Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread IV

sioda

Have lifestyle exclusive rights as Gleesons and Limerick sports store no longer have munster gear

Cookiemunster

sioda wrote: »

Have lifestyle exclusive rights as Gleesons and Limerick sports store no longer have munster gear

Lifestyle have been the official retails partner since 2013. They kept the stores in Limerick and Cork open until the leases ran out. Now every Lifestyle store is supposed to have a Munster section.
They don't have exclusive rights to everything, but you can only buy the ERCC gear from them. I'd say the other shops not having anything is more to do with the new range not being available until the 25th.

sioda

No even towards the end of last season lines started disappearing Gleesons who had a good rugby section inside the door since reopening is gone

phog

Munster's B&I Cup Fixtures

Munster A Management Team
Head Coach Mick O'Driscoll
Backs Coach Greig Oliver
Assistant Coach Doug Howlett
Manager Alan Miller

Pools
Pool 1: Ealing, Moseley, Leinster, Rotherham
Pool 2: Bedford, Scarlets Premiership Select, Bristol, Ulster Ravens
Pool 3: Ospreys Premiership Select, Yorkshire, Munster, London Scottish
Pool 4: Nottingham, Cardiff Blues Premiership Select, London Welsh, Cornish Pirates
Pool 5: Dragons Premiership Select, Connacht, Doncaster, Jersey

British and Irish Cup Pool 3 Fixtures
Round 1 13-15 Nov
Yorkshire v Ospreys Premiership Select
London Scottish v Munster

Round 2 20-22 Nov
Ospreys Premiership Select v London Scottish
Munster v Yorkshire

Round 3 11-13 Dec
Munster v Ospreys Premiership Select
Yorkshire v London Scottish

Round 4 18-20 Dec
Ospreys Premiership Select v Munster
London Scottish v Yorkshire

Round 5 15-17 Jan
Yorkshire v Munster
London Scottish v Ospreys Premiership Select

Round 6 22-24 Jan
Ospreys Premiership Select v Yorkshire
Munster v London Scottish

Quarter-Finals
Taking place on weekend of 12 March, 2016
Top side in each pool progress to knockout stage, plus three best runners-up
Eight quarter-finalists ranked with teams ranked 1-4 having home advantage

Semi-Finals and Final
Four winning quarter finalists progress to semi -final draw which takes place on weekend of March 2016

Semi-finalists progress to final to take place on weekend of 9 April 2016

thomond2006

athtrasna wrote: »

Major sadface at that news. I loved those shops

The Munster 'brand' isn't what it was I'd say and it probably made more sense to outsource the shops.

Cookiemunster

thomond2006 wrote: »

The Munster 'brand' isn't what it was I'd say and it probably made more sense to outsource the shops.

It has nothing to do with brand. Lifestyle have paid them to be the official retail partner and took over the stores when that deal began. They decided to run down the leases and close the stores as they have a better reach through their store network.

thomond2006

The FFR/LNR have upheld their decision to not allow Lille into ProD2 on financial grounds. So now Lille are appealing to the French Olympic Sports body. Sounds like a mess for LOD, hopefully it works out.

thomond2006

Billy Holland out for 10 weeks: http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/20875.php#.VajX18t0yHs

That puts him out until October.

case885

That's a big blow especially if Ryan heads to the WC, big chance for madigan to step up.

thomond2006

case885 wrote: »

That's a big blow especially if Ryan heads to the WC, big chance for madigan to step up.

Is Dave Foley going to be back in time for September? If he's still out Munster could be down to DOC + academy player as the starting pair.

jm08

thomond2006 wrote: »

Is Dave Foley going to be back in time for September? If he's still out Munster could be down to DOC + academy player as the starting pair.

He was due back in June, so he should be ok. You can see him walking around in the gym in the latest Munster video.

thomond2006

Fixtures released:
http://www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures_list.php#XIWJxbGU8lLrzkzS.97

Until New Year:

- Treviso (H, Cork)
- Ospreys (A)

---

two week break

---

- Glasgow (H, Limerick)

---

one week break

---

- Cardiff (H, Cork)
- Scarlets (A)
- Ulster (H, Limerick)
- Edinburgh (A)
- ERCC 1
- ERCC 2
- Dragons (A)
- ERCC 3
- ERCC 4
- Leinster (H, Limerick)

After a scan through all the fixtures there doesn't appear to be any particularly difficult period.

Munster vs Leinster on Stephen's weekend means another derby with rested players. That sucks.

Cookiemunster

FFS Glasgow and Ulster on Fridays with 6pm KOs. How on earth do they expect people to get to these games?

BobMc

more friday 6pm slots, thats going to please a ton of supporters - NOT !!

Cookiemunster

BobMc wrote: »

more friday 6pm slots, thats going to please a ton of supporters - NOT !!

Last season the Friday games were 6:45 or 7:15 KOs so it wasn't too bad. Anyone not working in the city center will struggle to make these KO's.

thomond2006

I only noticed the 6pm times. That can't be right surely?

total former

thomond2006 wrote: »

I only noticed the 6pm times. That can't be right surely?

That was my first reaction, that it's an error, but then I figured it might be an attempt to avoid clashing with RWC matches.

Redderneck

Those kick-off times are horrible if accurate. You'll have fellas in Limerick not able to make those FFS. What chance in hell does anyone travelling any distance have?

This'll help move more fans to game-by-game ticket sourcing and to hell with season memberships.

awec

total former wrote: »

That was my first reaction, that it's an error, but then I figured it might be an attempt to avoid clashing with RWC matches.

The Glasgow one is the same night as NZ v Georgia which won't have much impact on any crowd even if they conflicted.

The Ulster game is on the same night as the third place playoff, so you can see why they have moved it earlier.

total former

awec wrote: »

The Glasgow one is the same night as NZ v Georgia which won't have much impact on any crowd even if they conflicted.

I'd imagine it's that the broadcaster doesn't want to compete with NZ rather than any concern over people coming through the turnstiles.

Cookiemunster

awec wrote: »

The Glasgow one is the same night as NZ v Georgia which won't have much impact on any crowd even if they conflicted.

The Ulster game is on the same night as the third place playoff, so you can see why they have moved it earlier.

I'd rather be at a 7:30 KO Munster V Ulster than watch the 3rd place play off. And I can guarantee you that after the match I won't be watching the play off.

awec

Cookiemunster wrote: »

I'd rather be at a 7:30 KO Munster V Ulster than watch the 3rd place play off. And I can guarantee you that after the match I won't be watching the play off.

What if Ireland are in it? :P

Cookiemunster

awec wrote: »

What if Ireland are in it? :P

We'll be in the final

thomond2006

Is there a World Rugby rule that pro club fixtures cannot clash with RWC matches? It would make a lot of sense from WR's POV.

The Lost Sheep

thomond2006 wrote: »

Is there a World Rugby rule that pro club fixtures cannot clash with RWC matches? It would make a lot of sense from WR's POV.

Most likely considering there is no pro games in England at all until the knock out stages of world cup are on. makes sense for WR but doesn't help provinces

Riskymove

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Most likely considering there is no pro games in England at all until the knock out stages of world cup are on. makes sense for WR but doesn't help provinces

Connacht actually have a game right after the Final

crazy

Cookiemunster

Shannon Airport today unveiled a statue of DOC and John Hayes lifting POC in a line out. It's based on a photo taken during the 2007 England game in Croke Park.

awec

John Hayes looking very slender in that statue!

jacothelad

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Shannon Airport today unveiled a statue of DOC and John Hayes lifting POC in a line out. It's based on a photo taken during the 2007 England game in Croke Park.

That can't be right. Surely John lifted POC all by himself. Isn't that why he won so many caps.............:D:D:D:D:D Although that would explain why DOC is standing like a ballerina during the end of Swan Lake.

thomond2006

jacothelad wrote: »

That can't be right. Surely John lifted POC all by himself. Isn't that why he won so many caps.............:D:D:D:D:D Although that would explain why DOC is standing like a ballerina during the end of Swan Lake.

Careful now.

total former

That sculpture is entitled "The Day That Changed Ireland".

I'm just glad they didn't over-egg it.

phog

Those 6o'c kick off are ****e.

Edited out the fixtures.

jm08

total former wrote: »

That sculpture is entitled "The Day That Changed Ireland".

I'm just glad they didn't over-egg it.

Just to fill you in on the thinking. I read during the week that the photo http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0717/715531-oconnell-sculpure/ from which this is taken features a lot in boardrooms and offices around the country and that is why they chose it.

The match was memorable from a sporting and political perspective, as it was the first time Ireland played England in the famous and historic GAA grounds.
The ban on non-GAA sports being played there over the decades has only just been lifted.
The sculpture entitled “The day that changed Ireland” was created by Paddy Campbell, former boss of Campbell cater, is now a full time artist based in Florence in Italy.

A sculpture marking an iconic moment in Irish sporting history unveiled at Shannon airport pic.twitter.com/KtFyzmjy2G
— Cathy Halloran (@HalloranCathy) July 17, 2015

It is based on a photograph taken of the moment by Irish Times photographer Cyril Byrne.
Mr O’Connell said he was humbled but honoured by the gesture, and that the sculpture was an expert representation of a really important day in Irish sporting history.
Shannon CEO Rose Hynes said the sculpture recalls a day which transcended history and politics and was a great victory for teamwork.

thomond2006

The photo shown in the RTE link is from 2009, not 2007. I assume that's just an error from RTE...

total former

jm08 wrote: »

Just to fill you in on the thinking.

I actually laughed at that.

Yeah, I know the thinking, it's just a load of shyte.

phog

jm08 wrote: »

Just to fill you in on the thinking. I read during the week that the photo http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0717/715531-oconnell-sculpure/ from which this is taken features a lot in boardrooms and offices around the country and that is why they chose it.

Is there also a stamp being introduced by An Post with the picture that was used for the sculpture?

Micky Dolenz

total former wrote: »

I actually laughed at that.

Yeah, I know the thinking, it's just a load of shyte.

I'm not one for mixing sport with politics but in fairness it was a massive day. Regardless of statues and what not.

I've a feeling Paulie could well do without it, though.

phog

From MFs

After Munster play Treviso at the end of February they play their remaining 6 pool games on Irish soil, two away v Leinster & Connacht. The other four at at home, 3 at TP and one in IIP.

jm08

total former wrote: »

I actually laughed at that.

Yeah, I know the thinking, it's just a load of shyte.

Seriously, it was a big deal back in 2007. With comments like that, its right it should be commemorated.

phog wrote: »

Is there also a stamp being introduced by An Post with the picture that was used for the sculpture?

There is a stamp of this already:
http://www.irishrugby.ie/mobile/news/11309.php

Closeup stamp of Paul.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/images/content/ireland/Paul-OConnell-stamp.jpg

thomond2006

The day that changed Irish sport maybe.

The day that changed Ireland? Nah.

jm08

thomond2006 wrote: »

The day that changed Irish sport maybe.

The day that changed Ireland? Nah.

What they mean by that is that it was the public display of Ireland have gotten over its pretty bad history and inferiority complex with England and had moved on.

thomond2006

jm08 wrote: »

What they mean by that is that it was the public display of Ireland have gotten over its pretty bad history and inferiority complex with England and had moved on.

I get that. I still don't think that equates to changing Ireland. I've no problem with the sculpture mind. It's a nice tribute.

jm08

thomond2006 wrote: »

I get that. I still don't think that equates to changing Ireland. I've no problem with the sculpture mind. It's a nice tribute.

Its the realisation that changed Ireland. Up to that people were expecting riots, the English players expected God Save the Queen to be booed (like it is nearly everywhere else). It lead to a public display of friendship with England. Maybe they would have conveyed the meaning more if they did a sculpture of John Hayes and Jerry Flannery bawling their eyes out for the anthems rather than the lineout.

thomond2006

I never remember anything about a fear of rioting.

I get the sentiment. I just believe changed Ireland is over doing it a tad IMO.

athtrasna

Back to Munster..any update on Guinazou's contract?

thomond2006

athtrasna wrote: »

Back to Munster..any update on Guinazou's contract?

He's gone I thought. He's not on the squad page and with Sherry nearing a return he's no longer needed.

athtrasna

thomond2006 wrote: »

He's gone I thought. He's not on the squad page and with Sherry nearing a return he's no longer needed.

I thought we were still down a hooker. Obviously great news about Sherry but hope we have adequate cover...our pack used to be a stronghold but with injuries and departures I'm a little concerned about the season ahead.

total former

jm08 wrote: »

Seriously, it was a big deal back in 2007. With comments like that, its right it should be commemorated.

You're a gas woman. Having watched the match from the upper Hogan, I can indeed confirm it was a big deal. I'm delighted it's been commemorated.

It did not, however, change Ireland, not in the slightest. The historic day was when the GAA voted to let rugby and soccer in. All Ireland rugby did was turn up and play a match.

Also, this doesn't belong in the Munster thread.

jm08

thomond2006 wrote: »

I never remember anything about a fear of rioting.

I get the sentiment. I just believe changed Ireland is over doing it a tad IMO.

They were expecting trouble and there wasn't a peep from anyone.

I've never seen John Hayes crying before in his 100+ Ireland caps. Or Jerry Flannery? Ireland have played England on many occasions over the years. Why do you think they were displaying so much emotion before this game?

How would you title the sculpture?

jm08

total former wrote: »

You're a gas woman. Having watched the match from the upper Hogan, I can indeed confirm it was a big deal. I'm delighted it's been commemorated.

It did not, however, change Ireland, not in the slightest. The historic day was when the GAA voted to let rugby and soccer in.

Also, this doesn't belong in the Munster thread.

It belongs as much as you do in this thread :pac:

edit: and why wasn't there such a big deal about France playing in Croke Park 2 weeks earlier. It was always a big deal about England playing in Croke Park because of the events of Bloody Sunday and how Hill 16 came to be.