Leinster

[Sunny]

Hopefully also this will be the catalyst to take Leinster rugby out into areas in the provence where it is non-existant and largely irrelvant

Yes because rugby in places like Tipp, Kerry, Waterford and Clare is thriving!

All the proviences have alot of work still to do on expanding the game into areas that have not been historically strong. Its not just a Leinster thing. Look at the squad and see how many players come from surrounding Counties to Dublin.

 

[DavyJones]

Great performance by Leinster. As a munster fan it was tough to watch, but the Leinster defence was superb. Also, Leo Cullen and Mal O'Kelly kept O'Connell and O'Callaghan very quiet. It was so obvious that Leinster did their homework before the game and Cheika should be praised for this. Leicester will be tougher than Cardiff in the final, but in a way it would be great for Leinster to beat a team such as Leicester in the final to make it more special. Best of luck to Leinster.

I would be more inclined to give O Driscoll the praise. Over 8 weeks in Irish camp being Captain and discussing tactics with a man that built the Munster team. The guy is a legend and the likes of him and M O Kelly deserve the highest accolade in club rugby.

Time now for feet on the ground and move on.

 

[Sunny]

I would be more inclined to give O Driscoll the praise. Over 8 weeks in Irish camp being Captain and discussing tactics with a man that built the Munster team. The guy is a legend and the likes of him and M O Kelly deserve the highest accolade in club rugby.

Time now for feet on the ground and move on.

Thats the thing. They have to win the final now or all the abuse will start again. I think they will. To be fair to Leinster, it wasn't a once off performance as people have suggested. They showed the same physicality and courage in the match against Quinns as well.

Can I just say as a Leinster supporter, I have my fingers crossed for Quinlan. He deserves a ban but doesn't deserve to miss the Lions tour. Thought Cullen showed alot of class in dealing with it.

 

[DavyJones]

I was in Thomond last month to see the ML match up and the Leinster pack were fairly dominant that night so all the ingredients were there but not the right mix, It also didn't help that Fitz and O Driscoll were not playing.

I knew Leinster had a cracking game in them and hoped it wouldn't come against us, lets hope they have one more in them.

Quinlan was daft and after the game went up and apoligised to Cullen.Leinster seem to be playing it down which is the norm between provinces.

I have yet to watch the game on tv so I don't know how bad it was, but from what I can gather it is quite bad and he may be looking at an 8 week ban. He really should know better at this stage.
One thing you are taught in rugby form a young age is to protect your head and everyother head on the pitch. It's a big no no.

 

[Mpsox]

Yes because rugby in places like Tipp, Kerry, Waterford and Clare is thriving! .

Actually it is in places, Cashel almost made it to the senior AIL this year and were only beaten by Sunday's Well in a playoff, Waterford RFC won the Munster youth programme of the year this year and there is even a club in the Gaeltacht in Kerry right now.

It's been great to see rural clubs in Munster like Midleton, Bruff, Nenagh and Clonakility get into the AIL and push forward, that is what Leinster need to do, outside of the Pale, I think there are only 2 senior clubs in the entire province, Carlow and Buccaneers.

 

[Sunny]

I was in Thomond last month to see the ML match up and the Leinster pack were fairly dominant that night so all the ingredients were there but not the right mix, It also didn't help that Fitz and O Driscoll were not playing.

I knew Leinster had a cracking game in them and hoped it wouldn't come against us, lets hope they have one more in them.

Quinlan was daft and after the game went up and apoligised to Cullen.Leinster seem to be playing it down which is the norm between provinces.

I have yet to watch the game on tv so I don't know how bad it was, but from what I can gather it is quite bad and he may be looking at an 8 week ban. He really should know better at this stage.
One thing you are taught in rugby form a young age is to protect your head and everyother head on the pitch. It's a big no no.

Yeah I agree. Another interesting thing to come from the game was the emergence of Cian Healy. Considering we were having panic attacks due to lack of props a while back, this is a positive development. We need Buckley to push on now as well. Thought the reception that Hayes got going off from both sets of supporters was a fiting tribute to a real legend.

Sextons performance was also note worthy. Taking the rivalry out of it for second, the game was good for Irish rugby as it showed the beginnings of some serious strength in depth. Heaslip beat Leamy, Jennings beat Wallace, Cullen beat O'Callaghan etc etc. Having said that, Elsom was the best player on the pitch by a country mile!

 

[DavyJones]

There were atleast 9 Leinster players that deserved the MOTM. Healy was in cracking form. I thought Nacewa was superb but Rocky was my MOTM, when he hit you could feel it in the stand and he always gained ground in contact..

It is good for Irish Rugby and good for next seasons match ups.

But in the space of a week Munster have won their domestic league, Lost 1 Lion and surely another and have been dumped (good and proper) out of a tournament they are champions of. Bad week overall may be an understatement.

 

[Sunny]

Actually it is in places, Cashel almost made it to the senior AIL this year and were only beaten by Sunday's Well in a playoff, Waterford RFC won the Munster youth programme of the year this year and there is even a club in the Gaeltacht in Kerry right now.

It's been great to see rural clubs in Munster like Midleton, Bruff, Nenagh and Clonakility get into the AIL and push forward, that is what Leinster need to do, outside of the Pale, I think there are only 2 senior clubs in the entire province, Carlow and Buccaneers.

Bruff is in Limerick and Middleton and Clonakilty are in Cork. Not saying there isn't progress being made but it is the same in Leinster e.g. Tullamore beat Navan in the Junior cup. Also you forgot Greystones and Naas.

 

[DerKaiser]

I did find it a bit strange that the Leinster crowd was singing Ole ole ole and Come on you boys in blue, both football chants. I also found the Cheerio chants, as Munster supporters left the ground, was in bad taste. a real football element creeping into the game.

Saying that I had great craic last night with Leinster fans and wish them all the best in the final.

I've heard Ole Ole sung at boxing matches and Compromise rules games

The Dubs sing 'Come on ye boys in blue' for the gaelic

The Cheerio chant is always in excellent taste for those who leave games before full time

 

[DavyJones]

I've heard Ole Ole sung at boxing matches and Compromise rules games

The Dubs sing 'Come on ye boys in blue' for the gaelic

The Cheerio chant is always in excellent taste for those who leave games before full time

This isn't a boxing match or compromised rules, both of which are on a national level.
The GAA, again is different. So just becasue you heard a song being sung at a darts match or whatever other things float your boat, does not make them suitable for rugby.

Our idea of "excellent taste" differ wildly. Rugby esp in Ireland has always been about respect, respect your opponents and their supporters.

Now there are asses on both sides, as is very clear to see.

Enjoy yer time in the sun, God knows you haven't had much to shout about in the recent past. Save your smugness for when Cullen lifts the cup cos if he doesn't you may be sharing my humble pie ( I'll save you a slice just in case)

 

[MrMan]

Actually the one thing rugby could do with is a few humorous chants. Soccer has some crude ones but also alot of funny ones that get the crowd going. I have to say the 'Munster, Munster' thing just aint for me. At places like Old Trafford you hear some gems and it creates a great buzz, the singing never stops.

 

[DavyJones]

Actually the one thing rugby could do with is a few humorous chants. Soccer has some crude ones but also alot of funny ones that get the crowd going. I have to say the 'Munster, Munster' thing just aint for me. At places like Old Trafford you hear some gems and it creates a great buzz, the singing never stops.

Funny songs are great but don't try and rile the opposie support, next thing will be segregation like Old Trafford.I didn't mind the " come on you boys in blue" but the cheerio silliness was against the spirit of the game I feel.

I was sitting infront of Leinster support who where very vocal but by and large were very respectful. I stayed till the end and shook their hands, they were delighted but were big enough not to rub it in (much)

 

[Latrade]

Funny songs are great but don't try and rile the opposie support, next thing will be segregation like Old Trafford.I didn't mind the " come on you boys in blue" but the cheerio silliness was against the spirit of the game I feel.

I was sitting infront of Leinster support who where very vocal but by and large were very respectful. I stayed till the end and shook their hands, they were delighted but were big enough not to rub it in (much)

Ah c'mon, a bit of harmless ribbing isn't disrespectful in anyway. How is it different than any of the pre match ribbing that went on across the land? Even on here regarding the ticket fiasco, there was stuff that could be construed as disrespectful. The fans were on a high, some Munster fans had given up and were leaving early and so Leinster bid them faretheewell. In any sport, you get some lows and the ribbing is part of that, I'm a Connaught fan, trust me I know all about that.

I've actually started to lose some respect for certain Munster fans after this. From what I saw they were quick to dish it out up to the game beginning and now some humbling chants and they claim "disrespect". The only disrespect shown was by the Munster team and the way they played. You earn respect, give some to the team that played very well and beat the out and out favourites. Then think seriously about whether Leicester is a more favourable location for the HC just because you have the beaten blinkers on at the moment.

 

[DavyJones]

Latrade, I will have to disagree with you on the cheerio thing, If Munster fans did it, I would say the same thing.

The large majority of Munster fans I spoke with have wished Leinster well in the final and acknowledged that we were outclassed on the day. Do you think a large proportion of Munster support want Leinster to do badly?

 

[Latrade]

Latrade, I will have to disagree with you on the cheerio thing, If Munster fans did it, I would say the same thing.

The large majority of Munster fans I spoke with have wished Leinster well in the final and acknowledged that we were outclassed on the day. Do you think a large proportion of Munster support want Leinster to do badly?

Fair dos, I like banter with my sport, sure there's a fine line, but I really don't think cheerio comes anywhere near to crossing that. From a lot of personal experience, sometimes the soreness of losing can make things seem worse.

On the last point I can only go off those I've spoken to and heard from. Firstly, I never take any views expressed on sports phone-ins as representative of a sporting fan base, so even though there has been some fairly odd and bitter responses on these I know radio stations pick and chose who they let on. It doesn't create a good show to have reasoned logical contributions.

But aside from that, there was a knee-jerk reaction among some friends of supporting Leicester. Whether they'll cool off nearer the time I can only hope. I'm not saying it's the majority of fans out there, just there is a vocal majority cropping up.

If it's any compensation, based upon the two semi finals this weekend, Munster won hands down on the quality of its female fans.

 

[Sunny]

Latrade, I will have to disagree with you on the cheerio thing, If Munster fans did it, I would say the same thing.

The large majority of Munster fans I spoke with have wished Leinster well in the final and acknowledged that we were outclassed on the day. Do you think a large proportion of Munster support want Leinster to do badly?

To be fair, I know plenty of Munster supporters including many who were sitting beside me who sang along because as they said, no real supporter left early when the team needed them. Easy to stick around during the good times. Showed a serious lack of respect to the players who have achieved so much.

 

[DavyJones]

From a lot of personal experience, sometimes the soreness of losing can make things seem worse.

Could be on to something there alright


There maybe a few vocal dopes but I really belive it is only a handfull.I was back in a bar in Limerick Sunday afternoon and the owner of the bar was giving out stink to a lad that said he wished Leinster lose the final. He was accused of being anti Irish and anti rugby. I feel and hope most Munster supporters would share the same sentiment.

If it's any compensation, based upon the two semi finals this weekend, Munster won hands down on the quality of its female fans.

Funny I was going to say the same about the Leinster women (my wife is a Dub, mores the shame, she is lovely my misery)

 

[DavyJones]

To be fair, I know plenty of Munster supporters including many who were sitting beside me who sang along because as they said, no real supporter left early when the team needed them. Easy to stick around during the good times. Showed a serious lack of respect to the players who have achieved so much.

Yeah, watching the red exist Corker early was shocking. They should have a right good think before they go for valuble tickets. Still didn't like the english football chant

Where were you sitting?

 

[Latrade]

Funny I was going to say the same about the Leinster women (my wife is a Dub, mores the shame, she is lovely my misery)

Aha! Proof of the media bias to Munster! The sky sports camera only picked out the Munster ladies, not that I noticed being so glued to the game...ahem.

But I really do hope the sour grapes I've heard is temporary. Other than suddenly adopting Austin Healey as the Munster mascot, I can't think of a bigger offence to Irish Rugby than supporting Leicester.

 

[Latrade]

Still didn't like the english football chant

Well, it would have to have had a bit more rum language, questioned the fan's parentage and also accused their better halves and other immediate female family members of being guilty of one or many distinctly ungodly acts.