Spot on, there has to be at least a couple of AIL coaches with something to offer the provinces. Ruddock is the big stand out as head coach material but there must be a few who would be more qualified as a backs coach than Dempsey currently is for instance. Part of Connacht's recent success has been spotting AIL talent that others missed, that could easily extend to coaches as well.

phatguerilla wrote: Yes this has really started to annoy me more as the general media consensus seems to be that the other three provinces will come good once their internationals reintegrate and their coaches plans become clear. There's absolutely no evidence that Cullen for one even has a coaching plan, whereas we knew from the start what Lam was about even if it wasn't always working.

Agree 100%, Cullen and Foley might end up being excellent head coaches but they were appointed to two of the top head coaching positions in Irish rugby with NO experience of the job at all. Ulster had the same with Doak, but I think they've done well to get Kiss in who I rate but if the story about ROG was true (he says it wasn't) they also were looking to appoint a head coach with no experience purely based on them being "intelligent players". How about appointing an intelligent coach instead?

There must be coaches showing their worth in the AIL? How about putting some faith in them rather than just one of your team's old boys just because they were much loved players.

Accidentally Onside wrote:

sea_point wrote: Continuing the Meeja lovein for Connacht...

Newstalk - Off the Ball - with Tiernan, Eddie O'Sullivan and Bernard Jackman...

www.newstalk.com/podcasts/Off_The_Ball/R...Off_The_Ball/115336/

Only thing that annoyed me is they are still going on about Munster being unsettled as they had players at the World Cup. The Connacht match day squad had 3 players away at the world cup.......which is exactly zero more than Munsters 3

Yes this has really started to annoy me more as the general media consensus seems to be that the other three provinces will come good once their internationals reintegrate and their coaches plans become clear. There's absolutely no evidence that Cullen for one even has a coaching plan, whereas we knew from the start what Lam was about even if it wasn't always working.

Accidentally Onside wrote:
Only thing that annoyed me is they are still going on about Munster being unsettled as they had players at the World Cup. The Connacht match day squad had 3 players away at the world cup.......which is exactly zero more than Munsters 3

I'm looking on the bright side of this: the mejia and the other teams don't seem to be taking us seriously which is great. Meanwhile the bookies have us as 7/2 (in what's effectively an 8 horse race) to finish top of the league after 22 rounds.

sea_point wrote: Continuing the Meeja lovein for Connacht...

Newstalk - Off the Ball - with Tiernan, Eddie O'Sullivan and Bernard Jackman...

www.newstalk.com/podcasts/Off_The_Ball/R...Off_The_Ball/115336/

Only thing that annoyed me is they are still going on about Munster being unsettled as they had players at the World Cup. The Connacht match day squad had 3 players away at the world cup.......which is exactly zero more than Munsters 3

Continuing the Meeja lovein for Connacht...

Newstalk - Off the Ball - with Tiernan, Eddie O'Sullivan and Bernard Jackman...

www.newstalk.com/podcasts/Off_The_Ball/R...Off_The_Ball/115336/

www.the42.ie/connacht-munster-analysis-p...ource=facebook_short

Great read

Amazing day, still trying to process it all. Glad the bus worked out, t'was a blast even if i did have to confiscate a few cans of bulmers!! Shelflife and ConnemaraMan did most of the heavy lifting on the bus, shelflife did ALL the work on the tickets, and Decadence and Pinky maintain the shop and backend! I just showed up with a list and ticketed some names off!

Extensive coverage on second captains, with Gerry Thornley

Midi-Olympique and the green glow...apologies for the angle!

Well, About time wasnt it. For years travelling to away interpro's only to salvage defeat from the jaws of victory but bot now.
A great win, a great performance by all concerned. Lam has the lads playing some great rugby and they look like they are really enjoying throwing the ball around are now capable of doing it.
James Connolly delighted for him and his family on a great game. Muldowney put in some workload and was my mom.
I was disappointed to not be further ahead at the break. We looked like scoring more but they held us out. They only made it into our 22 a few times yet got their try but they had the wind.
I thought we needed to get Henshaw into the game maybe with a move to 12 in the second half but no he stayed at 15 but the way Henshaw, Aki and Marmion worked the blindside for the 5-10 minutes at the end was textbook how to close out a game. Wise and clinical in what needed to be done. Again and again we went down the blind with Henshaw or Aki carrying and recycling to keep possession and then the gem of a offload and finish to kill the game off. Class.

Thats the little bit extra that we have lacked in the past when needing to finish games. Marmion was class and with the form of reddan his going to be needed by Joe.

Agree with Menacethedenis, 99% of the Munster fans I interacted with were good craic before, during and after the game - was few eejits to the left of me but wouldn't let that over shadow it. A good few stayed back and applauded the Connacht team off and people I talked to in Munster Supporters bar were very welcoming before game and congratulatory afterwards

Well that was fun. Tried to find negatives so we keep our feet on the ground AND all I can come up with is we didnt get enough on the scoreboard in that dominant first half.

The other negatives were the ref. We know about the PT(manages to contradict his own eyes) but there was so much frustration when three times we were pinged in the first half for holding on in their 22. The final one was a clear not rolling away and yet he had decided we had to be in the wrong. The incident Denis mentions was right in front of us. Can't say who did it but a hand comes out of the ruck and knocks the ball out of Kieran's hands. BUT hey, despite him we win.

The other really bad thing is the crowd in their season ticket area. I met a lovely gracious couple before & after but the abuse given out by them during the 80, in the West stand was appalling, to us, the ref and their own. From what I hear, the East Terrace was complete opposite(indeed they sound like those guys have no time for the season ticket holders). Even season, hardened journos from Dublin were shocked by the severity of it. Guess luck of the draw with tickets determines how you interact with the oppo

Still so happy with the result from Sat. From start to finish though every player was superb. Great fielding of high balls, great handling from forwards and back and great attitude for the full 80 mins. Each win gives the boys more and more belief to go harder at the next match. Thought Aly and Connolly were immense especially for a first league start. Young lads just slotting in when they get the chance.
Such a great game to watch after the snoozefest that was Leinster on friday.

I'm still sick as a dog but still absolutely buzzing after that! Huge thanks to SOL and the Clan for organizing a brilliant trip. I watched the highlights last night. I missed the penalty try incident when it happened as I was relieving myself after several libations and I'm glad I did as I would have lost it. That is one of the worst decisions I have ever seen. Even our friend Leighton wouldn't have got that wrong. Earlier in the game Whitehouse gave Mul a lengthy and totally over the top dressing down after something he said at a ruck (I think Saili slapped the ball out of this hand on the ground yet the penalty went Munsters way). It seems to me like he was just looking for a way to penalize Mul after that. Absolutely pathetic stuff. Anyway, I saw a couple of Facebook posts and tweets about 'arrogant' Munster fans after the match, I don't know where that's coming from. I was approached by loads of Munster supporters afterwards offering their congratulations and best wishes for the season, they were very gracious and good natured as I've always found them to be.

I'm after watching the highlights in tg4 there's a second link for the second half.

Firstly so happy with the win. the players deserved it for the work they have put into every aspect. Hopefully there won't be a hangover next week and we can get a result in Cardiff.

Connachts handling is unreal the skills coach is really doing a superb job!
Connolly is a star in the making, he looked assured and composed. On his first pro 12 start that's great.
The pack played brilliantly. I could name all of them. Muldowney is a natural leader. To see how he gathered every one together after the pen try and stopped players going to the ref was great and added more to an already impressive display.
We were unlucky not to be further ahead at the end of the first half. But we didn't take our chances. TOH try was mental I'm not surprised it went to the TMO.
Maul defence is an issue the first Munster try was far too easy.
I was surprised Munster didn't go to the posts more often keeping the scoreboard ticking over always being in touching distance would have made it a very different game.
Yellow and a penalty should have been the outcome For Muldoon, but its been fine through so I'll leave it at that.
Bundees try was fantastic! Healys break, Robbie's sidestep the offload. Then Bundees finish was sublime. He had so much to do after getting the ball. And did he do it! Deserved MOTM.

At the game I was fuming with the ref at the breakdown, but on watching the highlights I didn't think he wasn't great for both sides. A lot of sloppy rucks lazy rollers etc on both sides really slowing ball from what was a very high tempo game.

I'd like to say any of the Munster support that I spoke to were gracious in defeat (as long as they were over 18) but that's teenagers for you. I've always liked Thomond Park. I think in gonna like it a bit more now

Thanks Sol and clan for bus and the few return stops!!
What was the chant again..

New Craggy Island Podcast is out already and up on the home page

carol40conroy wrote: 9500

around 400 connacht fans apparently

9500

I was also jumping up and down in front of a laptop in North West London. I lost the stream on a number of occasions and luckily, one of those was when the referee gave that penalty try. Some performance: why would Robbie leave a West that is awake to go to an East that is asleep. Well done Connacht.

Got to add the supporters who travelled down. Really came across on TV.

Any idea of numbers there?

I was jumping up and down watching it on my laptop in north London. Remarkable performance. The blend of players is wonderful and looked like they knew exactly what their task was, and stuck to it brilliantly. Great to see the superb work that's been put into the academy paying off too. The future's bright, the future's green!

Masterson with 14 tackles no misses had a Master..piece too!
I wonder if with Heaslip ageing, he could be offered a central contract...

Massive result for the squad. Great try at the end to seal the win, pity Ronaldson couldn't make one of the last two kicks and deny the bonus point and properly reflect our dominance.

For me Muldowney was a clear MOM, huge work rate on and off the ball. After our half backs he made the most passes, which means he was constantly making himself available. The most carries (20) , ten tackles (no misses), joint most turnovers. Just a huge 80min effort from the big man..

www.espn.co.uk/rugby/lineups?gameId=269379&league=270557