Ulster Bank League 2013-2014 talk/gossip/rumours

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

PlayerTrader13 wrote: »

Cant remember which coach but thought it was interesting he wasnt shy in saying that the Leinster system produce better quality backs..

I don't think he's wrong either. If you consider underage selection (i don't have numbers) but am pretty certain that Leinster backs out way munsters nearly all the time.

Ireland 19s vs Oz had 1 munster back and he was a 9 (whose an exile so not schools product)

The schools side was named today too for example (not sure on positions) Munster have 6 representitives whilst Leinster have 14. Definitely must say something about the coaching at schools level here in Munster compared to up in Leinster in fairness

The Lost Sheep

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

I don't think he's wrong either. If you consider underage selection (i don't have numbers) but am pretty certain that Leinster backs out way munsters nearly all the time.

Ireland 19s vs Oz had 1 munster back and he was a 9 (whose an exile so not schools product)

The schools side was named today too for example (not sure on positions) Munster have 6 representitives whilst Leinster have 14. Definitely must say something about the coaching at schools level here in Munster compared to up in Leinster in fairness

This isn't the thread for this discussion but...
Leinster should nearly always have way more players in Irish squads than Munster due to sheer numbers they have. Coaching is also much better in most cases both in schools/clubs and provincial level.

@playertrader13/Not Playing TiddlywinksVinny I don't think the "moaning" is that bad. Provincial players based in Cork will always head to them as there is only 2 division 1 sides based in Cork with the remaining senior clubs in division 2 so they haven't "recruited" too much based on provincial set up.

Stainalert

Leinster generally producing a lot more quality players at schools level which is clearly represented when you look at the make up of any underage national team. This has been a trend now for a few years.

Re the A team disrupting Con & Dolphin can understand it would be hard to recruit players when you have A players already in that position so guess this will hurt their strength in depth and will be an issue when A games collide with AIL games - Still a pretty big issue for Leinster clubs as well though so don't see that they at any real disadvantage

The flipside is there are only 2 Cork clubs in 1A so there is less competition for quality players who want to play in the top league and are in Cork. Whilst there is an influx of players to the city looking for jobs etc Dublin clubs have a lot more competition to attract these players to the club.

The Lost Sheep

Stainalert wrote: »

Leinster generally producing a lot more quality players at schools level which is clearly represented when you look at the make up of any underage national team. This has been a trend now for a few years.

Re the A team disrupting Con & Dolphin can understand it would be hard to recruit players when you have A players already in that position so guess this will hurt their strength in depth and will be an issue when A games collide with AIL games - Still a pretty big issue for Leinster clubs as well though so don't see that they at any real disadvantage

The flipside is there are only 2 Cork clubs in 1A so there is less competition for quality players who want to play in the top league and are in Cork. Whilst there is an influx of players to the city looking for jobs etc Dublin clubs have a lot more competition to attract these players to the club.

Leinster schools have always produced more players. More schools and bigger schools. There is a considerable number of schools in Leinster primarily in Dublin with at least 3 teams at every level(age group) playing a minimum of 10-12 games in a school year and more with the teams competing in the main competitions

Only 2 Cork sides in 1A but much smaller playing pool compared to Dublin.

Any opinions on Munster cup finals this weekend? Senior Cup in Thomond Friday night while Plate final is off I believe.

PlayerTrader13

Leinster will dominate numbers wise because of population and number of players playing in schools..

but there is little doubt that leinster under age system is producing players with better skill levels than what the munster under age system has been doing

gaius c

PlayerTrader13 wrote: »

Leinster will dominate numbers wise because of population and number of players playing in schools..

but there is little doubt that leinster under age system is producing players with better skill levels than what the munster under age system has been doing

Always been the way throughout Irish rugby history. Munster produce forwards. Leinster produce backs and Ulster do a bit of both.

P.S. You referring only to ball skills I presume? It might surprise you but it does take some skill to play as a forward.

The Lost Sheep

Connacht Senior Cup final Friday Night Galwegians take on Corinthians
Hard to say who's favourite but I think wegian's may edge it

@gaius that's a bit simple tbh espec regarding provinces producing players. More all kinds of skills Leinster are ahead. Ball skills, identifying space Leinster well ahead

gaius c

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Connacht Senior Cup final Friday Night Galwegians take on Corinthians
Hard to say who's favourite but I think wegian's may edge it

@gaius that's a bit simple tbh espec regarding provinces producing players. More all kinds of skills Leinster are ahead. Ball skills, identifying space Leinster well ahead

My point being that those skills are not of primary importance to a tight five forward and you're also dismissing the tradition of decent rugby from the nordies. They've been known to produce a back or two.

The Lost Sheep

gaius c wrote: »

My point being that those skills are not of primary importance to a tight five forward and you're also dismissing the tradition of decent rugby from the nordies. They've been known to produce a back or two.

Not dismissing Ulster at all. Simply PlayerTrader made no mention of Ulster so I didn't either.

The Lost Sheep

Terenure now have 13 point lead at top of Division 1B after a 13-0 win over Buccaneers today.
Cork Con are Munster Senior Cup champions following a 9-6 extra time win over Garryowen last night.
Munster Senior Plate Final not played between Nenagh and Young Munster and will be played sometime in the new year

The Lost Sheep

Connacht Senior Cup final played today.
Galwegians beat Corinthians 31-26

Bateman Cup semi's now confirmed
Cork Con home to Queens while UCD will host Galwegians

The Lost Sheep

First games of All Ireland League in 2014 are tomorrow with a full round of fixtures in Division 1A with 3 games in Division 1B and 1 game in Division 2A also due to be played.
For those interested in getting results. Send UBL to 51444 or use #UBL if on twitter
Division 1A fixtures
Clontarf host third placed Lansdowne in what should be Game of the day. Leaders Clontarf have been unbeaten in their last seven and face an always improving Lansdowne side that have surged up the table following a poor start to the season and their 61-11 win over an admittedly understrength Dolphin has moved them up to third in the table, eight points adrift of Clontarf.
Cork Con host Young Munster in a mid table clash which should see the Cookies win if they have a full squad available and Con don't have a full complement of contracted players available to them.
Old Belvedere travel to Cork to take on Dolphin and should come back to the capital with 4 points and if Lansdowne can turnover
There is a relegation 10 pointer in Dooradoyle tomorrow afternoon when Garryowen host St Marys. Garryowen improved a lot in their last game when they lost by 10 to high flying Belvedere but if they perform anything like they did in that game they may come very close to or finally get a first league win of the year
Ballynahinch are having a tough time of things up in 1A this season and face another tough game Saturday when they travel to Belfield to take on UCD who will be aiming to have a stronger side out this week than last time out and should come away with the match point.

In Division 1B Corinthians will be aiming to move up to second place when they host bottom side Malone. The home side have lost just once and will be aiming to ensure that huge loss to the leaders Terenure was just a blip in an otherwise superb first season in Division 1.
UL Bohemians will also have eyes on second place when they travel to Dublin to face Blackrock College who are 4 points above the bottom and steeped in the relegation battle.
In the last game of the weekend in 1B Dungannon and Belfast Harlequins face off in the County Tyrone venue and Harlequins will really want the win to push themselves away from the relegation places and put them potentially 10 points above the relegation places

We could see a new leader of Division 2A ahead of the next full round of games next weekend when Galwegians travel to Banbridge in their rescheduled game from before Christmas and the away side should take the points and first place.
All fixtures: http://www.irishrugby.ie/ulsterbankleague/index.php

Berticus

Clontarf beat lansdowne 16-13. Tarf pack dominated but backs weren't great besides from a great try from Michael McGrath. Lansdowne had a chance to draw at the end but opted for a line out instead of going for 3 points and tarf turned the ball over. Probably a fair result overall.

.ak

Berticus wrote: »

Clontarf beat lansdowne 16-13. Tarf pack dominated but backs weren't great besides from a great try from Michael McGrath. Lansdowne had a chance to draw at the end but opted for a line out instead of going for 3 points and tarf turned the ball over. Probably a fair result overall.

Hmm, doesn't sound like a vintage performance, glad it stayed home! Although e rugby on the tv hasn't been much better.

PlayerTrader13

Lansdowne team:

1. Dooley
2. Moran
3. O'Reilly
4. Moylett
5. Earl
6. Ross
7. Butterworth
8. O'Callaghan
9. O'Driscoll
10. Deasy
11. Horan
12. Daly
13. Roche
14. Aherne
15. Kelleher

PlayerTrader13

Conan, Crosbie and Robb all scored tried for Old Belvo.

PlayerTrader13

UCD team:

1. Harrison
2. Byrne
3. Moloney
4. Grannell
5. MacMahon
6. Lawler
7. Van Der Flier
8. Joyce
9. Glynn
10. Thornton
11. Fletcher
12. Murphy
13. Kelly
14. SCM
15. Boyle

Boyle got a try.

Coughlan and McGrath on the bench

The Lost Sheep

PlayerTrader why name same 2 Clubs sides every week/few weeks? Either name all in div 1 or none IMO
Anyway to the results from today
Division 1A
Clontarf 16 Lansdowne 13
Cork Constitution 10 Young Munster 16
Dolphin 10 Old Belvedere 22
Garryowen 15 St. Mary's College 24
UCD 26 Ballynahinch 32
No change in the top two with Clontarf still leading the way, following a very exciting win over Lansdowne in Castle Avenue, by a point from Old Belvedere but Young Munster's win in Cork lifts them to third above Lansdowne and UCD.
At the halfway stage Clontarf and Belvedere look most likely champions with 7 points between second and third a sizeable gap. At the bottom of the table Garryowen are still winless after nine games and only two bonus points to their name and are twelve points adrift of ninth place Ballynahinch who had an excellent bonus point win up in Dublin against UCD,

Division 1B
Blackrock College 21 UL Bohemians 24
Corinthians 10 Malone 3
Dungannon 3 Belfast Harlequins 13
Corinthians win over Malone lifts them to second and nine points behind the runaway leaders Terenure. Malone will be happy with their bonus point which lifts them above Dungannon on points difference.
Bohemians close victory up in Stradbrook against Blackrock means the Limerick side are now up in third and they along with Corinthians move above Buccaneers who did not play these weekend in this set of games rescheduled from before Christmas.

Division 2A
Banbridge 7 Galwegians 11, Rifle Park
In Division 2A one game was played and the 11-7 win for Galwegians up in County Down means the Connacht side have moved from fourth to first place ahead of next weekends full round of fixtures

PlayerTrader13

dont know all the sides in div 1.. i do know the sides ucd and lansdowne started with.

bamboozle

PlayerTrader13 wrote: »

dont know all the sides in div 1.. i do know the sides ucd and lansdowne started with.

Clontarf
Ryan
McGrath
O'shea
Lett
McFarland
Joyce
Cronin
Hirst
Byrne
Burke-Flynn
Reilly
O'keefe
Garvey
Darcy
Ryan

Good team considering spate of back row injuries, mick McGrath scored yet again, easily as good as some fringe provincial wingers, Conan having a great season for old belvo, he might push for Leinster recognition during 6n's

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

bamboozle wrote: »

Clontarf
Ryan
McGrath
O'shea
Lett
McFarland
Joyce
Cronin
Hirst
Byrne
Burke-Flynn
Reilly
O'keefe
Garvey
Darcy
Ryan

Good team considering spate of back row injuries, mick McGrath scored yet again, easily as good as some fringe provincial wingers, Conan having a great season for old belvo, he might push for Leinster recognition during 6n's

Mick McGrath is way ahead of a lot of provincial wingers as is. The guy is a bear on the wing, is proving to be near on unstoppable. Has stepped up a gear from last season when he was exceptional.

Can't understand why he isnt getting more recognition. Would rate him better than Matt Healy from Lansdowne last yr now Connacht, Hudson & Fanning of Mary's & Leinster, Would definitely rate him higher than Coughlan-Murray at UCD

Hagz

How's Max McFarland playing on the other wing?

Aidric

What in the hell has happened to Garryowen? Runners up last year, winless this year. Is Paul Hogan still involved?

bamboozle

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Mick McGrath is way ahead of a lot of provincial wingers as is. The guy is a bear on the wing, is proving to be near on unstoppable. Has stepped up a gear from last season when he was exceptional.

Can't understand why he isnt getting more recognition. Would rate him better than Matt Healy from Lansdowne last yr now Connacht, Hudson & Fanning of Mary's & Leinster, Would definitely rate him higher than Coughlan-Murray at UCD

Top scorer in 1a last season, top scorer so far this season, there's a clip of the Clontarf garryowen highlights on here where he absolutely skins Ronan o Mahoney on the outside to score. He's 22 or maybe just 23, and is built like a Sherman tank.


McFarland on the other wing is doing well, maybe 2 or 3 ail trys, he has serious gas, unreal acceleration and a good step, tony ryan at 8 has really stepped up, he was with enniscorthy last season, another youngster Moran was having a great season until doing his shoulder and at 10 Joyce is controlling games and kicking points, something Clontarf have struggled with for last few seasons.

Don't understand how garryowen struggling so badly, ok they had Tj Anderson and Jarvis last season but they've still the o Mahoney brothers and mccloskey and Glynn back at 10, dolphin also doing dreadfully given the talent in their squad.

Hagz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-pOw6lawFU

CGD

Fairly young looking Lansdowne side

Tarf will be hard to stop now

Talked to a few Tarf lads who said it was a tough game and were suprised and happy that the ref was very poor penalty count was off the scale someting like 20-5. Yellow looked harsh but those are the breaks and Tarf got them. Belvo main contenders now but a 3 week break is ridicolous! after a sparce December as well.

The Lost Sheep

Both of the top two divisions are not back in action again for two weeks after last weekends games however both of the bottom two divisions have a full round of games.

In Division 2A the new leaders Galwegians, who took first place following their win against Banbridge in their re-arranged game last Saturday, travel to county Limerick to take on bottom side Bruff. This should result in the away side staying in pole position for promotion to Division 1B in this round 8 game of the 15 game season. Bruff have not adjusted in this division since the drop from division 1 for the start of this season and
However the big games of the day in the third division will have big consequences for sides just below Galwegians and just above Bruff in the standings. the All Ulster clash between fourth place City of Derry and second placed Ballymena will play a major role in the race for promotion and A loss will put a big dent in the promotion hopes of the losers of Saturdays game in County Derry.
Rosbrien will host the clash between Old Crescent and Highfield who are both in trouble at the wrong end of the table. Both sides lost big last time out and will be eager to try push themselves out of the relegation places hoping to take advantage of Banbridge's visit to fifth placed Barnhall.

In the bottom tier there is two clashes in the top six where a loss may end the hopes for promotion for some for this season.
Both home sides, Skerries and Navan, will be hopeful of over turning their opponents, Thomond and Greystones respectively, who sit just above them in the standings.
The leaders Nenagh travel to Sligo who are in the middle of a big group of ten sides who are separated by eight points and the Tipperary side who are in great form all season with just one competitive loss all season, to UCC in Munster Senior Cup, should win comfortably enough to keep their place at the top of the table and keep their charge towards promotion right on course.
Skerries have lost their last three games, albeit to sides currently in fourth, first and second place, and they will not find anything any easier on Saturday as they host third placed Thomond in Holmpatrick.
Armagh who face fourteenth placed Instonians will be keeping a close eye on Navan and Skerries as they look to move up into the promotion places.
Suttonians are eight points adrift at the bottom and will be eager to get their first win of the season as they start a massive push to keep their senior status and a home win against Boyne will be worth more than 4 match points in the relegation battle to the North Dublin side.

Weekend Fixtures
Division 2A
Bruff (16th) v Galwegians (1st)
City of Derry (4th) v Ballymena (2nd)
NUIM Barnhall (5th) v Banbridge (13th)
Old Crescent (14th) v Highfield (15th)
Old Wesley (7th) v Bective Rangers (12th)
Rainey Old Boys (11th) v Naas (10th)
Seapoint (9th) v Queens University (3rd)
UCC (6th) v Cashel (8th)

Division 2B
Instonians (14th) v Armagh (4th)
Navan (6th) v Greystones (2nd)
Richmond (15th) v Ards (10th)
Skerries (5th) v Thomond (3rd)
Sligo (12th) v Nenagh (1st)
Sundays Well (11th) v DLSP (8th)
Suttonians (16th) v Boyne (13th)
Tullamore (7th) v Midleton (9th)

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

Eddie O Sullivan apparently taking over as Garryowen head coach! Huge coup for them. Dunno if Jesus himself could save Garryowen at this stage tho!

turtleshead

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Eddie O Sullivan apparently taking over as Garryowen head coach! Huge coup for them. Dunno if Jesus himself could save Garryowen at this stage tho!

Is Tierney gone? Have to wonder is this a good move? I would imagine he is getting serious money for this, how long is that sustainable? The same head coach was in place last season when they finished 2nd, he hardly became a bad coach overnight...

Also would Eddie O'Sullivan have an intimate knowledge of the club game these days? I wouldn't imagine he would know the in's and out's of most players in the division and what most teams strengths are?

Stainalert

The guy is an excellent coach and without doubt will improve Garryowen. Would imagine he will want to focus on how Garryowen play rather than what the opposition will do.

turtleshead

Not doubting that he would improve Garryowen, but I would imagine he has been brought in on short term basis, I would think it is a bit too late to save them, they have Lansdowne away next up while Ballinahinch are at home to Dolphin, they could be 15/16 points adrift then.

Stainalert

Tall order alright but from his point of view not much downside risk - most people assume Garryowen will go down so if he saves them he's a hero

The Lost Sheep

turtleshead wrote: »

Is Tierney gone? Have to wonder is this a good move? I would imagine he is getting serious money for this, how long is that sustainable? The same head coach was in place last season when they finished 2nd, he hardly became a bad coach overnight...

Also would Eddie O'Sullivan have an intimate knowledge of the club game these days? I wouldn't imagine he would know the in's and out's of most players in the division and what most teams strengths are?

Tierney not gone yet. Not sure removing coach will do anything in terms of saving them as I think they're now a 1B side and should rebuild on that as prep for next season

Eddie wouldn't have that intimate knowledge of ins/outs of most players and does that really matter? Same with most teams strengths. He has coached successfully at international level and he will have people available to him in Garryowen able to scout opposition sides if necessary. Garryowen have also played all the sides in the division already this season so scouting opposition etc not as necessary as Garryowen will have seen all the opposition already

Any opinions on division 2 games this weekend considering theyre the only games on this weekend

turtleshead

Looking at the games with munster teams involved:

Bruff to lose
Crescent to win
Cashel to cause an upset
Richmond, Thomond & Nenagh all to win
Well & Midleton to both lose

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Tierney not gone yet. Not sure removing coach will do anything in terms of saving them as I think they're now a 1B side and should rebuild on that as prep for next season

Eddie wouldn't have that intimate knowledge of ins/outs of most players and does that really matter? Same with most teams strengths. He has coached successfully at international level and he will have people available to him in Garryowen able to scout opposition sides if necessary. Garryowen have also played all the sides in the division already this season so scouting opposition etc not as necessary as Garryowen will have seen all the opposition already

Any opinions on division 2 games this weekend considering theyre the only games on this weekend

I've heard that Tierney issued the whole squad an ultimatum and that if they didn't shape up he wasn't willing to make the effort. Appears some lads don't a s***e there from talking with lads which is disappointing. Either lads pull their finger out or Tierney's out i believe.

On 2A Think Weigens will remain top, but could be pushed all the way, Bruff have performed well against Derry and Ballymena (who were both top when they played) of late, seem to do well against top teams! OC to beat Highfield, Bruff will be a good bit adrift, need Highfield and Banbridge to continue losing without BPs to stand a chance

Risteard

BP win for Richmond today against Ards. Very welcome at this stage of the season.

The Lost Sheep

Only Division 2 games this weekend and no division 1 games for a few weeks.

In Division 2A leaders Galwegians unsurprisingly won well against Bruff in Kilballyowen Park. Ballymena lost the top of the table Ulster derby clash to City of Derry in a tight clash in Derry and are now in fourth following Queen's 12 point win in Seapoint.
With 2nd to 5th place all on 28 or 29 points the promotion race is really hotting up.
No change in the bottom 5 clubs with Bruff still rooted to the bottom though they will be pleased, in some way, with putting 20 points on the leaders.

In Division 2B Nenagh won again to keep up their impressive season with a hard fought 24-20 win over Sligo who's performance shows they are better than their current placing of fourteenth suggests and with the closeness of the teams between eighth and fifteenth they could rise the table very quickly in their next few games.
Wins for Richmond and Boyne and losses for the other sides at the wrong end of the table mean both sides rise a few places but as above the closeness of sides in the bottom half means every win is vital.

Results
Division 2A:
Bruff 20 Galwegians 48
City of Derry 8 Ballymena 3
NUIM Barnhall 37 Banbridge 30
Old Crescent 12 Highfield 13
Old Wesley 12 Bective Rangers 9
Rainey Old Boys 25 Naas 19
Seapoint 10 Queen's University 22
UCC 28 Cashel 10

Division 2B:
Instonians 10 Armagh 31
Navan 0 Greystones 7
Richmond 22 Ards 16
Skerries 13 Thomond 5
Sligo 20 Nenagh Ormond 24
Sunday's Well 23 De La Salle Palmerston 13
Suttonians 20 Boyne 22
Tullamore 12 Midleton 0

Stainalert

Club International Squad getting announced this week - Anyone got any inside track?

gaius c

Stainalert wrote: »

The guy is an excellent coach and without doubt will improve Garryowen. Would imagine he will want to focus on how Garryowen play rather than what the opposition will do.

Mick Bradley looked like Jim Telfer at AIL level! Eddie should do a great job with Garryowen.

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

Stainalert wrote: »

Club International Squad getting announced this week - Anyone got any inside track?

Wonder would anyone get on it from Garryowen with Tierney involved.....no one off hand deserves it. Think will be predominantly dublin based.

Gareth Austin, Ciaran Ruddock, Matt D'arcy from Marys, Danny Riordan from Belvo, Sam Cronin, Evan Ryan, Mick McGrath, Simon Carwford, few other s from Tarf, Charlie Butterworth from Lansdowne, Ron Boucher maybe, Foster Horan, Mark Roche? Ger Slattery and Willie Staunton from YM. From 1B James O Neill surely get in from Nure along with others.

Can't really think of many others off top of my head right now

the perfect ten

I would throw in the Lansdowne scrum-half, Patrick O'Driscoll, who has been very consistent this season in my opinion.

Stainalert

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Wonder would anyone get on it from Garryowen with Tierney involved.....no one off hand deserves it. Think will be predominantly dublin based.

Gareth Austin, Ciaran Ruddock, Matt D'arcy from Marys, Danny Riordan from Belvo, Sam Cronin, Evan Ryan, Mick McGrath, Simon Carwford, few other s from Tarf, Charlie Butterworth from Lansdowne, Ron Boucher maybe, Foster Horan, Mark Roche? Ger Slattery and Willie Staunton from YM. From 1B James O Neill surely get in from Nure along with others.

Can't really think of many others off top of my head right now

Don't think Crawford has been getting his game with Clontarf - possibly injured not sure. Have been impressed with Hirst in Clontarf also.

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

Stainalert wrote: »

Don't think Crawford has been getting his game with Clontarf - possibly injured not sure. Have been impressed with Hirst in Clontarf also.

Ben Reilly another to add. Have heard Liam Og Murphy is joining/already joined Clontarf after returning from America, former Young Munster Backrower

RuPi

There was a session on Sunday, which I think was a trial game.

stars20

Kevin O'Neill is the only player from Nure involved.

Lansdowne and Tarf have the most players from their clubs involved

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

stars20 wrote: »

Kevin O'Neill is the only player from Nure involved.

Lansdowne and Tarf have the most players from their clubs involved

Find that very surprising! Considering how strong Nure are this season!

RobbieRuns

stars20 wrote: »

Kevin O'Neill is the only player from Nure involved.

Lansdowne and Tarf have the most players from their clubs involved

That does surprise me, Nure have been stand out in 1B, they deserve more. I had hoped Finn Gormley from Corinthians might get a shout, but if Nure only have one in, I can't see any others from 1B getting players in

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

RobbieRuns wrote: »

That does surprise me, Nure have been stand out in 1B, they deserve more. I had hoped Finn Gormley from Corinthians might get a shout, but if Nure only have one in, I can't see any others from 1B getting players in

Would imagine is completely staked with Tarf lads, Is tough to comb through the teams and hazard a guess at selection with so many young academy and development lads involved in 1A/B. Bucs and Corinthians are stacked with them, as are Lansdowne, UCD, Dolphin the northern sides. Wonder would anyone from the lower reaches of 2A/B be involved?

Derek Corcoran was involved on the wing in previous years when at YM is now player coach at Nenagh but definitely the most outstanding player in 2B! Weigens could have one or two, Cleary at 15 is a solid players, as is the Kiwi lad playing 12 (Not Parata), was 12 vs UCD can't think of name.

Normally there was a few 2A/2B players drafted up to spread the selection. Brian Cahill from Bruff is another outstanding player but their having a shocker so may go against him. He'd fit into 12 in any side IMO

The Lost Sheep

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Would imagine is completely staked with Tarf lads, Is tough to comb through the teams and hazard a guess at selection with so many young academy and development lads involved in 1A/B. Bucs and Corinthians are stacked with them, as are Lansdowne, UCD, Dolphin the northern sides. Wonder would anyone from the lower reaches of 2A/B be involved?

Derek Corcoran was involved on the wing in previous years when at YM is now player coach at Nenagh but definitely the most outstanding player in 2B! Weigens could have one or two, Cleary at 15 is a solid players, as is the Kiwi lad playing 12 (Not Parata), was 12 vs UCD can't think of name.

Normally there was a few 2A/2B players drafted up to spread the selection. Brian Cahill from Bruff is another outstanding player but their having a shocker so may go against him. He'd fit into 12 in any side IMO

All senior clubs are entitled to nominate players to go to the opening training sessions but normally most clubs dont either send players and if they do they are not picked. Think Skerries player Conal Keane would have been another to be close or deserved a look in
Derek Corcoran was centre/wing with Munsters and yes is probably the
standout player in 2B along with Lemaki viapula, former Garryowen/Old Crescent no8 but Lemaki is obviously inelgible for the club international side.

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

All senior clubs are entitled to nominate players to go to the opening training sessions but normally most clubs dont either send players and if they do they are not picked. Think Skerries player Conal Keane would have been another to be close or deserved a look in
Derek Corcoran was centre/wing with Munsters and yes is probably the
standout player in 2B along with Lemaki viapula, former Garryowen/Old Crescent no8 but Lemaki is obviously inelgible for the club international side.

How is he ineligible do you mind me asking? He's capped for Ireland League side i believe and its Irish Clubs so is the pick of the league is it not?