Ulster Bank League 2014-2015 talk/gossip/rumours

The Lost Sheep

Stainalert wrote: »

Match reports Lost Sheep - Thought that was clear - You're well in with the IRFU so why don't you pop them a mail

:pac:
If you want match reports go to games write them yourself. There is match reports of all games in newspapers across the country, clubs have reports on their own websites.

Stainalert

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

:pac:
If you want match reports go to games write them yourself. There is match reports of all games in newspapers across the country, clubs have reports on their own websites.

You're right - It is my fault there are no match reports. Sorry guys

SA09

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

:pac:
If you want match reports go to games write them yourself. There is match reports of all games in newspapers across the country, clubs have reports on their own websites.

Before 3 weeks ago, there was a summary of 1A and 1B on the Saturday eve immediately after matches. Then on Mondays/Tuesdays, there were match reports for specifc 1A and 1B matches put up..

These individual match reports have just stopped all of a sudden and Stainalert is perfectly entitled to feel aggravated by this! As am I!

Without having to go through each clubs website a lot of which do not publish match reports, or any that do publish reports are usually very biased. I would appreciate if IRFU brought back the match reports that were there every week until recently.

thomond2006

It would be nice if they published a list of the contracted players who played in the UBL on a weekend. I've no interest in the league but I'd be interested in keeping tabs on players who aren't playing for their province but are fit.

Stainalert

Mostly academy players involved - Not many full timers get released by provinces anymore which is a shame. Matt O'Connor in particular does not like to release players around this time of the year - I imagine because he is missing so many to national duty himself

GavMan

SA09 wrote: »

Yeah i think Frankie Sheahan and Alan Quinlan are probably a bit bitter that the Limerick and Cork clubs have fallen so far behind.

I think the economy has had a lot to do with it but it also takes a lot of hard work from the clubs to actually recruit the players. Fair play to the Dublin clubs for getting their houses in order and adapting a lot quicker than elsewhere to the tough financial times over the last number of years. There are a number od exceptions to this however (Blackrock).

Not quite sure what you're getting at here RE: Blackrock.

Blackrock have turned modest profits the last number of seasons, are clearing down debt (very slowly) and have undertook and completed big infrastructure projects this season (lights and a very impressive Gym).

But don't let facts get in the way of a good story you heard at a bar somewhere...

Bridge93

Will be interesting to see what having Cabinteely FC playing at Stradbrook will do for the club. I would imagine financially it will be a big boost and facility wise too.

SA09

GavMan wrote: »

Not quite sure what you're getting at here RE: Blackrock.

Blackrock have turned modest profits the last number of seasons, are clearing down debt (very slowly) and have undertook and completed big infrastructure projects this season (lights and a very impressive Gym).

But don't let facts get in the way of a good story you heard at a bar somewhere...

What i meant was that Blackrock are an example of a club who did not manage themselves very well in the past. It is evident that they are beginning to turn that around but it is quite obvious that they were a mismanaged club for a long time and are currently paying the price for that with the large debt they find themselves in

GavMan

SA09 wrote: »

What i meant was that Blackrock are an example of a club who did not manage themselves very well in the past. It is evident that they are beginning to turn that around but it is quite obvious that they were a mismanaged club for a long time and are currently paying the price for that with the large debt they find themselves in

No arguments there...

The Lost Sheep

SA09 wrote: »

Before 3 weeks ago, there was a summary of 1A and 1B on the Saturday eve immediately after matches. Then on Mondays/Tuesdays, there were match reports for specifc 1A and 1B matches put up..

These individual match reports have just stopped all of a sudden and Stainalert is perfectly entitled to feel aggravated by this! As am I!

Without having to go through each clubs website a lot of which do not publish match reports, or any that do publish reports are usually very biased. I would appreciate if IRFU brought back the match reports that were there every week until recently.

The 6 Nations is In full flow. This is probably the busiest time of the season so other things will be prioritised. Majority of clubs have match reports on their websites. Local papers have games. You want to read a match report you can find one if you look

thomond2006 wrote: »

It would be nice if they published a list of the contracted players who played in the UBL on a weekend. I've no interest in the league but I'd be interested in keeping tabs on players who aren't playing for their province but are fit.

I don't see it happening and don't see a need for it. To be fair most reports on Munster, IRFU sites do mention those contracted players who are involved.

SA09

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

The 6 Nations is In full flow. This is probably the busiest time of the season so other things will be prioritised. Majority of clubs have match reports on their websites. Local papers have games. You want to read a match report you can find one if you look QUOTE]

Completely understand that the 6 nations is probably taking up all the time. I was just outlining the reasons behind the frustrations of having no match reports. It's not as if we are being unreasonable to expect match reports every wekk when we have been getting them all along.

As I explained in a previous post, club reports are generally biased therefore they don't hold much merit.

Surely IRFU have the resources to write up match reports for the league they allegedly believe is so important!

The Lost Sheep

SA09 wrote: »

Completely understand that the 6 nations is probably taking up all the time. I was just outlining the reasons behind the frustrations of having no match reports. It's not as if we are being unreasonable to expect match reports every wekk when we have been getting them all along.

As I explained in a previous post, club reports are generally biased therefore they don't hold much merit.

Surely IRFU have the resources to write up match reports for the league they allegedly believe is so important!

If you want games to get covered write a blog on the league. Ask Rob Murphy from knockon to cover games. He covers junior and AIL games and will go to games that he's asked to go to. I understand where you are coming from about club reports, I write them at times!, but theyre better than nothing.

The Lost Sheep

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Who do people feel will win the Round Robin this year? Clonmel won the Munster Junior title today, Dundalk are Leinster champions while other provinces still have to be decided AFAIK. Only 1 team has shot at going up this season unlike previous seasons.

Instonians won the Ulster league tonight.
Connemara to play Ballina on Paddys Day. If they win they win the league but if they lose Monivea could get the title

Fixtures for Round Robin made. Instonians and Connacht champions get luck of the draw and get two home games
http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34099

The Lost Sheep

Connemara won today so qualify for round robin. Fixtures are on above link.

$ausage$

Heard a rumour Dungannon have asked to drop to Junior but have been told they cant

ArmchairQB

$ausage$ wrote: »

Heard a rumour Dungannon have asked to drop to Junior but have been told they cant

Connemara asked for similar a number of years back and were given the same answer

phog

Paddy Jackson playing with Ulster Ravens v Munster A tomorrow in Nenagh

The Lost Sheep

$ausage$ wrote: »

Heard a rumour Dungannon have asked to drop to Junior but have been told they cant

And they shouldn't. With the restructuring they'll have another couple of seasons to go as a senior at least.

Bateman Cup semi finals this weekend. Thoughts on winners?
Ballynahinch v Clontarf, Ballymacarn Park, 4.30pm
Buccaneers v Cork Con, Dubarry Park, 4.30pm

phog

phog wrote: »

Paddy Jackson playing with Ulster Ravens v Munster A tomorrow in Nenagh

Only realised now that I posted this in the UBL thread rather than the Ulster thread.

ArmchairQB

[Bateman Cup semi finals this weekend. Thoughts on winners?
Ballynahinch v Clontarf, Ballymacarn Park, 4.30pm
Buccaneers v Cork Con, Dubarry Park, 4.30pm[/QUOTE]

Would Fancy Hinch & Con to go thru

.ak

First image of the proposed new Clontarf surface at Castle Avenue... Looking forward to breaking some new bones on it.

SA09

.ak wrote: »

First image of the proposed new Clontarf surface at Castle Avenue... Looking forward to breaking some new bones on it.


When is that going in?

19543261

.ak wrote: »

First image of the proposed new Clontarf surface at Castle Avenue... Looking forward to breaking some new bones on it.

Woah. It looks so...futuristic.

iamjenko

Is that to go on the back pitch?

.ak

SA09 wrote: »

When is that going in?

Next year afaik.

.ak

iamjenko wrote: »

Is that to go on the back pitch?

Yep, thank feck.

The current 1st pitch is a quality surface so they'll be happy enough to keep that.

Hopefully if the club can raise extra funds they'll add an extra surface for training purposes and a new terrace.

The Lost Sheep

.ak wrote: »

First image of the proposed new Clontarf surface at Castle Avenue... Looking forward to breaking some new bones on it.

Wonder how many more clubs will be putting in 4G surfaces over next few seasons...

Anymore thoughts on Bateman Cup semi finals?
Would go watch Buccs and Con but have my own game to referee Saturday morning and wont skip Ireland to go watch it.

Squidgy Black

.ak wrote: »

Next year afaik.

Email said they're starting next month and hope to have it done before next season I thought?

.ak

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Email said they're starting next month and hope to have it done before next season I thought?

I meant for next season yeah!

Although... How realistic will that be I wonder?

GavMan

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Email said they're starting next month and hope to have it done before next season I thought?

Should be. Only takes a couple of weeks to put down

.ak

GavMan wrote: »

Should be. Only takes a couple of weeks to put down

Did donnybrook not take a while? Or was that because of the stadium?

ArmchairQB

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Wonder how many more clubs will be putting in 4G surfaces over next few seasons...

Anymore thoughts on Bateman Cup semi finals?
Would go watch Buccs and Con but have my own game to referee Saturday morning and wont skip Ireland to go watch it.

Both Terenure & Clontarf installing pitches this summer due to interest free loan from businessman whose main condition is that it is used for the community and the wider area around the club.

They Join Wesley and Bective with their new surface along with UCD & Lansdowne who have had these for a while. Belvo would benefit from the surface as well but don't think the cash is there at the moment and Wanderers are rumoured to be doing a big job on Merrion Row with the help of Denis O'Brien so would assume they have included for one as well. Most of the top schools have also installed these pitches as well and with our climate and maintenance cost of keeping pitches right we will see alot of these pitches over the next 5 years

Bridge93

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Both Terenure & Clontarf installing pitches this summer due to interest free loan from businessman whose main condition is that it is used for the community and the wider area around the club.

They Join Wesley and Bective with their new surface along with UCD & Lansdowne who have had these for a while. Belvo would benefit from the surface as well but don't think the cash is there at the moment and Wanderers are rumoured to be doing a big job on Merrion Row with the help of Denis O'Brien so would assume they have included for one as well. Most of the top schools have also installed these pitches as well and with our climate and maintenance cost of keeping pitches right we will see alot of these pitches over the next 5 years

Which schools have put them in?

GavMan

.ak wrote: »

Did donnybrook not take a while? Or was that because of the stadium?

took a while as there were 2 pitches. they did 1 at a time

The Lost Sheep

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Bateman Cup semi finals this weekend. Thoughts on winners?
Ballynahinch v Clontarf, Ballymacarn Park, 4.30pm
Buccaneers v Cork Con, Dubarry Park, 4.30pm

Clontarf won 24-20
Con won 36-35

The Lost Sheep

2nd last round of games this weekend
Navan and Wanderers play in 2B tomorrow night but all other games are Saturday. Round Robin also starts this weekend

Lots to play for in all divisions especially 2A/2B with changes for next season. Anyone going to a game Saturday?

Bridge93

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

2nd last round of games this weekend
Navan and Wanderers play in 2B tomorrow night but all other games are Saturday. Round Robin also starts this weekend

Lots to play for in all divisions especially 2A/2B with changes for next season. Anyone going to a game Saturday?

I'll be at the Rock Cashel game hopefully to see Rock promoted

The Lost Sheep

Bridge93 wrote: »

I'll be at the Rock Cashel game hopefully to see Rock promoted

Cashel will be very tricky for Blackrock. Cashel have a mean defence, 3rd best behind Wesley and Nenagh, so should be a good game

Might try go to Corinthians and Trinity if I can on Saturday. Trinity with outside shot of going up to 1A and Corinthians needing points to stay in 1B

SA09

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Cashel will be very tricky for Blackrock. Cashel have a mean defence, 3rd best behind Wesley and Nenagh, so should be a good game

Might try go to Corinthians and Trinity if I can on Saturday. Trinity with outside shot of going up to 1A and Corinthians needing points to stay in 1B

What has happened to Corinithians this year? After falling a long way back compared to their two previous seasons.

The Lost Sheep

SA09 wrote: »

What has happened to Corinithians this year? After falling a long way back compared to their two previous seasons.

Different head coach could be an issue?? I know the current head coach Pat Cunningham was assistant to Phil Pretorius last season but that could be an issue?

Braken

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Different head coach could be an issue?? I know the current head coach Pat Cunningham was assistant to Phil Pretorius last season but that could be an issue?

Pretorius was a former Bulls coach and it showed...

Stainalert

Looking forward to 1A this weekend -Impossible to figure out who will get the last 2 playoff spots - Tarf obviously favourite for 3rd spot but still not a certainty and have 2 tough games ahead against Con and Ballynahinch. So many teams going for playoff spot but also in danger of relagation playoff also

ArmchairQB

Yeah last 2 spots in playoffs in 1a will be very interesting. Lansdowne & Terenure have home semis on April 25th but will probably not know their opponents till the last league game of the season on April 11th. Tarf, B'Hinch, UCD, Cork Con, Mary's Belvo & Young Munster all have chances of reaching the playoffs. Tarf I think will take the 3rd spot but 4th is a lottery any one of the above could take it. Interesting Fixtures this weekend;

• Terenure v Lansdowne - Home advantage & big crowd should see Terenure win a tight one
• Clontarf v Cork Con - Again will be Tight Tarf to shade it
• Dolphin v Hinch - Hinch
• UCD v Belvo - Must win for UCD so I go for them in another tight one
• Young Munster v St. Mary's - whoever looses is probably out of play offs and battling 1b playoff so will be a well contested game but expect YM to win narrowly

A few rumblings about a promoted team being interviewed by IRFU re providing accommodation anyone hear anything?

Stainalert

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Yeah last 2 spots in playoffs in 1a will be very interesting. Lansdowne & Terenure have home semis on April 25th but will probably not know their opponents till the last league game of the season on April 11th. Tarf, B'Hinch, UCD, Cork Con, Mary's Belvo & Young Munster all have chances of reaching the playoffs. Tarf I think will take the 3rd spot but 4th is a lottery any one of the above could take it. Interesting Fixtures this weekend;

• Terenure v Lansdowne - Home advantage & big crowd should see Terenure win a tight one
• Clontarf v Cork Con - Again will be Tight Tarf to shade it
• Dolphin v Hinch - Hinch
• UCD v Belvo - Must win for UCD so I go for them in another tight one
• Young Munster v St. Mary's - whoever looses is probably out of play offs and battling 1b playoff so will be a well contested game but expect YM to win narrowly

A few rumblings about a promoted team being interviewed by IRFU re providing accommodation anyone hear anything?

Old Wesley?

SA09

Stainalert wrote: »

Old Wesley?

I think Old Wesley bought a hotel to put up their Limerick contingent

$ausage$

And is this not allowed?

Stainalert

SA09 wrote: »

I think Old Wesley bought a hotel to put up their Limerick contingent

Yea got one cheap from Nama

Bridge93

Rock 15-0 up early in the second half against Cashel

The Lost Sheep

1A
Clontarf 43 Cork Constitution 28
Dolphin 28 Ballynahinch 35
Terenure College 20 Lansdowne 29
UCD 20 Old Belvedere 23
Young Munster 18 St Marys College 13

Lansdowne and Terenure will be at home in the playoffs. Clontarf will be away to Terenure. Ballynahinch are fourth but Young Munster, Old Belvedere, Cork Con all have a shot at replacing them in the final round of games.
Dolphin are relegated. St Marys are second bottom and need a win next week to avoid playoff with second in 1B

1B
Shannon 18 Ballymena 11
Belfast Harlequins 36 Galwegians 34
Buccaneers 0 UL Bohemians 32
Corinthians 11 Dublin University 32
Garryowen 34 Malone 12

Garryowen lead the table on 64, Wegians are second on 63, Trinity are third on 59. Wegians host Garryowen on the last day while Trinity are home to Belfast Harlequins who are 5th.
Both Corinthians and Malone will be in 2A next season

2A
Bective Rangers 24 Thomond 47
Blackrock College 15 Cashel 3
City of Derry 20 UCC 21
Naas 26 Banbridge 19
NUIM Barnhall 11 Nenagh Ormond 24
Rainey Old Boys 27 Dungannon 10
Skerries 41 Queen's University 40
Old Wesley 43 Seapoint 3

Wesley are champions and promoted. Blackrock need just a point in two weeks time against UCC in Mardyke to join Wesley in 1B. Skerries can theoretically catch
Blackrock but would need a huge comprehensive win over Cashel in Spafield in 2 weeks time as well as a large Blackrock loss.
The real battle in 2A is the battle in the middle to decide who will be in the new 2A/2Bs next season. All of Naas, Queens, Barnhall, Nenagh and UCC are in the fight to remain in 2A.
On the final day of games in two weeks time Naas travel to Thomond, who are safe in 2A, Queens host Barnhall. Nenagh host Rainey Old Boys who will be in the new 2B division next season. UCC, as above, will host Blackrock

2B
Navan 27 Wanderers 21
Ards 0 Sunday's Well 52
Armagh 22 Richmond 3
Boyne 26 Old Crescent 0
Greystones 32 Bruff 15
Highfield 30 Tullamore 8
Kanturk 24 Sligo 26
Midleton 17 De La Salle Palmerston 17

Highfield were by far the dominant side in 2B this season. 3 from Greystones, Tullamore, Armagh and Sundays Well will join them in the new 2B division next season.
At the bottom. Ards were relegated several weeks ago. Richmond will be automatically relegated, alongside Ards, as they could catch DLSP if they beat Kanturk and Palmo get nothing but that's unlikely as DLSP play Ards.
A big win for DLSP could see them put Boyne in the playoff against the Round Robin winner as Boyne are just 3 points ahead of DLSP. Boyne travel to Bruff who have nothing to play for.

Round Robin: Round 1
Clonmel 40 Connemara 0
Instonians 11 Dundalk 15

Clonmel in first place but hard to say theyre in the driving seat. Dundalk host Clonmel in round two on April 11th while Instonians make the long trip over to Clifden to face Connemara. Clonmel have both of their next two games away but 5 points from their only home game is a great start.

good_afternoon

Who has best chance of making number 4 in 1A? 1 lansdowne, 2 nure, 3 tarf 4?? Dolphin gone, who will be in play off??