Question about Trevor Brennan.

Terry

I was just wondering what view other had about the exclusion of trevor from the national side.
i'll admit to having absolutely no clue about rugby. the reason i'm asking is to get some feedback for my own benefit and for that of his family. (i've known them all my life).
i regularly bump into his parents and ask how trev is doing. of course they always tell me that he is doing well, but some of his friends who have visited him in tolouse have told me that he's treated like a god over there.

i just think it's a shame that someone like him can't get a game for his national team.
what do you think?

Nukem

Ya the guy is like the son they never had - check www.ercrugby.com for his diary that he does weekly. Always liked him as one of those players that just got stuck in - think Toulouse has done wonders for his type of play,he roams more now and contributes more around the park where as before he was more dominent in the pack.

Still good see him play his heart out but in terms of the international scene only EOS knows think god is even outta the loop on that scene. Think its hard for him to break back in with the like of POC and the like performing the way they are.

Nuke

legspin

There was some concern amongst some circles that he was too tempermental and abrasive to play at the top level, but imo that was just a type of snobbery.
He went to France to play top level rugby and get well paid for it and some members of the IRFU just couldn't hack that. 'How dare he play outside of our remit and not care what we think' seemed to be the attitude.
He would be a welcome addition to the international bench at least. Pairing him with POC in the second row would give us an edge in mauls and rucks that any opposition pack would be frightened of.
Just wait to see what happens if the boy wonder ever goes to France, which he probably will after the next world cup, especially if Lenister continue to fall on their arses in the Heino cup.

RuggieBear

he is too old and never had alot of skill. he made up for this with his aggression. Ireland for the most part have had lots of good 2nd rows while Brennan was in his prime.

Amazotheamazing

RuggieBear wrote:

he is too old and never had alot of skill. he made up for this with his aggression. Ireland for the most part have had lots of good 2nd rows while Brennan was in his prime.

Bit harsh Ruggie, certainly he's not as naturally gifted as O'Kelly, but he isn't as totally lazy either. O'Kelly is an outstanding player but he's never possessed the sheer abrasiveness of Johnson or Meads. This would be fine if we didn't have a pack drawn from the the pacifist convention. It's kinda sad that you can't pick out one "bad bastard" from the Irish scrum, one guy who'd totally f*ck you up if you crossed him (sorry for the language). That's where Brennan comes in, an O'Connell/Brennan lineout would lack O'Kelly's sheer ability in the air but would be frightening on the pitch, and more importantly, would knock out the hard yards.

It's a 50/50 call, being from Munster I probably favour aggression over ability.

RuggieBear

Amazotheamazing wrote:

Bit harsh Ruggie, certainly he's not as naturally gifted as O'Kelly, but he isn't as totally lazy either. O'Kelly is an outstanding player but he's never possessed the sheer abrasiveness of Johnson or Meads. This would be fine if we didn't have a pack drawn from the the pacifist convention. It's kinda sad that you can't pick out one "bad bastard" from the Irish scrum, one guy who'd totally f*ck you up if you crossed him (sorry for the language). That's where Brennan comes in, an O'Connell/Brennan lineout would lack O'Kelly's sheer ability in the air but would be frightening on the pitch, and more importantly, would knock out the hard yards.

It's a 50/50 call, being from Munster I probably favour aggression over ability.

i think he was great for leinster just i never thought he had the pace, handling skills nor temperment to be anything more than a bit player at international level.

GreenHell

In fairness Trev should have made the Ireland squad over probably the last 3 seasons. He is a bit too old now and there is a world cup looming.

Snickers Man

julep wrote:

I was just wondering what view other had about the exclusion of trevor from the national side.
i'll admit to having absolutely no clue about rugby. the reason i'm asking is to get some feedback for my own benefit and for that of his family. (i've known them all my life).
i regularly bump into his parents and ask how trev is doing. of course they always tell me that he is doing well, but some of his friends who have visited him in tolouse have told me that he's treated like a god over there.

i just think it's a shame that someone like him can't get a game for his national team.
what do you think?

Brennan was/is all heart and soul. The sort of guy who doesn't seem to mind getting hurt. In George Hook's words 'Puts his head where you wouldn't put a blacksmith's anvil.' The same pithy wordsmith also said recently that the Irish pack looks like Dobermans with dentures. No aggression or 'mongrel' as they call it down under.

Somebody like Trevor would give them that.

I think with this pack at the transition phase with some old hands coming to the end of their careers, a fighter like Brennan would be just the sort of person to have on the bench at least to play while younger guys learn their trade at top level.

Certainly the craven Irish performance against New Zealand would have been a lot gutsier if he had played. IMHO.

CJhaughey

It is no surprise that that shower that call themselves the IRFU haven't made more of Trev.
Basically I am not a bit surprised given their gutless nature but I suppose that TB also didn't have the *right* type of accent or come from the *right* club.
I don't think that he would be second to O'kelly in any department and in fact would probably be a lot better at the breakdown.
The whole sorry episode just goes to show exactly what kind of muppets the IRFU and EOS are when it comes to selecting players.

RuggieBear

CJhaughey wrote:

It is no surprise that that shower that call themselves the IRFU haven't made more of Trev.
Basically I am not a bit surprised given their gutless nature but I suppose that TB also didn't have the *right* type of accent or come from the *right* club.
I don't think that he would be second to O'kelly in any department and in fact would probably be a lot better at the breakdown.
The whole sorry episode just goes to show exactly what kind of muppets the IRFU and EOS are when it comes to selecting players.

Erm....his accent had nothing to do with it. He is second to malcolm O'kelly in every department accept in application and not wasting what little talent he did have.

The club matter on the otherhand might have had a bearing....Barnhall were a junior club, Bective played in division 2 and he was picked when he played for division 1 St Mary's...nothing ulterior there i reckon.

omb0wyn5ehpij9

CJhaughey wrote:

It is no surprise that that shower that call themselves the IRFU haven't made more of Trev.
Basically I am not a bit surprised given their gutless nature but I suppose that TB also didn't have the *right* type of accent or come from the *right* club.
I don't think that he would be second to O'kelly in any department and in fact would probably be a lot better at the breakdown.
The whole sorry episode just goes to show exactly what kind of muppets the IRFU and EOS are when it comes to selecting players.

Totally agree mate, well said

Terry

CJhaughey wrote:

It is no surprise that that shower that call themselves the IRFU haven't made more of Trev.
Basically I am not a bit surprised given their gutless nature but I suppose that TB also didn't have the *right* type of accent or come from the *right* club.
I don't think that he would be second to O'kelly in any department and in fact would probably be a lot better at the breakdown.
The whole sorry episode just goes to show exactly what kind of muppets the IRFU and EOS are when it comes to selecting players.

see, that's what i was thinking. i hust didn't want to be the one to say it. there seems to be something of a good old boys club mentality associated with Irish rugby. i could be wrong. like i said, i know feck all about rugby.
growing up, rugby was always associated with D4 types and rich kids. i know this has changed in recent years, but i tend to feel that trev was screwed because he came from a working class background and went to a school that was made out of prefabs.

as for the agression factor. trevor is one of the scariest people i have ever met. he often gave me a few digs when i was a kid. ok, it was all i good fun, but it still hurt. in saying that, he is also one of the nicest people i have ever known. i did somework in his house a few years back, when he was still living in Leixlip and he was throwing me beer, tea, coffee etc. also gave me a nice tip.

CJhaughey

The ludicrous level of incompetence demonstrated by the IRFU will continue as long as the present status quo continues. Look at the way EOS has run the team down, Girvan Dempsey (of whom I am no fan of it must be said) plays 20 times better for Leinster than for Ireland.
What is the bet that when he pulls on the green shirt that his play will go back to the old reliable *Catch the high ball and kick it back* play?
Ireland will only continue to go backwards under EOS and it will not matter as he has a contract right thru till the 2007 RWC courtesy of*drumroll*The IRFU!
Amateurs managing professionals badly.
TBH Trev is far better off in Toulouse where they appreciate good players and he is appreciated for what he is, a fantastic destructive force. Over here with the Muppet show and beaker in charge he would be severely restricted in the type of game in which he is allowed to play.

legspin

CJhaughey wrote:

The ludicrous level of incompetence demonstrated by the IRFU will continue as long as the present status quo continues. Look at the way EOS has run the team down, Girvan Dempsey (of whom I am no fan of it must be said) plays 20 times better for Leinster than for Ireland.
What is the bet that when he pulls on the green shirt that his play will go back to the old reliable *Catch the high ball and kick it back* play?
Ireland will only continue to go backwards under EOS and it will not matter as he has a contract right thru till the 2007 RWC courtesy of*drumroll*The IRFU!
Amateurs managing professionals badly.
TBH Trev is far better off in Toulouse where they appreciate good players and he is appreciated for what he is, a fantastic destructive force. Over here with the Muppet show and beaker in charge he would be severely restricted in the type of game in which he is allowed to play.

Right on Brother

Amz

julep wrote:

but i tend to feel that trev was screwed because he came from a working class background and went to a school that was made out of prefabs.

Eh, to be fair there were only 2 prefabs in Coláiste Chiaráin and they were only put in in the early/mid 90s because of overcrowding.

Leixlip isn't known for it's rugby, Barnhall is a pretty well established club now, but GAA and soccer are the predominant forces here and will continue to be. There just isn't a strong tradition of rugby playing/supporting in this area.

Also, Paul Deering who basically got Trevor Brennan involved in rugby would hardly be considered working class, he encouraged and continues to encourage Brennan in his rugby with Barnhall, Bective and now in Toulouse.

Newstalk106 had a brilliant show dedicated to Trevor last summer, it was very interesting to get so many views on him and from him.

My nextdoor neighbours are from Ballyfermot, born and bred, but all of their sons play rugby, one now plays for Ireland U19s, Munster and UL Bohemians, his older brother got a scholarship to Blackrock college and only for serious knee injury would probably be playing professional senior international rugby.

If rugby fans themselves are going to promote the stereotype of rugby only being for posh blokes from Dublin 4 then that misconception is never going to change, it will discourage people from playing and that's a real pity.

I dunno, I'm tired and have an exam in 8 hours.

Night

Terry

Amz wrote:

Eh, to be fair there were only 2 prefabs in Coláiste Chiaráin and they were only put in in the early/mid 90s because of overcrowding.

trevor went to confey college, not Coláiste Ciaráin.
confey college started off as two classrooms in scoil san carlo primary school in 1986. in late 87 they had 8 prefabs joined together and reminiscent of the h-block. i started there in '88. trevor was in third year by then. ronnie went to Coláiste Ciaráin alright.

Snickers Man

CJhaughey wrote:

It is no surprise that that shower that call themselves the IRFU haven't made more of Trev.
Basically I am not a bit surprised given their gutless nature but I suppose that TB also didn't have the *right* type of accent or come from the *right* club.

That might have been a valid criticism ten years ago, but professionalism has seen a lot of it off.

There was a time when no Irish team was allowed take the field without at least one Cork Con player. Some of them were worthy of a place. Many were not.

There was a time when the top clubs in Dublin were 'Rock, Belvo and 'Nure. In recent years the most consistent teams have been Clontarf and Lansdowne. The first is a bunch of northsiders; and the other one, the only first division club in Dublin 4 incidentally, has always been the culchie club. As it was not tied to an old school, it was one of the few top-class teams that rednecks like Moss Keane, Philip Danaher, Fergus Aherne, Barry McGann, Dick and Donal Spring et al could play for.

If having a proletarian accent is what's keeping him off the team, how do you account for the fate of Bob Casey? Blackrock College boy.

I think the fact that both play outside Ireland may well militate against them but you can't knock the IRFU unduly for that. NZ have an absolute rule that if you don't play there, you don't wear the All Blacks jersey. I believe Australia have something similar and South Africa certainly did until recently.

If you play in Europe as a South African you need to be seriously good to get in the national team.

legspin

Snickers Man wrote:

I think the fact that both play outside Ireland may well militate against them but you can't knock the IRFU unduly for that. NZ have an absolute rule that if you don't play there, you don't wear the All Blacks jersey. I believe Australia have something similar and South Africa certainly did until recently.

If you play in Europe as a South African you need to be seriously good to get in the national team.

Very true, but if they thought you were good enough to get on the national team they wouldn't let you within an asses roar of the plane. someone would put up the money for you to stay, and if you were hell bent on going you would be told, fine don't come back.
I know we don't have the resouces to match the southeners or France or England so we should cut our cloth to fit what way we can.

Amazotheamazing

Ireland can't compare to France, NZ, SA or England because we just don't have the numbers. We need to use whatever talented players we have.

CJhaughey

Snickers Man wrote:

If having a proletarian accent is what's keeping him off the team, how do you account for the fate of Bob Casey? Blackrock College boy.

There is no accounting for the poison dwarf EOS

Snickers Man wrote:

If you play in Europe as a South African you need to be seriously good to get in the national team.

Yes good example , lets take Percy Montgomery who was always international in class but maybe not in form.
Percy goes to Wales and plays with the NG dragons which are/were a pretty fair side he gets a lot of confidence and starts playing well, what does Jake White do as soon as he comes into the job? Brings Percy back as FB and Percy plays well.
Now if our enlightened national coach had brains or balls he would do the same with the two examples already mentioned above.

panda100

I would definatly agree with cjhaughy on this one.Trevor never got the call up cos he's from the 'wrong part of town' so to speak.Since playing with tolouse his game has improved iimensly and maybe would have been that fresh blood that Ireland so desperatly needed last year. I think it says a lot that he's the only Irishman to ever have won a heineken cup medal.That day tolouse won and he had his Irish flag celebrating round the pitch,i felt proud for him cos he had his chance to show eddie what he's missing out on,at last

I hate this mentality in Irish rugby about picking the same boys from the same schools.Theres a lot of players in England who would willingly play for Ireland.Declan Dannagher who had a brilliant season last year with London Irish,played underage for Ireland but when he had to choose between england and Ireland, he chose England cos Ireland just ignored him.The same with kieran campell,he's finally making it in Irish rugby now but he had to work far harder than any of the leinster school boys to get recognition.

My brother was the same.He came over from England after winning the schoos cup there and playing with London Irish.When he went to UCD,they just totally ignored him and put him on the 3rd team.All of the first team that year was made up of leinster school boys.Finally my brother just got sick of being stuck in a team he didnt belong in.So five years ago he moved to Lansdowne and within a year was playing on the first team and got a leinster training contract the year after.However,just like trevor brennan and many Irish players he's had to work so much more harder to get his place than any blackrock player ever did.Is this fair?

Crash

The IRFU has a really ****ty attitude to players who go over to play oversea's generally. never quite got it.

MarVeL

panda100 wrote:

he's the only Irishman to ever have won a heineken cup medal

He's not the only Irishman with a heineken cup medal. Ulster won it a few years back

Sangre

panda100 wrote:

I would definatly agree with cjhaughy on this one.Trevor never got the call up cos he's from the 'wrong part of town' so to speak.

What are you talking about? He has 13 international caps.
Problem was he had a full temper and could never control it on the pitch.
Although now he is playing brilliantly for Toulouse but we have a wealth of talented younger locks who needed the games. Bringing him in would be a waste of experience.

Also I don't think the Ulster fans would be too pleased with your comments on no HC medals. Bit of research first panda.

Snickers Man

Sangre wrote:

Also I don't think the Ulster fans would be too pleased with your comments on no HC medals. Bit of research first panda.

Not to mention Geordan Murphy who won one (or was it two?) with Leicester. And there's probably a few more.