Irish Rugby 2014

What can be said about Irish rugby after a tumultuous 2013, it all started so well back in February with a 30-22 win over Wales. But there after it all went downhill, with defeats to England and a first ever 6 Nations defeat to Italy.

After a 6 Nations review it was decided to let Declan Kidney go and the process to bring in a new coach was set up, the early clamour came for Joe Schmidt the then Leinster coach but also Conor O Shea, Harlequins head coach was in the mix. In the end the IRFU decided to give the job to Joe Schmidt after 3 trophy laden seasons as Leinster boss. He took the job on until after the 2015 World Cup. Les Kiss took on the head coach role for two tests against Canada and USA. Joe Schmidt travelled as an observer.

 In those two tests they blooded some new players like Munster’s Tommy O Donnell and Connacht’s Robbie Henshaw . After two workmanlike performances that ended in two wins, Ireland came home full of hope for the Joe Schmidt era with November tests against Samoa, Australia and New Zealand.

After a less than impressive performance against Samoa that ended in a 40-9 win it was on to the two biggest games of the November series against Australia and New Zealand. Hope’s were high that this would be the start of something truly special in the Irish camp. Paul O Connell was named the new Irish captain after one season under Jamie Heaslips leadership. Was this the turning point with for Irish Rugby ?

The Australia game was such a poor performance no hunger, aggression or passion. Australia did bring there A game with Quade Cooper to the fore pulling the strings along with Will Genia and Ben Mowen not far behind. There did not seem to be too much structure to the Irish game both in defence and attack. They went on to be beaten 32-15.

Alarm bells were set ringing with World Champions New Zealand on the horizon, could New Zealand do to Ireland what they did to them in June 2012 and beat them by a record margin. But what happened in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday 24^th of November 2013 was a truly special and remarkable full of pride and passion now that doesn’t win you matches on its own but it gets you very close. But this did not happen and all of the great Irish work done in defence and attack was undone in the 82^nd minute when Ryan Crotty crashed over to rescue New Zealand‘s perfect test season 14 wins from 14 tests. A remarkable achievement by Steve Hansen’s men.

Heading in the 6 Nations in 2014 the Irish squad have plenty to look forward to 3 home games and a real chance to win the Championship and maybe just maybe a Grand Slam, over to you Joe!!!!

By

Cian Mc Gibney.  02-12-2013.

Fitness Expo

If you are free on October 20th, get yourself down to the Wright venue in Swords for a fitness competition, the only one in Ireland. It is run by a former Mr and Ms Ireland Nicoleta Chiorean and her husband Giani. It runs from 12pm until late. What you will see is a range of classes from Bikini classes to figure, fitness model and physique for women and for men they will have fitness model, athletic and body building.

It is a big fitness expo with supplement’s and cloths. Everyone that is in the business in Ireland will be there to promote their business and enjoy the show. The MC for the show will be Dave Behan from Tallafornia.

There will be some special guests at the show, Ms Bikini Olympia and Ms Universe Fitness from the USA. It is the only show in Ireland with Prize money, €500 cash for the overall winner and also €500 worth of supplements from NX Sport Nutrition sponsor of both Nicoleta and Giani. The winner will also receive a 1 year sponsorship from Kinetica and a 1 year contract from Assets Model Agency.

By

Cian Mc Gibney. 11/09/13.

Irish Pride

Has Brian O Driscoll hit the nail on the head with his statement that the players should see playing for Ireland as the ultimate honour over playing for one of the Provinces. I think he has stumbled across a solution to that burning question. Since 2009 Ireland have failed to kick on from that Grand Slam win , realistically Ireland have only really tasted fleeting success since 09 , beating South Africa and Argentina in 2010 , following up that in 2011 by beating Australia at the World Cup but then being beaten by Wales in the quarter final two weeks later , it just doesn’t add up. Those examples prove how inconsistent Ireland have been since 2009. After the Grand Slam win , Ireland were fourth in the world , had 13 players in that summer’s Lions squad to tour South Africa. Where has it all gone wrong?

The Welsh example is the best one to use to explain how things could change for the better , their regions may not have won Europe’s top prize , but they have won three Grand Slams in the last five years , Why? Because they focus all their energy on the national team , it is seen as the Ultimate to play for Wales , maybe there is the problem , Irish players have had more success at Provincial level and they are not seeing the same level of success at International level. This can change Ireland have some great young players , Andrew Conway , Brendan Macken from Leinster , Tiernan O Halloran , Kieran Mc Grath from Connacht , Simon Zebo, JJ Hanrahan from Munster and Paddy Jackson , Paddy Mc Allister from Ulster so the future is bright , it is just a matter of time until Declan Kidney calls these players into Ireland’s senior fold.

So playing for Ireland will now be the focus of more players minds we hope…

By Cian Mc Gibney. – 25-09-2012.

Do we need to continue with Ireland’s Call

Do we need to continue with Ireland’s Call into the future or can we go back to just our National Anthem. In 2013 can people see this as being a problem for people or players from Northern Ireland and can we put these differences to one side for the sake of the national side. After all it is only 2 minutes before an 80 minute match where all political differences are put to one side anyway. I would be in favour of doing away with Ireland’s Call. If we get enough support we could bring it to IRFU Headquarters and see how far we get.

 We have come a long way since Phil Coulter penned Ireland’s Call in 1995. On the other hand we may just open up a can of worms that neither the IRFU or rugby people have the stomach for. Am I just being pedantic or do I have a point. I remember back to 2007 when England came to Croke Park for the first time, and hearing Amhran Na bhFiann sung with such passion by players and fans alike it was in my own words the day “Ireland Grew Up”. It was a truly special day.

 Then when Ireland’s Call was sung with such gusto aswell I thought I may be out of line. Until the 2011 World Cup down in New Zealand when Ireland played USA in the opening fixture of Pool C, It was September 2011, 10 years on from 9/11 and to hear “the star spangled banner” that day was truly special and it first set me thinking about our two anthems. Do we really need Ireland’s Call?? Ireland won that day and went on to top the group. I do realise that this World Cup was particularly special due to the fact that so many Irish were in New Zealand for reasons beyond their control. So maybe Ireland’s Call has a more meaningful impact away from home than it has at home??

To sum up, the main reason I bring this up is, Do we really need two anthems as far as I know we are the only nation in world sport to have this particular distinction. I am open to contradiction on this!!

So please to whom it concerns at the IRFU, Do the right thing and discuss this matter…

Cian Mc Gibney.  07/08/2013.