Random Ramblings

Been a while since I wrote anything here. Probably over two weeks, but my twitter account is taking off luckily (@ConnachtCows), so I'm getting most of my thoughts across there.
Last time I blogged, we had just announced the signings of the Beast, Niall O'Connor, and Mark McCrea.

Since then, Ronan Loughney, Frank Murphy, Miah Nikora and Jamie Hagan (more about him soon) have all signed new 2 year deals. The young fellas are coming along very well also. Shane Connelly, and Eoin Griffin are looking very good.

It's also been announced today, that Sean Cronin has signed for Leinster, starting this summer. He's signed a 2 year deal. I really wish him all the best in Dublin. I hope he pushes on even further. He doesn't seem like a player who will forget where he's come from, and from all accounts, he's very much enjoyed his time in Galway. Hopefully over the next 4 months, we see the best of him. Not just for Connacht, but for Ireland in the 6Nations too. I dont see him starting the big games for Ireland unfortunately. Declan Kidney seems to have a hard-on for Rory Best, when fit. I must say, that Rory Best is probably a better lin-out thrower, but I dont think any will argue, that on form, Cronin offers much more with ball in hand, while breaking.

Talking about Ireland, Gavin Duffy has kept his place in the Irish squad, and there was a big shock when Mike McCarthy also got a call up. That's a fantastic boost for McCarthy. I was shocked and delighted in equal measures. Congrats to you Mr. McCarthy. I hope to see him get some time in the Green jersey over the next 6 weeks or so.

I'll talk more about the Irish squad, and Connacht's involvement before the 6Nations begin.

Onto Jamie Hagan, there was a story in the Irish Independent last week, that he hasn't actually signed a deal with Connacht yet, and that he is looking at offers from England. I find it shocking, if true. Connacht announced the signing on their website a few weeks back. Lets just hope it's only a rumor, and that there's no truth in the matter. I'll see what I can find out tomorrow, and let you know.

In the last ten days, we've had two fantastic results. A well deserved victory in Bayonnais, followed up by a record breaking victory in the Sportsground against Cavaleri. Someone help me out here. How did we lose in Italy to this team? Anyway, those two victories will have hopefully helped re-build our confidence. The confidence had to be low. Loss after close loss, after loss. Our next game is in the Magners League against the Scarlets in Galway on Feb 12th. It would be great to see a big crowd in the Sportsground for this game, helping the lads start a climb up the table. This is one of the best teams I've ever seen playing for Connacht, and I'm sure the lads are sick to death of been the bottom team in the League each season (I dont count Airioni, unless they beat us).

That's it really, just wanted to get a new blog out here.

Please, feel free to leave me comments either on here, or on Twitter

Woah, almost forgot the Fionn Carr rumors. We've probably all heard about him been linked with Leinster this summer, well the new story doing the rounds, is that he is been linked with Ulster. Probably a tough choice for him. He's a Leinster lad, but I think he has a better chance to move on a step with Ulster. I think he'll get more game time there, and he must appreciate the difference playing with a lower table team, vs training with a higher level team