Ulster Bank League 2013-2014 talk/gossip/rumours

ormond lad

The Ulster Bank League fixtures are not fixed until July however the Limerick Charity Cup which is the first competition of the year for North Munster senior clubs has been drawn.
Limerick Charity Cup Season 2013-2014
1st round
Clare County v UL Bohemian
Nenagh v Garryowen

Quarter Finals
Young Munster v Richmond
Old Crescent v Thomond
Shannon v B
A v Bruff
Clare County is a side made up of players from Ennis, Kilrush, Scariff and St Senans.

Any transfer news or news of new coaches?

the perfect ten

The only coaching move I have heard of so far is that of Eric Miller who is taking over at Seapoint now that Nigel Osborne is stepping down. It was reported on irishrugby.ie about two weeks ago. You'd imagine he would be looking to bring in a few players given that Seapoint finished the season mid-table in 2A.

woggas1972

Bruff have got Stephen Keogh, Ben Martin, and John Broderick.
YM have John Staunton and John Keehan in, Prendie is gone to Grenoble.
OC are the same as last year (unfortunately imo).
Shannon brought in Ian Sherwin as DoR.

Stainalert

the perfect ten wrote: »

The only coaching move I have heard of so far is that of Eric Miller who is taking over at Seapoint now that Nigel Osborne is stepping down. It was reported on irishrugby.ie about two weeks ago. You'd imagine he would be looking to bring in a few players given that Seapoint finished the season mid-table in 2A.

Shaun Berne being brought in by Old Belvedere

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

Young Munster have lost a heap of players apparently! Tarf rumoured to have signed a few Leinster Academy lads......

bamboozle

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Young Munster have lost a heap of players apparently! Tarf rumoured to have signed a few Leinster Academy lads......

Who are the rumoured signings? I'd heard Coughlan a while back and wouldn't be surprised if gilsenan went with him,

Cathal marsh will move on from trinity I'd imagine, replacing ronaldson at lansdowne would be logical.

Ucd getting promoted might see them hang onto their players, Barry daly will be in demand though.

Jj hanrahan will be leaving ul bohs with garryowen the most likely destination...whether he will be playing much ail is another thing

Tarf have a big season ahead, 1000 year anniversary of the battle of Clontarf, match against the barbarians lined up...hopefully this'll be the season!

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

bamboozle wrote: »

Who are the rumoured signings? I'd heard Coughlan a while back and wouldn't be surprised if gilsenan went with him,

Cathal marsh will move on from trinity I'd imagine, replacing ronaldson at lansdowne would be logical.

Ucd getting promoted might see them hang onto their players, Barry daly will be in demand though.

Jj hanrahan will be leaving ul bohs with garryowen the most likely destination...whether he will be playing much ail is another thing

Tarf have a big season ahead, 1000 year anniversary of the battle of Clontarf, match against the barbarians lined up...hopefully this'll be the season!

Heard Coughlan, Gilsenan and Dalys names being banded about but with UCD going up i'd think lads would stick with them but again you'd never know.

Lansdowne may still have Ronaldson with Connacht basing players around the Munster and Leinster but i do agree, Marsh is the logical replacement and would seem a logical destination. Either to Lansdowne or Mary's who aren't too strong at 10.

JJ will go, only 2 clubs to go to with one looking depleted fro all the leaking stories! G'owen the only option.

Stainalert

Fergal Walsh to Old Belvedere & Tadgh Bennett to Old Wesley

woggas1972

Stainalert wrote: »

Fergal Walsh to Old Belvedere & Tadgh Bennett to Old Wesley

Is that confirmed? Fergal Walsh is rumoured to be leaving Shannon at this stage every year.

Ruck Inspector

Stainalert

Some great tries there - Kenny try gets my vote

UCD will be a force next season

lurtz

Barry daly looks like the real deal. Kenny should look to england to get a contract I think

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

I hope UCD play the same brand of Rugby this upcoming season. Will be a joy to watch. Lansdowne UCD on the astro in the Aviva will be a sight!!

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

Darren Sweeetnum supposedly transferred to Dolphin. Big move for him and them, will be strong

mightymonster

Scott Deasy has signed for Lansdowne after strong interest from Trinity and Clontarf .

Niall Kenneally from UL Bohs has signed for Con and got the kitchen sink from them by all accounts . Willie Ryan , John Ryan's brother this years No8 for UCC has also joined Con . UCC Prop Peter McCabe was due to join Con but when he found out they were signing a french prop he returned to UCC .

Irish U20 Prop Brian Scott has signed for Dolphin along with Sweetman according to the Evening Echo . Dolphin should be strong next year eventhough Barnes is gone to Newcastle and Quill will probably pick up a pro contract.

JJ Hanrahan gone to Garryowen . Makes sense with Jarvis gone from Connacht

Lansdowne said to be loosing Ronaldson as he is being directed to Corinthians in 1B

Word has it that the cookies are in trouble .

mightymonster

Con have also signed Luke Duffy from UCC

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

Jaysus Dolphin will have to choose from Cronin (albeit he may make more of a step forward in LH slot in Munster), Condon, Scott and Scannell, very strong front 3, Madigan and O Shea (Both Academy), Rowe in the 2nd Row, and a Back row of Brian O Callaghan, Dave O Callaghan, Miah Cronin, John Quill, Ryan Murphy. Spoiled for choice!

Interesting to see Deasy in Dublin, thought he was going to France to play ball!

Stainalert

Cathal Marsh gone to Marys

iamjenko

mightymonster wrote: »

Scott Deasy has signed for Lansdowne after strong interest from Trinity and Clontarf .

Niall Kenneally from UL Bohs has signed for Con and got the kitchen sink from them by all accounts . Willie Ryan , John Ryan's brother this years No8 for UCC has also joined Con . UCC Prop Peter McCabe was due to join Con but when he found out they were signing a french prop he returned to UCC .

Irish U20 Prop Brian Scott has signed for Dolphin along with Sweetman according to the Evening Echo . Dolphin should be strong next year eventhough Barnes is gone to Newcastle and Quill will probably pick up a pro contract.

JJ Hanrahan gone to Garryowen . Makes sense with Jarvis gone from Connacht

Lansdowne said to be loosing Ronaldson as he is being directed to Corinthians in 1B

Word has it that the cookies are in trouble .

Good man! That's a serious update!

mightymonster

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Jaysus Dolphin will have to choose from Cronin (albeit he may make more of a step forward in LH slot in Munster), Condon, Scott and Scannell, very strong front 3, Madigan and O Shea (Both Academy), Rowe in the 2nd Row, and a Back row of Brian O Callaghan, Dave O Callaghan, Miah Cronin, John Quill, Ryan Murphy. Spoiled for choice!

Interesting to see Deasy in Dublin, thought he was going to France to play ball!

Since I posted last was having a similar conversation and heard Brian O'Callaghan supposed to be heading to Dublin and John Quill is fishing for a contract in the UK . Lots depends on his Eagles experiences this summer .

mightymonster

Stainalert wrote: »

Cathal Marsh gone to Marys

Heard Lansdowne were disappointed to miss out

mightymonster

Talk of Clune and Cutriss leaving Con and heading to Dublin too

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

Dolphin will be very strong if half the recruitment stated is true!! Fecking hell!! They'll be very tough bate in Muzzer, and if they start getting away results they'll be thereabouts!!

bamboozle

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Dolphin will be very strong if half the recruitment stated is true!! Fecking hell!! They'll be very tough bate in Muzzer, and if they start getting away results they'll be thereabouts!!

I'd say dolphin win about five penalties a game through their scrum and are always good for pen try's also, they'll be strong.

Clontarf have signed max McFarland, Bryan Byrne, trinity kicker David Joyce, rock captain culleton and a Russian int second row from navan or skerries.

Lansdowne have signed deasy as a ten, I think the ail is going to be very strong next season, I believe Leinster want Denton playing ail also.

Word is Coughlan, gilsenan and daly all staying put, if so ucd will be strong especially in good weather.

bamboozle

mightymonster wrote: »

Talk of Clune and Cutriss leaving Con and heading to Dublin too

Wouldn't be surprised to see them join the con contingent at Clontarf.

Lansdowne planning for life without Martin Moore and Tom sexton, tried to sign up ed Byrne and furlong to no avail I believe.

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

bamboozle wrote: »

Wouldn't be surprised to see them join the con contingent at Clontarf.

Lansdowne planning for life without Martin Moore and Tom sexton, tried to sign up ed Byrne and furlong to no avail I believe.

Martin Moore expecting more game time with Leinster or has he moved club or left Leinster?

bamboozle

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Martin Moore expecting more game time with Leinster or has he moved club or left Leinster?

Sorry yeah he's still with lansdowne but will be seeing little ail game time due to Leinster commitments.

Stainalert

Ed Byrne is a loose head - Why would Lansdowne sign him as cover for Moore whi is a tight head and especially when they already have Peter Dooley?

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

Stainalert wrote: »

Ed Byrne is a loose head - Why would Lansdowne sign him as cover for Moore whi is a tight head and especially when they already have Peter Dooley?

Jack O Connell probably gonna get a lot more game time too with Leinster and Prenderville may have moved on so possibly could be caught a little short on props

thomond2006

mightymonster wrote: »

Scott Deasy has signed for Lansdowne after strong interest from Trinity and Clontarf .

Does this mean Deasy isn't looking to play abroad?

bamboozle

Stainalert wrote: »

Ed Byrne is a loose head - Why would Lansdowne sign him as cover for Moore whi is a tight head and especially when they already have Peter Dooley?

They were after furlong as TH and ed Byrne as LH.

Don't think Dooley will be ready for ail next season, he's quite light still, des merry can attest to this.

ormond lad

bamboozle wrote: »

They were after furlong as TH and ed Byrne as LH.

Don't think Dooley will be ready for ail next season, he's quite light still, des merry can attest to this.

Disagree with you on Dooley. More than capable of playing AIL1 next season. He's 17/18 stone. How much heavier does he need to be?
He may not play AIL and still has 2 years of u21 rugby(as Leinster are staying at that age group next season for clubs) but certainly will be ready to do well next season

bamboozle

ormond lad wrote: »

Disagree with you on Dooley. More than capable of playing AIL1 next season. He's 17/18 stone. How much heavier does he need to be?
He may not play AIL and still has 2 years of u21 rugby(as Leinster are staying at that age group next season for clubs) but certainly will be ready to do well next season

I must be mixing Dooley up With the other prop who started against oz, one of the props looked about fifteen stone.

ormond lad

bamboozle wrote: »

I must be mixing Dooley up With the other prop who started against oz, one of the props looked about fifteen stone.

Think you are. Bolands very light. in and around 15 stone according to IRB site

bamboozle

ormond lad wrote: »

Think you are. Bolands very light. in and around 15 stone according to IRB site

That makes sense cause I was watching the oz match saw boland..thought it was Dooley and thought to myself why we're Leinster giving such a small lad an academy spot when they've no shortage of props in the academy.

In saying that boland well able to scrummage.

Bit of a number 8 merrygoround in 1a...Garvey rumoured from tarf to lansdowne, o'callaghan leaving dolphin, cutriss leaving con, coogan rumoured to be returning to con also.

Stainalert

What is the story with Prenderville?

lurtz

ormond lad wrote: »

Disagree with you on Dooley. More than capable of playing AIL1 next season. He's 17/18 stone. How much heavier does he need to be?
He may not play AIL and still has 2 years of u21 rugby(as Leinster are staying at that age group next season for clubs) but certainly will be ready to do well next season

the age limit is changing back to july for next year

bamboozle wrote: »

That makes sense cause I was watching the oz match saw boland..thought it was Dooley and thought to myself why we're Leinster giving such a small lad an academy spot when they've no shortage of props in the academy.

In saying that boland well able to scrummage.

Bit of a number 8 merrygoround in 1a...Garvey rumoured from tarf to lansdowne, o'callaghan leaving dolphin, cutriss leaving con, coogan rumoured to be returning to con also.

a dublin 1a club were advertising for a number 8 recently on a recrutiment agency,was wondering who it was.

backgreen

lurtz wrote: »

the age limit is changing back to july for next year



is the july change just leinster or nationwide

ormond lad

backgreen wrote: »

is the july change just leinster or nationwide

Munster are not changing to July but age groups are nearly definitely changing to 18s/20s(why I don't know)

Any news on early season competitions in other provinces?

CIARAN_BOYLE

ormond lad wrote: »

Munster are not changing to July but age groups are nearly definitely changing to 18s/20s(why I don't know)

Probably to make it lineup with interpros and internationals. There is no U21 interpro or international match.

ormond lad

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Probably to make it lineup with interpros and internationals. There is no U21 interpro or international match.

Having age groups at 17s/19s lines up with interpros and internationals better in my opinion. 18s is the first age group that there is interpros/internationals and in youths rugby any u17 player can be immediately screened for provincial/national level. Same at 19s for under 20s national side.
This is slightly different with 18s and 20s and the odd numbers for main age groups is better system though if changing back to even numbers, 18s &20s, means more sides field at these levels than were fielding the past few seasons at 19s and 21s then I will not complain but only time will tell

backgreen

ormond lad wrote: »

Munster are not changing to July but age groups are nearly definitely changing to 18s/20s(why I don't know)

would it not be better to change u21 to july like leinster and keep it a national competition,,the frazier mc mullen was a very good competition

ormond lad

backgreen wrote: »

ormond lad wrote: »

Munster are not changing to July but age groups are nearly definitely changing to 18s/20s(why I don't know)

would it not be better to change u21 to july like leinster and keep it a national competition,,the frazier mc mullen was a very good competitin

But clubs in Munster clearly voted not to change to July. They voted to keep January 1st as age cut off but change back to 18s/20s as theres a better chance of more clubs fielding at these age groups.
Having no all Ireland competition will be a shame but if there's more clubs fielding across all the provinces than itll be fine

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

Bohs lost a lot, Kindregan to Connacht, Rennison to YM, Hanrahan to G'owen, Henry to Connacht, Keneally to Con, Moroney looks to be going to YM or G'owen, Simpson to Richmond, Ed Rossiter to G'owen, Tom Burke to Thomond, Ben Martin to Bruff (Coaching). Ed Kelly leaving for Dublin (i've heard Belvo). 7 starters gone, could maybe add Cathal Sheridan as well with Munster

backgreen

haugh YM gone to garryowen

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

backgreen wrote: »

haugh YM gone to garryowen

Strange one, would have said the garryowen 9 was better than Haugh anytime i've seen them, he must be leaving if they signed Haugh cause i don't think Haugh going as a back-up! Don't really rate Haugh, see how he gets on, wonder why he left YM

turtleshead

Agree would rate Cronin over Haugh, dont think Cronin is leaving either so I expect Haugh to be playing alot of Sunday rugby. Seems like Garryowen have gone back to their old attitude of sign everyone, we mightnt need them but at least no-one else will have them!

turtleshead

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Bohs lost a lot, Kindregan to Connacht, Rennison to YM, Hanrahan to G'owen, Henry to Connacht, Keneally to Con, Moroney looks to be going to YM or G'owen, Simpson to Richmond, Ed Rossiter to G'owen, Tom Burke to Thomond, Ben Martin to Bruff (Coaching). Ed Kelly leaving for Dublin (i've heard Belvo). 7 starters gone, could maybe add Cathal Sheridan as well with Munster

That is a massive amount of players to lose, they could struggle next year, have the made any signings?

lurtz

why are people leaving munsters?

SimmerDean

lurtz wrote: »

why are people leaving munsters?

simple answer is €€€. lads not paid yet

word of a new scrum half from london in for them

turtleshead

SimmerDean wrote: »

simple answer is €€€. lads not paid yet

word of a new scrum half from london in for them

according to munsterfans everyone has since got paid, not too sure how true that is though, funny thing is, I am sure they are not alone in owing players money, their situation just seems to be more advertised than other clubs...

They also mention over there that munsters signed the new scrum half brought into the academy, think he is only 18 though....