Even allowing for some injuries Joe Schmidt will not have sent down a squad that was expected to lose (as their record shows, lots of narrow wins), and certainly not beaten out the gate.Originally Posted by The Outlaw
McGrath? Oh you mean the lad who sat on the bench as Marmion's backup in South Africa...
Great win, pity that Connacht don't a few easier games coming up that they can build on this. Parks roaring at the backs was class.
I dont think Mc Carthy is international standard myself.
Connacht Rugby
"Live to win. Born to lose"
He's a year younger then Marmion and is a serious prospect in my view. As is Kieran if he plays like he did last night on a regular basis.
Thats the standard now last night. too often a big win is followed by a rank display the week after.
Connacht Rugby
"Live to win. Born to lose"
Well he's more international class than Tuohy, Toner, Cullen et al
Not sure he's big enough to be an international lock Porter. I never thought Toner was international quality or Cullen. Options are thin but maybe he'll get a run. He's a fantastic player for us though.
Connacht Rugby
"Live to win. Born to lose"
Sports at Seven (RTÉ Radio 1) are reporting that "many (of their) sources" are claiming that Eric Elwood will resign as director of rugby at Connacht at the end of the season. Official announcement due tomorrow.
Last edited by NiallGK; 2nd-October-2012 at 19:20.
Tommy O'Donnell - David Wallace Mk. 2.
It is true Niall.
Das ist nicht nur nicht richtig, es ist nicht einmal falsch! "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!"[Wolfgang Pauli]
Why now though. Will only serve to unsettle camp before HEC but maybe story was breaking anyway. Heard he told squad today.
Das ist nicht nur nicht richtig, es ist nicht einmal falsch! "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!"[Wolfgang Pauli]
I'm just reporting what I heard on the radio. The presenter did emphisise that "several sources" had confirmed it to RTÉ.
Tommy O'Donnell - David Wallace Mk. 2.
"We've got to be really careful we get our backyard right before we start looking over the fence."
Rob Penney - Rugby coach and Philosopher
Surprised. 'Family' reasons apparently.
\"There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness\".
Dalai Lama
Strange to announce it so early in the season, will surely be unsettling for the players
That's tough, Things seemed to be going well too over the past few years. Hope it's nothing like what led Martin O'Neil to leave his management career a few years back.
For the over the hill and the past-it, nothing is impossible.
Likewise. Think he has been good for Connacht overall, better than his predecessor, and was bringing some self-belief back. Hope things will be ok for him.
Never mind perception because it isn’t real. It’s only what people think. Go out and make them think something else.
- Alan Quinlan on believing in yourself
Best of luck to him. Possibly he decided that the IRFU wasn't giving enough resources to Connacht and there was no point staying?
4 Feb 2011 - Gilmore on the General Election
"Frankfurts way or Labours way."
28 Feb 2012 - Gilmore on a yes vote for the fiscal treaty
"A vote for economic stability and a vote for economic recovery."
May have been breaking anyway, better to kill the rumours with the truth
...in what way will you feel more Irish if you force me to give up my feeling of being British? - David Ervine
If it is, as reported, for family reasons, then I have the greatest admiration for the man. I just hope, it is NOT something along the lines of why Martin O'Neill had to leave.
"It is understood he received offers from other clubs to continue playing for another year or two but preferred to finish his career with Munster."
Charlie Mulqueen on Mick O'Driscoll's impending retirement
17/04/2012
If it was Family Reasons why would you wait till the End of The Season?
I didnt see that coming at all. But before the Connacht /Leinster game people might have questioned whether he and Dan could improve the situation in Connacht. I didnt think he would make that decision himself. The timing of it isnt great but Im sure with rumours and loose lips its hard to keep it quiet.
Lets hope he can drive them on for the season and make performances like last week the norm as opposed to the once a year Leinster home game.
When their numbers dwindled from 50 to 8, the other dwarves began to suspect Hungry
Phucked, if I know.
He may give some detail in the interview today.
"It is understood he received offers from other clubs to continue playing for another year or two but preferred to finish his career with Munster."
Charlie Mulqueen on Mick O'Driscoll's impending retirement
17/04/2012
The Indo has Cooder tipped for the job - hoefully it's just lazy hacks needing to put a name in the frame.
Apparently Brendan Fanning broke this story on his blog last night and Elwood had to pre-empt that.
http://brendanfanningrugby.wordpress.com/
Last edited by Blindsider.; 3rd-October-2012 at 08:38.
Trust is good; control is better. V I Lenin.
Well, Lets hope alls well with his health and his family. Im sure Eric has always had Connacht interests at heart. His been some man for driving on improvements in Galway. Sorry to see him leave but it was always going to be hard on him leaving with him being such an icon in connacht. At least it looks like he has made the decision himself.
When their numbers dwindled from 50 to 8, the other dwarves began to suspect Hungry
No, nothing to do with that. We are making progress (slowly) with that. Basically he's been involved with Connacht since pretty much after leaving the Jes. His commitment is phenomenal and unwavering but the cost on him physically and emotionally and to his family would be massive. Eric has been the standout Connacht born player of the last thirty years, he is Mr Connacht Rugby plain and simple and the demands on him are massive. Way more than any other coach in any other team..
How many other coaches shed tears as Eric did at start of Toulouse game. He is former player, current coach but always a loyal fan of Connacht...
http://vimeo.com/m/50654187
The announcement was scheduled way before Fanning blabbed....
Eric is a proud Connacht man and Seapoint your spot on in all of the above. There arent many people who have given so much to a club and without getting the success the effort deserved.
When their numbers dwindled from 50 to 8, the other dwarves began to suspect Hungry
Superb video that.
Best wishes to Eric Elwood too.
Brilliant video above. Elwood is a good guy.
The only thing lance is on is his bike 6 hours a day, busting his ass, what are you on?
Looking fwd to that show now !
"It is understood he received offers from other clubs to continue playing for another year or two but preferred to finish his career with Munster."
Charlie Mulqueen on Mick O'Driscoll's impending retirement
17/04/2012
Thanks for clearing that up Sea Point. It will have made unnescessary demands on him dealing with the IRFU for the very survival of Connacht, if nothing else. Then there was funding and Player Issues. I suspect there would be other Issues with the IRFU that Elwood might have found hard to Stomach as a Connacht Fan, nevermind Coach.There are nearly 6,000 at most Connacht Home Games. If there are indeed "other Issues", it is now time they are put to Bed.
Last edited by Cougar Moon; 3rd-October-2012 at 11:05.
I wish Eric Elwood all the best whatever path he takes,top bloke.
Now we wait for the start of the new Cooder era to begin.
Otaga Daily Times 2/5/2012
Taz-Where did you get that information as I have seen nowhere that he(Penney) was ruled out?
Editor - The writer stands by the Penney information.
Otaga Daily Times 3/5/2012
Editor-- This article originally said Rob Penney had missed out on the Munster coaching job. That information was incorrect.
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