Leinster Schools Rugby 2012-2013 [Provincial Schools Thread Link in Post 1]

themont85

Hagz wrote: »

Jesus that's a recipe for disaster. 'Night fixtures', aka Pre-drinks for the recent departures.

Also, I would expect the crowd size to significantly diminish for the night-fixtures. Which will harm the whole schoolboy tribal aspect of the games.

How will it? The supporters from the schools will still be there. The schools will still herd them there as they do currently. At least 50% of matches fall outside of school time anyway as is (post 3 o'clock kick offs, Sunday Games, Finals on Patrick's week ect).

The Branch have already tried this with the League finals in December and January and the support was there.

I'm not sure I totally agree with it but it will only increase the crowds.

Fight_Night

Quint2010 wrote: »

Can't see this happening. Dragging school kids out at night? Doesn't make sense.

It's received a mixed reception from the schools as far as I know. However probably will go ahead, think it's a slightly strange decision but not a disastrous one, could potentially lead to a better atmosphere.

goreyguy

school kids have no problem being "dragged out" at night.

its_phil

I'd like to see it tested out at least for a season to see how it goes. I went to the junior league final between Monkstown and Roscrea last year and there was a big enough response by past pupils and the students themselves.

Could also make it easier for parents of the boys to attend who might not be able to make it due to work commitments.

Fight_Night

Sorry just to clarify, I think these are just proposed changes, ie. not set in stone just yet.

knightro

Fight_Night wrote: »

Yep St. Michaels College facebook page posted today the Leinster Rugby have announced that there will now be night fixtures in the Cup and there will be a separate draw after each round. Meaning no more pre determined 'easy' draws.

Hi, I would be interested to know what a training schedule looks like for the top teams please? ie do they train before and after school? how many times a week do the squad train and what about weights? thanks very much

tomsp

Marys beat Clongowes today by a point

Hagz

themont85 wrote: »

How will it? The supporters from the schools will still be there. The schools will still herd them there as they do currently. At least 50% of matches fall outside of school time anyway as is (post 3 o'clock kick offs, Sunday Games, Finals on Patrick's week ect).

I just can't see parents allowing their kids to go to a 6.30 kick off in Donnybrook unsupervised, and I certainly don't think they'll get up off their ass to take them. I'm talking about 12/13/14 year olds here.

I may be wrong though. But even then you have the added factor of kids losing interest come the evening time. The big schools motivate the kids right through the school day, doing warm up chants with them and lashing on face-paint as they leave the school grounds. With evening kick-offs the kids won't be coming straight from school, they'll be coming from their houses. I suspect a lot of the may not be motivated to bother going.

EDIT: Of course as others have said, it could draw more of the parents and past pupils. But I prefer the kids and the all round atmosphere they provide.

Leinster5

tomsp wrote: »

Marys beat Clongowes today by a point

That's a shock! Surely Clongowes were missing a few players ?

And on the topic of schools games at night, I think it's a silly move and will only decrease the amount of schoolboys attending the games, which is what it's all about.

Gordon Gecko

knightro wrote: »

Hi, I would be interested to know what a training schedule looks like for the top teams please? ie do they train before and after school? how many times a week do the squad train and what about weights? thanks very much

Varies but you'd be looking at about 3 pitch sessions a week (which would include matches) e.g. Monday, Weds and Sat. Skill session and team run on Thurs or Fri (if match the next day) which are generally non contact. Weights before school twice a week (some players may also have cardio or rehab sessions in the morning too). Pre-hab at lunch twice a week. A futher skills session for backs and set piece session for forwards during the week too.

Early on in the season there's usually an extra fitness session in there each week but it varies greatly school to school and coach to coach.

TtomRedCM

Proposed Changes to Leinster Schools Rugby Cups.

The Leinster Schools Committee of Leinster Rugby are seeking the views of schools for the following proposals.

- An open draw to take place after each round of the Senior and Junior Cups (like the F.A Cup).

- A family ticket to be introduced and the school boy/girl season ticket will be discontinued. A discounted family ticket is proposed for two adults and two children.

-Later kick off times for some matches in Donnybrook. These games would be played under floodlights.

-The Senior Cup Final is to be moved to Friday 15th of March with a kick off time of 7pm in the RDS.

-The Tallaght Stadium will be available for Cup Matches with possibly a Double Header as another option in this venue, allowing 4 teams to play on the same day with a mix of SCT and JCT matches.

Tox56

I see the logic in it, gives the competition a wider audience to come along and watch, would be a great experience for the players. I can see the negative side too, but I wouldn't mind them giving it a go for a few games.

Quint2010

TtomRedCM wrote: »

- An open draw to take place after each round of the Senior and Junior Cups (like the F.A Cup).

This is the most interesting part for me. The last two seasons the draw has been very lopsided. So I guess an open draw does away with "sides" of the draw and only when the semi final draw is made will you know who you could potentially face in the final. Interesting stuff. You could still however have the two favourites meeting in the first round.

Rugby97

rugbyman2015 wrote: »

Decided I'd get in here ahead of everyone else. My enthusiasm remains undimmed for the holy grail of schools rugby after Michael's dismissed the naysayers and trumped over favourites Clongowes in the March decider.

Schools pretty much have already started training really with their weekly weights, fitness and tip activities.

Not too much activity to comment on for the moment but we'll see more as time progresses. Feel free to comment if you want to discuss squads, coaches, opinions on the season ahead etc..

My view: Terenure favourites but 'Rock, CWC and Michael's trailing close. Mightly 'Nure team could win it for the first time since 2002.

OFF TOPIC MOD NOTE:
Anyone looking for info or wanting to discuss Provincial Schools rugby in general may find the correct thread by clicking here.

Who would you tip for junior cup?

Rugby97

Who would you tip to win the JCT this year?and why?

goreyguy

dp

Fight_Night

Rugby97 wrote: »

Who would you tip to win the JCT this year?and why?

Don't know anything about the Junior Cup this year but Blackrock are due a cup. Michaels have a strong team as usual few great players coming through. I'm sure that Clongowes have a decent outfit too.

TheKeenMachine

Rugby97 wrote: »

Who would you tip to win the JCT this year?and why?

AFAIK 'Rock have one of their "super teams" this year that have been unbeaten since fourth class, so they should be tough to stop.

In other news, Gonzaga beat CUS at junior and senior today.

Fight_Night

TheKeenMachine wrote: »

AFAIK 'Rock have one of their "super teams" this year that have been unbeaten since fourth class, so they should be tough to stop.

In other news, Gonzaga beat CUS at junior and senior today.

In fairness they've been seriously underachieving in junior rugby recently given their historical dominance of the competition. If they are a good team then next year the senior cup could be going to Rock since their current 5th years are quite good too I believe.

themont85

Hagz wrote: »

I just can't see parents allowing their kids to go to a 6.30 kick off in Donnybrook unsupervised, and I certainly don't think they'll get up off their ass to take them. I'm talking about 12/13/14 year olds here.

I may be wrong though. But even then you have the added factor of kids losing interest come the evening time. The big schools motivate the kids right through the school day, doing warm up chants with them and lashing on face-paint as they leave the school grounds. With evening kick-offs the kids won't be coming straight from school, they'll be coming from their houses. I suspect a lot of the may not be motivated to bother going.

EDIT: Of course as others have said, it could draw more of the parents and past pupils. But I prefer the kids and the all round atmosphere they provide.

They won't be unsupervised. The Schools have to take responsibility for the kids whilst they're at the games, it's just like it is during the day games. Teachers generally stand around and amongst the crowds. Plenty of schools bus the kids to Donnybrook as is. Again, there's never an issue with Sunday games or the latter games played on Patrick's Day with atmosphere so I think you're point is a bit moot. A night game would be very exciting if you were in the school, it won't take from it.

themont85

Was just going over the League there, always a good competition. In each group afaik the top team goes into the semi final automatically with 2nd and 3rd playing a "quarter final" to get there.

In the Juniors it's nearly all sown up. Group A; Casteknock walked the group, 5/5. Newbridge will qualify as runners up. Wesley and St Gerards still have a game to play each and are battling for third position. Gerards will fancy themselves with High School up next who are bottom of the group, -148 points difference.

Group B; CBC dominated this group. 5 wins from 5 and a plus 180 points difference, they're probably favourites now for the whole competition given the strength of this group. Kings Hospital are dark horses though, they played a good game vs CBC by all accounts and will fancy themselves. Gonzaga and KH are battling to decide 2 and 3 in the group with one game to play each still. KH currently lead by 1 bonus point.

Roscrea, Pres Bray and Kilkenny are all out of the competition and will be in the Fr Godfrey Cup.

Atm it looks like a CBC/Casteknock final is on the cards.

At Senior level; Casteknock are again top of group A with 4/4 with a healthy points difference. Newbridge are second with 4/5 wins. Roscrea, Pres Bray and Wesley are battling for third position. St Gerards are bottom of the group with no win, a surprise really but it was inevitable they couldn't keep up their good Cup form of recent years.

Gonzaga top Group B. CBC are in second place with 2 less bonus points. CBC have beaten Gonzaga but had a surprising loss yesterday vs St Andrews away. Gonzaga and CBC will qualify, Kings Hospital and Kilkenny are battling for third place. Andrews are 1/4 and are out of it but can count themselves unlucky. They beat CBC and lost 2 games vs Gonzaga and KH by just a score. Andrews will fancy a good Vinny Murray Cup run I suspect.

Castleknock are heavy favourites for seniors.

Quint2010

Fight_Night wrote: »

In fairness they've been seriously underachieving in junior rugby recently given their historical dominance of the competition. If they are a good team then next year the senior cup could be going to Rock since their current 5th years are quite good too I believe.

'Rock won the Junior Cup in 2011?

Hagz

themont85 wrote: »

They won't be unsupervised. The Schools have to take responsibility for the kids whilst they're at the games, it's just like it is during the day games. Teachers generally stand around and amongst the crowds. Plenty of schools bus the kids to Donnybrook as is. Again, there's never an issue with Sunday games or the latter games played on Patrick's Day with atmosphere so I think you're point is a bit moot. A night game would be very exciting if you were in the school, it won't take from it.

All right, fair enough. By the sounds of it, i had a very different match day experience in my school. Sure we'll see how it pans out. Hopefully you're right.

themont85

Hagz wrote: »

All right, fair enough. By the sounds of it, i had a very different match day experience in my school. Sure we'll see how it pans out. Hopefully you're right.

I'm not saying it's a brilliant idea. I enjoyed the whole buzz of going to school on a Cup day and the build up then onto the match. If the night games are something like the Sunday ones; ie not regular, then the buzz remains. It's something different.

From the Branch's POV I can understand why they are looking at changing the final time. The last really well attended final was Blackrock-St Michaels final (the last one in LR). The competition needs to be spiced up a bit. A few years ago there wasn't a lot of top class rugby on in Ireland and it was the clubs/schools who got the attendances. The different rounds of the Cup attendances are holding up pretty well but the finals have gone down. The SC final was one where people even not associated with one of the schools wanted to go to.

John sergeant

Just heard Marys beat Clongowes yesterday. Dont think clongowes were missing many. Marys were missing 3 or 4. Marys also had 9 5th years and a 4th year playing for them!!

milosh

themont85 wrote: »

Was just going over the League there, always a good competition. In each group afaik the top team goes into the semi final automatically with 2nd and 3rd playing a "quarter final" to get there.

Roscrea, Pres Bray and Kilkenny are all out of the competition and will be in the Fr Godfrey Cup.

The top 4 teams in each section go through to quarter finals so Roscrea are definitely not out of it yet. They would be fancied to beat Wesley in the last game and it isn't beyond all belief that Pres Bray would beat St Gerard's in a local derby.

TtomRedCM

Rugby97 wrote: »

Who would you tip to win the JCT this year?and why?

I can see the Semi-Finalists being Rock, Belvo, Castleknock and Michaels.

With the winners Belvo, best outfit in years and are due a cup. Last win 7 Years.

Ar_14

TheKeenMachine wrote: »

AFAIK 'Rock have one of their "super teams" this year that have been unbeaten since fourth class, so they should be tough to stop.

In other news, Gonzaga beat CUS at junior and senior today.

Pretty sure they have lost some games since fourth class but still a very good record. Michaels, rock and dark-horses Belvo are favorites apparently

themont85

milosh wrote: »

The top 4 teams in each section go through to quarter finals so Roscrea are definitely not out of it yet. They would be fancied to beat Wesley in the last game and it isn't beyond all belief that Pres Bray would beat St Gerard's in a local derby.

Oh it's changed so

gfitz95

Michaels are playing belvo in michaels this saturday at 2.30

Fight_Night

Quint2010 wrote: »

'Rock won the Junior Cup in 2011?

They did but they were very lucky to beat a relatively poor Michaels team in the final. They had a very poor team last year and the current 6th years are fairly average too. Just think they've had a slump in quality. Nowhere near the slump that Mary's have had but a slump nonetheless.

Gordon Gecko

Fight_Night wrote: »

They did but they were very lucky to beat a relatively poor Michaels team in the final. They had a very poor team last year and the current 6th years are fairly average too. Just think they've had a slump in quality. Nowhere near the slump that Mary's have had but a slump nonetheless.

A bit unfair on the 'Rock there I thought they were a solid enough outfit that year and wasn't surprised to see them win. Their Senior form has been dreadful admittedly, especially given that the '10 crop had walked the Junior Cup, but think they have plenty of quality coming up through the ranks.

Dev5976

Fight_Night wrote: »

They did but they were very lucky to beat a relatively poor Michaels team in the final. They had a very poor team last year and the current 6th years are fairly average too. Just think they've had a slump in quality.

I'm not sure if that was a poor St Michaels side they beat; Pretty certain that there's a lot of very good players in that side!

Also you have to credit Clongowes and St Michaels, and now Terenure somewhat also, on having not only excellent sides, but also the outstanding individuals in the competition over the past three or four years. 'Rock have certainly lacked individual players of the highest level in the last three years who can change the game like Leavy, the Byrnes, Quirke and Coughlan, Dardis and Brewer. I know it's a team game but its no different than Conway, Macken and Murphy making the difference in '09 with some other very good players around them also. A lot of times these things go in cycles and when a school have an excellent crop of players they are under pressure to win cup(s) as they can't necessarily see where the next one is coming from after that.

Fight_Night

Gordon Gecko wrote: »

A bit unfair on the 'Rock there I thought they were a solid enough outfit that year and wasn't surprised to see them win. Their Senior form has been dreadful admittedly, especially given that the '10 crop had walked the Junior Cup, but think they have plenty of quality coming up through the ranks.

Dev5976 wrote: »

I'm not sure if that was a poor St Michaels side they beat; Pretty certain that there's a lot of very good players in that side!

Also you have to credit Clongowes and St Michaels, and now Terenure somewhat also, on having not only excellent sides, but also the outstanding individuals in the competition over the past three or four years. 'Rock have certainly lacked individual players of the highest level in the last three years who can change the game like Leavy, the Byrnes, Quirke and Coughlan, Dardis and Brewer. I know it's a team game but its no different than Conway, Macken and Murphy making the difference in '09 with some other very good players around them also. A lot of times these things go in cycles and when a school have an excellent crop of players they are under pressure to win cup(s) as they can't necessarily see where the next one is coming from after that.

I'm being harsh on Rock no doubt but just have not been impressed with their teams recently. Maybe that's just me letting my Michaels bias cloud my judgement.

Apparently Belvedere have a good JCT coming up next year so hopefully we can see them regain their glory.

Quint2010

Clongowes v Terenure Kicks off tomorrow at 1.30PM in Clongowes

Gordon Gecko

Fight_Night wrote: »

Apparently Belvedere have a good JCT coming up next year so hopefully we can see them regain their glory.

Would love to see that, rugby in that school really hit rock bottom when the Js were beaten by Wesley a few year's back. Hopefully they have a good team to reignite a bit of passion from the people running the college (as things across the board have been on the slide of late)

Oldboy 92

Quint2010 wrote: »

Clongowes v Terenure Kicks off tomorrow at 1.30PM in Clongowes

Is that ko time right? On the Leinster ref page for a 2.30ko

Quint2010

Oldboy 92 wrote: »

Is that ko time right? On the Leinster ref page for a 2.30ko

Not sure. With the international at half five-half two would be cutting it tight.

mikemac1

Apologies if this was posted before
I have done a search on boards and didn't find it but it's possible I missed it

Pic from todays Daily Mail

'Scrum half': Blackrock College scrum-half Conor Crowley releases the ball after a ruck, during a Division 1A All-Ireland League rugby union match against Old Belvedere, in heavy rain on 5 February 2011, at Anglesea Road, Old Belvedere's home stadium. (Picture by Ray McManus won second prize in the Sports Singles category)

Just think it's a great photo, that's all

.ak

mikemac1 wrote: »

Just think it's a great photo, that's all

Yeh it was posted when he won the award I think. Great pic tho, worth the post again!

Quint2010

.ak wrote: »

Yeh it was posted when he won the award I think. Great pic tho, worth the post again!

Great photo-but why is it on the schools rugby thread?..

mikemac1

Not worth starting a new thread over just one photo

fox_1973

Oldboy 92 wrote: »

Is that ko time right? On the Leinster ref page for a 2.30ko

Definately a 1.30 KO, originally was meant to be 2.30 but then changed

fox_1973

Terenure beat Clongowes 35-7

TtomRedCM

Michaels beat Belvo 17-15

Rugby97

TheKeenMachine wrote: »

AFAIK 'Rock have one of their "super teams" this year that have been unbeaten since fourth class, so they should be tough to stop.

In other news, Gonzaga beat CUS at junior and senior today.

They lost by 10 to rock a few weeks ago so they're not unbeaten

Rugby97

TtomRedCM wrote: »

I can see the Semi-Finalists being Rock, Belvo, Castleknock and Michaels.

With the winners Belvo, best outfit in years and are due a cup. Last win 7 Years.

What about Newbridge?! Last years beaten finalists?

TtomRedCM

Rugby97 wrote: »

What about Newbridge?! Last years beaten finalists?

They were beaten by Castleknock, 19-18 on wednesday.

Dev5976

Rugby97 wrote: »

They lost by 10 to rock a few weeks ago so they're not unbeaten

How did Rock lose by 10 to Rock???

southsea

Newbridge castlenock rock and michaels look a good bet for jc semis hard to look past Michaels for jc.As for league i can see roscrea beating wesley to reach quarters roscrea seem to have 3 good players that carry the whole team they werent far off newbridge the last day .Cant see bray betting Gearads their not far off nock or bridge cannot see anything but a team from section a winning league the standard seems to be way higher than b .But CBC seem to have 3 very good players carrying team like Roscrea but when they face nock or bridge I dont think they have chance.