wright want him re-signed with a 80% intensity
Seán Henry 50%
Dave Heffernan 50% It's one of him or Henry, the other should make way for Delahunt
JP Cooney released
Mick Kearney hope he stays but it's not really a Connacht choice
Danny Qualter released
Andrew Browne 60%
Mata Fafita 40%
Miah Nikora relased
Shane O'Leary 80%
Conor Finn 90%
Fionn Carr released
Mils Muliaina released
Shane Layden released

swift4prez wrote:

ConnachtCows wrote: Do we know who's left, without a contract for next season?
Off the top of my head I can only think of Fionn and Mils.
I'm really excited. No new signings announced, apart for Roux and Cooney. The majority of our starting team signed up for next season. I trust Pat is looking for players to improve the first team, rather than flesh out the squad. Hopefully start hearing news next month

Jason Harris-Wright
Seán Henry
Dave Heffernan
JP Cooney
Mick Kearney
Danny Qualter
Andrew Browne
Mata Fafita
Miah Nikora
Shane O'Leary
Conor Finn
Fionn Carr
Mils Muliaina
Shane Layden

A good few tough decisions for some of the more injury prone members of that list...
Potential is all very well and good, but frequent injury makes the squad very vulnerable over the season...
The more talented may get single season offers, last roll of the dice to prove themselves...

Some clearly struggling to contend at this level; and should make way for new recruits whether experienced or with the potential to contend at First XV level...

ConnachtCows wrote: Do we know who's left, without a contract for next season?
Off the top of my head I can only think of Fionn and Mils.
I'm really excited. No new signings announced, apart for Roux and Cooney. The majority of our starting team signed up for next season. I trust Pat is looking for players to improve the first team, rather than flesh out the squad. Hopefully start hearing news next month

Jason Harris-Wright
Seán Henry
Dave Heffernan
JP Cooney
Mick Kearney
Danny Qualter
Andrew Browne
Mata Fafita
Miah Nikora
Shane O'Leary
Conor Finn
Fionn Carr
Mils Muliaina
Shane Layden

and Poolman re-signing is good news for our NIQ spots as he becomes Irish qualified at the end of the summer

we've forgotten about one of the most important contract renewals\extensions of all and that is Dan McFarland, in 2013 he signed up for another 2 years so not sure has that period now come to an end.

ConnachtCows wrote: Do we know who's left, without a contract for next season?
Off the top of my head I can only think of Fionn and Mils.
I'm really excited. No new signings announced, apart for Roux and Cooney. The majority of our starting team signed up for next season. I trust Pat is looking for players to improve the first team, rather than flesh out the squad. Hopefully start hearing news next month

a few more than that. See stats tab above.

Do we know who's left, without a contract for next season?
Off the top of my head I can only think of Fionn and Mils.
I'm really excited. No new signings announced, apart for Roux and Cooney. The majority of our starting team signed up for next season. I trust Pat is looking for players to improve the first team, rather than flesh out the squad. Hopefully start hearing news next month

Great signings so far. Hope that Lam has his eye on a couple of other players.

Delighted with this news. Was a bit worried about this one but our squad looks well set for next season. A couple of more players to sign up and hopefully we can bring in a couple of real quality players. 10 in particular and 2nd row / back row would be my main priority. I'd like to get another tight head but don't think its realistic this summer.

Awful news : he's the one everybody wants to get rid of :lol: :lol:

Seriously with that kind of player, we can say now Connacht won't disappear from one day to another, whatever European Cup we play

www.connachtrugby.ie/#ConnachtNews

Poolman has signed on for two more years. This is fantastic news :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:


Poolman Commits Future to Connacht Rugby
05th March 2015

Connacht Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to announce that 25-year-old back Danie Poolman has signed a new deal that will keep him at the Sportsground until at least the summer of 2017.

Poolman joined Connacht in 2012 from South African franchise the Stormers and since then the former Paul Roos schoolboy from Pretoria has established himself as a key component in Connacht’s back line. Poolman’s attacking prowess has come to the fore again this season with seven tries making him the province’s top try scorer so far this season.

A versatile player, Poolman can switch from the wing to the centre with ease and has played 19 games this season, starting in all but one. He marked his 50th game for Connacht last week by crossing for a 79th minute try in the province’s 7-try victory over Treviso.

Commenting on the news, CEO Willie Ruane said:

“Danie is a quality player who is highly respected and very popular in the team and amongst our supporters. He is a professional on and off the park and we are thrilled to add him to the list of exciting, young players who have committed their futures to Connacht. “

Head Coach Pat Lam added:

“Danie is a true leader in our young back line. This season, he has demonstrated his versatility by performing well in the centre as well as on the wing. He is a good team man with a very positive attitude and we are delighted that he will continue to play for Connacht.“

Danie Poolman said:

“Galway and Connacht Rugby have become home for me these last three years and so I’m thrilled to have signed on for another two. I’m thoroughly enjoying my rugby and also the competitive environment that’s driving us towards achieving great success for the province.”