Good luck to Niall and Mark as they journey west!
“There where the air is free
we’ll be what we want to be
Now if we make a stand
we’ll find our promised land”
The above verse was added to the Village People/Pet Shop Boys/Ulster Rugby classic in 1993 by Tennant and Lowe and in the case of Niall O’Connor and Mark McCrea I sincerely hope that the players do indeed “find their promised land” in their two year sojourn in Galway and I do hope we see both back in the white shirt in the years to come.
It was with mixed feelings that I read of the transfer of the two players to Connacht but after a bit of reflection (not like me) I do think it’s the best move for both and hopefully out of the spotlight of unrealistic expectations and away from the sometimes just plain spiteful comments of anonymous message-boarders I hope they get a chance to show the form of which they are both well capable. I can easily see these two coming back to haunt us over the next couple of seasons.
It does bode well for the promised support of Cannacht by the supposed “big three”, however Ulster seem to be the only team not asset stripping the Westies compared to recent moves by The Turnips and Ladyboys. Maybe Connacht’s future lies in being an Ulster development side and with the rich vein of youth coming through the Ulster Academy I do see more moves like this occurring over the next few years with the Ulster youngsters given a chance to find their confidence away from the glaring eye of the hyper-critical and individually unfulfilled Ulster Supporter.
Both players are good enough to make a real go of it, in fact, as I’ve oft said before, O’Connor has the ability to go all the way with Ireland and I look forward to following their progress from afar over the next couple of years. I look forward to seeing the start of the bring back O’Connor campaign – now there would be a thing!
Looking forward to getting both along to The FRU Awards this year – I’ll keep you posted on developments.
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4 Responses to “Go West”
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Well said!! Completely agree with your thoughts fru. Good luck to Niall and Mark. Sad to see you go but I think it will enhance their games
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it does make sense from an Ireland point of view to have capable players ‘farmed’ out so that at least they are getting valuable game time for most of the season instead of just the odd game for
the ‘big 2 + Ulster’ or the 3 stronger provinces.
On a personal point of view i’m sorry to see both go west as i thought that both had the potential to make their mark and claim a place in the Ulster team, however it hasn’t worked out that way.
With NO’C going it does open up the possibility that Ulster are looking for a 10 for next season. (Is Ian humphs contract up this year too?). So possibly another big signing on the cards ??
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TBH I for one can not understand why McCrea doesn’t make 23 before McIlwaine who as I have stated before appears to be being asked to play one league above his current confidence level .
There is no doubt he has potential but that is what it is potential it has yet to be transformed into a performance for Ulster . McCrea when picked seldom let Ulster down.
But given the current Ulster squad and the players coming through the Academy both O Connor and McCrea could find it frustrating waiting for an opportunity to play for Ulster in years to come
Elwood could be just the coach that O Connor needs to develop his game and O Connor may find that those skills he has ( a long boot and a sure pass ) are appreciated by Connacht who are a team who need to play the game in their opponents half ie O Connor maybe allowed to kick long for touch giving away possession whereas ULster prefer to keep the ball live .
With Keatley heading to Munster it looks as if O Gara may be retiring after next seasons 6 nations
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Mote – i think that Munster have signed Keatley because Warick is leaving at end of season alledegly for Stade Francais.
I agree with your comments on O’Connor, but forMcIlwaine – i would like to see him get a full game at fullback not on the wing to see how he makes out.
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