Ulster Bank League 2017-2018 Talk/Gossip/Rumours

Squidgy Black

You'd be lucky to top 200 in Castle Avenue for most Clontarf games, other than maybe some big Friday night games against the top 4, but even then that'd be pushing it.

I was at a Friday night game vs Mary's last season around Christmas time and I'd say there was barely 100 people there if even.

The Lost Sheep

c.p.w.g.w wrote: »

Would there be many woth crowds of over 1,000?

I used to regularly go to Shannon games a few years back, when they played in thomond park, and regularly a few thousand at the games. Was at a game in Coonagh about 3 years ago, lucky if there was 500 at it...

Just wondering what the picture in like around the coutry?

Oh certainly but it varies on conditions i said in previous post.
When you say a few years back? How long is that. Game has moved on with pros playing 20+ game a season with 13 at home and clubs have dropped down rankings of preference but still is some excellent talent on show and it really depends on your league and how many local teams are involved.
Like in 2A last weekend were quite a few derbies including Galway and Tipp Derbies which would have been very well attended

c.p.w.g.w

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Oh certainly but it varies on conditions i said in previous post.
When you say a few years back? How long is that. Game has moved on with pros playing 20+ game a season with 13 at home and clubs have dropped down rankings of preference but still is some excellent talent on show and it really depends on your league and how many local teams are involved.
Like in 2A last weekend were quite a few derbies including Galway and Tipp Derbies which would have been very well attended

Maybe 12 years ago was the last season where i went to 90% of Shannon home games. Been to 3 in the years since, work a lot over the weekend generally and coonagh isn't that easy to get it unless you drive(which i don't)

D14Rugby

c.p.w.g.w wrote: »

Would there be many woth crowds of over 1,000?

I used to regularly go to Shannon games a few years back, when they played in thomond park, and regularly a few thousand at the games. Was at a game in Coonagh about 3 years ago, lucky if there was 500 at it...

Just wondering what the picture in like around the coutry?

You'd probably average out at around 300 if you removed the outlier big crowds like semi finals, 6w derby, and the likes where you'd probably get over 1000. It varies game to game though depending on day, time of year, weather, clashes, etc.

The Lost Sheep

c.p.w.g.w wrote: »

Maybe 12 years ago was the last season where i went to 90% of Shannon home games. Been to 3 in the years since, work a lot over the weekend generally and coonagh isn't that easy to get it unless you drive(which i don't)

12 years ago the Celtic league was going what 4 years so nothing like what its now. Coonagh isnt that bad to get to if you dont drive. Not the worst place to get to

D14Rugby wrote: »

You'd probably average out at around 300 if you removed the outlier big crowds like semi finals, 6w derby, and the likes where you'd probably get over 1000. It varies game to game though depending on day, time of year, weather, clashes, etc.

And it varies hugely down the divisions like 1A should be getting much bigger crowds considering its the top flight and for the dublin clubs you have 15 AIL games a season in the city!!! So relatively little travel.
1A crowds are ****e by and large considering that. At least in divisions 1B/2A/2B/2C you could make excuses for most clubs as its a few hours travel to/from a lot of games.

Like the Corinthians/Galwegians Galway derby last weekend had a prematch dinner with 150 attendees with a few more hundred at the game other than them. That would have been one of the best attended games in 2A this season

The Lost Sheep

Also Irish clubs squad/training group has been picked
Clubs naming players on social media
Jack Keating Greystones, Fionn Higgins + Poli Tolofua Naas,

c.p.w.g.w

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

12 years ago the Celtic league was going what 4 years so nothing like what its now. Coonagh isnt that bad to get to if you dont drive. Not the worst place to get to

From Eddie rockets, there is zero footpath the majority of the way

The Lost Sheep

c.p.w.g.w wrote: »

From Eddie rockets, there is zero footpath the majority of the way

But it isnt that difficult to get to. If you're walking out to ground to games quite easy to pick a lift if walking where there isnt a footpath. And then very easy to get lift back into town with someone if you dont want to walk along that road

The Lost Sheep

Ulster Senior League continues this weekend
in Division 1
Ballymena v Malone
Armagh v Banbridge
City of Derry v Ballynahinch

Division 2
Bangor v Omagh
Queens v Rainey Old Boys

There is also a couple of AIL games
2B
Dungannon v Belfast Harlequins
2C
Tullamore v Sligo

ym

stellenbosch wrote: »

Whats happened Tom Ryan from Trinity-doesnt seem to be featuring for YM at all?

just got good guys ahead of him thats all coz he a fine player and we glad to have him, ben kilkenny and coombes cover number 8 and wing forward, dan walsh and diarmuid dee as well, also alan kennedy and marc okelly - alan playing mostly second row now

young munsters man

LFCTID wrote: »

Yeah well that's true to be fair.. but at the same point yes it's bad for the game when a fixture like that will clash with a b&i play off game but at the same time I think Irfu did a big **** up when they said we would agree to re arrange the fixture of tarf agreed to it but sure they were never gonna agree can't blame them otherwise why would they? They were at full strength that day. I'm a lansdowne man myself and it would be my local club but did abit of work with cookies senior panel last year the odd time and u could tell nobody in the squad was happy about it.

yeah the whole club was up in arms about it to be fair - nobody thought they would let the games clash

loggin in under diff name as had bother with old email account

young munsters man

at munsters my Guess would be around the 600-800 mark ish, hard to gauge as since they moved technical area away from the trackside , the support evenly distributed between both sides, for garryowen game youd get 1500 plus sometimes even 2k plus,

depends on weather and clashes with provinces , usually get travelling support 60-80 ish - just guess work these figures

in fairness the attendances at games can be shocking - a lot of venues youdbe in the locality and wouldnt know a game is going on til you get near ground

stellenbosch

ym wrote: »

just got good guys ahead of him thats all coz he a fine player and we glad to have him, ben kilkenny and coombes cover number 8 and wing forward, dan walsh and diarmuid dee as well, also alan kennedy and marc okelly - alan playing mostly second row now

Rumours circulating hes now left YM? You hear anything?

The Lost Sheep

young munsters man wrote: »

at munsters my Guess would be around the 600-800 mark ish, hard to gauge as since they moved technical area away from the trackside , the support evenly distributed between both sides, for garryowen game youd get 1500 plus sometimes even 2k plus,

depends on weather and clashes with provinces , usually get travelling support 60-80 ish - just guess work these figures

in fairness the attendances at games can be shocking - a lot of venues youdbe in the locality and wouldnt know a game is going on til you get near ground

400 from an away side at games? Really doubt that. Thats 2/3 buses at a minimum of away fans with another 40 car loads. No way is that coming from Dublin for a lot of games.

D14Rugby

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

400 from an away side at games? Really doubt that. Thats 2/3 buses at a minimum of away fans with another 40 car loads. No way is that coming from Dublin for a lot of games.

Where are you getting 400 away fans from?

The Lost Sheep

D14Rugby wrote: »

Where are you getting 400 away fans from?

didnt young munster man say 600-800 at games split evenly between each side so 400 from 800 is....

D14Rugby

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

didnt young munster man say 600-800 at games split evenly between each side so 400 from 800 is....

Of the pitch...

LFCTID

young munsters man wrote: »

yeah the whole club was up in arms about it to be fair - nobody thought they would let the games clash

loggin in under diff name as had bother with old email account

Yeah players like sean duggan teddy etc i trained abit last year and they were all hot and bothered about it. You would expect it from duggan though he was captain last year like so it as his team at the end of the day. Cookies were flying last year dunno whats up wih them this year staff and players i all worked with last season are most gone now and gone to garryowen even the staff and apparently lost their sponsorship from bus eireann so thats a big loss for them financial wise for travel etc..

The Lost Sheep

AIL Junior Cup is this weekend in Portlaois. Kilfeacle v Ashbourne.

AIL returns for a few weeks of games before a break for the 6 nations games.

Stainalert

1A

Clontarf v Young Munster
Garryowen v Trinity
St Marys v Cork Con
Terenure v Lansdowne
UCD v Buccaneers

1B
Naas v Old Belvedere
Ballymena v Shannon
Ballynahinch v UCC
Banbridge v Old Wesley
UL Bohs v Dolphin

irishfan9

Assume no Ireland under-20's available to clubs.

Tarf1234

irishfan9 wrote: »

Assume no Ireland under-20's available to clubs.

I was told no but you never know one or 2 might get released to get game time if needed.

Stainalert

Tarf1234 wrote: »

irishfan9 wrote: »

Assume no Ireland under-20's available to clubs.

I was told no but you never know one or 2 might get released to get game time if needed.

I think they hold them all back pre 6 nations and then release some players ad hoc throughout the tournament depending on game time / injuries etc.

stellenbosch

irishfan9 wrote: »

Assume no Ireland under-20's available to clubs.

That is correct-none of DUFC 4 available

Also all the 7s players have also been pulled

stellenbosch

stellenbosch wrote: »

That is correct-none of DUFC 4 available

Also all the 7s players have also been pulled

Also hearing A players in Munster not available either. Havent heard re Leinster? Anyone else hear ?

The Lost Sheep

2A
Blackrock v Corinthians
Galwegians v Nenagh
Cashel v Highfield
Malone v Greystones
Queens v Armagh

Could be big weekend at bottom as if Corinthians win and assuming Malone win comfortably against 'stones then there will be a big enough gap at the bottom with Galwegians and Blackrock well adrift of the rest.
Race at top is tight and Nenagh shouldnt have any issues trying to keep up with Malone and Highfield and should have a straight forward win over Galwegians in Galway
2B
City of Derry v Barnhall
Old Crescent v Belfast Harlequins
Skerries v Rainey Old Boys
Sundays Well v Navan
Wanderers v Dungannon
Crescent will win comfortably against Harlequins to stay in first and automatic promotion place. Rainey should win with no issues against a Skerries side with little to play for now for rest of season

2C
Bective Rangers v Bangor
Bruff v Malahide
Omagh v Thomond
Sligo v Seapoint
Tullamore v Midleton
Bruff and Malahide top game of the day with both pushing for playoff spots/promotion.

c.p.w.g.w

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

2A
Blackrock v Corinthians
Galwegians v Nenagh
Cashel v Highfield
Malone v Greystones
Queens v Armagh

Could be big weekend at bottom as if Corinthians win and assuming Malone win comfortably against 'stones then there will be a big enough gap at the bottom with Galwegians and Blackrock well adrift of the rest.
Race at top is tight and Nenagh shouldnt have any issues trying to keep up with Malone and Highfield and should have a straight forward win over Galwegians in Galway
2B
City of Derry v Barnhall
Old Crescent v Belfast Harlequins
Skerries v Rainey Old Boys
Sundays Well v Navan
Wanderers v Dungannon
Crescent will win comfortably against Harlequins to stay in first and automatic promotion place. Rainey should win with no issues against a Skerries side with little to play for now for rest of season

2C
Bective Rangers v Bangor
Bruff v Malahide
Omagh v Thomond
Sligo v Seapoint
Tullamore v Midleton
Bruff and Malahide top game of the day with both pushing for playoff spots/promotion.

Thats a horrible trip for Thomond, who are pushing for promotion, and with Sligo most likely to beat Seapoint at home.

Also hadn't realised Galwegians were as poorly as they are:eek:

The Lost Sheep

c.p.w.g.w wrote: »

Thats a horrible trip for Thomond, who are pushing for promotion, and with Sligo most likely to beat Seapoint at home.

Also hadn't realised Galwegians were as poorly as they are:eek:

Yeah while last season they were very unlucky and could easily have survived with some luck from 1B(though did finish 6 off 9th they did have 9 losing bonus points!!) and were in 1A season before this season in 2A theyve just been very poor. Not good for them with potentially a third consecutive relegation

$ausage$

With them all being away  it could be a good thing. I am sick of seeing guys togged out for a club and being very average and then playing on the TV and looking like they could be playing for Ireland. I guess you can understand their mindset of not wanting to get injured but as a club supporter it does my head in.

young munsters man

$ausage$ wrote: »

With them all being away  it could be a good thing. I am sick of seeing guys togged out for a club and being very average and then playing on the TV and looking like they could be playing for Ireland. I guess you can understand their mindset of not wanting to get injured but as a club supporter it does my head in.

in fairness the contracted lads we have at munsters have bought in to it and give their all and are huge addition when we have them

young munsters man

very hard one for us tomorrow going up to clontarf on the 4g, usually get hammered up there, be doing well to get a point out of it,
however ill get to have another look at this famous sea wall, juniors playing youghal away in the cup so two nice seaside trips for the weekend

The Lost Sheep

$ausage$ wrote: »

With them all being away  it could be a good thing. I am sick of seeing guys togged out for a club and being very average and then playing on the TV and looking like they could be playing for Ireland. I guess you can understand their mindset of not wanting to get injured but as a club supporter it does my head in.

Yeah varies hugely on the player. Have seen guys phone in performances then the otherside saw Ultan Dillane play division 2 AIL 2 years ago and he was ridiculous, just 3/4 months before he go called up to the 6 nations
Totally agree on last sentence.

madlad88

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Yeah varies hugely on the player. Have seen guys phone in performances then the otherside saw Ultan Dillane play division 2 AIL 2 years ago and he was ridiculous, just 3/4 months before he go called up to the 6 nations
Totally agree on last sentence.

Yeah played against Dillane 2 years ago when Corinthians were struggling in 2a. He absolutely battered our whole pack.

1 of our 2nd rows attempted to tackle him and was carried on his back for 20-30 metres.

Tarf1234

young munsters man wrote: »

in fairness the contracted lads we have at munsters have bought in to it and give their all and are huge addition when we have them

Would very much say the same for us. I think it is more a continuity issue.

The Lost Sheep

madlad88 wrote: »

Yeah played against Dillane 2 years ago when Corinthians were struggling in 2a. He absolutely battered our whole pack.

1 of our 2nd rows attempted to tackle him and was carried on his back for 20-30 metres.

Was ridiculous and could play as an academy player yet guys who would be 5th choice on a senior contract cant play division 2.

Anyway Naas beat Belvo 27-13 in 1B tonight

D14Rugby

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Was ridiculous and could play as an academy player yet guys who would be 5th choice on a senior contract cant play division 2.

What?

The Lost Sheep

D14Rugby wrote: »

What?

He was ridiculously good. More making point guys who are well down the list in a province on a senior contract cant play AIL division2 but academy guys can even if very likely to progress very far very soon.

D14Rugby

stellenbosch wrote: »

That is correct-none of DUFC 4 available

Also all the 7s players have also been pulled

Joe Byrne is starting for DUFC

c.p.w.g.w

Sligo lose at home to seapoint and lose top spot to thomond after 10-6 victory over Omagh.

All very tight in 2C

.ak

young munsters man wrote: »

very hard one for us tomorrow going up to clontarf on the 4g, usually get hammered up there, be doing well to get a point out of it,
however ill get to have another look at this famous sea wall, juniors playing youghal away in the cup so two nice seaside trips for the weekend

Looks like you got your point, and then some!

.ak

young munsters man wrote: »

very hard one for us tomorrow going up to clontarf on the 4g, usually get hammered up there, be doing well to get a point out of it,
however ill get to have another look at this famous sea wall, juniors playing youghal away in the cup so two nice seaside trips for the weekend

Looks like you got your point, and then some!

LFCTID

Lansdowne win in lakelands 12-8 in a scrappy win! We had a strong breeze with us in the first half and didn't use it to much affect nure scored a try off it in the first half. Harry Brennan impressed as did dan mcevoy also. Amad leavy and Oisin downing were the only academys realised to us for the game. We didn't have access to Ronan kelliher or Charlie rock for this game also! Nure had Oisin Heffernan and matt byrne playing for them.

thebaz

LFCTID wrote: »

Lansdowne win in lakelands 12-8 in a scrappy win! We had a strong breeze with us in the first half and didn't use it to much affect nure scored a try off it in the first half. Harry Brennan impressed as did dan mcevoy also. Amad leavy and Oisin downing were the only academys realised to us for the game. We didn't have access to Ronan kelliher or Charlie rock for this game also! Nure had Oisin Heffernan and matt byrne playing for them.

Brennan looks an impressive player - could his good club form see him get an academy conract next year maybe or is he too old ?

The Lost Sheep

No game in Galway due to an unplayable pitch. Any other games off today. Any results?

delta_bravo

Mary's beat Cork Con. Con pulled two tries ahead with some decent breaks and were 11 up with 20 left but Mary's got two themselves to win by 2 points. Crucial win at the lower end

irishfan9

delta_bravo wrote: »

Mary's beat Cork Con. Con pulled two tries ahead with some decent breaks and were 11 up with 20 left but Mary's got two themselves to win by 2 points. Crucial win at the lower end

How'd Dean play

LFCTID

thebaz wrote: »

Brennan looks an impressive player - could his good club form see him get an academy conract next year maybe or is he too old ?

think hes two years out of school now was in the gonzaga 2016 sct panel i could be wrong tho. tbh i'd love to see him been offered something but doubt it will be in leinster with them already having centres in the academy like tommy o'brien and gavin mullen/ciaran frawley. If theres any player looks to get an academy place at the end of this season from our club, id back peter hastie whos currently in sub academy and will feature in the u20 six nations this year. fine player hadnt played much ail this season though due to injuries..

MDunne14

LFCTID wrote: »

think hes two years out of school now was in the gonzaga 2016 sct panel i could be wrong tho. tbh i'd love to see him been offered something but doubt it will be in leinster with them already having centres in the academy like tommy o'brien and gavin mullen/ciaran frawley. If theres any player looks to get an academy place at the end of this season from our club, id back peter hastie whos currently in sub academy and will feature in the u20 six nations this year. fine player hadnt played much ail this season though due to injuries..

Hastie is not in the squad nor will he be with the competition at 10

ArmchairQB

MDunne14 wrote: »

Hastie is not in the squad nor will he be with the competition at 10

No longer in sub academy either was part of the recent cull. Was Deane the only Irish under 20 released or were others released?

irishfan9

ArmchairQB wrote: »

No longer in sub academy either was part of the recent cull. Was Deane the only Irish under 20 released or were others released?

only released... on bench for marys... considering he hasnt played game since christmas not surprising he was released