Ulster Bank League 2015-2016 Talk/Gossip/Rumours

Stainalert

Tarf1234 wrote: »

I can't imagine Ulster Bank not wanting to do it. I think it's been a great success. No-one jumping out at me for Player of the year yet. Does anyone know if there is anywhere to check who is top try or points scorer in any of the leagues other than working it out yourself through match reports?

I presume Mick McGrath is still top try scorer or has anyone else scored a load of tries too? Has anyone been kicking regularly enough for UCD to be up there? I'd imagine Joey Carberry has a good few points for Tarf this year. Not sure who else would be in the running for that. Scott Deasy or Daragh Lyons maybe?

Barry Daly has 9 tries - Think McGrath has 9 also . Deasy, Carberry & Quinlan all very close on total points

Braken

Trippie wrote: »

no worries, if he is interested in going over and playing there let me know and I can help get him set up in Texas for sure. Decent standard there at top level with a lot of great athletes. The clubs norally provide housing, jobs etc

Kinglsey McGowan at Trinity has been playing for the USA falcons in 7's this weekend and he is from the Houston area so he might be able to help too

Much appreciated...

The Lost Sheep

Trippie wrote: »

Kinglsey McGowan at Trinity has been playing for the USA falcons in 7's this weekend and he is from the Houston area so he might be able to help too

He's virtually finished with Trinity now afaik and staying in US to try make Olympics/US squads

Full round of division 2 games this weekend.

$ausage$

Have to say D2 is where it is at this year for me, it has it all especially 2A!
Its crazy to think that if results go a certain way you could have 1B next year being dominated by Ulster teams. Hinch down Banbridge up Quinns staying etc.

But I am sure the IRFU are already thinking of ways to mess with the leagues, they haven't in nearly a season now so its about time.

The Lost Sheep

$ausage$ wrote: »

Have to say D2 is where it is at this year for me, it has it all especially 2A!
Its crazy to think that if results go a certain way you could have 1B next year being dominated by Ulster teams. Hinch down Banbridge up Quinns staying etc.

But I am sure the IRFU are already thinking of ways to mess with the leagues, they haven't in nearly a season now so its about time.

2A was always going to be very close especially how last season ended.. 7 points separated 6th to 12th

1A will still be Dublin dominated but will be interesting if we see Ulster dominating 1B. Need more stronger club sides from the North....

Like this is county breakdown of AIL divisions....
1A
5 Dublin, 1 Cork, 2 Limerick, 1 Galway, 1 Down
1B
4 Dublin, 1 Westmeath 2 Limerick, 1 Cork, 2 Antrim
2A
2 Tipperary, 1 Galway, 1 Cork, 1 Kildare, 2 Antrim, 1 Down, 1 Dublin
2B
2 Derry, 1 Armagh, 1 Kildare, 2 Cork, 1 Wicklow, 2 Dublin, 1 Tyrone
2C
2 Limerick, 1 Offaly, 1 Sligo, 2 Louth, 1 Meath, 1 Dublin, 2 Cork

Trippie

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

He's virtually finished with Trinity now afaik and staying in US to try make Olympics/US squads

Full round of division 2 games this weekend.

spoke to him the other day, currently on tour with the falcons in south america and tied up with usa until march but unless he gets a contract will be heading back to trinity apparently.

Tarf1234

$ausage$ wrote: »

But I am sure the IRFU are already thinking of ways to mess with the leagues, they haven't in nearly a season now so its about time.

Are you suggesting the IRFU have done anything but help improve the club game???? :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Tarf1234

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

2A was always going to be very close especially how last season ended.. 7 points separated 6th to 12th

1A will still be Dublin dominated but will be interesting if we see Ulster dominating 1B. Need more stronger club sides from the North....

Like this is county breakdown of AIL divisions....
1A
5 Dublin, 1 Cork, 2 Limerick, 1 Galway, 1 Down
1B
4 Dublin, 1 Westmeath 2 Limerick, 1 Cork, 2 Antrim
2A
2 Tipperary, 1 Galway, 1 Cork, 1 Kildare, 2 Antrim, 1 Down, 1 Dublin
2B
2 Derry, 1 Armagh, 1 Kildare, 2 Cork, 1 Wicklow, 2 Dublin, 1 Tyrone
2C
2 Limerick, 1 Offaly, 1 Sligo, 2 Louth, 1 Meath, 1 Dublin, 2 Cork

Interesting to see the Dublin 'dominance' disappears pretty quickly as you go down the leagues. Would love to see a greater mix in 1A, just not at our expense!! 2 Dub teams down and maybe Dolphin and Ballymena back up would give it a nice mix

ArmchairQB

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Interesting to see the Dublin 'dominance' disappears pretty quickly as you go down the leagues. Would love to see a greater mix in 1A, just not at our expense!! 2 Dub teams down and maybe Dolphin and Ballymena back up would give it a nice mix

League should always be about ability and performance not geography, Munster teams were dominant for many years Leinsters turn at the moment. All down to structures and in fairness Leinster doing a far better job than most other provinces. Munster starting to improve but will take time

GavMan

ArmchairQB wrote: »

League should always be about ability and performance not geography, Munster teams were dominant for many years Leinsters turn at the moment. All down to structures and in fairness Leinster doing a far better job than most other provinces. Munster starting to improve but will take time

A lot of quality munster club players are based in Dublin now to be fair. Which is to be expected. Its normal that people, particularly young people, would gravitate towards the capital in search of work given our circumstances over the past 7 years or so

The Lost Sheep

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Interesting to see the Dublin 'dominance' disappears pretty quickly as you go down the leagues. Would love to see a greater mix in 1A, just not at our expense!! 2 Dub teams down and maybe Dolphin and Ballymena back up would give it a nice mix

You would expect it to drop off somewhat as you go down the divisions.
But theres a good likelihood its going to be worse next season with potentially Ballynahinch going down and 1 of Marys/Trinity going up never mind if both of those sides were to go up and Hinch and wegians went down to 1B

ArmchairQB wrote: »

League should always be about ability and performance not geography, Munster teams were dominant for many years Leinsters turn at the moment. All down to structures and in fairness Leinster doing a far better job than most other provinces. Munster starting to improve but will take time

But the circumstances are different now and when Munster sides were dominant they didn't have a significant potential population of players playing with sides elsewhere/working elsewhere. Significant numbers have gravitated to Dublin for work

Stainalert

So what are you suggesting? 1A and 1B should be decided on a geographic basis?

JPNelsforearm

Stainalert wrote: »

So what are you suggesting? 1A and 1B should be decided on a geographic basis?

Why not do it like the NFL? Geographic conferences and play offs.

Stainalert

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

You would expect it to drop off somewhat as you go down the divisions.
But theres a good likelihood its going to be worse next season with potentially Ballynahinch going down and 1 of Marys/Trinity going up never mind if both of those sides were to go up and Hinch and wegians went down to 1B
But the circumstances are different now and when Munster sides were dominant they didn't have a significant potential population of players playing with sides elsewhere/working elsewhere. Significant numbers have gravitated to Dublin for work

JPNelsforearm wrote: »

Why not do it like the NFL? Geographic conferences and play offs.

Don't really see the merit in that - It makes sense in the US because of the distances teams would have to travel. The AIL has always been a meritocracy and should stay that way.

Tarf1234

ArmchairQB wrote: »

League should always be about ability and performance not geography, Munster teams were dominant for many years Leinsters turn at the moment. All down to structures and in fairness Leinster doing a far better job than most other provinces. Munster starting to improve but will take time

Wasn't a suggestion to have it enforced that way. Just it would be nice if it was spread out more. I don't have a problem with it, IMO it should always be the best teams in the country

Tarf1234

Stainalert wrote: »

Don't really see the merit in that - It makes sense in the US because of the distances teams would have to travel. The AIL has always been a meritocracy and should stay that way.

Fully agree with your comment. It was more that I enjoy the trips away outside of Dublin. More interesting to play a really good Con or Garryowen side then Trinity or UCD. Maybe its the fact that we play them at all levels and get to see them far more often.

ArmchairQB

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Fully agree with your comment. It was more that I enjoy the trips away outside of Dublin. More interesting to play a really good Con or Garryowen side then Trinity or UCD. Maybe its the fact that we play them at all levels and get to see them far more often.

That beggars an interesting question in that should universities be in the league at the expense of proper club teams?? Not sure of where I would even stand on that that myself but an interesting question none the less

The Lost Sheep

JPNelsforearm wrote: »

Why not do it like the NFL? Geographic conferences and play offs.

But how much of AIL should be geographic conferences? How do you make it even and equal conferences?

ArmchairQB wrote: »

That beggars an interesting question in that should universities be in the league at the expense of proper club teams?? Not sure of where I would even stand on that that myself but an interesting question none the less

The universities are "proper club teams" though. What do you do with universities then if they weren't in the league?

Tarf1234

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

But how much of AIL should be geographic conferences? How do you make it even and equal conferences?
The universities are "proper club teams" though. What do you do with universities then if they weren't in the league?

Again, just picked the 2 clubs I've least interest in wasn't meant as an attack on the Universities.... My choice of wording and examples have not been good today.

The Lost Sheep

Galwegians had a good win over Ballynahinch in Bateman Cup/1A doubleheader. Real good game. Very high scoring and lots of well taken scores.
Saw last quarter of game after having been at B&I game in sportsground.

Bateman Cup Semis
Galwegians 35 Ballynahinch 31, UCD 0 Cork Con 24

2A
Banbridge 16 UCC 3, Corinthians 0 Naas 38, Nenagh Ormond 31 Malone 15, Queen's University 20 Cashel 7, Thomond 25 Skerries 7

2B
Bective Rangers 0 Armagh 8, City of Derry 33 Highfield 10, MU Barnhall 31 Dungannon 14, Rainey Old Boys 8 Greystones 22, Sunday's Well 14 Seapoint 8

2C
Bruff 17 Wanderers 24, Kanturk 25 Dundalk 21, Old Crescent 54 Sligo 5, Tullamore 16 Midleton 13

Stainalert

Great win by Con - That's their 2nd successive game they haven't conceded points - very impressive

Tarf1234

Stainalert wrote: »

Great win by Con - That's their 2nd successive game they haven't conceded points - very impressive

They seem to be really coming good. Very impressive result

The Lost Sheep

Club international squad announced last week
http://www.irishrugby.ie/club/ulsterbankleagueandcup/36702.php#.VqpRMU1i_cs

Full round of games in each division this weekend...

Tarf1234

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Club international squad announced last week
http://www.irishrugby.ie/club/ulsterbankleagueandcup/36702.php#.VqpRMU1i_cs

Full round of games in each division this weekend...

Looks a good squad. I know there has been another addition or 2 to it since then.

Tarf1234

1B looks very easy to predict for the most part this weekend. Very much a split league at this stage. 1A looking really exciting. UCD need a very big month. If they can get 2 or 3 wins I think they're in a great position to get top 2 if not first. 5 losses and tough to see them staying in top 4.

1A
Con v YM - Con in good form. Home win
Wegians v Tarf - I think this will be a tight encounter, Tarf not at full strength. We really need to get back on track and think we will sneak it.
Garryowen v Belvo - Belvo on a slide and Garryowen looking good recently. Garryowen win.
Nure v Hinch - Possibly biggest game of the weekend. Hinch in desperate need and Nure will be just as desperate to get some breathing space. Hinch win
Lansdowne v UCD - Though Lansdowne were looking back to something like their usual last time out. Students will be hit by Leinster and Irish 20s now. Lansdowne win

1B
Ballymena v buccs - Ballymena win
Rock v Old Wes - Could go either way but reckon home win
Trin v Dolphin - Trin win
Shannon v Quins - Shannon win
Marys v Bohs - Marys win

Tarf1234

1B looks very easy to predict for the most part this weekend. Very much a split league at this stage. 1A looking really exciting. UCD need a very big month. If they can get 2 or 3 wins I think they're in a great position to get top 2 if not first. 5 losses and tough to see them staying in top 4.

1A
Con v YM - Con in good form. Home win
Wegians v Tarf - I think this will be a tight encounter, Tarf not at full strength. We really need to get back on track and think we will sneak it.
Garryowen v Belvo - Belvo on a slide and Garryowen looking good recently. Garryowen win.
Nure v Hinch - Possibly biggest game of the weekend. Hinch in desperate need and Nure will be just as desperate to get some breathing space. Hinch win
Lansdowne v UCD - Though Lansdowne were looking back to something like their usual last time out. Students will be hit by Leinster and Irish 20s now. Lansdowne win

1B
Ballymena v buccs - Ballymena win
Rock v Old Wes - Could go either way but reckon home win
Trin v Dolphin - Trin win
Shannon v Quins - Shannon win
Marys v Bohs - Marys win

The Lost Sheep

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Looks a good squad. I know there has been another addition or 2 to it since then.

That's quite often the case...

Will go to Galwegians Clontarf if I don't go to the Connacht game.

Stainalert

1A
Con v YM - Agree Con to win
Wegians v Tarf - Expect Clontarf to have too much
Garryowen v Belvo - Think Belvo might sneak this one.
Nure v Hinch - Ballynahinch are much improved but I am still going with Terenure
Lansdowne v UCD - Both teams missing a lot of players - UCD have already beaten Lansdowne well twice this season so hoping for a bit of pride tomorrow

1B
Ballymena v Buccs - Agree Ballymena win
Rock v Old Wes - Wesley to get back on track
Trinity v Dolphin - Trinity to win well
Shannon v Quins - Shannon win
Marys v Bohs - Marys win

Stainalert

1A
Con v YM - Agree Con to win
Wegians v Tarf - Expect Clontarf to have too much
Garryowen v Belvo - Think Belvo might sneak this one.
Nure v Hinch - Ballynahinch are much improved but I am still going with Terenure
Lansdowne v UCD - Both teams missing a lot of players - UCD have already beaten Lansdowne well twice this season so hoping for a bit of pride tomorrow

1B
Ballymena v Buccs - Agree Ballymena win
Rock v Old Wes - Wesley to get back on track
Trinity v Dolphin - Trinity to win well
Shannon v Quins - Shannon win
Marys v Bohs - Marys win

The Lost Sheep

Nenagh and Thomond in 2A tonight before 24 games tomorrow...

The Lost Sheep

Nenagh beat Thomond 29-10

The Lost Sheep

Results....
1A
Cork Con 17 Young Munster 18, Galwegians 5 Clontarf 17, Garryowen 27 Old Belvedere 14, Terenure College 9 Ballynahinch 20,
Lansdowne 22 UCD 20

1B
Ballymena 25 Buccaneers 30, Blackrock College 10 Old Wesley 28, Dublin University 29 Dolphin 6, Shannon 40 Belfast Harlequins 0,
St. Mary's College 22 UL Bohemians 13

2A
Nenagh Ormond 29 Thomond 10 - played on Friday, Malone 15 Cashel 17, Naas 16 Banbridge 5, Skerries 21 Corinthians 0,
UCC 30 Queen's University 14

2B
Armagh 0 MU Barnhall 15, Dungannon v Rainey Old Boys - match postponed, Greystones 18 City of Derry 11, Seapoint 14 Highfield 24, Sunday's Well 30 Bective Rangers 8

2C
Wanderers 31 Old Crescent 24, Boyne 11 Tullamore 31, Dundalk 42 Sligo 3, Kanturk 0 Navan 0, Midleton 10 Bruff 20

Borders no.2

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Results....

2C
Kanturk 0 Navan 0,

:eek: When was the last 0-0 draw in the league does anyone know?

Stainalert

Some interesting results in 1A

Great result for Munsters in Con - Corkery seems to be doing a great job for them.

Very good BP win for Garryowen - Belvo seem a different team when they don't have Crosbie

Very surprised at the Terenure Ballynahinch game - Terenure really need to get going soon

In 1B Really good win for Buccaneers against Ballymena and in 2C Wanderers did really really well to beat Crescent

Stainalert

Some interesting results in 1A

Great result for Munsters in Con - Corkery seems to be doing a great job for them.

Very good BP win for Garryowen - Belvo seem a different team when they don't have Crosbie

Very surprised at the Terenure Ballynahinch game - Terenure really need to get going soon

In 1B really good win for Buccaneers against Ballymena and in 2C Wanderers did really really well to beat Crescent

Tarf1234

Stainalert wrote: »

Some interesting results in 1A

Great result for Munsters in Con - Corkery seems to be doing a great job for them.

Very good BP win for Garryowen - Belvo seem a different team when they don't have Crosbie

Very surprised at the Terenure Ballynahinch game - Terenure really need to get going soon

In 1B really good win for Buccaneers against Ballymena and in 2C Wanderers did really really well to beat Crescent

Spoke with Terenure lads and one of the Touch Judges yesterday and it seems like Nure had a lot of pressure and chances and just couldn't capitalize.

Belvo struggling a bit of late, still a good side though.

Munsters going really well. In with a very good chance of playoffs again this year

The Lost Sheep

Borders no.2 wrote: »

:eek: When was the last 0-0 draw in the league does anyone know?

Don't know and would mean looking through all fixtures on IRFU website... Plenty of low scoring draws 3-3, 6-6 but not sure of any 0-0

The Sceptic

Navan and Kanturk drew 0-0

The Lost Sheep

The Sceptic wrote: »

Navan and Kanturk drew 0-0

I know. The question was of any other games that may have finished 0-0. I know of 3-3 and 6-6 etc but don't think there has been a 0-0 before.

Tarf1234

Glen Jackson refing tarf v nure on Friday. Great to see! Slight increase on the standard of ref to what we usually see

The Lost Sheep

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Glen Jackson refing tarf v nure on Friday. Great to see! Slight increase on the standard of ref to what we usually see

There is a few other non irish refs refereeing this weekend and coming weeks. A Belgian referee is doing some AIL games as well...

madlad88

Lads, can someone confirm what the story is if your team finishes 9th in the league this season?

Is it the usual playoff against 2nd in the league below ?

Heard a rumour that there might be a round robin against 2nd and 3rd in league below but that would be a bit farcical ...?

Tarf1234

madlad88 wrote: »

Lads, can someone confirm what the story is if your team finishes 9th in the league this season?

Is it the usual playoff against 2nd in the league below ?

Heard a rumour that there might be a round robin against 2nd and 3rd in league below but that would be a bit farcical ...?

I thought it was just 2nd v 2nd last from the league above but I heard something similar myself.

The Lost Sheep

madlad88 wrote: »

Lads, can someone confirm what the story is if your team finishes 9th in the league this season?

Is it the usual playoff against 2nd in the league below ?

Heard a rumour that there might be a round robin against 2nd and 3rd in league below but that would be a bit farcical ...?

1 Up and 2nd plays 9th to decide the other spot.

madlad88

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

1 Up and 2nd plays 9th to decide the other spot.

Thanks

Would be a bit ridiculous having a round robin after 18 games in the season. Long enough as it is.

Tarf1234

madlad88 wrote: »

Thanks

Would be a bit ridiculous having a round robin after 18 games in the season. Long enough as it is.

I actually think we've got the length of the season right at the moment. I really hope they don't change it. I would like to see moving one or to of the dates. The first weekend in Jan is particularly absurd. At the least these should be derby games similar to the Pro12 Christmas fixture.

The Lost Sheep

Tarf1234 wrote: »

I actually think we've got the length of the season right at the moment. I really hope they don't change it. I would like to see moving one or to of the dates. The first weekend in Jan is particularly absurd. At the least these should be derby games similar to the Pro12 Christmas fixture.

Future seasons will be different with no world cup. First weekend of January should and will probably change. Corinthians are at home this weekend so will go to their game against Nenagh. Corinthians need win to have any hope of surviving but unlikely...

Tarf1234

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Future seasons will be different with no world cup. First weekend of January should and will probably change. Corinthians are at home this weekend so will go to their game against Nenagh. Corinthians need win to have any hope of surviving but unlikely...

It has been in there the last few years, so I won't hold my breath.

I'll be going to our match v Terenure and then 6 nations from a high stool me thinks

ArmchairQB

madlad88 wrote: »

Lads, can someone confirm what the story is if your team finishes 9th in the league this season?

Is it the usual playoff against 2nd in the league below ?

Heard a rumour that there might be a round robin against 2nd and 3rd in league below but that would be a bit farcical ...?

Automatic promotion and relegation for first and last place in division. Second last in upper divison goes into play-off with teams finishing 2, 3 and 4 in lower division.

gilesdebond

Two semi finals and a final. 16th April for semi and 30th for final. Higher placed team has home advantage. Not sure about the final but i would presume it at a nutral venue.

9th v 4th
2nd v 3rd