Craggy Rugby podcast

Connacht's season ended with a whimper, William Davies and Rob Murphy pick through the bones of a depressing defeat while we hear the post match thoughts of Pete Wilkins, Jack Carty and Leo Cullen. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht were unable to manufacture the win that they so desperately needed to have any chance of a Top 8 finish, we hear from Pete Wilkins and Dave Heffernan as well as Stormers coach John Dobson in the post match press conference after Danny Deegan and Alan take you through the match while Linley MacKenzie, William Davies and Dave Finn try to figure out what went wrong yet again for Connacht.We also reminice about Tiernan's last match in the Dexcom and the loss of some quality players from the squad for next season, not to mention how much we will all miss the Clan Stand.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht suffered their 3rd worst defeat against Munster in Thomond Park since the start of the URC and their chances of making the Top 8 now hang by a thread.Danny and Alan Deegan take you through the match, we hear the post match press conference audio from Jack Carty and Pete Wilkins before hearing the thoughts of William Davies and Rob Murphy from their post match wrap up on Galway Bay FM Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht got the win with the try bonus that they so badly needed in their latest trip to Wales which sees them jump up to 6th place in the URC and keeps their destiny in their own hands, although they will have to be a lot more accurate in both attack and defense if they are to get the required results in those games.William Davies and Rob Murphy join Alan Deegan to dissect a flawed win in Newport while we hear the post match thoughts of head coach Pete Wilkins. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht got a much needed bonus point win and improvement in their points difference but more importantly unearthed a new star with a brilliant display from scrum-half Matthew Devine who sparked not only a try-fest but also a more fluid and attack minded Connacht team.The Craggy Crew luxuriate in the win and we hear the post match press conference thoughts of Pete Wilkins and the aforementioned Matthew Devine. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht put on one of their best, if still flawed, performances of the season to progress to the quarter finals for the Challenge Cup following a brilliant match against Pau in France.The Craggy Crew are in good spirits as they review the match and we hear from a much relieved Pete Wilkins and a philosophical Jack Carty in the post match press conference. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht blew yet another match winning situation as they conceded a score on the last play of the match for the 3rd time this season after a much improved display of grit and fight to go down to Benetton and see their playoff hopes drift further away.William Davies and Rob Murphy join host Alan Deegan to pick the bones out of yet another defeat this season and we hear the post match thoughts of head coach Pete Wilkins. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht were abysmal against an excellent Lions team as their playoff hopes dimmed dramatically following a hammering by the South African team.The Craggy Crew try to make sense of a brutal performance and awful result while we hear from Pete Wilkins and Caolin Blade in the post match press conference. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht eeked out the try bonus point win they required against a fairly resolute Scarlets that propels the western province back into the Top 8 playoff spots.Danny Deegan and Alan take you through the match while Dave Finn joins the Deegans for the post match analysis after William Davies spoke to Pete Wilkins and Caolin Blade in the post match press conference. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht ground out a hard fought win while not playing anywhere near their best in the Welsh capital.Linley MacKenzie and William Davies join Alan Deegan to get their immediate thoughts on the match while we hear the post-match thoughts of Pete Wilkins and Caolin Blade. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht produced one of their best performances of the season to grab a spot in the R16 of the Challenge Cup with a bonus point victory over Bristol Bears.Danny Deegan and Alan Deegan take you through the match, we hear Rob Murphy's commentary on the Connacht tries while the Craggy crew of Linley MacKenzie, William Davies and Dave Finn give their thoughts in the post match review.We hear from Pat Lam, Pete Wilkins and Connacht wing Andrew Smith in the post match press conference. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht's travails in the Champions Cup continued with another defeat in this year's comptetition. However a favour from the Bulls has opened the door slightly for a chance to make the R16 of the Challenge Cup if they can get a bonus point win over Bristol.William Davies and Alan Deegan join host Rob Murphy to pick through the bones of another defeat and we hear the post match thoughts of Joe Joyce and Pete Wilkins. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht ground out an impressive win over the URC champions in their first meeting with Munster this season in fairly biblically wet conditions, with the late try denying Munster a losing bonus point allowing Connacht to leap-frog them in the table.Danny Deegan and Alan Deegan take you through the match, while William Davies and Dave Finn join Alan in the aftermath to give their immediate thoughts on a much needed win.We hear from Pete Wilkins, Cian Prendergast, Graham Rowntree and Shane Daly in the post match press conference. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht turned up and almost made it 3 wins in a row against Ulster but a malfunctioning lineout in dreadful conditions meant that the men from the west fell to their 5th defeat in a row this season.William Davies, Rob Murphy and Alan Deegan pick through the bones of the defeat while we hear the thoughts of both head coaches, Pete Wilkins and Dan McFarland. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht showed a lot more both in attack and in their willingness to keep playing to the end of the match but ultimately poor decisions under pressure and a worryingly leaky defense saw them slip to their 4th defeat on the trot this season.William Davies, Rob Murphy and Alan Deegan mull over the defeat and where it leaves Connacht as they prepare for the Interpro double header over the Christmas and New Year while we hear the post match thoughts of Pete Wilkins and JJ Hanrahan. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht were well and truly garrotted by a top quality Bordeaux side who were better than the home side in every facet of the match, and left Connacht bewildered for most of the time.The Craggy Crew try and pick the bones out of the worst defeat to a French team in the Sportsground after Danny and Alan take you through the match.An absolutely gutted Dave Heffernan and Pete Wilkins give their thoughts in the post match press conference while we also hear from Bordeaux's attack coach Noel McNamara. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht snatched a defeat from the jaws of victory as Leinster scored with the last play of the game following yet another lineout malfunction from Connacht to give them the last possession.Danny and Alan Deegan take you through the game, then we hear the post-match thoughts of Caolin Blade, Pete Wilkins and Leo Cullen before Dave Finn and William Davies join the Deegans to try and make sense of a brutal loss for the home team. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht were not able to repeat their heroics from last week as they were put to the sword in Pretoria by the Bulls.William Davies and Rob Murphy join host Alan Deegan to pick the bones out of a disappointing result and display while we hear from Pete Wilkins in the post match press conference. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht ground out the most unlikely of wins as the snook past the Sharks in Durban to record their 5th win on South African soil and keep them in the upper echelons of the URC table.William Davies and Rob Murphy join host Alan Deegan to pick through the bones of that excellent win and what it means for Connacht.We hear the post match thoughts of Pete Wilkins and Sharks coach John Plumtree also. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fairly callow Connacht side couldn't quite hold a determined Edinburgh in the Scottish capital to lose for the first time this season, but they did secure a losing bonus point.William Davies and Alan Deegan take you through the match and give their immediate thoughts at the end of the match while we hear from a frustrated Connacht head coach in Pete Wilkins. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht managed to pull a victory out of the jaws of defeat after recovering from a 17 point deficit to a much weakened Ulster team in the first interpro of the season.Linley MacKenzie, Rob Murphy and Dave Finn join host Alan Deegan to get their immediate post match reactions while we hear from Pete Wilkins, Conor Oliver, Dan McFarland and Jake Flannery in the post match press conference. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A statement win from Connacht over a more or less fully loaded Glasgow that leaves the Western province in second place on the table after week 2 of the URC season.We hear the post match thoughts of head coach Pete Wilkins, #8 Jarrad Butler and Glasgow head coach Franco Smith.Alan Deegan takes you through the match while Linley MacKenzie and Dave Finn cogitate on what could be the win that really propels Connacht towards the playoffs for the second season in a row. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht got a bonus point win in their first match of the URC season after a brilliant first half performance, which was followed by a very underwhelming second half one, but they got the job done and gave debuts to 6 new players, so a satisfying start to the season.Danny Deegan takes you through the match, Rob gives us his end of match thoughts, we hear from Toby Booth and Keelan Giles for the Ospreys perspective while Pete Wilkins and hat-trick hero Caolin Blade talk to us as well in the post match press conference.Linley MacKenzie and Dave Finn join host Alan Deegan to analyse some excellent performances in that excellent win. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Craggy Crew were the main panelists for the Galway Bay FM Sports preview of the RWC 2023 and in an extended podcast they are joined by Tom English of BBC Scotland, Brendan Nell a South African rugby journalist and an Galway man who has been living in New Zealand for over 30 years Oliver Lee. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht couldn't quite make it a fairytale finish to the end of an ultimately successful season with a URC QF win and qualification for next season's Champions Cup secured.Rob Murphy takes you through the match while William Davies and Linley MacKenzie join host Alan Deegan to give their thoughts on where it went wrong.We hear from Andy Friend, Jack Carty and Stormers coach John Dobson too. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well Connacht fairly made us sweat for their first away win in a one off Quarter Final as they held out against Ulster in the Kingspan Stadium.Linley MacKenzie, William Davies, Rob Murphy and Alan Deegan take you through the match and give their thoughts on such an historic win while we also hear from Andy Friend and Jack Carty along with a quick word from Tiernan's dad Aidan O'Halloran Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht gave their best ever performance in Scotstoun as they came within a hair's breath of beating Glasgow. Munster did Connacht an unbelievable favour is garnering a draw against the Sharks to confirm Connacht finishing at least 7th and a big step closer to Champions Cup rugby next season.William Davies and Linley MacKenzie join Alan Deegan to review that excellent performance and look forward to the quarter final against Ulster.We also get the post match thoughts of Andy Friend. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht produced another excellent performance and bonus point win to guarantee their place in the URC play-offs and give them a real shot at Champions   Cup rugby for next season.The Craggy Crew take you through the match and analyse the win post-match while we also hear from Andy Friend and Kieran Marmion. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht's abysmal record in knockout matches away from home continued in Treviso as Benetton overpowered them in the Round of 16 match in the Challenge Cup.William Davies and Alan Deegan bring you through the match and they are joined by Linley MacKenzie to try and pick out the bones of another disappointing away performance and defeat.We also have the post-match thoughts of Andy Friend. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a performance and result for Connacht with a win that bounces them up to 6th with 2 matches left to play in the regular season in the URC.This match had it all and so we got Dave Finn, Niall Shiel and Linley MacKenzie to try and make some sense of the goings on that included 3 yellow cards as well as a 5th hat-trick from a Connacht player this season.We hear the post match thoughts of Andy Friend and Caolin Blade as well as some  of the Connacht faithful when we finished off the podcast recording in Murty Rabbitts. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht squeezed past a gritty Dragons side in Rodney Parade to garner a 4th win in a row, but without the required try bonus point which might come back to haunt them in their drive towards not only making the URC playoffs but also Champions Cup qualification for next season.William Davies and Rob Murphy join Alan Deegan to try and make sense of a strange performance from Connacht and we hear the post match thoughts of Andy Friend also. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht garnered the required Bonus Point win in Parma in an absolute try-fest of a match as they move into a URC play-off spot for the first time this season.William Davies and Rob Murphy take you through the match while Alan Deegan joins William for some post match analysis and we hear from hat-trick hero Dylan Tierney-Martin and coach Andy Friend in the post-match press conference. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A try bonus point win for Connacht over the Lions keeps their playoff hopes alive.Jack Carty broke Eric Elwood's all-time points scoring record for Connacht and Caolin Blade became the first scrumhalf to score a hat-trick for Connacht. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht failed to secure a home Round of 16 match in the Challenge Cup after yet ANOTHER defeat on English soil as they failed to cope with the power and precision of the early onslaught by Newcastle.The Craggy Crew try and make sense of the wildly fluctuating performance and question some of the selection decisions that came back to haunt Andy Friend and his coaching brain trust as an away trip to Italy is their reward for winning 3 of the 4 matches in the pool stages of the Challenge Cup. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht scored their biggest ever win over a French team to qualify for the Round of 16 when defeating Brive 61-5 in the Sportsground.The Craggy Crew enjoy reviewing the match and we hear the post match thoughts of Andy Friend and Niall Murray. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht snaffled a bonus point win in atrocious conditions as they remain unbeaten against South African opposition in the Sportsground and the Craggy Crew are no longer grumpy in the post match analysis.We hear the post match thoughts of Andy Friend and Mack Hansen as well as a very thoughtful Sharks coach Joey Mongalo. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

That was not the start to the New Year that Connacht would have wanted as a rampant Leinster put them to the sword.William Davies and Rob Murphy discuss a pretty damning defeat and we hear the post match thoughts from Andy Friend and the Murray brothers, who became only the 2nd ever pair of brothers to start in the second row together for Connacht. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht almost snatched a draw from the wide open jaws of defeat, but the better team on the night won the match in a dramatic finish and a pretty gutted Craggy Crew don't hold back on their feelings about yet another defeat in an Interpro.We also hear the post match thoughts of Andy Friend, Conor Oliver and Dan McFarland. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht got the 5 try bonus that they needed in a somewhat bizarre match in the south of France as they defeated Brive 24-31 in a match that saw Abraham Papali'i once again red carded as well as Brive losing a couple of other players to the sin bin.It wasn't all good news for Connacht as both Paul Boyle and Gavin Thornbury appear to have sustained long term injuries.William Davies, Niall Sheil and Alan Deegan take you through the match while we hear from the travelling support as well as Andy Friend and David Hawkshaw Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht defeated a big Newcastle side in Round 1 of the Challenge Cup at a frigid Sportsground to get their campaign off to a good start.We hear the post match thoughts of Andy Friend and Jarrad Butler as well as Newcastle coach Dave Walder.Rob Murphy hosts the podcast and chats to Linley MacKenzie, Dave Finn and William Davies. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A much needed bonus point win was garnered against a resolute Benetton side and the Craggy Crew take you through the match and give us their post-match thoughts along with Andy Friend and Paul Boyle. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a frustrating display and result for Connacht as another trip to Thomond Park ends disappointingly.The Craggy Crew travelled with the Connacht Clan for this trip and we get a flavour of what it is like from the fans perspective on an away trip.Rob Murphy and William Davies give us their immediate after match thoughts from the Galway Bay FM commentary and we hear from a very angry sounding Andy Friend and annoyed Tom Farrell in the post match press conference. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht recovered from a disastrous start to scrap a 3 point win over the Ospreys to keep their hopes of reaching the URC playoffs firmly alive as we go into the break for the November international series.William Davies, Rob Murphy and Alan Deegan take you through the match and analyse what is different about this Connacht side over previous Connacht teams who would more than likely have folded after a start like that. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht delivered a much needed bonus point win on another inclement evening in the Sportsground.Danny, Rob and Alan take you through the match while William and Linley join in for the post match analysis.We hear the post match thoughts of a relieved Andy Friend and Byron Ralston. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The intensity of the wind and rain was matched by the players from both sides in a tough, gritty interpro with the extra bit of class that having a World Rugby player of the year nominee in Josh van der Flier being the difference between the teams. There is a pretty intense debate in the post-match amongst the Craggy Crew too.We hear from Andy Friend, Paul Boyle and Leo Cullen in the press match press conference. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A win was required and a win was secured on the new artificial turf in front of a packed Sportsground.Almost the full Craggy Crew were in attendance and we hear their views on the hard fought win over a pretty insipid Munster team, as well as the thoughts of the ever entertaining Finlay Bealham and a relieved Andy Friend in the post match press conference. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Davies and Alan Deegan review another dispiriting defeat for Connacht as they are hammered by the Bulls in Pretoria.We hear from an angry Andy Friend and philosophical Jarrad Butler in the post match press conference.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Davies, Danny Deegan and Alan Deegan take you through another tough defeat for Connacht and spend a lot of time talking about the red card decision that destroyed any chance of a Connacht comeback.We hear the post match thoughts of Andy Friend, Dylan Tierney-Martin and Stormers head coach John Dobson too. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well that was a pretty sobering start to the season for Connacht. Rob Murphy hosts the first post-match pod of the season with Niall "Packie" Shiel and William Davies not holding back on what was one of the most insipid displays by Connacht of the Andy Friend era.We hear the post match thoughts of a seething Andy Friend and a very downbeat captain for the night Gavin Thornbury.The trip to SA to take on the champions and runners-up is next on the cards, a tough start to the season looks a lot tougher now.If you like what we do and would like to support the podcast please let people know about us, rate on whatever podcast app you are listening to this podcast on or you could even signup to patreon.com/craggyrugby get the full comprehensive package of podcast hat we create on Connacht rugby throughout the season. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Craggy Crew were in Dubarry Park to see an impressively gritty display from Connacht as they stood up to a typically physical visiting English side in Sale for the second preseason friendly of the new season to win by 3 tries to 1. Tries from Conor Oliver and Academy players Eoin de Buitlear and Josh O'Connor showed the potency of the Connacht attack is still very much in evidence.We hear from Andy Friend about his new title of Director of Rugby as well as new signing Josh Murphy and Dylan Tierney-Martin in the post match interviews. Get bonus content on Patreon Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht just about managed to win their final game of the season and the Craggy Crew were as rusty as the team in recording the various bits of this podcast.Rob Murphy hosts the podcast, William Davies and Alan Deegan take you through the game and Dave Finn joins the post match analysis that spent more time reminiscing about the Sportsground before the pitch is dug up.We hear from Andy Friend and new superstar Cian Prendergast as well as Ultan Dillane and very emotional Eoghan Masterson in the post match interviews. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.