Ulster Bank League 2015-2016 Talk/Gossip/Rumours

The Lost Sheep

Play-off fixtures
Saturday
Division 2A/2B Promotion Play-Offs
City of Derry v Sunday's Well, Judge's Road, 2.30pm
Skerries v Greystones, Holmpatrick, 2.30pm

Division 2B/2C Promotion Play-Offs
Tullamore v Bruff, Spollanstown, 2.30pm
Rainey Old v Wanderers, Hatrick Park, 2.30pm

Tighty

Hinch beat Garryowen 59 5 to escape automatic relegation thanks to Cork Con beating Galweigans. I never gave Hinch ANY chance of surviving to get into the playoff.

The Lost Sheep

1A:
Ballynahinch 59 Garryowen 5, Clontarf 25 UCD 12, Cork Constitution 26 Galwegians 16, Terenure College 36 Old Belvedere 14, Young Munster 22 Lansdowne 3
Div 1A Semi-Finals:
Clontarf (1st) v UCD (4th), Cork Constitution (2nd) v Young Munster (3rd) - Saturday, April 23
Relegated: Galwegians

1B:
Belfast Harlequins 36 Ballymena 26, Dolphin 29 St Mary's College 3, Dublin University 55 Blackrock College 21, Old Wesley 23 UL Bohemians 24, Shannon 23 Buccaneers 12
Champions/Promoted: St. Mary's College

Div 1A Relegation/Promotion Play-Offs:
Ballynahinch v Buccaneers, Dublin University v Ballymena - Saturday, April 23; Winners play each other to decide final Div 1A team for next season

Div 1B Relegation/Promotion Play-Offs:
Blackrock College v Cashel, Banbridge v UCC - Saturday, April 23; Winners play each other to decide final Div 1B team for next season
Relegated: Belfast Harlequins

2A Relegation/Promotion Playoffs
City of Derry 10 Sunday's Well 21, Skerries 30 Greystones 32

2B Relegation/Promotion playoffs
Rainey Old Boys 24 Wanderers 28, Tullamore 23 Bruff 21

Round Robin
Clonmel 7 Enniscorthy 22

Digifriendly

Tighty wrote: »

Hinch beat Garryowen 59 5 to escape automatic relegation thanks to Cork Con beating Galweigans. I never gave Hinch ANY chance of surviving to get into the playoff.

'Hinch were only up 14-0 at HT. Garryowen must have collapsed in second half. 'Hinch should survive play offs.

MrJones2013

Very interesting last day of the regular season in 1A, I'm expecting a 'Tarf v Cons final but as a Limerick man I'd like to see YM in the final. Didn't see B'nahinch winning by enough to avoid the automatic drop, will they survive though?!

ArmchairQB

Digifriendly wrote: »

'Hinch were only up 14-0 at HT. Garryowen must have collapsed in second half. 'Hinch should survive play offs.

Garryowen down to 12 at on stage, I fancy Hinch to stay up now and win the playoffs, great fight back over last few months by them!

turtleshead

MrJones2013 wrote: »

Very interesting last day of the regular season in 1A, I'm expecting a 'Tarf v Cons final but as a Limerick man I'd like to see YM in the final. Didn't see B'nahinch winning by enough to avoid the automatic drop, will they survive though?!

YM will make that a home semi with their travelling support, they will easily out number Cons, they have beaten them twice already this season and haven't lost down there in 3 years, saying that though i fancy Cons I shade it with their cuteness coming through. Tarf will win the other semi and win the final v Cons, they are the best side in the country by a mile.

Ballinahinch have done very well to get into a relegation playoff, Garryowen travelled up that morning which I guess contributed to them falling apart in the game.

MrJones2013

turtleshead wrote: »

YM will make that a home semi with their travelling support, they will easily out number Cons, they have beaten them twice already this season and haven't lost down there in 3 years, saying that though i fancy Cons I shade it with their cuteness coming through. Tarf will win the other semi and win the final v Cons, they are the best side in the country by a mile.

Ballinahinch have done very well to get into a relegation playoff, Garryowen travelled up that morning which I guess contributed to them falling apart in the game.

True YM will travel in numbers and have a good record down in Temple Hill in recent years, I still fancy Cons myself though, as you said their cuteness might be enough to see them through.

B'hinch have carried out one part of a great escape. If what you are saying about Garryowen travelling up that morning is true then that may have had an impact on their second half with fatigue kicking in and the fact that it was a dead rubber for them against a side that had everything to play for.

Tarf1234

Tighty wrote: »

Hinch beat Garryowen 59 5 to escape automatic relegation thanks to Cork Con beating Galweigans. I never gave Hinch ANY chance of surviving to get into the playoff.

Incredible, I was completely writing them off about 2 months ago. Had completely forgotten about them almost.

I hope they win that playoff and stay up now.

Tarf1234

turtleshead wrote: »

YM will make that a home semi with their travelling support, they will easily out number Cons, they have beaten them twice already this season and haven't lost down there in 3 years, saying that though i fancy Cons I shade it with their cuteness coming through. Tarf will win the other semi and win the final v Cons, they are the best side in the country by a mile.

Ballinahinch have done very well to get into a relegation playoff, Garryowen travelled up that morning which I guess contributed to them falling apart in the game.

How long is that trip on a bus, I presume it's pretty significant? (ignorant Dublin man here)

ArmchairQB

turtleshead wrote: »

YM will make that a home semi with their travelling support, they will easily out number Cons, they have beaten them twice already this season and haven't lost down there in 3 years, saying that though i fancy Cons I shade it with their cuteness coming through. Tarf will win the other semi and win the final v Cons, they are the best side in the country by a mile.

Ballinahinch have done very well to get into a relegation playoff, Garryowen travelled up that morning which I guess contributed to them falling apart in the game.

Tarf have been good alright, best side by a country mile I don't agree, UCD will be a different animal next week and I wouldn't read anything into Saturdays result. Since UCD have been back in 1a it has always been said that you wouldn't want them in the playoffs and that still stands, I do think the winner will come from the Tarf v UCD semi but i fancy UCD to win it out.

turtleshead

Tarf1234 wrote: »

How long is that trip on a bus, I presume it's pretty significant? (ignorant Dublin man here)

You are talking approx 5 hours on a bus, factor in stopping for pre-match sustenance & team meeting it could take you 6 hours. I reckon Garryowen would need to be meeting in Limerick at 6 with an aim to leave at 6:30 am.

Can understand teams where they game has no benefit for them not wanting to fork out the €2/3k to stay overnight especially given the lack of money in the club game.

The funny thing is I remember the rumour doing the rounds around Limerick at the time that Garryowen complained YM to the union for not travelling overnight the season they were relegated from 1A where it was a nothing game for YM.

Tarf1234

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Tarf have been good alright, best side by a country mile I don't agree, UCD will be a different animal next week and I wouldn't read anything into Saturdays result. Since UCD have been back in 1a it has always been said that you wouldn't want them in the playoffs and that still stands, I do think the winner will come from the Tarf v UCD semi but i fancy UCD to win it out.

Hard to disagree with any of that. Although in saying that Tarf are more likely to get stronger ahead of next week. UCD were pretty much full while we were missing a few.

Not sure on YM v Con. Big advantage for con being at home. I think the final will be a fairly tight affair regardless of who is in it.

Tarf1234

turtleshead wrote: »

You are talking approx 5 hours on a bus, factor in stopping for pre-match sustenance & team meeting it could take you 6 hours. I reckon Garryowen would need to be meeting in Limerick at 6 with an aim to leave at 6:30 am.

Can understand teams where they game has no benefit for them not wanting to fork out the €2/3k to stay overnight especially given the lack of money in the club game.

The funny thing is I remember the rumour doing the rounds around Limerick at the time that Garryowen complained YM to the union for not travelling overnight the season they were relegated from 1A where it was a nothing game for YM.

That is a serious trek. Can't be in anyway helpful.

MrJones2013

Both semi-finals will be close as will the final. If I was a betting man I would be putting money on 'Tarf to win it outright.

3 of the 4 teams are in serious form, UCD have only won 1 of their last 7, searching for form going in to the playoffs is not ideal. Con and YM have both won 8 of their last 10, it's a very tough one to call. YM will have a huge support there no doubt but Cons pedigree when it comes to knockout rugby might be enough to see them squeeze through.

ionadnapokot

David Corkery on Athehead there.
Any word on what he's like as a head coach?
He was saying that he likes the on field stuff

Tarf1234

ionadnapokot wrote: »

David Corkery on Athehead there.
Any word on what he's like as a head coach?
He was saying that he likes the on field stuff

Seems to have done an incredible job and everything I've heard is very positive.

Tarf1234

MrJones2013 wrote: »

Both semi-finals will be close as will the final. If I was a betting man I would be putting money on 'Tarf to win it outright.

3 of the 4 teams are in serious form, UCD have only won 1 of their last 7, searching for form going in to the playoffs is not ideal. Con and YM have both won 8 of their last 10, it's a very tough one to call. YM will have a huge support there no doubt but Cons pedigree when it comes to knockout rugby might be enough to see them squeeze through.

If there is any team that form is not really relevant to its UCD! I think all 4 teams are really well suited to play off rugby for different reasons.

How crazy is it that UCD were so far ahead and finished up 17 points behind tarf.

MrJones2013

Just caught up with last nights 'Against the Head', judging by the 'Clubs v Province' debate someone in RTE must've been reading this thread!

Tarf1234

MrJones2013 wrote: »

Just caught up with last nights 'Against the Head', judging by the 'Clubs v Province' debate someone in RTE must've been reading this thread!

I find it really odd that there has been such a big light shone on it now. These issues are hardly new. I wonder if it has anything to do with a relatively poor season for the provinces bar Connacht and a relatively poor 6 nations/rwc compared to expectations.

If the IRFU put their heads in the sand will a decent year next year make it go away?

MrJones2013

Tarf1234 wrote: »

I find it really odd that there has been such a big light shone on it now. These issues are hardly new. I wonder if it has anything to do with a relatively poor season for the provinces bar Connacht and a relatively poor 6 nations/rwc compared to expectations.

If the IRFU put their heads in the sand will a decent year next year make it go away?

Very true, in fairness to EO'S and Donal Lenihan they recognised and stated that this has been an issue for the last 10 years or so.

I think you are right in saying the decline of the 3 'stronger' (I know Connacht have passed Munster out in recent seasons!) provinces on a European level, and a poor 6 nations/RWC when we were seen as serious contenders for both has helped bring this issue to a head.

Lenihan seems adamant that the AIL should be utilised more for getting young players games. To be fair though, looking at some of the team sheets, in recent weeks especially, it has been.

Tarf1234

MrJones2013 wrote: »

Very true, in fairness to EO'S and Donal Lenihan they recognised and stated that this has been an issue for the last 10 years or so.

I think you are right in saying the decline of the 3 'stronger' (I know Connacht have passed Munster out in recent seasons!) provinces on a European level, and a poor 6 nations/RWC when we were seen as serious contenders for both has helped bring this issue to a head.

Lenihan seems adamant that the AIL should be utilised more for getting young players games. To be fair though, looking at some of the team sheets, in recent weeks especially, it has been.

Agree, I'm sure all of these guys are well aware of it just find it interesting timing. If everything was going well the guys on against the head and some of the reporters would be saying nothing.

I think the highlighted point is the most frustrating part of it all. When you see the quality that can be put together and then what the team might be the week after it can be worlds apart.

MrJones2013

Tarf1234 wrote: »

When you see the quality that can be put together and then what the team might be the week after it can be worlds apart.

Again this issue was raised, I think it may have been raised by David Corkery even, not sure exactly who raised it. They said players can go from playing one week, be it with a club or an 'A' side, and not playing for another 2 or 3 weeks. They need to be playing consistently IMO and I'm sure I'm not the only one who is of this opinion.

seliot1

MrJones2013 wrote: »

Again this issue was raised, I think it may have been raised by David Corkery even, not sure exactly who raised it. They said players can go from playing one week, be it with a club or an 'A' side, and not playing for another 2 or 3 weeks. They need to be playing consistently IMO and I'm sure I'm not the only one who is of this opinion.

they largely do play consistently unless they are injured. AIL is scheduled around A games.

ArmchairQB

seliot1 wrote: »

they largely do play consistently unless they are injured. AIL is scheduled around A games.

Not really true as they are rested before an A game and after have down weeks for strength and conditioning have a different preseason and tend not to be available for early games. Coaches and clubs wouldn't be giving out if they were released most of the time.

seliot1

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Not really true as they are rested before an A game and after have down weeks for strength and conditioning have a different preseason and tend not to be available for early games. Coaches and clubs wouldn't be giving out if they were released most of the time.

AIL coaches are always going to complain, they are in the middle and feel like they are more important than they actually are.

I'd say most academy players play most AIL games throughout the season, if teamsheets were more readily available and not so secretive it would be easier to track this.

MrJones2013

seliot1 wrote: »

AIL coaches are always going to complain, they are in the middle and feel like they are more important than they actually are.

I'd say most academy players play most AIL games throughout the season, if teamsheets were more readily available and not so secretive it would be easier to track this.

Are the team listings on the IRFU website on 'results round up' following a UBL round not accurate? (Genuine question, not a smart a*se one!) Looking at the listings of my own club they're fairly spot on week-in, week-out.

Regarding your comment on AIL coaches feeling they 'are more important than they actually are', no doubt that will ruffle a few feathers and rightly so, I think clubs and club coaches have a big role to play. Look at Mike Ruddock in Lansdowne for example, surely given his experience he has a massive role to play in the development his players??

seliot1

MrJones2013 wrote: »

Are the team listings on the IRFU website on 'results round up' following a UBL round not accurate? (Genuine question, not a smart a*se one!) Looking at the listings of my own club they're fairly spot on week-in, week-out.

Regarding your comment on AIL coaches feeling they 'are more important than they actually are', no doubt that will ruffle a few feathers and rightly so, I think clubs and club coaches have a big role to play. Look at Mike Ruddock in Lansdowne for example, surely given his experience he has a massive role to play in the development his players??

How often do academy players spend being coached by their AIL coach? 1 night a week?

AIL coaches are important for AIl players, how much effect they have on academy players who are in the pro setup is very debatable.

Sometimes the teamsheets aren't accurate, varies team to team in my experience.

MrJones2013

seliot1 wrote: »

How often do academy players spend being coached by their AIL coach? 1 night a week?

Not really sure but most teams have 2 on-field sessions a week, surely they are available for both sessions if they are going to be involved that weekend?

seliot1 wrote: »

AIL coaches are important for AIL players, how much effect they have on academy players who are in the pro setup is very debatable.

True they are more important for AIL players but surely they have a positive effect on an academy players also? A lot of these coaches have plenty of experience, surely the knowledge passed on to the players from these coaches is beneficial to their development no?

seliot1 wrote: »

Sometimes the teamsheets aren't accurate, varies team to team in my experience.

Does that mean sides are submitting false teamsheets to officials on match days? Surely the teamsheets published on the IRFU website are received directly from the clubs on match day?

I know that the team sheets for the domestic game (junior and underage competitions) in Munster are submitted online prior to matches, do the IRFU have a similar system for the AIL?

Tarf1234

MrJones2013 wrote: »

Not really sure but most teams have 2 on-field sessions a week, surely they are available for both sessions if they are going to be involved that weekend?



True they are more important for AIL players but surely they have a positive effect on an academy players also? A lot of these coaches have plenty of experience, surely the knowledge passed on to the players from these coaches is beneficial to their development no?



Does that mean sides are submitting false teamsheets to officials on match days? Surely the teamsheets published on the IRFU website are received directly from the clubs on match day?

I know that the team sheets for the domestic game (junior and underage competitions) in Munster are submitted online prior to matches, do the IRFU have a similar system for the AIL?

Most pro or academy players will only train on the Thursday. This will change for the next 2 or 3 weeks where they will probably train 2 nights.

They also get coached by them on game days and during video sessions.

Team sheets on IRFU websites have always been correct when I've looked at them.

To say players are always released is just not true. Look at UCD since Christmas. This is just the most glaringly obvious case.

seliot1

MrJones2013 wrote: »

Not really sure but most teams have 2 on-field sessions a week, surely they are available for both sessions if they are going to be involved that weekend?



True they are more important for AIL players but surely they have a positive effect on an academy players also? A lot of these coaches have plenty of experience, surely the knowledge passed on to the players from these coaches is beneficial to their development no?



Does that mean sides are submitting false teamsheets to officials on match days? Surely the teamsheets published on the IRFU website are received directly from the clubs on match day?

From what i've been told they train once a week, once they've been released by the province.

If a player is being trained once a week by a coach, how much effect do they have when compared to the academy/senior coaches who train them much more often.

well i've seen one teamsheet online and a different teamsheet from the game. Not very often but it has happened.

seliot1

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Most pro or academy players will only train on the Thursday. This will change for the next 2 or 3 weeks where they will probably train 2 nights.

They also get coached by them on game days and during video sessions.

Team sheets on IRFU websites have always been correct when I've looked at them.

To say players are always released is just not true. Look at UCD since Christmas. This is just the most glaringly obvious case.

never said they are always released.. UCD have been affected by u20 callups, injuries and players needed by the senior setup. That's the reality of having a lot of academy players in your squad, they could be called up by Ireland u20, could get injured playing A rugby or could be needed by the senior team. Club knows this, they need to step moaning about it and get on with it.

Maybe an A pro 12 league would be better off, provinces pull academy players and the "amateurs" can be amateur.

Tarf1234

seliot1 wrote: »

never said they are always released.. UCD have been affected by u20 callups, injuries and players needed by the senior setup. That's the reality of having a lot of academy players in your squad, they could be called up by Ireland u20, could get injured playing A rugby or could be needed by the senior team. Club knows this, they need to step moaning about it and get on with it.

Maybe an A pro 12 league would be better off, provinces pull academy players and the "amateurs" can be amateur.

Just a quick one in relation to the team sheet. The team sheet you got at the match was probably what was wrong as is unfortunately all too common.

There are not a huge number of U20s lads starting for UCD as far as I'm aware Porter jumps to mind but that's about it. Most of them are your Paeder Timmons, Jeremy Loughmann, Josh Murphy guys who randomly get pulled as described previously.

"Clubs need to stop moaning" how condescending. People being constructive and people explaining issue they face. Grow up yourself young boy.

I would have no issue with the provinces pulling all of the Pro players out of the AIL and it has been suggested previously and I believe is one of the current options being looked at. It would not suit the provinces though.

seliot1

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Just a quick one in relation to the team sheet. The team sheet you got at the match was probably what was wrong as is unfortunately all too common.

There are not a huge number of U20s lads starting for UCD as far as I'm aware Porter jumps to mind but that's about it. Most of them are your Paeder Timmons, Jeremy Loughmann, Josh Murphy guys who randomly get pulled as described previously.

"Clubs need to stop moaning" how condescending. People being constructive and people explaining issue they face. Grow up yourself young boy.

I would have no issue with the provinces pulling all of the Pro players out of the AIL and it has been suggested previously and I believe is one of the current options being looked at. It would not suit the provinces though.

Lougman and Timmins were needed by the pro setup, clubs complaining now that academy players might be called up to play for Leinster?
Murphy got injured.

People being constructive? Most the time you hear club people giving out about access etc. That's moaning to me, you are amateurs and in the grand scheme of professional irish rugby not very important in the modern setup.

But heaven forbid someone says that, the club game still seem to think it's the 90's, it's not. At most you are a vessell for young pro players to play some rugby, and rugby at a fairly low standard when compared to what is expected at a professional level.

Tarf1234

seliot1 wrote: »

Lougman and Timmins were needed by the pro setup, clubs complaining now that academy players might be called up to play for Leinster?
Murphy got injured.

People being constructive? Most the time you hear club people giving out about access etc. That's moaning to me, you are amateurs and in the grand scheme of professional irish rugby not very important in the modern setup.

But heaven forbid someone says that, the club game still seem to think it's the 90's, it's not. At most you are a vessell for young pro players to play some rugby, and rugby at a fairly low standard when compared to what is expected at a professional level.

Well done. Good day

MrJones2013

seliot1 wrote: »

People being constructive? Most the time you hear club people giving out about access etc. That's moaning to me, you are amateurs and in the grand scheme of professional irish rugby not very important in the modern setup.

But heaven forbid someone says that, the club game still seem to think it's the 90's, it's not. At most you are a vessell for young pro players to play some rugby, and rugby at a fairly low standard when compared to what is expected at a professional level.

Yeah every professional rugby player is born knowing the game inside out and just rocks up to training with the professional squads when they are of age without ever setting foot in a rugby club.

Stainalert

seliot1 wrote: »

Lougman and Timmins were needed by the pro setup, clubs complaining now that academy players might be called up to play for Leinster?
Murphy got injured.

People being constructive? Most the time you hear club people giving out about access etc. That's moaning to me, you are amateurs and in the grand scheme of professional irish rugby not very important in the modern setup.

But heaven forbid someone says that, the club game still seem to think it's the 90's, it's not. At most you are a vessell for young pro players to play some rugby, and rugby at a fairly low standard when compared to what is expected at a professional level.

If you have so little interest and respect for the club game what are you doing on this thread? Most of the people on this thread are well versed on both the pro game and the club game (many having been involved at both levels on a day to day basis). Your comments simply show you know very little about either. Jog on...

The Lost Sheep

MrJones2013 wrote: »

Lenihan seems adamant that the AIL should be utilised more for getting young players games. To be fair though, looking at some of the team sheets, in recent weeks especially, it has been.

But the thing is as others have said the league is used to get young players games. They do play quite a lot of AIL.

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Not really true as they are rested before an A game and after have down weeks for strength and conditioning have a different preseason and tend not to be available for early games. Coaches and clubs wouldn't be giving out if they were released most of the time.

But how many games to most play? Adam Byrne etc have played quite a lot with UCD. I know as ive seen UCD play on several occasions. Ive seen plenty of Connacht academy play AIL with Wegians.

seliot1 wrote: »

AIL coaches are always going to complain, they are in the middle and feel like they are more important than they actually are.

I'd say most academy players play most AIL games throughout the season, if teamsheets were more readily available and not so secretive it would be easier to track this.

They are available. Go on club websites and you will see match reports with team lists and theyre listed on irfu website.

MrJones2013 wrote: »

Does that mean sides are submitting false teamsheets to officials on match days? Surely the teamsheets published on the IRFU website are received directly from the clubs on match day?

I know that the team sheets for the domestic game (junior and underage competitions) in Munster are submitted online prior to matches, do the IRFU have a similar system for the AIL?

Yes there is that system in place and no sides are not submitting false teamsheets as if they were theyd be thrown out of the competition

MrJones2013

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Yes there is that system in place and no sides are not submitting false teamsheets as if they were theyd be thrown out of the competition

Thought as much to be honest!

Stainalert

Looking forward to the games this weekend - Really tough to call the winners

Expect Clontarf to have too much for UCD although If UCD can front up in the pack I think they have a real chance

Munsters and Con is a tricky one - I am going to go with Con purely because they have home advantage but Munsters could very easily turn them over

Expect Ballynahinch to beat Buccaneers (Houdini would be proud) and hoping Trinity can do a job on Ballymena (Will they have many of their Ulster contingent?)

Going with my Leinster hat on hoping for the other games

Rock v Cashel - worried for Rock in this one but hopefully they dig deep and get the result

Banbridge v UCC - UCC outsiders I guess but would be great if they could pull this off

Sunday's Well v Greystones - Hope Stones do the business here

Tullamore v Wanderers - This looks another very tight game but again routing for the Leinster team

Tarf1234

Stainalert wrote: »

Looking forward to the games this weekend - Really tough to call the winners

Expect Clontarf to have too much for UCD although If UCD can front up in the pack I think they have a real chance

Munsters and Con is a tricky one - I am going to go with Con purely because they have home advantage but Munsters could very easily turn them over

Expect Ballynahinch to beat Buccaneers (Houdini would be proud) and hoping Trinity can do a job on Ballymena (Will they have many of their Ulster contingent?)

Going with my Leinster hat on hoping for the other games

Rock v Cashel - worried for Rock in this one but hopefully they dig deep and get the result

Banbridge v UCC - UCC outsiders I guess but would be great if they could pull this off

Sunday's Well v Greystones - Hope Stones do the business here

Tullamore v Wanderers - This looks another very tight game but again routing for the Leinster team

Add your reply here.

I love playoff season. So happy the IRFU brought it back. While the straight league format is how we won our AIL nothing can compare to the excitement of playoffs.

I reckon us against UCD will be an absolute cracker of a game. My heart and head are both saying Tarf win.

I reckon Con will beat YM but I think it'll be incredibly close.

Hinch v Buccs is probably a hinch win in my eyes. If they've a full team they're a good side and have a real ability to win when they really need to.

Trinity v Ballymena - Hard to call lot of time for Trinity and how they play but a Ballymena v Hinch playoff could be great match. I hope one of the Ulster teams are in 1A next year. Always think it's a pity the league is so dominated by Munster and Leinster.

Rock v Cashel. Rock seemed to start well enough to not be in this position. Momentum is huge in these types of games. Can see Rock losing. Weird to see so many of the formerly great clubs struggling so badly.

The Sceptic

Tullamore v Wanderers - This looks another very tight game but again routing for the Leinster team[/QUOTE]

By Leinster team you mean "Dublin" team??
Such a typical Leinster supporter point of view.
There are other Leinster teams outside of Dublin.

The Lost Sheep

Stainalert wrote: »

Looking forward to the games this weekend - Really tough to call the winners

Expect Clontarf to have too much for UCD although If UCD can front up in the pack I think they have a real chance

Munsters and Con is a tricky one - I am going to go with Con purely because they have home advantage but Munsters could very easily turn them over

Expect Ballynahinch to beat Buccaneers (Houdini would be proud) and hoping Trinity can do a job on Ballymena (Will they have many of their Ulster contingent?)

Going with my Leinster hat on hoping for the other games

Rock v Cashel - worried for Rock in this one but hopefully they dig deep and get the result

Banbridge v UCC - UCC outsiders I guess but would be great if they could pull this off

Sunday's Well v Greystones - Hope Stones do the business here

Tullamore v Wanderers - This looks another very tight game but again routing for the Leinster team

Tarf to beat UCD. Have seen UCD play on a few occasions and they're a very good side but cant seen them winning.
Think Con will beat Munsters. Too much firepower for Cookies to cope.

Which Leinster team are you picking in the final game?
Don't see Cashel beating Blackrock.
Think home team will win all the games tbh

Tarf1234 wrote: »

I love playoff season. So happy the IRFU brought it back. While the straight league format is how we won our AIL nothing can compare to the excitement of playoffs.

I reckon us against UCD will be an absolute cracker of a game. My heart and head are both saying Tarf win.

I reckon Con will beat YM but I think it'll be incredibly close.

Hinch v Buccs is probably a hinch win in my eyes. If they've a full team they're a good side and have a real ability to win when they really need to.

Trinity v Ballymena - Hard to call lot of time for Trinity and how they play but a Ballymena v Hinch playoff could be great match. I hope one of the Ulster teams are in 1A next year. Always think it's a pity the league is so dominated by Munster and Leinster.

Rock v Cashel. Rock seemed to start well enough to not be in this position. Momentum is huge in these types of games. Can see Rock losing. Weird to see so many of the formerly great clubs struggling so badly.

Blackrock and €€€€ big reason for their fall... They don't have a strong underage and more of the best schools players will go to the bigger/stronger clubs.

Tarf1234

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Stainalert wrote: »

Looking forward to the games this weekend - Really tough to call the winners

Expect Clontarf to have too much for UCD although If UCD can front up in the pack I think they have a real chance

Munsters and Con is a tricky one - I am going to go with Con purely because they have home advantage but Munsters could very easily turn them over

Expect Ballynahinch to beat Buccaneers (Houdini would be proud) and hoping Trinity can do a job on Ballymena (Will they have many of their Ulster contingent?)

Going with my Leinster hat on hoping for the other games

Rock v Cashel - worried for Rock in this one but hopefully they dig deep and get the result

Banbridge v UCC - UCC outsiders I guess but would be great if they could pull this off

Sunday's Well v Greystones - Hope Stones do the business here

Tullamore v Wanderers - This looks another very tight game but again routing for the Leinster team

Tarf to beat UCD. Have seen UCD play on a few occasions and they're a very good side but cant seen them winning.
Think Con will beat Munsters. Too much firepower for Cookies to cope.

Which Leinster team are you picking in the final game?
Don't see Cashel beating Blackrock.
Think home team will win all the games tbh

Tarf1234 wrote: »

I love playoff season. So happy the IRFU brought it back. While the straight league format is how we won our AIL nothing can compare to the excitement of playoffs.

I reckon us against UCD will be an absolute cracker of a game. My heart and head are both saying Tarf win.

I reckon Con will beat YM but I think it'll be incredibly close.

Hinch v Buccs is probably a hinch win in my eyes. If they've a full team they're a good side and have a real ability to win when they really need to.

Trinity v Ballymena - Hard to call lot of time for Trinity and how they play but a Ballymena v Hinch playoff could be great match. I hope one of the Ulster teams are in 1A next year. Always think it's a pity the league is so dominated by Munster and Leinster.

Rock v Cashel. Rock seemed to start well enough to not be in this position. Momentum is huge in these types of games. Can see Rock losing. Weird to see so many of the formerly great clubs struggling so badly.

Blackrock and €€€€ big reason for their fall... They don't have a strong underage and more of the best schools players will go to the bigger/stronger clubs.

Add your reply here.

You'd have to be up for Tullamore.

Agree on the Rock stuff. They did a better job this year of getting guys from the school (2nds and 3rds players). I know the majority of last years JCT played U17 in the club. So at least it looks like they trying and getting something right. I don't like seeing what has happened to Rock and Shannon but it is in general all their own doing.

ArmchairQB

Actually going to go for both the away teams in a this weekend fancy UCD and The Cookies

Hinch will stay in 1a I think and Rock are in trouble, fancy Tullamore as well

+1 re Blackrock and Shannon totally agree

Stainalert

The Sceptic wrote: »

Tullamore v Wanderers - This looks another very tight game but again routing for the Leinster team

By Leinster team you mean "Dublin" team??
Such a typical Leinster supporter point of view.
There are other Leinster teams outside of Dublin.[/QUOTE]

Whoops yea sorry Dublin - Wanderers are our neighbour club so can't go against them!

turtleshead

Going to go with the below this weekend, delighted the union brought back the play offs, this season and last have shown the value of it....
Tarf should be too good for UCD
Cons to marginally shade it
Hinch like others have said on a good run, very difficult to beat up there
Cashel - fancy Cashel, they are dogged enough to take it
Banbridge
Sunday's Well
Wanderers

The Lost Sheep

Clontarf v Cork Con in 1A final
1A Semis
Clontarf 24 UCD 10
Cork Con 22 Young Munster 16

1A/B playoffs
Trinity 25 Ballymena 20
Ballynahinch 41 Buccaneers 19
Ballynahinch host Trinity next weekend to decide final 1A Spot

1B/2A Playoffs
Blackrock 24 Cashel 7
Banbridge 21 UCC 41
Blackrock host UCC to decide final 1B spot next weekend

2A/2B playoff
Sundays Well 34 Greystones 22
Sundays Well in 2A next season

2B/2C playoff
Tullamore 13 Wanderers 24
Wanderers in 2B next season

Digifriendly

Bangor win Qualifying league play offs and Enniscorthy (runners up) play Sligo for place in Division 2C.

The Lost Sheep

Digifriendly wrote: »

Bangor win Qualifying league play offs and Enniscorthy (runners up) play Sligo for place in Division 2C.

Long time since Bangor have been a senior club. They were a founding member of the league but dropped to junior around the start of the millennium...
Sligo, like Connemara before them will struggle with distances involved and being quite isolated out west but id prefer them senior than yet another leinster junior club going up. Hard to predict that game. It being in strandhill id pick Sligo to narrowly win