A great big Munster thread

[Feicarsinn]

Thats true although I'd like to keep Coughlan in the squad. He always plays to the best of his ability.

Aye, he's a good squad player and puts in a credible amount of work around the park. He's not good enough to be a starter imo, hence him only coming to the fore later in his career when the likes of Leamy, Wally and Quinlan were in decline.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I also saw that Ian Sherwin was saying the Munster youths team beat the exiles team handily enough but the exiles then had more players picked for the Ireland youths squad so it wouldn't surprise me if politics play a part in it too.

That result counts for nothing. At underage level, there's bound to be quite a few average or poor players in the youths squads. Maybe the exiles had, say, 4 excellent players in their team and the rest were dross while Munster had less top quality in their ranks but equally had fewer plodders than the exiles squad.

On another note, what's to stop Munster going to Leinster, Ulster or Connacht schools rugby players and offering them an academy deal? If the players aren't there in Munster, Munster should be proactive in sourcing talent for their academy. There's no point in hoping they can pick up a Felix Jones type player at 22 years old from another province's academy when they could be "poaching" a player at 18.

 

[profitius]

That result counts for nothing. At underage level, there's bound to be quite a few average or poor players in the youths squads. Maybe the exiles had, say, 4 excellent players in their team and the rest were dross while Munster had less top quality in their ranks but equally had fewer plodders than the exiles squad.

On another note, what's to stop Munster going to Leinster, Ulster or Connacht schools rugby players and offering them an academy deal? If the players aren't there in Munster, Munster should be proactive in sourcing talent for their academy. There's no point in hoping they can pick up a Felix Jones type player at 22 years old from another province's academy when they could be "poaching" a player at 18.

I think the exile players are a waste of time. None have made it to play for the provinces (for ages at least) and the good ones declare for England (Geraghty, Brookes). So its like Ireland scouting for England.

Munster should concentrate on getting their own house in order first. For the foreseeable future I can see more Leinster players moving south. Ideally it would be nice if Connacht benefited from the overflow.

Its not all bad though. There are some very good players coming through. JJ Hanrahan could be a fantastic player from what I've seen.

 

[Groundhog]

england are welcome to geraghty as far as im concerned

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I think the exile players are a waste of time.

Stewart Maguire, Rhys Ruddock, Dan Tuohy.........

 

[TRF_Olyy]

england are welcome to geraghty as far as im concerned

We are welcome to him, seeing as he's English 'n' all

It's Doran-Jones that we pinched off of you :lol:

 

[munstermuffin]

Snoop the thing is we haven't the personnell to scout like that, same as Leinster don't do it here etc.
We sometimes get a look at Connacht but thats because 1 coach lives past Ennis and it's easier for him to go to Connacht schools but usually each school keeps it in their own province.
For example Blackrock coaches usually tip off Leinster scouts in advance and some players are promised contracts with their home provinces before a game is even played. Same happens in Munster too. Politics play a part here too though and it is like Cork and Limerick are 2 different clubs trying to out=do eachother.

 

[Teh Mite]

Coventry. That well known city in Ireland.

 

[monkeypigeon]

Coventry. That well known city in Ireland.

Ireland: Oh, he's eligible to play for Ireland...might take him.

England: Yeah, we're keeping him.

Ireland: You're welcome to him.

England: ...he's English anyway.

Ireland: We never said he wasn't...

 

[munstermuffin]

Coventry. That well known city in Ireland.

Well these are links that hoped to be started from next season Coventry, London, Forrester in Scotland and have a base in Southern England too as we have to try and expand our recruitment levels and look at various issues such as is there props abroad etc.

 

[profitius]

Changes announced to the Munster academy.

-------------------------------------------------------
With academy players Conor Murray, Mike Sherry and Simon Zebo already confirmed as fully contracted players for next season, first year academy hooker Sean Henry has also secured a development contract.
22 year old Henry will be joined by UCC prop John Ryan who most recently impressed for the Munster development side that were narrowly defeated by the Irish U20s in Musgrave Park.

Other players involved that day included sub academy players James Cronin, Niall Scannell, Duncan Casey, Cathal O’Flaherty, Shane Buckley and Cian Bohane, and all now advance into the Munster Academy for season 2011/12.

Garryowen’s Shane Buckley is currently involved in the Irish U20s squad with fellow academy player JJ Hanrahan as they prepare for their first game of the Junior World Cup against England on Friday the 10th of June in Italy.

The academy will return to training at the end of June.

Munster Rugby Academy
Third Year:
Dave O’Callaghan (UCC) Backrow
Brian O’Hara (UL Bohs) Number 7
Second Year:
Alan Cotter (Young Munster) Prop
JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohs) Outhalf/Centre
Brian Hayes (Cork Constitution) Second Row
Corey Hircock (Garryowen) Centre
David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians) Prop
Luke O’Dea (Shannon) Fullback
Ronan O’Mahony (Garryowen) Fullback/Wing
Gareth Quinn McDonogh (Shannon) Outhalf
Cathal Sheridan (UL Bohemians) Scrumhalf
First Year:
Cian Bohane (Dolphin) Centre/Wing
Shane Buckley (Garryowen) Number 6
Duncan Casey (Shannon) Hooker
James Cronin (Highfield) Prop
Cathal O’Flaherty (Cork Con) Second Row/Backrow
Niall Scannell (Dolphin) Hooker

Outgoing players:
Kieran Essex and Paul Rowley - completed academy programme
Pa O’Regan - for now opting to pursue other career options

 

[munstermuffin]

Still more to be announced and Cathal Sheridan is going to Scotland

 

[profitius]

Yeah I was expecting to see a few more names alright! Good to see COF and Buckley in there. I don't know much about the others.

 

[munstermuffin]

Some issues still surround O Suillebheans contract and Liam Og Murphys will depend on his selection for RWC and if he is NIQ player.

 

[profitius]

Paul Darbyshire Passes Away
20 June 2011, 11:37 am
By The Editor
Paul Darbyshire, Munster Head of Strength and Conditioning, passed away in his sleep peacefully this morning.
Diagnosed last September with Motor Neurone disease, he fought an inspiring battle against the illness before finally succumbing to it in the early hours of the morning.

News of his death was revealed to Munster players and management this morning in Thomond Park as they assembled for stage 2 of the Munster Rugby fundraising cycle. The cycle began yesterday with the opening leg from Cork to Limerick which was attended by his wife Lyndsay.

The cycle will continue to Roscrea RFC today and the final Irish stage will see the cyclists go from Portlaoise RFC to Trinity College (via Maynooth) tomorrow.

Ar debhis De go raibh a anam.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Terribly sad news. Best wishes to his family.

RIP

 

[lynam1104]

Sad to hear

RIP

 

[coonor]

It is sadly amazing how quick the disease effected Paul. A great employee and friend of the province. His moments with Munster winning the Magners League and the way he has inspired Munster players and fans to participate in the charity bike ride shows how influential he was and still is. A sad time for everyone and my thoughts are with his friends and family.

 

[munstermuffin]

Lads just got on now to write about Paul but very sad alright. Especially as it was so fast but Pauls legacy will be forever remembered here and his input here was special. He will be sadly missed and may he rest in peace.

 

[Mantgm240]

New Kit to be launched on wednsday heres a preview: Click for enlarged image: