Decadence wrote: Anyone know where I could find a picture of Ciaran Fitzgerald in a Connacht jersey?

Try the Connacht Tribune Dec, they're bound to have some on file

Try YouTube, I saw a clip of him playing a couple of weeks ago. You might be able to get a good screen grab.

Anyone know where I could find a picture of Ciaran Fitzgerald in a Connacht jersey?

I think enough time has been given to call this one. It's been incredibly close, but Gavin Duffy has come in ahead of Ray McLoughlin by a single vote! Gavin is therefore inducted into the Connacht Clan Hall of Fame this year, and Ray will have to wait until next year for another shot.

So this years inductees are Ciaran Fitzgerald and Gavin Duffy. We'll try to get in contact with them to see if they are available for presentations, but they'll be inducted this year regardless. Thanks to everyone who voted.

Guys, in case I wasn't clear enough, this is a run off vote between Gavin Duffy and Ray McLoughlin ONLY, any votes for Ciaran Fitzgerald (who is already through) or Conor McPhillips are essentially spoiled votes.

So with 65% of the initial vote, Ciaran Fitzgerald is hereby entered into the Connacht Clan Hall of Fame! Since Gavin Duffy and Ray McLoughlin are level, we will reset the vote and everyone can vote again for one of those two, Conor McPhilips is not eligible in this run-off.

Ok, not much change in this over the Christmas, Fitzgerald clearly in front, and only a single vote between Duffy and McLoughlin for the second spot.

I'm going to propose that we put Ciaran through, take Conor McPhillips out, reset the poll and have a run off between Gavin and Ray so that everyone gets a chance to choose which one they feel should go through this year, any major objections?

ok sorry I didn't realise it was that complicated to organise. He'll have to wait another year so but i'll make sure to tell him hes' been passed over :evil:

Sorry lads, but we have to stick to the criteria that were agreed upon in the previous thread, no exceptions. Swifty has been written off before and who can say for sure that he will retire this year? I wouldn't like to insult him by making that assumption before he makes it official.

If he does retire, it will likely be around March when he announces it, which (if we waited) would delay this process by several months, and make it very hard to organise before the end of the season. From a practical point of view that is probably the busiest time of the year for the committee, what with the Player of the Year awards, trip to Thomond and AGM to deal with.

Also I don't think it would be fair on some of the older legends if they keep getting bumped aside for the latest retiring fan favourite, they've played a huge part in Connacht's history and deserve their place in the spotlight just as much as the current players.

swift4prez wrote: I know a player needs to be retired but surely Swifty will be done this season?

I was thinking also that this is going to be his last season, not sure why he should have to wait to be honoured, i mean out of all our players he deserves to go straight into the Hall Of Fame. I mean 2 others who are nominated have been retired a good while, sure they've waited this long why not let them wait one more year so that Swift can take his place immediately.

I know a player needs to be retired but surely Swifty will be done this season?

So, we've come up with a shortlist based on what was suggested so far in this thread. The nominees are (in alphabetical order):

Gavin Duffy
Ciaran Fitzgerald
Ray McLoughlin
Conor McPhilips

Poll is now open at the top of this thread, we'll induct the two highest scoring nominees into the Hall of Fame over the rest of the season. Get voting!

Personally I feel some criteria need to be established for the Legends board, or otherwise you just end up with a long list of former players.

Anyone going on the board should have been an "outstanding" servant to Connacht Rugby. I would suggest except in exceptional circumstances (retirement through injury etc..) that players from the professional era have made at least 100 appearances for Connacht. In the amateur era there were only Interprovincial's and Touring team games.

The board should represent the best of the best of Connacht Rugby, not just some good players.

With regards to caps (below are Interpro only)

Ray McLoughlin - 33 Caps over 17 Seasons (1959/75)
Ciaran Fitz - 29 Caps over 16 Seasons (1972/87)
Dr Mick Molloy - 33 Caps over 16 Seasons (1963/78)

Molloy is another locked in Legend, a second row who packed down with Willie-John for Ireland and after 27 Caps gave up his International career to pursue his medical career.

Exercise is how I relax. And of course, I love to watch and go to rugby matches as well. I'm still loyal to Connacht although I was a Munster selector at one time. You have to stay loyal to your home province. I was also the Irish Rugby team's doctor for most of my life and coached UCC's rugby team. So rugby and medicine have been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
www.thecorknews.ie/articles/daytripper-m...lloy-13216?page=show

Robbo wrote: Seriously, Duffy. He also has the benefit of still being around town and the setup so availability shouldn't be a problem.

I think Duffy deserves it on merit, but we need to get over this idea that a winner has to be around. It might be handy, but this is a hall of fame, not a hall of nearby. Feck, on that criteria Eddie gets a look in.

cadman wrote: You cannot be serious about Troy Nathan being on the list, are you, really??????

I would suggest the following Connacht legends:
Ciaran Fitzgerald
Ray McLoughlin

Maybe I was maybe I wasn't. Who's to say? Certainly not me.

Seriously, Duffy. He also has the benefit of still being around town and the setup so availability shouldn't be a problem.