Tony Cuddihy
What are you hoping to see over the next month?
A pile of drunk Irish men and women descending on O’Connell Street, car horns beeping, with everyone scratching their heads and wondering where the Floozie In The Jacuzzi is when you need her? The Spire isn’t half as appropriate for post-beating-Spain delirium.
What are you expecting to see over the next month?
A win, a loss and a draw for Ireland, not necessarily in that order; Fernando Torres to start the Italy match and be benched for Alvaro Negredo thereafter; an underused James McClean; more of that legendarily subtle commentary from The Sun as England fail to exit the group stages; Andrei Arshavin to be ridiculously brilliant, before going back to being painfully average; leg breakers from the Dutch; Croatia to be Ireland’s toughest opponents and tournament ‘dark horses’; a lot of bunting; Enda Kenny being convivial and speaking fluent football (from a script); three Eamon Dunphy hissy-fits.
Which player will steal the show?
Kevin Strootman of Holland despite the fact that the RTE panel ‘have never seen him play, Bill.’ He’s off to Milan next season and with good cause. A hammer of a shot, the ability to win the ball cleanly, exceptional passing skills and he’s only 22.
I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on 10 June
I’ll be sweating/kneeling/praying/working/drinking copious amounts of lager beer when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10. Possibly all at the same time.
I was … during Euro ’88
I was poring over my first ever Panini sticker album during Euro 88. I wonder what Gerald Vanenburg and Vasily Rats are doing now?
How will Ireland do overall and why?
Four points, but we won’t get out of the group. We’ll finish third behind Spain and Croatia, with Italy bottom. Why? Because we’re better than we think, but our lack of a single world class talent will mean respectable failure.
Who will win the tournament?
Germany.
In a month’s time we’ll all be…
…about a stone heavier, singing songs about Glenn Whelan and swearing off drink until Christmas.
Miguel Delaney
What are you hoping to see over the next month?
Being Irish-Spanish, I’m hoping both teams get through the group. That may seem unrealistic. Much more unrealistic, though, is wanting Ireland to actually win the group. Since that will keep us in Poland as opposed to going to Ukraine – a much more arduous operation given how far east Donetsk is – it will make my own personal and professional life at the time much easier. It seems beggars can be choosers. Above all, though, I’m just hoping Ireland give a good, competitive account of themselves.
What are you expecting to see over the next month?
The Germans to win it, Ireland to draw at least two games and probably lose one. I think we’ll be in it to the end of the group but, given its quality, might just fall short.
Which player will steal the show?
Mesut Ozil. Maybe Franck Ribery too. Feel he’s a man on a bit of a mission and France have a forgiving group. Similarly, Fernando Torres is suddenly looking relatively revitalised after two years of toil and, given Spain’s striker troubles, that may be opportune.
I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on 10 June
In the press box in Poznan, writing furiously because of the late kick-off.
I was … during Euro ’88
Almost five and just about starting to form conscious memories. I think I can remember fuss about Houghton and Whelan being the “best” players at the time.
How will Ireland do overall?
As I said above, I think we’ll give a good account of ourselves in every game and, although there seems a much greater opportunity for a real surprise than there did when the draw was initially made, I feel we may just fall short. But not without some degree of emotion. Certainly, Trapattoni’s Ireland will not be embarrassed.
Who will win the tournament?
Germany. Both they and Spain are far away the best teams in the competition but Jogi Loew’s side are far fresher. I have an inkling for France too. Given Laurent Blanc’s steady work and the nature of their group, I think they can pick up confidence and momentum and go far.
In a month’s time we’ll all be…
Proud.
Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Sean Farrell
What are you hoping to see over the next month?
Goals, and lots of them. Free-flowing, attacking, end-to-end football with limited input from the referee… except in Group C where I want the opposite of all that.
What are you expecting to see over the next month?
Tight, tense tussles in the opening week before eight countries suddenly realise they’ve got their boarding card printed and need to take this thing seriously.
Which player will steal the show?
Glenn Whelan, he stole my bike once… but gave it back. Nice lad. *not a true story*. A tournament thrives when a host does well, so I’m hoping Ukraine’s young winger Andriy Yarmolenko can turn some heads.
I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10
Putting my feet up, sipping a cold beer, shouting ‘ever heard of a trouser press’ at Slaven Bilic. Just a regular day at work, really.
I was … during Euro 88
Finally learning the meaning of the word abandonment, but all I could say was ‘where’s daddy?’ He was on the hunt for the best stout Stuttgart had to offer.
How will Ireland do overall and why?
Overall? I’m getting more and more confident. We all know Spain are on the slide, Italy are ripe for the picking and Croatia is a 50-50 game. However, when I really start to think about it; meeting England in the quarters would be savage, but I can’t see either of us escaping the group.
Who will win the tournament?
The Netherlands, despite being nobody’s favourite team at the World Cup, they are still jam-packed with talent. The trouble is they are in the group of death, but if they can come out alongside Germany or Portugal they will be pitted against the weakest group (A) in the quarter finals.
In a month’s time we’ll all be…
Wondering how to spend a rainy summer’s day when there’s no more football to look forward to.
Paul Fennessy
What are you hoping to see over the next month?
A team such as Spain winning the tournament while playing an attractive brand of football, rather than a well-organised but unspectacular Chelsea-esque side triumphing. Unless the unspectacular team in question is Ireland of course, in which case I’d be more than happy for unadventurous football to prevail.
What are you expecting to see over the next month?
An abundance of complaints about referees, newspapers columns proclaiming Trap to be a genius/idiot, newspaper columns proclaiming Roy Hodgson to be a genius/idiot, debates about whether international football still matters as much, and commentators manfully attempting (and failing) to pronounce obscure players’ surnames.
Which player will steal the show?
It’s been a while since Cristiano Ronaldo has sparkled at a major tournament, and he’s going into the Euros in arguably the best form of his career, so he’s as good a candidate as anyone to have a major influence on proceedings.
I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10
Most likely either working or at some sort of football-related social gathering – preferably the latter.
I was … during Euro 88
My memory is a little hazy, given that I was a mere one-year-old at the time. But probably attempting to master the art of walking, figuring out the difference between good and evil, contemplating why there was a proliferation of green, white and orange flags around the place etc.
How will Ireland do overall and why?
They’ll manage to scrape through the group stage on goal difference, before enduring a heartbreaking loss on penalties to England in the quarters. You heard it here first.
Who will win the tournament and why?
It’s difficult to look past Spain, as they’re blessed with the most talented squad. While players such as Xavi and Iniesta have suffered their fair share of disappointments this season, the short break they’ve had in recent weeks should be beneficial, and will put them in good stead to win the tournament. Germany and Holland shouldn’t be overlooked either though.
In a month’s time we’ll all be…
Considering canonising Trap, or calling for his head.
Niall Kelly
What are you hoping to see over the next month?
In the group stages, three repeat performances of the Stade de France ’09 which will hopefully lead to a runner-up spot behind Spain. A 1-0 win against England in Kiev in the quarter-finals, a backs-to-the-walls performance after Gleniesta Whelan fills the Ray Houghton role by sticking the ball past Joe Hart in the sixth minute. If we get that much, I couldn’t care less if we’re beaten 15-0 in the semis.
What are you expecting to see over the next month?
I do actually think we’ll qualify for the quarters, but there’ll be little comfort or pleasure until the final whistle goes against Italy. There’ll be lots of talk of “the system”, “situations” and “mentality”. Dunphy will throw his pen across the table at least once.
Which player will steal the show?
Manuel Neuer. One of Europe’s best keepers and bound to make some crucial saves if Germany get the good run so many people expect.
I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10
If I’m not in the stands in Poznan, I’ll be heading out to the Walkinstown roundabout for a bit of a hooley.
I was … during ‘Euro 88
In nappies. The first Ireland games I remember watching on TV were in the qualifying campaign for USA 1994.
How will Ireland do overall and why?
Heroic failure in the quarter-finals. I don’t really buy into the idea that this Irish squad is an average group of players and I expect them to be a handful, even for Spain. Trap knows how to set them up and the players are well-drilled now in what they have to do. It might not be pretty but it works, and between the five strikers in the squad, I definitely expect us to nick a couple of goals along the way.
Who will win the tournament and why?
Germany. I think they were a bit unlucky in the World Cup two years ago and their performance against Argentina in the quarter-finals hinted at just how could they can be. Spain are class but on principle, I always oppose the favourites in a major tournament and I genuinely believe that Germany will be good enough to beat them if they meet this summer.
In a month’s time we’ll all be…
Very hungover, probably. But hopefully looking back on another great month of football for the Boys in Green.
Ben Blake
What are you hoping to see over the next month?
An Irish take on the Greek odyssey of 2004. Trap plays master tactician Otto Rehhaggal, Robbie Keane is captain fanstastic Theodoros Zagorakis, Dickie Dunne stars as defensive rock Traiano Dellas and Shane Long takes on the role of goalscoring hero Angelos Charisteas. We can always dream…
What are you expecting to see over the next month?
A sickeningly nervy 1-1 draw with Croatia, defeat to Spain thanks to a rejuvenated Fernando Torres and our only win of the tournament to come against the Italians, which puts us through. Trap proves the critics from his home country wrong about his failure at international level by kindly sending them packing. Despite talk of revenge for Paris, we lose out to France in the quarters. There are no handballs involved.
Which player will steal the show?
Germany’s squad oozes talent and seeing Ozil, Muller, Gotze, Kroos and Reus perform at their maximum potential will bring me great joy. That said, I’m going to go with Robin van Persie. The man was a machine in the Premier League this season and barring he doesn’t pick up an injury early on, I fancy him for the Golden Boot.
I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10
TheScore HQ, Italia ’90 jersey on, watching Billo and the lads while holding the fort.
I was … during ‘Euro 88
One-and-a-half. I couldn’t say the word ‘Stuttgart’ never mind tell you what happened in the game.
How will Ireland do overall and why?
It’s safe to say they won’t win any awards for playing an aesthetically-pleasing brand of football but will overachieve results-wise through a couple of admirably brave and desperately dogged performances. The gulf in class will tell by the knockout stages, however, before they return home to a hero’s welcome.
Who will win the tournament and why?
Not quite buying into this theory that Spain are washed up and I think they’ll be one of the final four but this generation of Germans must have a burning desire to earn some silverware as well as possessing the ability, discipline, a nice blend of youth and experience and, in Mario Gomez, a player who may not do much else but can be a devastating finisher on his day.
In a month’s time we’ll all be…
Reading about Mario Balotelli, who has again hit the headlines for (insert trivial story of your choice here).
Ewan MacKenna
What are you hoping to see over the next month?
In terms of Ireland, something to inspire. That may well be a performance more so than a result given the opposition. But it would be refreshing for this group of players to bridge the disconnect between them and the people they are representing. It’s a division based around a lack of personalities in the side and a lack of entertainment that they provide but also there’s an economic disconnect when you consider the wages the players are on and the situation so many at home find themselves in. Some spirit, some heart and some fight would go a long way for a nation on its knees.
What are you expecting to see over the next month?
Off the field, a similar story to the Beijing Olympics where morality was paraded for show in the build up but forgotten once the games got underway. Something similar will happen here after all the talk of boycotts given the unsavoury Yulia Tymoshenko situation. For supporters though, aside from distances, they are going to get to see at least one of two countries that are amazing come summer and in terms of football itself, three fascinating groups and a rest day when Group A takes over.
Which player will steal the show?
I’ll go with Arjen Robben. He’s lost two Champions League finals and a World Cup final in recent years – and given one-on-ones and penalty misses all three could to an extent be blamed on him. This time around he will be driven by those failures and he has a team around him that will be driven by their own failures.
I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10
This is a tough one. When I’m not at games, I tend to steer clear of the pub for numerous reasons including the fact you can’t properly analyse and take in proceedings because of the drink, the crowd and the noise. But there’s already an excitement building regarding our participation and what you lose in a pub, I think you gain in atmosphere and sometimes when it comes to a major tournament, its better to lose out on the close inspection of proceedings and have a stranger to hug just in case the unbelievable happens.
I was … during Euro ’88
I was three-and-a-half, so probably crawling around and dribbling on myself, distracting adults as they tried to watch Ireland make history.
How will Ireland do overall and why?
Excuse the negativity, but it’s not outrageous to suggest we could be coming home without a point to our names. For all that systems have helped us struggle this far, we don’t have a game changer who can create and open up a top team. Look at our record against okay teams under Trapattoni. In 10 games against Italy, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Russia and Slovakia there hasn’t been a single victory and this will be a step up from that. That’s why the attitude shown may matter more than the results.
Who will win the tournament?
Netherlands. They have so much to prove and a key player with something to prove in Arjen Robben. It helps too that the best team in the tournament, Spain, are without David Villa and may lack an uppercut to go with all the jabs while winning three tournaments on the bounce may be beyond even one of the great international teams. Keep an eye out for France too though, who should win Group D, beat Italy or Croatia and be in the final four without too much hassle.
In a month’s time we’ll all be…
Soccer-ed out probably and hopefully getting the Kildare jersey ready for a Leinster final. If Ireland flop, it’ll be hard for people to pick themselves up for the rest of the tournament, however good it may be.
Hugh O’Connell
What are you hoping to see over the next month?
Ireland win Euro 2012, Robbie Keane top scorer. England out in the first round. Roy Hodgson resigns in disgrace.
What are you expecting to see over the next month?
Ireland to go close but not close enough in getting out of the group stages. England out at the quarters on penalties. Spain win the tournament in the last hurrah for the golden generation of Xavi and Iniesta.
Which player will steal the show?
I fancy Mathieu Valbuena to do something as France impress. McClean might also emerge as a star if Ireland do well.
I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10
In the pub
I was … during Euro 88
Six months old
How will Ireland do overall and why?
As I said above, I don’t reckon we’ll get out of the group stages. Obviously I hope to be terribly wrong but you can’t see past Spain being the first qualifier and Italy can’t be as bad as they were at the last World Cup. Croatia also look strong and Bilic will have a point to prove in his last tournament. I just can’t see us having enough to make it through because the other sides around us are stronger and better than us.
Who will win the tournament?
Spain because as good as the likes of Germany are, they still play the best and most effective football and that will be enough to see them through to winning the whole thing out.
In a month’s time we’ll all be…
Contemplating whether or not Trap should stay in the job amid the inevitable Dunphy-led clamour to get him out.
Eamon Dunphy: welcome to my world. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
Gavan Reilly
What are you hoping to see?
31 games with the fair helping of great goals, comical defensive lapses, outrageously blind refereeing, harsh red cards, benefit-of-the-doubt yellow cards, and my bet on the Germans being paid out early by Paddy Power.
What are you expecting to see over the next month?
Every single one of the ‘groups of death’ to result in a series of tense 0-0 draws, and quarter-finals where neither team plays extraordinarily well, but where the players who only had one summer off for five years (I’m looking at you, Confederations Cup also-rans Spain) simply run out of puff and get caught out by being a millimetre too slow for a 50:50 ball.
Which player will steal the show?
Thomas Muüler is going to have a huge tournament. If Bayern Munich had a greater creative spark he could have been the star in a treble-winning team. The German national side has a better coach and he’ll be playing with a better, more inventive, not-stereotypical-at-all Mannschaft. If the other cogs work in the machine, Müller could be awesome.
I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10
Nervous about Sean St Ledger being asked to keep the reins on Luka Modric.
I was … during Euro ’88
19 months old, and being taught by my parents to recite the phrase ‘Up Meath, down Tompkins’ as Meath prepared to defend Sam Maguire. (True story.)
How will Ireland do overall?
A surprising third place finish in the group — ahead, probably, of a frustrated and in-fighting Italy — after three games in which an averagely talented side exploited public buoyance to perform as more than the sum of their parts, but ultimately without the individual flair needed to overcome Spain.
Who will win the tournament?
Germany, simply because you can never write them off, and because nobody has been watching. Them or the Netherlands, who after the final in Joburg will want to prove they can still play pretty.
In a month’s time we’ll all be…
Wondering whether a newly-decorated Lucas Podolski can fire Arsenal to better things, and whether Angela Merkel rigged the tournament.
Eyes on the prize: Angela Merkel. Pic: PA images
Shane Stapleton
What are you hoping to see over the next month?
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness installed as assistant coach to Giovanni Trapattoni.
What are you expecting to see over the next month?
Giovanni Trapattoni installed as assistant coach to Jim McGuinness.
Which player will steal the show?
Mesut Ozil. Not the most original choice but it’s an area where you have to play the odds. The player of the tournament has come from the winning team in each of the last four Euros and every time it has been a midfielder: 2008 Xavi; Theo Zagorakis in 2004; Zinedine Zidane in 2000; and Mattias Sammer at Euro ’96. Germany are likely to get to the semis at least and Ozil is their door-opener.
I’ll be …. when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10
I’ll be on the high stool drinking bowls of loud-mouth soup when Ireland take the pitch against Croatia on June 10.
I was … during Euro ’88
I was wearing the shiny green jersey with the white netted arms that I bought with my confirmation money during Euro 88. I could try putting it on for the Euros but I don’t think belly tops work for men.
How will Ireland do overall?
Brazil 1958 and 1970, Holland 1974, France 1984 and 2000 — we’ll be an insult to them all. Our football will probably be awful but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility for us to qualify because, as Chelsea have just shown, it’s not always about who has the better players. Luck — of which we have had plenty just to get this far — and bravery can sometimes suffice. But I expect us to be beaten in at least two of the three games.
Who will win the tournament?
Germany. Spain are definitely good enough to do it again but the odds of winning three finals tournaments in a row are long.
In a month’s time we’ll all be…
Practicing our Borat impressions ahead of a World Cup qualifying trip to Kazakhstan in September.
Holy moly… an Ulster report calling it a basket case on 42.ie where the comments section is open. Im going to grab the popcorn
@Patrick McHugh: hahahahahaha
I’m a huge fan of carberry. I don’t think I’ve seen an Irish player with as much natural talent and skill as he clearly possesses, possibly ever.
However, as an ulster fan, I’m not sure how comfortable I feel with the whole thing. If he did come to ulster, and then went on to fulfil his huge potential, becoming a world class 10. Would he stay at ulster? Clearly not, most likely he would go straight back to leinster, take over from sexton and be their 10 for the next 12 years. This makes ulster nothing but a feeder club for leinster.
I’d rather have an experienced hand, probably NIQ, someone like leliiafano, who would provide some stability and help develop mcphillips and Curtis.
Or maybe I need to realise how bad things are at ulster, and being leinster’s feeder club is an accurate reflection of where we are at the moment.
@Farzad Saadat: this is what connacht is used as by the irfu. Feeder club for the the other 3 provinces. It’s sad.
@Farzad Saadat: if he went up
To ulster and he is the starting out half and ulster start to compete and then win stuff why would he leave? Ulster have proved they can compete in the past, HC 2012, so can do it again
@Farzad Saadat: you do understand that you will have about 8 or 9 ex Leinster players at ulster next season so how you could possible become a feeder club for Leinster baffles me.
@Farzad Saadat: Just like Pienaar helped develop…..who exactly?
@Kevin Heaney: look at the number of Irish 9s who had a chance under Pienaar and didn’t step up. For example Willis, Heaney, McIlroy, Porter, Lloyd plus academy players. You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
@Kevin Heaney:
We were told constantly he was babysitting our young 10 so by that metric he helped develop sextons backup. Not his fault what happened thereafter. He also helped turn Paul Marshall into a capped 9. This is a guy who was on the verge of quitting rugby prior to Pienaars arrival. Pienaar did plenty when here. Its Ulsters fault and not his that we didnt bring through someone other than Marshall.
@Kevin Heaney: Paddy Jackson – Irish international out half.
It would be a great move for carbery. He would seriously strengthen Ulster and would be match fit and cobweb free for when Sexton is unavailable. Can’t see where else he will get game time to fulfil his potential while still being available for selection for ireland
@domas1507: eh Connacht? they need a 10 badly.
@domas1507: how many games do you think sexton will be allowed play next season even if he is fit? And after the World Cup he’ll more than likely retire. Ulster don’t even have a coach and have not even qualified for the European cup as yet.
How is playing for a side without a coach and who without their internationals are very poor?
Stick around and learn from the best 10 Ireland has even had and play in a fantastic environment with top class coaches.
@domas1507: at Leinster obviously. Sexton played 9 of Leinstes 35 games this season so far. That leaves 25 for Carbery and Byrne to share starting duties on. Then he’ll also get his Ireland experience during summer and November
@Chris Mc: Ulster do have a coach Gibbs and there will be a new one for next season. Not going to go into it without one as you seam to think. Sticking around and learning for a top player isn’t always best eventually gametime is needed. Carberry is 3rd choice for Cullen. 1 game at 10 was is this season. If he keeps moving around he risks becoming another Madigan. Not able to cement one position. In the build up to the WC being 3rd choice 10 isnt enough gametime. Also one year is being talked about he can go back after the WC with more experience at 10 than if he stayed.
@Kingshu: If Byrne was really second choice it would have been him on the bench for the quarter and semi final of the Champions Cup not Carbery
@domas1507: moving to Ulster would be a terrible move for Carbery. They have a pack that is routinely beaten up and humiliated in Europe. With the skillset Carbery has, trying to play behind that pack would be a nightmare. It would absolutely stall his career. Add to that, Ulster are a mess, they have no coach, the fall out from Jackson/Olding will linger on and, more importantly than all that, Ulster do not compete for medals anymore. At Leinster, he’s in the best squad, he has quality coaches and players around him and maybe he likes living in south Dublin. There’s no incentive to move.
@grandslamkbo:
As long as he keeps getting gametime over Byrne at 10 i agree. Playing behind a worse pack routinely doesn’t stall your career though. It prepares you for times when its going to happen (which it is at international level). This is why Jackson was comfortably ahead in the pecking order until his off field stuff. Jackson had very little handed to him on a plate.
@Paddy Kavanagh: seriously whoc want to move to Connacht.. “to hell or to Connacht”
@Paddy Kavanagh: Munster need one too.
@Chris Mc: best…. ten…. Ireland…. ever…. had…. right….
@Paul: Munster should sign Jackson
Could play him every game. Won’t have to play for ireland.
Understandable that ‘Carbery to Ulster’ suits neither Leinster nor Ulster fans. However, from the Ireland perspective, we have a number 2 fly half who is getting no big match experience in that position (and this season little experience in ANY matches). So we are incredibly vulnerable if Sexton gets injured again in the RWC.
Exiling Paddy Jackson is not cost-free
@Kevin Ryan: are you forgetting Carbery was injured for months?
@Sam Harms: yeah, he would have played more if he had not been injured. Then again we also saw that even when he was fit Leo usually preferred to play Ross Byrne at 10. So we could go down the rabbit hole of discussing why this was and the alternatives at 15.
So looking ahead to next season it may be that the IRFU’s real objective was to ensure that Carbery does play at 10 for Leinster when JS does not, apart from international breaks and associated rest periods. But the bottom line will still be that he won’t get the big match experience unless JS is injured.
@Kevin Ryan: Johnny only started for Leinster 9 times this season and next season will most likely be similar again, leaving plenty of time for Joey to play.
@Sam Harms: yes, but not the big games. That is fine for his own development and for Leinster’s succession when JS retires. But NOT as someone to step in as Ireland no 10 if JS gets injured. As per comments on the other thread, that was something that Paddy Jackson had been getting the experience to do.
With him gone, and Carbery not wanting to leave Leinster, Ireland have to either take the risk that he will not be needed in a crisis next year, or can step up notwithstanding his lack of experience or hope that some alternative solution turns up; eg Bleyendaal getting over his injury problems, having a cracking season for Munster and declaring for Ireland.
@Kevin Ryan: ulster haven’t even qualified for the champions cup yet so until they do what big games will he get at ulster? He’s been on the pitch for everyone of Leinster European games this season when fit.
@Chris Mc: OK, I can easily acknowledge that if Ulster do not qualify for the Champions Cup, the case for Carbery being there would be weakened – but would not go away completely as there would still be a fair few big matches against the top Pro14 teams – like Leinster. Would you be in favour of ‘Carbery at Ulster’ if they do qualify?
If it were just about moving pieces on a board, I think a better result would be Carbery to Munster – as they will be in the Champions Cup and could do with Ireland’s no 2 fly half, and Keatley to Ulster, as they need an experienced man. Would you prefer that?
Raising Carbery’s participation in this year’s Champions Cup just brings us back to Leinster’s preference for Ross Byrne as back up to JS. How do you think that will play out next season?
@Kevin Ryan: Carberry was covering for Kearney while he was out injured. If Leinster had more depth at FB, Carberry would have played OH more often. It helps that Larmour is now up to speed at FB, so there’s less need for Carberry there. Experience at FB will have done Carberry no harm at all, but he will need more time at OH in future and he will almost certainly get it as he and Byrne are likely do most of the work next season.
@gpq: yes, but, see my last reply to Sam Harms. Do you think this will be sufficient experience for Carbery to be a reliable backup to JS in next year’s RWC, which is Ireland’s immediate problem?
Have to say im going to miss Gibbes and i love Reidy. The former calls a spade a spade and if we had started the season with him in charge i wonder where we would be now. Is it any wonder Ulster barred some media from their press conferences though. It really is gutter journalism. Spreading the basket case quote everywhere without taking in the entire context of what BoD said is pretty poor too. still if it gets people analysing Logans ‘contribution’ then so much the better
@Ross Watson: Indeed. BOD was not having a go at Ulster and if the journalists had an ounce of dignity then they would provide the context of the statement.
Just waiting on the charge of the light brigade
It may be an unpopular opinion but I don’t think that the likes of Carbery, Byrne, or even Frawley, would play as well outside of Leinster’s attacking system. They are all talented players without a doubt but I would argue that the wealth of Leinster’s attacking options also makes their job easier.
When a Leinster 10 walks onto the pitch, they have a number of attacking scenarios they can play out. They invariably have a strong pack in front of them, a passing option inside and outside them, a second line of attack behind that an option and a wing showing for the cross-field kick. Take a few of those options away and you suddenly have an out-half forced out of their comfort zone.
If push came to shove and Leinster were hypothetically forced to lose a 10, I think Byrne would probably be the most adaptable. His strong tactical-kicking game gives him an out when his team are unable to run the ball or are going backwards.
However, before people clamour for such and such a 10 at their province, I think that they should be mindful that the out half is playing in a Leinster team that is maximises their ability on the pitch.
@EK: I also don’t think they are what Ulster need. They need real experience and someone who can hopefully bring McPhillips on. Why does Steenson not feature in this conversation? He still has a good couple of years in him and is currently not Exeter’s default first choice. And who knows what might happen in the World Cup with injuries, might be a handy backup to have a la Donald
@J Free with one F J Free: has Madigan been considered?
@J Free with one F J Free: Steenson signed a new two year contract this year unfortunately. He would have been a great signing and wouldn’t have cost the world.
What was the full context of O’Driscolls comments?
@Trevor Dunne: term basket case has other connotations a day is highly offensive.
@Trevor Johnston: what’s the point of looking for offence when none was meant. BODs support for Irish Rugby in total is unquestionable, all 4 provinces. His comments were meant in the context of one player possibly going to an Ulster Rugby that IS in turmoil. Not just the Jackson/Olding debacle fallout but the frequent turnover in coaching staff, the remaining uncertainty who will be in charge as coach/ board next season; There are some promising youngsters at u18 -20s coming through but Ulster are weak in the pack and are struggling to make CC Rugby. While all that may change, for the *moment* when you put all that together Ulster Rugby has issues to address and is a place you’d have to think long and hard about going to if you are currently in a good (if not ideal) position.
@Lian McGuire: so you would be happy that term basket case is appropriate.
@Trevor Johnston: he’s just explained itTrevor. It was the context that bod used it in. It looks like you’re simply choosing to find it offensive which is guess your prerogative
@Trevor Johnston: A basket case is ‘anything that does not function’ properly or ‘someone or something that is incapable of functioning normally’.
So yes that’s a good description of Ulster at the moment.
@Trevor Johnston: I would. Having watched it on YouTube I think it fair assessment.
@Trevor Johnston: people will take offense at anything at all now. Give it a rest. It was crystal clear what BOD was referring to and he was absolutely right.
BOD knows if certain things happened in the republic they would have been swept under the carpet. Well done Ulster rugby for getting rid of the trouble makers. BOD obviously has a different point of view.
@prop joe: Wow
People are forgetting that Sexton rarely plays so carberry would get a lot of game time and after world cup he will be first choice at 23-24 years old, that’s the same age Sexton started to be first choice over Felipe
BOD said “they are a bit of a basket case at the moment”. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it is 100% self-inflicted or that they could do anything about it but it’s true.
Nobody can say that they aren’t. No coach, no fly half, in the news for the wrong reasons, not likely to get into the Champions Cup for next season. With a little stability and few new players they have the culture and pride to turn things around next year.