Munster vs Connacht today was an ok performance. Looking forward to Keatley next year, and I hope O'Gara teaches him a thing or two about match control.
Sherry looked quality at hooker. Seeing Barnes today at 12 makes me wonder why he wasn't given more chances during the year. Zebo good on the wing again today....what else....
Donnocha Ryan really rising to the challange set by McLoughlin.
Leinster are getting some good players in Carr, Cronin and Hagan next year.
Munster Rugby Awards tonight too.
Player of the year: James Coughlan.
Young Player of the year: Ian Nagle
Academy Player of the Year: Conor Murray
Right results all around in my opinion.
Just in from a good evening in Thomond and nice award cermony wrapped up by a lovely speech by Quinny.
On the match, given the circumstances of past week and way team was named we were never going to be amazing but well what did we learn. ALOT.
- Sherry really is an option at 2 in big games and well having seen him progress throughout the season I think he can be a starter next season. Was MOTM.
- Donnacha Ryan really nailed down a marker and is finding form, was very good in open, performed excellently in the lineout even stealling a few and well I think he may have nailed a trip to New Zealand. Donnacha O'Callaghan is up against it now.
- Niall Ronan is at his max in ML level and well I think it showed slightly tonight again.
- Paulie looked very good with nice rampaging runs
- Tommy O'Donnell and Nagle got gametime and will be big part of Munster next season.
- Tomas returned and did ok but will be interesting who looses out next Saturday.
- Simon Zebo is turning in to a little gem. Has a bit of twisted knee but was very good tonight and took his try well.
- Doug Howlett. What can I say only he is an ultimate pro and well probably the best import we have ever had. That is a major compliment considering some of others we've had.
- Felix Jones was part of Irish squad this week for briefing on World Cup. If he keeps up his current form and stays fit it will be a major boost and could be a bolter for NZ.
- Danny Barnes, Got a chance in centre and well took it was running lines well, hitting tackles and just been lively, I had my doubts and well still think he is a 13 but well he probably has been best option at 12 we've played this year.
- Lastly Quinny, Thanks for the years of service and blood and sweat you've given Munster a true legend and was delighted to see him sign off with a try.
But well after last week there was a lot of us watching on and wondering what was the problem and how could it be fixed? How could Munster go from being an extremely effective defensive pattern to nearly consistently missing first up tackles, Making continuous errors and just lacking alot of performances.
Well tonight some of that was answered because some of the young lads showed partly what answer is, Watching the lads training during the week players like Jones, Zebo, O'Donnell and Nagle etc were really fighting for their big chance etc. And tonight players like Barnes and Sherry showed what is lacking. Heart, Desire and that bit of steel and resposibility to take the charge. Tonight first up tackles were alot better and Barnes led by example in that. He ran lines and was always looking for best option and could easily have been MOTM. Sherry likewise when chips were down didn't stand back and want to pass 'can, to someone else he took ball on and made yards. Maybe answer is we need to take a gamble and really just look for guys who have the heart and balls and go back to playing basics instead of being over expansive.
The future is not as bad as we fear. A Munster team under 30: For future
1. D. Hurley 2. M. Sherry 3. S. Archer
4. D. Ryan 5. I Nagle
6. P. O'Mahony 7. T. O'Donnell
8. P. Butler
9. C. Murray 10. I. Keatley
12. D. Hurley/ J.J. Hanrahan 13. D. Barnes
11. K. Earls 15. F. Jones 14. S. Zebo
Denis Hurley needs a go at 12 I thing and well if we could use NIQ spots smartly we could have a quick transition and obviously some lads like Leamy who on border of 30 would be added but still Munster just need perfect coaching ticket and bit of co-ordination between all parties and we can be up challenging again.