Diarmy

Last August  I was at a GAA fixture where Beale were facing Tarbert/Moyvane  and I met Mary Lavery Carrig where she mentioned to me  that she was hoping to try and set up a Theatre Group to see what might happen as she had a play in mind. After initial meetings with a number of interested parties , the Tarbert Theatre Players was born. Rehearsals began back in September in the back section of Coolahans where Mary assembled the people she felt most encapsulated the characters she had written about.

“ Diarmy” is based on true events surrounding the controversial moves to ban the cutting of turf in raised bogs. It is a story of love , loss and a real love of the land. Mary put lots of time and effort into finding the right people to bring her vision to life , enter a cast full of life , comic timing and a real passion to make this play work. She also assembled a back stage team that would also help bring this play to life.

Looking at the cast she put together , you had a mix of youth and experience , the experienced heads of John Dowling , Yvonne O Keeffe Fox and Helen Enright showed the ropes to the young bucks like Cormac Wall and Jimmy Sweeney. The rest of the cast was expertly put in place with each part given to people who had the correct qualities to bring each character to life.

Maura Mc Dermott in the role of Babe Mc Morrow , PJ Normile  was given the task of bringing life to Phillip Mc Morrow , John Dowling took the role of Diarmy Mc Morrow , Cormac Wall played long lost son Diarmuid Mc Morrow , Thomas Mulvihill played family friend Ned Mc Kee , Shane Wall played Simon O Neill , the shifty Inspector from the council , Tom Stack played Fr Dan Mullins , the Priest who should have joined the Army instead of taking holy orders. , Guard Atkinson was expertly portrayed by Jimmy Sweeney, Dr Farrell  , the golf loving GP was played by Helen Enright , Delores Van Der Vere , The vegetarian Dutch photographer was played by Yvonne O Keeffe Fox. Guards Bernadette and Vince were brought to life by Kevin Enright and Maureen Considine with  Danielle Considine , Eoin Diggins, Laura Lavery and Trish Griffin playing paramedics Jane , Paula and Frances and Ben.

These cast members were hand-picked by Mary alongside her assistant director Jerry O Connell. She chose correctly in each case which took time and effort. She as I already mentioned also put together a strong back stage crew that included , Alison Lavery , Laura Lavery , Breda Lavery , Noelle Mc Gibney , Eithne Griffin , Niamh Wall and this author also played a small part as an usher , Trish Healy and Johnny Block Mulvihill were brought on board to construct the set that looked impeccable.

The three nights in Tarbert were fantastic and each audience brought something different to the table , they were full of praise for the work that has been put in since last September which this author must also commend.

 To Mary, well done for bringing this dream to life, many people say they would love to do things like this but not many go ahead and do it so congratulations for having the drive to succeed and here’s hoping the crowd in St Johns Listowel have the same appreciation for this play as was seen in the three nights in Tarbert.

To anyone who hasn’t booked and would like to see this Play, please contact St Johns theatre Listowel ASAP as tckets are like goldust.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

01/02/2016

European Champions Cup Quarter Finals – France Vs England !!

 

So it’s France vs England in the Champions Cup Quarter Finals with an even spread of 4 teams from each country and no team from the Pro 12 on this rare occasion. This occurrence will of course throw up the usual questions of financial muscle and the strength of each league.

The Pro 12 will have many questions asked of it given the fact that not one team made the last 8 in the Champions Cup although some Pro 12 sides made the last 8 in the Challenge Cup. Of course it will straight away have people questioning the strength of the Pro 12. Ulster did extremely well to put themselves in a position to fight for a last 8 spot. There can count themselves extremely unfortunate not to be heading for the Quarter Finals in April. They along with the Ospreys flew the flag for the Pro 12 into yesterday’s vital round 6 fixtures.

Rather than this being a disaster of epic proportions, the Pro 12 will just have to come up with solutions to the problems that have surfaced off the back of results over the weekend. Now in saying all of this, all is not rosy in the Top 14 and the much talked about Aviva Premiership.

Teams like Bath and Clermont Auvergne have fallen through the trap door which goes to prove that money doesn’t mean you will automatically win the Big prize, just ask Clermont who despite bringing in talent like Nick Abendanon and Jonathan Davies are still waiting to lift Europe’s big prize. They will have to wait until next season at the earliest to win that much sought after European Title.

The lack of a side from the Pro 12 will also have people asking would it be better to have the Irish teams in particular in private hands and not in the hands of the Union but as I have shown by stating that both Bath and Clermont have spent heavily and haven’t crossed the European threshold and picked up Europe’s big prize. Bath did win it back in 1998 but that was along time ago and loads of water has passed under the bridge since that win over Brive.

Munster could easily have made the last 8 if they had won at least one game against Leicester and picked up a losing point or try bonus point in more than just the two fixtures against Treviso. This instance will show everybody how important it is to come away from each fixture with something. You don’t need to win all your games but come away with a try bonus or losing bonus point and you’ll never know how crucial that could be in the final standings.

Leinster will be hugely disappointed with their performances in their Pool and will want to put this year behind them although they have unearthed a few gems within their squad, with guys like Josh Van Der Flier and Gary Ringrose stepping up to the mark and taking the chance that has presented itself with the World Cup being on over the early weeks of the season. Josh Van Der Flier has made the most of Sean O Brien being away with Ireland and has performed so well he will be involved with Ireland during this year’s Six Nations.

Coming back to the European Quarter Finals it isn’t all doom and gloom with Connacht making it through to the last 8 in the Challenge Cup and continuing what has been a very impressive season in the Pro 12 and in Europe , where they had to travel to Russia to take on Ensei STM. So what Connacht have proven to the other three teams in Ireland is that it can be done and you just have to persevere.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

25/01/2016

Looking at the Ireland squad that will contest the opening two rounds of this year’s 6 Nations there are some winners and losers, both Cian Healy and Mike Ross have been replaced by James Cronin and Tadgh Furlong, Joe Schmidt is moving away from the old hands although Cian Healy has struggled with injury and suspension since coming back from the World Cup. Mike Ross will be disappointed to have been left out but with the emergence of Tadgh Furlong coupled with the already well established Martin Moore, Mike Ross may finally have to admit defeat and feel that his International career could be coming to a close.

Elsewhere in the forwards, Josh Van Der Flier, Ultan Dillane and CJ Stander have earned first time call ups after strong performances over the last few months. Into the backs and there has been minimal change with only Stewart Mc Closkey being rewarded for his fine early season performances. Joe Schmidt hasn’t gone too far away from the squad that he picked for the World Cup.

The clamour for Gary Ringrose to be included will have to die down for another while even though the squad has only been announced for the 1^st two rounds of the 6 Nations. Injuries may open the door for all players currently on the outside of the squad.  Players like Gary Ringrose, Jordi Murphy and Cian Healy will have to wait until at least round 3 to break into the squad.

Looking to the tournament itself both Ireland and Wales want to start the campaign with a win but both sides will be the final two teams into action on the opening weekend.  Already we have seen Warren Gatland heap the pressure on Schmidt and Ireland by saying that they are favourites to win a third consecutive Championship. After winning in 2014 and 2015 it would probably be natural to think that Ireland would have a real chance to win a 3^rd title.

With both England and France under new coaches Guy Noves and Eddie Jones, both of those sides will fancy their chances to turn their team’s fortunes around. England will want to perform in this campaign after being knocked out of the World Cup at the group phase and France will want to bounce back after being dismantled by New Zealand in Cardiff in the Quarter Final. Ireland of course will want banish the demons of that defeat.

Italy and Scotland are not to be forgotten after Scotland came within a score of beating Australia to reach the Semi Final. They along with their coach Vern Cotter will be hell bent on improving on that Quarter Final performance and I am sure they will cause all the other teams many problems.

Looking to Italy they will want to send Coach Jacques Brunel away with some positive performances and maybe one or two wins to give the incoming coach the opportunity to build on some good results. The results have not been the best for Italy since Brunel took over from Nick Mallett. Whoever does take on the job will have to work with a team that has to depend on two underperforming club teams in the Pro 12. Some of their better players are plying their trade away from Italy and also they need to blood more players from there Under 20s side to give the team a well needed shot in the arm. Here’s hoping we have a good tournament to give Northern Hemisphere Rugby a well needed boost.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

21/01/2016

Irish Rugby – Half Term Report

As we have just pasted the half way point of the Pro 12 season, It is time to take stock of where the four Irish provinces are, Connacht are having a great season so far even though they have suffered many injuries and have gone into a couple of fixtures with only 22 players not even enough for a full complement of 23. In fairness to Pat Lam he hasn’t let those issues effect the team and barring the last two weeks where Newcastle Falcons and Ulster have beaten them, they have started this season in fantastic shape and let’s hope this continues into 2016.

 Looking through the squad , it is full of home grown talent that is sprinkled with some outside talent namely Bundee Aki and Tom Mc Cartney to name two players with Super 15 experience that have come in and made a huge difference and given Connacht the hard edge that they have lacked in year’s past. Looking to the rest of this season they will need to weather the Six Nations period where I feel they will be missing more than just Robbie Henshaw, players like Kieran Marmion and Jack Carty should be on Joe Schmidt’s radar. In the forwards guys like Denis Buckley and Ultan Dillane can’t be too far away from a call up. They have been the feel good story of a strange season for Irish Rugby so far.

Moving to Leinster, they resigned Jonathan Sexton in the summer to try and regain lost ground but alas so far it has been far from plain sailing, out of Europe after 4 rounds and until last night against Munster struggling to find form in the Pro 12, but with guys like Sean O Brien, Dominic Ryan and Luke Fitzgerald getting back to form at this key point of the season things are brighten for the boys in blue. Leo Cullen took on his first big head coach’s role after the sacking of Matt O Connor at the end of last season.

Cullen like Foley in Munster was in charge of the team’s forwards before being promoted to the big job. Leinster have done well in recent years in integrating the academy graduates into to the main squad through the Leinster A side and then straight into the first 23. Players like twins , Emmett and Bryan Byrne , Josh Van Der Flier , Jack Conan , Luke Mc Grath have made the step up to the Leinster senior side.

After such a poor start to the season , things looked glum for Leinster but to be fair to Cullen and his coaches they have steadied the ship and with players like Isa Nacewa and Ben Teo’o driving things on the field the pressure has slightly been lifted  from Sean O Brien and Jonathan Sexton. With Europe gone for this year, Leinster may just spark and make a real push for Pro 12 honours this year.

Up to Belfast, things are going well for Ulster two massive wins over Toulouse has reignited there European campaign. Players like Luke Marshall and Stuart Mc Closkey have taken up the batten from injured players like Jared Payne and Tommy Bowe. Paddy Jackson has started firing since arriving back from the World Cup , he along with Ruan Pienaar have steered Ulster into a position where they can go after honours in Europe and the Pro 12. The arrival of Les Kiss has also signalled a change in fortunes before he arrived they were just cruising but now they are in flying form and one wouldn’t bet against them at home and abroad to at least get to the knock out phase of both the Champions Cup and Pro 12.   

Munster now find themselves in a position that they have been in before almost certainly out in Europe barring a miracle and after a humbling 24-7 defeat at the hands of Leinster in Thomond Park where teams used to fear coming to unfortunately this is no longer the case as throughout this season and last things have changed, crowds have become less vocal and results have changed with Clermont Auvergne and a number of teams in the Pro 12 have arrived and stormed “Fortress Thomond”. That myth is sadly no longer the truth with teams coming to Limerick and having an easy time of it. Gone are the days of Ronan O Gara scoring a winning drop goal or penalty to secure another famous win , Since 2011 when the last trophy was secured things have just gone on a downward spiral and although Rob Penney arrested the slump with two European Semi Finals he was disposed with after trying to change the way that Munster played and while this didn’t sit well with many Munster fans I am sure they wouldn’t mind a European Semi Final at the end of this season.

Here’s hoping that Munster‘s fortunes will turn and they can try and find a way out of this current situation or it will be a long finish to the current campaign.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

28/12/2015

Munster Rugby – An Open Letter

After the last few weeks and the three defeats on the spin I though it important to write an open impassioned open letter to the Munster squad and management. I have been a long-time supporter of Munster since the age of 8. The team has given me some of the best days of my life and the team means so much to me I just felt that I needed to pen this letter.

After the league win 2011 under Tony Mc Gahan I never thought that the glory days would be few a far between after that day. Since then there has been another Pro 12 Final appearance and also a few Semi Finals in Europe and also some glorious away days in Europe like Harlequins in 2013 and the magnificent day in Limerick against Toulouse when they put 50 points on the 4 time winners. They are special days and I really want those days back again.

I realise that the team has changed and will continue to change over the next few season’s but that Red Jersey is still the same one that it was in 78 , 92 , 06 ,08 and 2010 when some of the greatest days happened like beating New Zealand , Australia twice and winning two European Cups.

Anthony Foley has tried to get back to the old days of back to basics rugby and that worked on certain occasions and he has tried to come up with solutions to dilemmas that have cropped up since he took over from Penney, like putting a centre combination in place that will get the team going forward , ala the days of Holland , Mullins , Mafi , Tipoki and even Downey and Laulala yeah remember them , they were three centre combinations that always succeeded in getting Munster over the gain line. Since the latter pairing of Downey and Laulala left Munster have struggled to find the right combination with a number of pairings tried not all really having the desired effect. Hurley and Saili was the latest incarnation and that was tried out but Foley reverted to type with Keith Earls moving in from the wing and Conway was moved to the right wing.

Cian Bohane is a man that many may not recognise but he is another option at 13 that Munster may well try out in the coming weeks and months, watch this space!! Getting back to the letter I just hope that Fans can get behind the team this weekend in Leicester and just see where that takes us. This weekend again is huge, we are hanging by a thread in Pool 4 even with one game to spare to be played against Stade Francais in early January. But first a foremost another huge European night in Welford Road to come this Sunday at 5.15 where Munster will do what has made them a legendary team is Europe and that is try and win on the road.

The performances in the last few years has seen people turn away from Munster and say they are finished and that is a person’s prerogative but I do feel that this team has a big performance within them every team does and Munster may just need to call on that performance this weekend. I know in my heart and soul it is there and what better way than to roar back into contention with a win in Welford Road , It has been done before , No reason why it can’t be done again. TO THE BRAVE AND FAITHFUL NOTHING IS IMPOSSAIBLE, this particular motto is needed this weekend like no other time , So Lads go out this Sunday and show everybody what wearing that famed Red Jersey really means.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

17/12/2015

Irish Sporting Weekend

The Irish sporting weekend saw Ireland find out who they will face in next summer’s European Championships, with Martin O Neill’s men drawing Sweden, Belgium and Italy. Not an easy group by any stretch of the imagination but one main difference between Trappatoni’s men in 2012 and O Neill’s crew of 2016 is that while the squad may have many faces from 2012 but the self-belief levels are now at an all-time high. Having beaten Germany 1-0 in Dublin to secure a third place finish where we faced down a well drilled Bosnia side led by Edin Dzeko. Goals from Robbie Brady in the away leg and a brace from Jon Walters in Dublin help send Ireland to France next summer. So now that O Neill and Keane know what they have to face they can plan accordingly.

Moving to UFC and the big fight between Conor Mc Gregor and Jose Aldo the undefeated Featherweight Champion. As I have stated before I am not a massive fan of UFC but you cannot but be impressed with what Conor Mc Gregor has achieved in UFC and also with his charisma is so infectious it is hard not to get carried away by all the hype but one major difference between his trash talk and some of the rest is that he backs everything he says up with action.

 It took him 13 seconds to dispose of Aldo and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas went wild. Another major attraction that helps Mc Gregor is that he came from a simple back ground in Dublin and that to me would be a big help in drawing in fans. He has also got this ability to say the correct thing and the most opportune moment. His skills and fitness levels are incredible. To be able to master one discipline is something special but to combine three in one sport in truly remarkable. He has a coach in which he trusts and this particular link cannot be underestimated. Joe Kavanagh is a key cog in the Mc Gregor camp.

The support that Conor Mc Gregor has managed to garner in a short space of time in also a remarkable achievement. He has supporters that have shown they will travel anywhere in support of there “Hero”. He is now the man with the Belt so we wait with baited breath to see where the Mc Gregor roadshow will pull into next!!

The Champions Cup and Challenge Cups have moved onto the back to back fixtures that could make or break a team’s season. Ulster defeated Toulouse on Friday to reignite there challenge with a 38-0 win. They will now travel to France knowing that they will face an altogether different Toulouse side who will be stung from being niled. In the Challenge Cup, Connacht continued their recent good form with a 25-10 win over Newcastle Falcons. They are also in the middle of an injury crisis which makes any victory in Europe all the more impressive. Looking to Munster’s defeat at home to Leicester, Leicester will be pleased that they delivered another blow in Thomond Park.

 Although Munster will point to a couple to key decisions that helped Leicester to victory. Munster will also need to be honest with themselves this week if they are to stand any chance of gaining a win in Welford Road. Leinster took on Toulon yesterday and were beaten 24-9 and that defeat coupled with the round one loss at home to Wasps has seen Leinster all but knocked out of Europe for this year. Irish rugby needs to steady the ship after a quarter final loss to Argentina. The Union needs to sit down with all of the Provinces coaches and CEO’s and come to a mutual agreement that will benefit both the Provinces and that National side.

 For the last 15 years or so the model that the IRFU pioneered has worked and delivered trophies in both club and national competitions. It needs to be looked at before the club and national sides of the other nations overtake our club sides.It might be time the Union looked to outside investment to help fund the game in this country.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

14/12/2015

European Preview – Round 3 and 4

Ulster Vs Toulouse –

After the postponement of round 1 for Ulster, they then went into round 2 at home to Saracens looking to defeat the team that beat them in the 2014 quarter final Saracens, a game that saw Jared Payne red carded for taking a player out in the air.

From an Ulster point of view the game never really went to plan and it saw Saracens dominate and they went on to win the game comfortably.

Heading into the Christmas double header with Toulouse that will see Toulouse travel to Belfast first and then Ulster go out to France, it is crucial that Ulster win at least one of the next two fixtures given the fact that they have to play Oyonnax in a back game in early January. Ulster will still feel they have the squad to compete in Pool 1.

 Looking to the next two games, Ulster who won this weekend in the Pro 12 will want to bring the feel good factor back to the Kingspan Stadium after a few years in the European wilderness, they made the 2012 Final and with a positive result against Toulouse they might well be on the road to redemption. I think Ulster will have enough to get past Toulouse and give themselves a fighting chance in Pool 1.

Connacht Vs Newcastle Falcons –

Connacht will go into round 3 of the Challenge Cup in a rich vein of form, defeating Munster in Limerick for the 1^st time since 1986 and coming up just short against Cardiff this week.

 Connacht will have the edge on Newcastle in terms of form and although Connacht have picked up a number of injuries in recent times, it doesn’t seem to have slowed their progress down and with a game plan that suits Connacht, there recent good run in both the Pro 12 and Europe could be set to continue and I see Connacht beating Newcastle in Galway and in Newcastle and setting themselves up for a home Challenge Cup quarter final.

Leinster Vs Toulon –

Leinster go into their double header with Toulon in desperate need of points having being beaten in the opening two games by Wasps and Bath. Leinster are only holding on in there Pool by their fingertips and mathematically still have a slim chance of making progress into the quarter finals. Toulon have welcomed back a number of World Cup stars like Bryan Habana , Drew Mitchell and of course double World Cup winner Ma’a Nonu has come into the squad to add yet another experienced head.

 Paul O Connell would also have been part of the squad only for injury to intervene and delay his debut for a few more months. Leinster will want to set down a marker and get their season back on track and a win over Toulon would be the ideal way to start that process. Toulon have had a mixed start to the Top 14 season and also they were well beaten by Wasps in Coventry. They have picked things up since that defeat and this weekend they beat Agen 53-19 in Toulon and that may also be a signal to Europe that they are ready to fire again.

 Leinster would dearly love a win over Toulon to kick start a stuttering season but you have to think they may have to wait until the Pro 12 resumes for that boost in confidence. Toulon will win both legs at both home and away.

 

Munster Vs Leicester Tigers –

Munster go into round three with an unconvincing 32-7 win over Treviso as the starting point for their time in Europe this season. Leicester on the other hand will take huge confidence from two big wins over Stade Francais and Treviso. They of course came to Thomond Park in 2007 and delivered Munster’s first defeat at home in Europe. Since then both Clermont Auvergne and Harlequins have breached Fortress Thomond in European action.

With that 07 defeat to Leicester in mind I am sure Munster will do everything to redress the balance. Leicester have had two wins since they last played in Europe whereas Munster suffered defeats to Connacht and Newport Gwent Dragons.

 The old cliché of Munster being really strong in Europe is old news but they are now is desperate need of a big result to keep any hope of European action beyond January alive. Munster will need more than just the crowd and a hell, fire and brimstone approach to get passed Leicester Tigers. Munster might just have enough to find a way past Leicester in Limerick but realistically they don’t seem to have the game plan that will see them get the required result in Welford Road. So over the next two rounds, I see Munster winning one and losing one.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

07/12/2015

Is the English Premier League as good as it is made out to be!! Some of the results in The Champions League have left a lot to be desired , although all the clubs involved still have a chance of making the knock out phase in February , it will take something special for Arsenal and Man Utd to qualify. Arsenal put Dinamo Zagreb to the sword on Tuesday night by winning 3-0 but will wonder how they were beaten on match day 1 by the same opposition.

 Man Utd struggled in Old Trafford last night and were held to a scoreless draw. Both Arsenal and Man Utd will have to get the three points, from Arsenal‘s point of view they will need the points to stand any chance of progressing.

These results have again questioned the strength of the Premier League, The four Premier League teams have had mixed results in the group phase and although all four can still make it through , two of the sides may not progress beyond the group stage if results don’t go there way on match day 6.

Man Utd have probably been the weakest of the four sides , they have spent big and brought in a number of players that just haven’t been up to scratch and the question marks will remain until Louis Van Gaal delivers a trophy and gets Utd playing the way we know they can.

 Personal may have changed but the Fans still want Utd playing the same way, this cannot happen while Van Gaal is in charge. He also doesn’t have the same type of player in his squad that Ferguson had in his. He won the Champions League with Ajax in the 90s but football has moved on.

This Utd team under Van Gaal plays a slow paced build up game that is laboured at times and does not seem to suit the players he has at his disposal. The lack of a Striker in form hasn’t helped his cause, now that Wayne Rooney is employed in a deeper role means that other players like Anthony Martial and James Wilson need to step up and be counted when it matters most.

 The way Van Gaal plays the game needs two wingers that will get the ball into the Box and this in turn will need at least one striker to find the net more regularly than has been the norm this season. The Premier League is hyped up and regularly touted as the “toughest league in the world “This tag is worn as a badge of honour by the teams in the league and while performances at home have been strong, performances in Europe have left a lot to be desired and while this remains the case the questions about the quality of the League will remain.

 

By

Cian Mc Gibney

26/11/2015

International Rules

The International Rules game between Australia and Ireland was played on Saturday evening in Croke Park with Ireland winning 56-52. This particular concept has gone through a number of changes since it became an annual event. In more recent years, the series has seen a number of players involved in fights during each of the games that were played.

2006 saw the International Rules series reach a crucial point after a number of incidents one of which saw Graham Geraghty end up with a broken jaw and also there were a number of unsavoury incidents with both sides contributing to a very poor spectacle that saw many call for the Series to be ended.

The concept of the International Rules is an interesting one that see’s the marrying of two codes into one , with different aspects and rules from each code brought together to give you a hybrid game. The game is broken into 4 quarters 18 minutes in duration. The mark is used along with the “45” and also a goal keeper is employed like in GAA, where in AFL there is no goal keeper.

On the last three occasions that Ireland have taken on Australia in 2013 , 2014 and 2015 , the series has only had one game where it had been a two game series and let’s be honest it was far more competitive as a two game series. The reason for dropping it back to one game is a valid one to see was there an appetite for the concept from both the Australian and Irish sides.

In 2013 the Series seemed doomed when Australia sent a team over of just indigenous players and they were hammered as Ireland scored over 100 points. Discussions then took place to see whether or not this concept was worth pursuing. It was given one match in 2014 and after a really competitive that saw Ireland lose by 10 points out in Perth.

2015 saw Ireland face Australia on a very significant date in Irish history, November 21^st 1920, 14 people were shot dead while watching a Football match between Dublin and Tipperary, one of those shot was Tipperary captain Michael Hogan after whom the Hogan Stand is named. Back to the International Rules, ask many of the players that have played in any of the Series and they will tell you that they love playing against each other.

One major problem that the series does have from an Irish perspective is that it clashes with a number of club games where certain Irish players have to make a choice between club or country. Not an easy choice to make, the Australians are now facing into an off season whereas certain Irish players are going to playing with their clubs until Christmas time.  The GAA already has a clogged calendar that see’s both club teams and inter county teams going long periods without games and that in turn mean’s players go long periods without games.

If the GAA want this Series to stay then they need to find a solution to the fixture congestion and also figure out what they want from the Series, Two games would be competitive and give the Series meaning, one game is a straight shoot out and that would mean that if one team has a strong start the game could be over by half time.

In this author’s humble opinion, it would be in the best interests of both the GAA and AFL to find an amicable solution that will see this wonderful concept continue long into the future…

By

Cian Mc Gibney

23/11/2015

 

Munster – Fans and Transfers

In the past week or so, the Munster fan base has been questioned because of the poor numbers that were at the Champions Cup game against Treviso last Saturday. They were supposedly over 17,000 at the game a long way from the 26,000 you would get in the early days after it was redeveloped. I realise things have changed in the country since the heady days of the Celtic Tiger , coupled with fact Munster have not been as successful in recent years as they had been.

 They were Magners League winners in 2011, beating Leinster in the Grand Final at Thomond Park. Since then they have had mixed fortunes while being consistent in making the knock out games in both Europe and in the Pro 12. This it seems isn’t enough anymore for certain sections of support. They feel we don’t compete at the top table anymore and that outside investment is the ultimate solution. While on the face of it outside investment is one solution another is letting things develop from within each of the Provincial structures and let the academies develop their own talent.

Connacht are a prime example of this , with players like Jack Carty , Robbie Henshaw , Ultan Dillane to name just three players that have come through the hands of Nigel Carolan in the Connacht academy. In Leinster , players like Cian Kelleher , Luke Mc Grath and Cathal Marsh have come into the Leinster set up this season along with Gary Ringrose from whom big things are expected. In Munster guys like Stephen Fitzgerald , Sean Mc Carthy and John Madigan have come through although the latter has suffered a number of niggly injuries in the recent past. In Ulster lads like , Peter Nelson and Sam Arnold have broken into the starting XV this season.

 So the work been done at academy level is producing quality players all the time. Maybe not fast enough for people’s liking , In Ireland you are working from a very small player base that has to compete with the GAA , Soccer and a number of other sports. So please be fair to each of these academies and let them continue the work they have been doing.

Moving onto the Transfer system that the IRFU employs , it allows each of the provinces to sign 4 NIQ’s or Non Qualified Irish players to me and you. Munster were the latest team to fall foul to this particular agreement in the past few days when they approached them to rubber stamp a move for Stephen Moore the Australia skipper from next season. David Nucifora the man in charge of all the transfer activity in Ireland decided against this particular move as he felt it would block the development of the Hookers in the current squad , namely Mike Sherry , Kevin O Byrne , Niall Scannell and Duncan Casey.

I can see the reason behind this move to block it although from a Munster point of view it is disappointing and they could have done with his experience as the leadership group within the squad has been decimated by the departures of Paul O Connell , Donnacha O Callaghan and the unfortunate retirement of Felix Jones. So Munster will have to look for new leaders like Conor Murray , Donnacha Ryan and CJ Stander.  Yes it is annoying that the IRFU allow more flexibly with player transfers but it is the same for all of the provinces. Look at this way , would you rather the IRFU system or let each Province go into private ownership and the IRFU have no say so in what happens !!

This system was put in place so our National team could compete , take one look where French rugby is at the moment and you will see that while the Irish system has it faults , it has been to the benefit of Irish rugby , Joe Schmidt has delivered two Six Nations titles in 2014 and 2015. Tell me honestly who wouldn’t mind a third title next March…

By

Cian Mc Gibney

19/11/2015