Let's begin on the thorny subject of Connacht try scorers. Whilst doing the broadcasting role with BBC2 Wales last night I picked up some of the stats provided in the media centre before the game. Of the 22 man squad named for last nights match against the Dragons, Connachts two top Celtic League try scorers are Conor McPhillips with 20 (from 86 games played), and the retiring Matt Mostyn with 16 (from 82 played). The next highest scorers with 6 apiece are Andrew Farley (95 played), the retiring Darren Yapp (88 played) and the departing John Fogarty (82 played).The total number of tries scored by the sqad is 79 in a total of 846 appearences. 

If you wonder why we are perenially at the foot of the Magner Celtic League, you can look no further, and until we can match our firepower in the pack with scoring abilitiy behind the scrum that is unlikely to change. Our lack of try scoring prowess also put's a huge amount of pressure on the ability of our kickers to keep us in games by securing every possible point from kicks, sadly there are not players with the mental fortitude of Eric Elwood born every day..... 

As I've posted a few time recently we will soon be cast adrift in professional rugby with the all the Welsh clubs already or soon to be playing in redeveloped or new grounds through local investment or ground sharing with local football teams. The new facilities will allow them to massively improve their commercial opportunities and improved revenue streams will mean that they will have far more competitve budgets than most of the provinces but most certainl ourselves as it stands. Despite the lack of crowds the two remaining Scottih teams recieve much more funding and also get to carve up between them the majority of players from the national side that are happier playing their rugby at home currently.

There are some very serious issues facing the Connacht Branch during the summer and over the course of the next 12 to 18 months, and they need to deliver a clear and public vision of their strategy if they propose that we be competitve as the competition and our opponents both domestic and foreign get stronger and stronger. They will not get anywhere without the full backing and support of the Connacht Rugby community.

There is a real need this season for Connacht to force the IRFU's hand regarding funding This season we are on course for our higest attendence totals in over four seasons. With two home fixtures to go and largely helped by crowds in excess of 4,000 at the Leinster & Munster games we have exceded 20,000 supporters through the gates averaging 2,488 per game (from 2,063 last season).

Put into context, this is an excellent indication of a real support base waiting to be tapped if Connacht can achieve a highr level of competitveness on the pitch. In real terms it is a 21% increase on the average attendence, that despite another wretched season for supporters in terms of results. However unless the team is able to compete and win games more regulalry then this progress will quickly grind to a halt and we will go through a process of losing all our best players again.

Which is why I would urge all current and prospective season ticket holders, and regular and occasional matchday supporters to become active in pursuing a clear understanding of the Connacht Branches near and long term objectives and plans, and more critically the IRFU's financial support for professional rugby in Connacht.

Please be pesistent in this if you really wish to see a successful Connacht team competing for long term :

Contact:

At the Connacht Branch:

Gerry Kelly (CEO) & Michael Cunningham (President)

C/o Connacht Rugby
Galway Sportsground
College Road
Galway
Ireland

Telephone: +353 (0)91 561568
Fax: +353 (0)91 560097

At the IRFU:

Philip Brown (CEO) and William B Glynn & Leo Galvin (CBIRFU representatives)

C/o Irish Rugby Football Union 
10/12 Lansdowne Road 
Dublin 4
Ireland 

Telephone: +353 1 6473800 
Fax: +353 1 6473801

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