Ulster Bank League 2018-2019 Talk/Gossip/Rumours

The Lost Sheep

Stainalert wrote: »

Leinster notifying clubs today that none of their academy players will be available for Round 17 & 18 of the AIL. Scandalous that these players will be sent to the US to help try and support US rugby rather than stay here and support Irish rugby particularly given the amount of Irish players that been signed up by the MLR.

How many academy players wouldnt be eligible for final rounds of AIL because they hadnt played enough during rounds 1-16?
This trip isnt simply about supporting US rugby. It can be ****e timing for clubs but A games are necessary and start/end of season are best timing for them...

Stainalert

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

How many academy players wouldnt be eligible for final rounds of AIL because they hadnt played enough during rounds 1-16?
This trip isnt simply about supporting US rugby. It can be ****e timing for clubs but A games are necessary and start/end of season are best timing for them...

The academy players are all technically available - They don't have to play a minimum amount of games to be allowed to play in the latter stages of the AIL.

The trip is definitely not about supporting Irish Club rugby and the Premier Club competition.

The Lost Sheep

Stainalert wrote: »

The academy players are all technically available - They don't have to play a minimum amount of games to be allowed to play in the latter stages of the AIL.

The trip is definitely not about supporting Irish Club rugby and the Premier Club competition.

Ah yeah thats just the contracted players who have to play min of earlier rounds.
This trip is necessary for provincial rugby though. If more academy, provincial players were spread across divisions then this wouldnt be as much an issue but the top clubs hoover up so many players then they cant have it both ways when the provinces who do pay these players use them in games.

Stainalert

Just to be clear the provinces didn't organise this trip (Nucifora did) so the provinces didn't necessarily deem this trip necessary. The trip will call on sub academy players as well and potentially non academy players. There is plenty of spread of academy players across both 1st divisions.

The Lost Sheep

Stainalert wrote: »

Just to be clear the provinces didn't organise this trip (Nucifora did) so the provinces didn't necessarily deem this trip necessary. The trip will call on sub academy players as well and potentially non academy players. There is plenty of spread of academy players across both 1st divisions.

But did they look for it not to happen? Hardly would have turned things down and probably looked at having games this time of year any way,

Lucas44

Stainalert wrote: »

Leinster notifying clubs today that none of their academy players will be available for Round 17 & 18 of the AIL. Scandalous that these players will be sent to the US to help try and support US rugby rather than stay here and support Irish rugby particularly given the amount of Irish players that been signed up by the MLR.

Get over yourself it’s happening to all the ulster clubs aswell not to mention Buccs missed 10 players last weekend due to the same reason. It’s a great opportunity and life experience for all those travelling and competing over there. Not all academy players make it as pros and offers them great exposure to teams over there not to mention paddy’s weekend in Boston will be hopping

Stainalert

Lucas44 wrote: »

Get over yourself it’s happening to all the ulster clubs as well not to mention Buccs missed 10 players last weekend due to the same reason. It’s a great opportunity and life experience for all those travelling and competing over there. Not all academy players make it as pros and offers them great exposure to teams over there not to mention paddy’s weekend in Boston will be hopping

So because it's happening to Ulster & Connacht & Munster by the way that makes it alright? The various provinces are all going at different times which destroys the credibility and integrity around the league with the various provincial clubs all weaker at different times - Connacht clubs will only miss their players for one round of games by the way. it would have been fairer to all if the provinces had simply all gone at the same time. Better still this "life experience" could have been very simply timed better so that it did not clash with the AIL at all.

Tarf1234

Stainalert wrote: »

So because it's happening to Ulster & Connacht & Munster by the way that makes it alright? The various provinces are all going at different times which destroys the credibility and integrity around the league with the various provincial clubs all weaker at different times - Connacht clubs will only miss their players for one round of games by the way. it would have been fairer to all if the provinces had simply all gone at the same time. Better still this "life experience" could have been very simply timed better so that it did not clash with the AIL at all.

Defending this is outrageous - 'great experience' to play against a team not good enough to be in MLR yet, which as a league has many relatively average ex-AIL players regularly on 'team of the week'..... It's a trip to Boston for the lads and a great way for Nucifera, Dawson et al. to piss off the clubs and show their disdain for the people involved in the clubs. No surprise they booked it in to have biggest impact on 1A clubs essentially.

The Lost Sheep

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Defending this is outrageous - 'great experience' to play against a team not good enough to be in MLR yet, which as a league has many relatively average ex-AIL players regularly on 'team of the week'..... It's a trip to Boston for the lads and a great way for Nucifera, Dawson et al. to piss off the clubs and show their disdain for the people involved in the clubs. No surprise they booked it in to have biggest impact on 1A clubs essentially.

Not right to say theyre not good enough to be in MLR yet. They werent in the initial group of teams to start the league but will be in next expansion of the league.
A games like this are needed. Timing is ****e but whenever they would have been scheduled some here would have complained.

The Lost Sheep

Clonmel won Munster junior league today and join Connemara, Enniscorthy and winner of Ulster(Ballyclare or Instonians) in round robin

The Lost Sheep

Anyone else see this?
Brendan Fanning in Sunday Independent saying Energia will come on board as sponsors for a three-season deal with an option for a fourth.
And that the IRFU are involved in independently chaired meetings with clubs across the divisions over how best to restructure the competition. The next meeting with the Division 1A clubs is scheduled for this week.

Mc Love

Good to see a sponsor come on board at the very least

The Lost Sheep

Mc Love wrote: »

Good to see a sponsor come on board at the very least

What else would you like to see?

This weeks fixtures

1A
Shannon v Terenure 1.30pm
Trinity v Cork Con
Garryowen v Clontarf
Lansdowne v UCD
UCC v Young Munster
1B
Ballynahinch v Old Belvedere
Banbridge v Naas
Malone v Armagh
Old Wesley v Buccaneers
Marys v Ballymena
2A
Friday 8pm
Blackrock v Navan
Nenagh v Bohs
Saturday
Galwegians v Queens
Highfield v Cashel
Old Crescent v Dolphin
2B
Friday 8pm
Skerries v Wanderers
Saturday
Belfast Harlequins v Dungannon
Rainey Old Boys v Greystones
Sundays Well v Corinthians
Sligo v Barnhall
2C
Bangor v Midleton
Bruff v Tullamore
Malahide v Ballina
Omagh v Thomond
Seapoint v City of Derry

Stainalert

Teams for the Cara Cup game in Boston below.

An awful lot of players who could / should be playing AIL this weekend:

CONNACHT EAGLES: Colm de Buitlear; Hugh Lane, Corey Reid, Sean O’Brien, Conor Hayes; Conor Dean, James Mitchell; Jordan Duggan, Jonny Murphy, Conor Kenny, Peter Claffey, Joe Maksymiw (capt), Sean Masterson, James Connolly, Robin Copeland.

Replacements: Declan Adamson, Conan O’Donnell, Neal Moylett, Cian Huxford, Stephen Kerins, Luke Carty, Oran McNulty.

ULSTER ‘A’: Iwan Hughes; Graham Curtis, Stewart Moore, Ben Power, Jack Owens; Johnny McPhillips, Michael Stronge; Peter Cooper, Zack McCall, Ross Kane, JJ McKee, Jack Regan, Caleb Montgomery, Marcus Rea (capt), Joe Dunleavy.

Replacements: Claytan Milligan, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Bradley Luney, David McCann, Charlie Clarke, Lewis Finlay, Bruce Houston, Ben McCaughey.

Mc Love

Very interesting discussion regarding these games on https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zGpM1FYAfLP0cSsh6KYJa?si=oeRXt9ssSmmN7dgBewWOmg

The lads make a good point, that the club players that arent in the academy or are in the sub academy are getting called, whats the point of getting them used to game if they're just going to return to their clubs without a contract.

The Lost Sheep

Stainalert wrote: »

Teams for the Cara Cup game in Boston below.

An awful lot of players who could / should be playing AIL this weekend:

CONNACHT EAGLES: Colm de Buitlear; Hugh Lane, Corey Reid, Sean O’Brien, Conor Hayes; Conor Dean, James Mitchell; Jordan Duggan, Jonny Murphy, Conor Kenny, Peter Claffey, Joe Maksymiw (capt), Sean Masterson, James Connolly, Robin Copeland.

Replacements: Declan Adamson, Conan O’Donnell, Neal Moylett, Cian Huxford, Stephen Kerins, Luke Carty, Oran McNulty.

ULSTER ‘A’: Iwan Hughes; Graham Curtis, Stewart Moore, Ben Power, Jack Owens; Johnny McPhillips, Michael Stronge; Peter Cooper, Zack McCall, Ross Kane, JJ McKee, Jack Regan, Caleb Montgomery, Marcus Rea (capt), Joe Dunleavy.

Replacements: Claytan Milligan, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Bradley Luney, David McCann, Charlie Clarke, Lewis Finlay, Bruce Houston, Ben McCaughey.

Players will want these kind of trips and A games are needed. Do we need to go down this road again?
Timing is ****e but A games/trips are necessary evil

Mc Love wrote: »

Very interesting discussion regarding these games on https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zGpM1FYAfLP0cSsh6KYJa?si=oeRXt9ssSmmN7dgBewWOmg

The lads make a good point, that the club players that arent in the academy or are in the sub academy are getting called, whats the point of getting them used to game if they're just going to return to their clubs without a contract.

Academy/sub academy can fight for a contract and coaches can see them in a setting they cant if theyre with clubs

FellasFellas

Any truth to the rumours about a 1A Club being docked points due to a falling out with a foreign player who was being paid and the club? I think the club is appealing. Apparently the foreign player went to the IRFU after the falling out and the payment was revealed then. Everyone knows money is changing hands in the AIL but seems a bit much to dock points - rules are rules until you get caught I suppose.

Mc Love

FellasFellas wrote: »

Any truth to the rumours about a 1A Club being docked points due to a falling out with a foreign player who was being paid and the club? I think the club is appealing. Apparently the foreign player went to the IRFU after the falling out and the payment was revealed then. Everyone knows money is changing hands in the AIL but seems a bit much to dock points - rules are rules until you get caught I suppose.

Strong rumours are floating about alright. I believe it is pay the fine or be docked points.

D14Rugby

I assume everyone else is alro racking their brains trying to figure out which club had a foreign player that hasn't been playing recently, that being the most obvious scenario.

delta_bravo

D14Rugby wrote: »

I assume everyone else is alro racking their brains trying to figure out which club had a foreign player that hasn't been playing recently, that being the most obvious scenario.

The Lost Sheep

Tonights results
2A
Rock 14 Navan 39
Nenagh 10 Bohs 5
Huge win for Nenagh as theyre now 7 points ahead of Blackrock in 9th. Rock host Nenagh next time out in penultimate round before Nenagh host Navan and Rock travel to Wegians
If Nenagh get win they'll be safe.
Navan stay third.
2B
Skerries 29 Wanderers 26

Eod100

Highfield promoted to 1B after their win over Cashel today

madds

Barnhall promoted to 2A as champions after winning 22-11 away to Sligo. Our Ladies also were victors in the Div 3 final against Trinity (12-10). Great day for the club!

The Lost Sheep

1A
Shannon 12 Terenure College 18
Dublin University 5 Cork Con 13
Garryowen 12 Clontarf 29
Lansdowne 57 UCD 31
UCC 13 Young Munster 10

1B
Ballynahinch 34 Old Belvedere 27
Banbridge 21 Naas 42
Malone 16 Armagh 7
Old Wesley 29 Buccaneers 13
St Marys 74 Ballymena 15

2A
Galwegians 7 Queen’s University 73
Highfield 27 Cashel 24
Old Crescent 14 Dolphin 15
Blackrock College 14 Navan 39
Nenagh Ormond 10 UL Bohemians 5

2B
Belfast Harlequins 10 Dungannon 8
Rainey Old Boys 35 Greystones 19
Sundays Well 55 Galway Corinthians 13
Sligo 11 MU Barnhall 22
Skerries 29 Wanderers 26

2C
Bangor 20 Midleton 22
Bruff 31 Tullamore 5
Malahide 38 Ballina 17
Omagh 24 Thomond 10
Seapoint 33 City of Derry 13

Con 1st home to Trinity most likely and then Clontarf, Lansdowne in other semi.
1 of Terenure, Shannon, Young Munster relegated with another in playoff

Wesley and Ballynahinch top, 5 clear of Malone and Naas. Armagh, Marys and Belvedere still hopeful of playoff spots.
Belvedere could also end up in relegation playoff which Buccs are currently in with Banbridge also fighting to avoid it. Ballymena relegated

Highfield champions. Cashel likely to be second, Navan third, Queens fourth.
Wegians relegated. Blackrock currently in ninth and playoff spot but are 6 points behind 8th place Nenagh who they play next in Stradbrook before they travel to Galwegians while Nenagh host Navan in the final round

Barnhall champions. Greystones second. third most likely Rainey and fourth Sligo
Sundays Well are tenth 4 points behind Belfast Harlequins and they face off in Cork in next round. Well need to avoid defeat to avoid automatic relegation while quins win and they keep chances of avoiding playoff open

I said several times i didnt think it would happen and disappointed if it will be the case but all connacht clubs bar Buccs will be in 2B next season with Ballina 6 clear at top of 2C though they do play second Midleton in final round. two of Bruff, Malahide and Omagh to be in promotion playoffs.
Thomond to be relegated to junior as 8 adrift at the bottom. Seapoint, City of Derry are on 27 and Bangor and Tullamore 26 points all trying to avoid second bottom and playoff with round robin second place

D14Rugby

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

1 of Terenure, Shannon, Young Munster relegated with another in playoff

Not necessarily. Technically as unlikely as it is UCD can still be automatically relegated I believe

The Lost Sheep

D14Rugby wrote: »

Not necessarily. Technically as unlikely as it is UCD can still be automatically relegated I believe

I saw that its a possibility just didnt list them as cant see happening as would require most unlikely of results with Cookies having to play both Shannon and Terenure in their final 2 games and then other games as well

D14Rugby

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

I saw that its a possibility just didnt list them as cant see happening as would require most unlikely of results with Cookies having to play both Shannon and Terenure in their final 2 games and then other games as well

Terenure win both games, YM beat Shannon but Shannon get losing bonus, Shannon win last game, UCC beat UCD, UCD lose second last game no bonuses.

Or Terenure win both, Shannon beat YM with bonus, YM get 4 bonus points, Shannon get losing bonus, UCC beat UCD, UCD get no bonuses.

Either of them sees UCD automatically relegated and they're not beyond the realms of possibility.

The Lost Sheep

D14Rugby wrote: »

Terenure win both games, YM beat Shannon but Shannon get losing bonus, Shannon win last game, UCC beat UCD, UCD lose second last game no bonuses.

Or Terenure win both, Shannon beat YM with bonus, YM get 4 bonus points, Shannon get losing bonus, UCC beat UCD, UCD get no bonuses.

Either of them sees UCD automatically relegated and they're not beyond the realms of possibility.

Dont see that happening. Just cant see UCD getting nothing from both colours and UCC game.
Or Terenure winning both games
I think both those scenarios are highly unlikely.

D14Rugby

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Dont see that happening. Just cant see UCD getting nothing from both colours and UCC game.
Or Terenure winning both games
I think both those scenarios are highly unlikely.

With UCD anythings possible, and the form Terenure are in also anything is possible.

The Lost Sheep

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Clonmel won Munster junior league today and join Connemara, Enniscorthy and winner of Ulster(Ballyclare or Instonians) in round robin

Instonians won Ulster league yesterday.
Clonmel and Enniscorthy will have 2 home games in the round robin so may have advantage from that

FellasFellas

I'd say UCD will survive - try bp's or losing bp's in both of their last games and they'll be okay.

Cookies will beat anyone from 1B in Greenfields should they finish 9th.

1B being so competitive this year kind of shows that the teams in it probably aren't cut out for 1A yet. Bar some massive recruitment by whoever comes up, I can't see them surviving in 1A next season.

Terenure were dead and buried at Christmas, and its a phenomenal turnaround for them. The next game away to Tarf will be interesting, you'd have to think Tarf will take that, especially chasing that home semi with LFC breathing down their necks. Then a final day battle with YM to probably decide 8/9/10th place, where anything could happen.

Lansdowne are in a great space to take potentially 10 points from their last two games, both at home where they haven't lost all season.

Con v DUFC
LFC v Tarf

Con v LFC final I'd say.

D14Rugby

It'll be interesting to how munster and Leinster A going on their pissups in the US will affect 1A teams the last two weeks

Stainalert

I see Ulster A squeezed by the New England Free Jacks 43 - 15.

Tarf1234

Stainalert wrote: »

I see Ulster A squeezed by the New England Free Jacks 43 - 15.

Valuable learning experience in a highly competitive environment for all no doubt - if only the AIL could provide such a competitive environment at this year... One can only wish

Stainalert

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Valuable learning experience in a highly competitive environment for all no doubt - if only the AIL could provide such a competitive environment at this year... One can only wish

:D

phog

A Shannon RFC Statement on the IRFU Club Affairs Committee decision

Mc Love

One point is one more than we should have been punished by. The player was given money to purchase tickets on compassionate grounds and when the player stated he didnt want to come back and wished to be transferred, its only natural for the club to refuse on the grounds of being taken for a ride.

Two very tough fixtures ahead, and fingers crossed we survive.

I've heard that Hayes may be on the move, which would be devastating for the team too, especially if they do go down.

Stainalert

Mc Love wrote: »

One point is one more than we should have been punished by. The player was given money to purchase tickets on compassionate grounds and when the player stated he didnt want to come back and wished to be transferred, its only natural for the club to refuse on the grounds of being taken for a ride.

Two very tough fixtures ahead, and fingers crossed we survive.

I've heard that Hayes may be on the move, which would be devastating for the team too, especially if they do go down.

Where is Hayes supposed to be going?

Munster Mad

Cian Tracey wrote an article about it on the Independent, he shared it on Twitter too. Seems to be detailed enough. I can't post the linkthough ....

Mc Love

Stainalert wrote: »

Where is Hayes supposed to be going?

Exeter

The Lost Sheep

Round robin beginning this weekend
Clonmel v Connemara
Instonians v Enniscorthy

Clonmel. up there with best facilities in the country, have been the dominant side over past few years in Munster since breaking through for first division1 league title. Huge town and should really have done better before this and have experience of round robin which could help them to finally go senior for first time.
Connemara were senior from 2001 to 2013 and have big plans at moment to improve facilities with plans for second pitch which will be huge boost for them. They are double winners in Connacht with good 25-6 win over Creggs in cup final.
Instonians relegated in 2014 and got to round robin last season and have some big names helping try get them back senior
Enniscorthy have won two all ireland junior cups and in only previous round robin appearance finished second and lost by 2 to Sligo in 2C/RR playoff. Theyve been in quite a few towns cup finals as well so will be interesting how they go at this level again..

D14Rugby

Mc Love wrote: »

One point is one more than we should have been punished by. The player was given money to purchase tickets on compassionate grounds and when the player stated he didnt want to come back and wished to be transferred, its only natural for the club to refuse on the grounds of being taken for a ride.

Two very tough fixtures ahead, and fingers crossed we survive.

I've heard that Hayes may be on the move, which would be devastating for the team too, especially if they do go down.

The rules state that paying for travel is a breach of the regulation.
The bit I don't get is if they're guilty why only one point? seems very lenient. If they're not guilty why any punishment?

Some might see it as poetic justice though with Shannon somehow not conceding a penalty when a player attempted to remove Jamie Glynn's head which should have been a very kick-able penalty which would have cost Shannon the bonus point

Stainalert

D14Rugby wrote: »

The rules state that paying for travel is a breach of the regulation.
The bit I don't get is if they're guilty why only one point? seems very lenient. If they're not guilty why any punishment?

Some might see it as poetic justice though with Shannon somehow not conceding a penalty when a player attempted to remove Jamie Glynn's head which should have been a very kick-able penalty which would have cost Shannon the bonus point

The unusual thing about this is that nothing would have happened only for the fact the player contacted the IRFU. They don't actively pursue clubs. So I can see why Shannon will feel a bit hard done by and equally I can see why Terenure in particular would be less than impressed by the final punishment given what the original sanction was.

Mc Love

And if the IRFU looked into all the other clubs, I'm sure they are all squeaky clean!

D14Rugby

Stainalert wrote: »

The unusual thing about this is that nothing would have happened only for the fact the player contacted the IRFU. They don't actively pursue clubs. So I can see why Shannon will feel a bit hard done by and equally I can see why Terenure in particular would be less than impressed by the final punishment given what the original sanction was.

Apparently Shannon went in pointing fingers left right and centre, won't have made any friends anyway.
Haven't heard what the original punishment was but I find the sort of halfway house final decision they made a bit weird.

The Lost Sheep

Mc Love wrote: »

And if the IRFU looked into all the other clubs, I'm sure they are all squeaky clean!

No doubt but there has to be some form of evidence to penalise clubs and fact the player in this case contacted IRFU made it easier...

Stainalert

Mc Love wrote: »

And if the IRFU looked into all the other clubs, I'm sure they are all squeaky clean!

They won't investigate other clubs unless the evidence is handed to them on a plate

Mc Love

Stainalert wrote: »

They won't investigate other clubs unless the evidence is handed to them on a plate

Exactly.

Goodluck2me

Mc Love wrote: »

Exactly.

It’s not a great defence though, “ it’s not fair because we’re the only ones who got caught”.

Realistically if he stuck around he would have played AIL and I find it hard to believe he’d have paid the money back.

Mc Love

Goodluck2me wrote: »

It’s not a great defence though, “ it’s not fair because we’re the only ones who got caught”.

Realistically if he stuck around he would have played AIL and I find it hard to believe he’d have paid the money back.

He wasnt even near the AIL team