Category: Irish Rugby

PLAYER PROFILE: Alan Tynan

June 19, 2017

‘Player Profile’ is the name that we’ve stuck to player analysis pieces that feature up and coming youngsters playing for Munster Unfortunately, with the exception of Jack O’Donoghue, our player profiles over on Facebook proved the kiss of death to every single player that featured, with Brian Haugh, Luke O’Dea, Darren Moroney and Paddy Butler among those to be released from the Munster … More PLAYER PROFILE: Alan Tynan

Ranking Donnacha Ryan And The 14 Other Irish Players On Central Contracts

March 27, 2017

In case you missed it, the IRFU have decided not to renew the contract of star second row Donnacha Ryan – supposedly reasoning that the Tipperary man wouldn’t offer them value for money because of his age and injury profile. But playing the rugby of his career, injury free for over a year and showing no … More Ranking Donnacha Ryan And The 14 Other Irish Players On Central Contracts

Are Joe Schmidt’s Ireland As Good As We Think?

March 13, 2017

Doomsday? Only if you’re surprised. It wasn’t a disastrous performance, instead a welcome reality check for everyone. I’d hate to say I told you so, but this has been coming. Even despite the defeat to Scotland, this Irish team had an invincibility in the media and among supporter’s conversations. For this week at least, “in … More Are Joe Schmidt’s Ireland As Good As We Think?

ANALYSIS: Plenty Of Subtlety, But Not Enough Impact From Jamie Heaslip In 2017

February 27, 2017

Six Nations 2009, Ireland Vs France, Jamie Heaslip scores a vital try. Rapid, powerful, talented. Heaslip epitomized Declan Kidney’s Grand Slam winning team. I think Ireland were on a different level back then and I would have similar feelings about Jamie Heaslip.   Ireland Vs France 2017, Ireland win and Heaslip has had what is … More ANALYSIS: Plenty Of Subtlety, But Not Enough Impact From Jamie Heaslip In 2017

WATCH: Rugby Meets GAA as Ireland U20s Take The #FutureIsGreen Challenge

February 24, 2017

Ireland U20s take on France in a 6 Nations clash in Donnybrook Stadium later today. However, earlier this week – team sponsors PwC put three of the squad’s players to the test against three intercounty footballers in the #Futureisgreen skills challenge. Michael Quinlivan (Tipperary), Callum McCormack (Westmeath) and Ruairi Moore (Louth) faced off against Ireland … More WATCH: Rugby Meets GAA as Ireland U20s Take The #FutureIsGreen Challenge

COLUMN: Stander Is The Ultimate Ambassador For The Residency Rule But The Concept Remains Wrong

February 20, 2017

CJ STANDER IS the ultimate advertisement for the project player rule. Kimmage, Hunt have made strong cases against foreigners playing in Irish jerseys but have wrongly targeted the players who are simply doing the best thing for their rugby careers.  The residency rule is a farce but the people that have lived by it deserve … More COLUMN: Stander Is The Ultimate Ambassador For The Residency Rule But The Concept Remains Wrong

Hold Your Horses: Ireland Six Nations Preview

January 30, 2017

‘We beat the All Blacks, we can beat anyone’ Form The Six Nations is a championship. A test of consistency, one week to the next. Supporters remember 2016 for the two blockbuster performances. Defeating South Africa on their home turf for the first time and famously overcoming the All Blacks in Chicago What isn’t mentioned … More Hold Your Horses: Ireland Six Nations Preview

Munster Haka Selection: Ireland Six Nations XXIII

January 23, 2017

So the Ireland Six Nations squad was named on Monday morning and while every last man has earned his spot, there was still a sense that Joe Schmidt was a little more adventurous his usual self. Of the 40 man roster, this is my matchday selection for round one of the Six Nations Championship. MUNSTER HAKA SELECTION … More Munster Haka Selection: Ireland Six Nations XXIII