Great news, I was always worried he would have been on Ulster's radar after his performances with us, I'm sure they'd love to have him back.

menacethedenis wrote: Woohoo!

Faloon signs for two more years
05th November 2013

ah you got there before me.
swift and muldoon tomorrow?

2016 - Clarke, Muldowney, Heenan, Marmion, Healy, Faloon, Ronaldson,

2015 - White, Loughney, Wilkinson, Poolman, Buckley, george, harris wright
2015 - mckeon, kearney, henshaw, carr, henry, Cooney, Browne, McSharry,

2014 - Tonetti, O'Donohoe, Parks, Duffy, Griffin, O'Halloran, Muldoon, Swift,
2014 - Ah You, nikora, F Murphy, B Murphy, Fifita

Development contracts - Dave Heffernan, Danny Qualtar, Aaron Conneely, James Rael (1),

2013 - Nolan

going/gone! - So’oialo

keep the good news coming

Faloon signs for two more years
05th November 2013

Hot on the heels of yesterday’s announcement that Kieran Marmion has extended his contract with the province, Connacht Rugby have moved fast to secure the services of Openside Flanker Willie Faloon.

The 27-year-old has put pen to paper on a two year extension with Connacht Rugby and the IRFU, bringing his contract up to the summer of 2016.

Faloon joined Connacht from neighbouring province Ulster at the start of the 2012/13 season. The 6ft 1in, 100kg back-rower has racked up 20 caps despite unfortunate, lengthy spells on the sidelines in the last two seasons. In September of this year, he was dealt a major blow when he was forced to leave the pitch with a broken foot sustained in round 3 of the PRO12 against his former Irish club. The Armagh man was ruled out for up to six months.

Faloon had a remarkable first season with Connacht and was identified as the Player of the Month for February having just returned from a long term injury. The flanker played all three games during the month, which included both the home win against Ospreys and the win away to Cardiff Blues – the first away win against the Welsh side since 2001. Faloon registered his first try for the province during the 22 – 10 victory over the then defending champions Ospreys, his performance earning him the Man of the Match award. A week later, he crossed over for the double against the Blues.

He earned his first Ireland Wolfhound cap and scored a try against Scotland ‘A’ in 2011 and played England Saxons the same year.

Voted Ulster Academy Player of the Year in 2009, he won the AIB Cup with his native Ballynahinch and went on to earn his first Heineken Cup cap with Ulster away to Stade Francais in the same year. He played 57 times for Ulster, including 14 appearances in the Heineken Cup.

With Connacht, he has built a reputation as an abrasive ball-carrier and his work rate across the park has been phenomenal.

Willie Faloon said today:

“I’m delighted to be playing in Connacht for another two years. Since I arrived here, I’ve been made feel so welcome by the lads and supporters alike.

“Getting regular game time has been fantastic for me. I love working with Pat (Lam) and Dan (McFarland) and the other coaches and I’m constantly challenged in new ways which is helping my game.

“Obviously it’s extremely disappointing to be injured, but I still feel very much a part of the team and am actively involved in analysis and team meetings. Right now, I am working hard with the physio Gavin (Malouf) and the conditioning staff to come back improved as soon as possible.”

Connacht Head Coach Pat Lam added:

“This is another fantastic boost for the club. Willie is an exceptional player for Connacht and a great person off the field too.

“He is an important member of our squad and part of a very strong pack here. We’ve seen what he can do and his experience and work-rate adds an exciting dimension to our gameplay.

“I know Willie has been frustrated with his injury early this season but he is continuing to work hard on the development of his game and we look forward to having him back stronger in the coming months and for the seasons ahead.”

Woohoo!

Faloon signs for two more years
05th November 2013

Hot on the heels of yesterday’s announcement that Kieran Marmion has extended his contract with the province, Connacht Rugby have moved fast to secure the services of Openside Flanker Willie Faloon.

The 27-year-old has put pen to paper on a two year extension with Connacht Rugby and the IRFU, bringing his contract up to the summer of 2016.

Faloon joined Connacht from neighbouring province Ulster at the start of the 2012/13 season. The 6ft 1in, 100kg back-rower has racked up 20 caps despite unfortunate, lengthy spells on the sidelines in the last two seasons. In September of this year, he was dealt a major blow when he was forced to leave the pitch with a broken foot sustained in round 3 of the PRO12 against his former Irish club. The Armagh man was ruled out for up to six months.

Faloon had a remarkable first season with Connacht and was identified as the Player of the Month for February having just returned from a long term injury. The flanker played all three games during the month, which included both the home win against Ospreys and the win away to Cardiff Blues – the first away win against the Welsh side since 2001. Faloon registered his first try for the province during the 22 – 10 victory over the then defending champions Ospreys, his performance earning him the Man of the Match award. A week later, he crossed over for the double against the Blues.

He earned his first Ireland Wolfhound cap and scored a try against Scotland ‘A’ in 2011 and played England Saxons the same year.

Voted Ulster Academy Player of the Year in 2009, he won the AIB Cup with his native Ballynahinch and went on to earn his first Heineken Cup cap with Ulster away to Stade Francais in the same year. He played 57 times for Ulster, including 14 appearances in the Heineken Cup.

With Connacht, he has built a reputation as an abrasive ball-carrier and his work rate across the park has been phenomenal.

Willie Faloon said today:

“I’m delighted to be playing in Connacht for another two years. Since I arrived here, I’ve been made feel so welcome by the lads and supporters alike.

“Getting regular game time has been fantastic for me. I love working with Pat (Lam) and Dan (McFarland) and the other coaches and I’m constantly challenged in new ways which is helping my game.

“Obviously it’s extremely disappointing to be injured, but I still feel very much a part of the team and am actively involved in analysis and team meetings. Right now, I am working hard with the physio Gavin (Malouf) and the conditioning staff to come back improved as soon as possible.”

Sol_ie wrote:

swift4prez wrote: Marmion hasn’t missed a game for Connacht since his debut 14 months ago.

!!

Yep and started all but one game too. Excellent piece of business....

Great news. Hopefully he can continue to push his career forward at Connacht. We have most of our key players for another couple of seasons after this so hopefully we can get the remaining key players signed up and that can give us the basis to push on.

Savage news

swift4prez wrote: Marmion hasn’t missed a game for Connacht since his debut 14 months ago.

!!

Absolutely cracking news on a quite Monday. Lets hope the break can see a few more lads back from injury as well.

F*cking delighted!!!

Marmion signs new contract
04th November 2013

Connacht Rugby and the IRFU are delighted to announce the extended contract of Kieran Marmion. The 21-year-old scrum-half put pen to paper on a new deal that will see him play at the Sportsground until at least the summer of 2016.

Marmion was fast-tracked from year one of the Connacht Academy last season, after earning his first cap and start for the province against Cardiff Blues in the opening round of the RaboDirect PRO12.

He went on to start every game of the 2012/13 season and was the sole Connacht squad member and only player in the league to do so. Now with 36 caps beside his name, Marmion hasn’t missed a game for Connacht since his debut 14 months ago.

This season, he tops the try scoring leaders’ board having crossed the line in games against the Ospreys, Saracens and Leinster. His stand out performances earned him the Connacht Player of the Month award for September.

Born in Brecon, Wales but with family hailing from Loughrea, Co. Galway, Marmion has been capped at U-18, U-19 and U-20 level for Ireland and was named this year in the Ireland Squad for the Summer Tour of North America.

Connacht Head Coach Pat Lam said:

“I’m delighted for Kieran and for Connacht Rugby that we have this new deal. Kieran is a fantastic player and a key member of our squad and it’s a real boost that he sees his continued development and future with the club he started his professional career with.

“From day one, Kieran has impressed me with his attitude, work ethic and incredible maturity and I have no doubt that he will go on to achieve great things within Connacht and Irish rugby.”

now that wasnt so hard was it. no matter what, it good when a writer has an open mind and to change what they write. i understand these arent national paper employees but if there going to do a job, good to keep them on there toes.

Connacht have several players out of contract at the end of this season, chief of whom is talented back-row Willie Faloon. The province is also mulling new deals for its joint captaincy trio of John Muldoon, Michael Swift and Gavin Duffy.

columoc wrote:

swift4prez wrote: rrrrr does it kill people to stick a line or two about connacht, or are they really that clueless they dont know what to write

Honestly - when we are not bottom of the league, when we win regularly and when we have a good handful getting regular call ups to the Irish squad - then you will have a point.

Until then, its in our own hands, I do not want any press patronising us - so let's get over it. Best way to get recognition is on the pitch.

ah, i take it you have read my post or link correctly, or you didnt understand me.
im not looking for 2 page spread match pre-view/report, im looking for 2 lines in an article about players out of contract. 1 player will do.
if it was aimed at international players id say fair enough, we dont have any current ones but, Moore isnt, he's on had 3 starts in the pro12. Earls isnt an international anymore etc

swift4prez wrote: rrrrr does it kill people to stick a line or two about connacht, or are they really that clueless they dont know what to write

Honestly - when we are not bottom of the league, when we win regularly and when we have a good handful getting regular call ups to the Irish squad - then you will have a point.

Until then, its in our own hands, I do not want any press patronising us - so let's get over it. Best way to get recognition is on the pitch.

slightly of topic, but has to do with contracts.

write ups like this are this that i would punch the author if he handed it to me.
''Here are the 12 Irish rugby stars out of contract in 2014''

thescore.thejournal.ie/irish-rugby-2014-..._source=twitter_self

Paul O’Connell, Jamie Heaslip and Conor Murray, Sean O’Brien, Keith Earls, Donnacha Ryan, Rory Best, Donncha O’Callaghan, Brian O’Driscoll, Tom Court, Martin Moore.

'Stars' which some are, our best players in the country, others not so much. some will get IRFU contract, others wont. now the piece that annoys me, why not stick at least 1 connacht name in there.

Michael swift, Pro12 most capped player?
Willie Faloon, wasnt he connacht player of the season?
John Muldoon,
Eoin Griffin, could write a piece saying he's linked with munster etc
Tiernan O'Halloran
Gavin Duffy

the author too could make it very easy and just write that all 3 of connacht captains are going to be out of contract in the summer.

rrrrr does it kill people to stick a line or two about connacht, or are they really that clueless they dont know what to write

Porterbelly wrote:

phatguerilla wrote:

Porterbelly wrote:

phatguerilla wrote: That's really disappointing I hope everything is alright with his family.

Tbh at this point in the season we'd be better off trying to develop the likes of Leader who's already on the bench for the game tonight than looking for a like for like replacement.

Would still take James O Connor though!!

As long as we could keep him away from the nightlife

I think he's been signed up by London Irish no?

Just rumours, they're the favourites

That suggests to me that the big spending French clubs won't touch him though. And London Irish I doubt would be in a position to offer him any sort of big contract.

And we have Heineken Cup rugby and they don't.

Just a thought!

JAMES O'CONNOR SIGNS FOR LONDON IRISH

London Irish announced today (29th October) that it has signed Australian International James O’Connor on a deal until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old has played 44 Tests for the Wallabies and is expected to make his Aviva Premiership debut this weekend at Madejski Stadium when London Irish plays Northampton Saints.

The versatile back became the second youngest Wallaby in Australian rugby history when he made his Test debut against Italy in 2008. He made his first start against the Barbarians at Wembley later that year.

James started his Super Rugby career with the Perth based Western Force in 2008 making 38 appearances and scoring 306 points, before signing for Melbourne Rebels. He has spent the last two seasons in the Victorian capital scoring 175 points in 21 appearances.

In June of this year James played in the three Test matches against the British and Irish Lions, scoring a try in the third Test in Sydney. His last appearance for the Green and Gold was in the Rugby Championship victory over Argentina in September. He was also part of the Australia squad that finished third in the 2011 IRB World Cup in New Zealand.

Confirming James O’Connor’s signing today, London Irish Director of Rugby, Brian Smith said: “James is a world-class player and a terrific kid and it is fantastic to have him at London Irish. He will bring a huge amount of experience to our group and will fit in well to our style of play. He is fit and ready to play so the coaching group will get him up to date on everything and hopefully he’ll be ready to go this weekend.”

Commenting on his decision to join London Irish, James said, “Having decided that I needed a change from both a personal and playing point of view, I spoke to clubs in Japan and France, and concluded that the best way forward for my development was to move to England.

“Given that I’ve left my support network back in Australia, London Irish offered me an environment that I felt comfortable with. The club is renowned as a welcoming, family club throughout the world, it has a highly regarded Australian Director of Rugby in Brian Smith and plays a style of rugby that appeals to me.

“In England and Wales they play a very high-pressured, territory based game. I thoroughly believe I can improve elements of my game by playing in the Aviva Premiership.”

Player Profile at a Glance
Name: James O’Connor
Position: Full Back/Centre
International Caps: Australia (44 caps)
Date of Birth: 5th July 1990 (23)
Place of Birth: Southport, Queensland, Australia
Former Clubs: Western Force, Melbourne Rebels
Height: 1.80m
Weight: 88kg