Provincial success or International Success poll

zenmonk

I was at Thomond on sat when somebody said to me that they would prefer to see Munster win an important game than Ireland win a 6 nations game if he had to choose. I thought about it and have to agree. I've been to both and a Munster win is way more satisfactory IMO.
Just wondering honestly would you prefer your team Leinster, Ulster , Connaught or Munster to win a HCup than Ireland the Grand Slam or 6Nations.
This is a question that comes up time and again with my mates when we go to games.
PS Iunderstand this is a bit silly but what's wrong with a bit of fun for the season that's in it?

D.S.

zenmonk wrote: »

I was at Thomond on sat when somebody said to me that they would prefer to see Munster win an important game than Ireland win a 6 nations game if he had to choose. I thought about it and have to agree. I've been to both and a Munster win is way more satisfactory IMO.
Just wondering honestly would you prefer your team Leinster, Ulster , Connaught or Munster to win a HCup than Ireland the Grand Slam or 6Nations.
This is a question that comes up time and again with my mates when we go to games.
PS Iunderstand this is a bit silly but what's wrong with a bit of fun for the season that's in it?

It's really disappointing when I hear people say this. We have a tiny rugby playing population that continually performs to a high standard. Why can't there be room for both with people? Surely you can support your province when they play, and get the same kick out of an international game?

I'm a Leinster supporter, and if it was between Leinster and the Heineken Cup and Ireland and the 6 Nations, it would be a toss of the coin. You'd want both just as much but you couldn't favour one over the other. Despite that, Ireland winning the Rugvy World Cup has to beat them all.

There is a serious risk for rugby that it starts to follow the same path as soccer where the importance and stature of international games diminishes as the club game sees more money pumped into it in the professional era.

Serenity Now!

On behalf of every aspiring or current pro rugby union player in Ireland, I answered for them the obvious answer: International Success.

As Dec Kidney said in October, there isn't one Irish player out there who wouldn't give anything for even one minute in the national jersey playing for Ireland.

Great if the provinces do well of course as this spreads the game and ups the skills and strengths of the players for the international stage.

crisco10

I went for province. As you say it is a bit silly, obviously I would take Ireland winning the World Cup over anything Leinster could ever do but if it were 6n for Ireland or Heineken Cup for Leinster, I would choose the HC I think.

I suppose the reason is that I have been to every home Leinster game for about 5 years now (and plenty more before that), so I feel I have invested more in the team than I have in Ireland (a team whom I only get to one game year or so, ticket permitting). So were Leinster to win something big, I would feel like I was getting a return on that investment.

zenmonk

I left out the World Cup because it is obviously the biggest trophy in Rugby. (also it is hard to imagine winning it:pac:)

murphym7

zenmonk wrote: »

I left out the World Cup because it is obviously the biggest trophy in Rugby. (also it is hard to imagine winning it:pac:)

Forget the world Cup. I just want to see Ireland win the f**king 6N championship, grand slam if possible. Year after year having my heart broken by very talented players stumbling towards a 2nd or 3rd place, not good enough. When you know that Ireland was capable of winning it is hard not to be disapointed. It was different when we knew we were not up to it and a good result was 3rd place.

The only bit of joy I have gotten out of Irish Rugby has been watching Munster winning HC's and Leinster winning Magners league's. Who would blame supporters prefering to see their provice/province's win when Ireland just disapoint time and time again.

Please don't attack me!!

Erin Go Brath

I love Munster. I love the passion, the enthusiam, the commitment, the will to win and the great team spirit surrounding this team. Ireland had this for a while but have regressed into mediocrity in the past few years and have disappointed me greatly.

However, all that said the Irish team winning 6N's and doing well in the WC would mean more than any provincial success.

anonymous_joe

I'd say neither matters more to me.

Leinster or Ireland I want them both to win. I coudn't really choose.

As for those who say province - one of the big things about rugby in Ireland is that with only 4 teams, and the guts of an international side split between two of them, Munster and Leinster are streets ahead of most teams. Other than the obvious teams (Ospreys, Toulouse, Wasps or Leicester, etc) very few teams have as many internationals from the same team.

One of the reasons Ireland do so poorly at international level is that what's a world class pack at club level in Munster is only a good pack at International level. Same can be said about some aspects of the back line - great club players only decent internationals.

When you then look at the nature of Irish rugby, professionalism coincided with a group of talented young players. If you want to see what we could have become, look at Scotland. They had their last batch of really talented players in the early to mid 90s and so when things were getting bad as professionalism kicked in their game struggled.

The pro set up really brought the best out of our players - guys like Hickie, O'Driscoll, ROG, O'Connell, D'arcy. Guys who were in some cases actually world class, which is rare for Ireland. The international side came together and started putting in great performances even when England and France were extraordinarily strong teams. Over the 8 years of the 6 Nations, Ireland are the second most successful team in terms of matches won.

When Munster eventually won the Heineken Cup, Ireland as a whole was delighted for them. Unfortunately, 2007 was both Ireland's peak and nadir. That should have been our 6 Nations. If O'Driscoll had been fit for the French game we'd almost certainly have won the 6 Nations. We peaked then and there though. That summer of mediocrity led into the disastrous World Cup when Irish rugby seemed to choke. Other than O'Driscoll (who was injured anyway) pretty much no-one covered themselves in glory. A lot of people declared our stars overrated, and there was little way to deny that.

At the same time, Munster's success increased, and another HC went their way. Leinster dominated the ML and won it handily. And this leads to the crux of the issue - it's easier to support a winning team than a losing team. Manchester United's fans have always displayed a famous antipathy towards the England team, and as English football's second most successful team (damn Scousers ^^) have the luxury of their own glory to fall back on. It's the same in Ireland, who wants to watch Ireland lose, when you can watch your own team win? That's not how I feel, but there's a sizeable number of people in this country who would feel that way.

Fans are fickle. I did a college project based on sports teams, and much to the displeasure of my lecturer I pointed out that the only actual way to win fans over is to win stuff. Funky ads won't help. Glory is what people want.

Iang87

well said

murphym7

Iang87 wrote: »

well said

+1

The heineken cup is nowhere near the standard of international games,so I doubt any player would prefer to win it than something with their country.Only 2 french team take is seriously ffs and in Ireland its regarded as the holy grail.

So If one prefers a Heineken cup,they obviously dont care that their players arent playing at the highest level and testing themselves against the best.


Its very unpatriotic and I find it a disgraceful view to hold tbh.

premierstone

Egypt Putrid Guillotine wrote: »

The heineken cup is nowhere near the standard of international games,so I doubt any player would prefer to win it than something with their country.Only 2 french team take is seriously ffs and in Ireland its regarded as the holy grail.

So If one prefers a Heineken cup,they obviously dont care that their players arent playing at the highest level and testing themselves against the best.


Its very unpatriotic and I find it a disgraceful view to hold tbh.

lol no prizes for guessing what province your from, or not from as the case may be

And which are the two french teams that take it serious btw??

premierstone

premierstone wrote: »

lol no prizes for guessing what province your from, or not from as the case may be

And which are the two french teams that take it serious btw??

No guessing which province your from lol


Toulouse and Stade Francais want to win it every year,the rest concentrate on their own league.Just because clermont sent out what was a relatively full team against Munster,its not as if they rested players for the other H-Cup games,which is something the other 2 would.Do you think clermont sent a full team out against sale?when sale beat them.

(im not saying clermont didnt try against Munster,because they most certainly did.Im saying that the pool's are littered with top quality french team,whose priorities lie elsewhere,which is a shame.)

They just dont like Munster and wanted to win the game,they couldnt give a toss about the pool or the h-cup.They have been in 9 or 10 league finals and never won a single one,you can be gauranteed where their priorities lie.


Think of it this way,its hard for Munster or leinster's players to get excited over a league game,whereas they would be pumped for a H-Cup game,the opposite is true of the french team apart frm the 2.
To put it in context,their strength in depth is such that Leinster or Munster wouldnt finish in the top 5 in their league imo.

But of course you should know that,didnt you?

Good response btw.

premierstone

Egypt Putrid Guillotine wrote: »

No guessing which province your from lol


Toulouse and Stade Francais want to win it every year,the rest concentrate on their own league.Just because clermont sent out what was a relatively full team against Munster,its not as if they rested players for the other H-Cup games,which is something the other 2 would.Do you think clermont sent a full team out against sale?when sale beat them.

(im not saying clermont didnt try against Munster,because they most certainly did.Im saying that the pool's are littered with top quality french team,whose priorities lie elsewhere,which is a shame.)

They just dont like Munster and wanted to win the game,they couldnt give a toss about the pool or the h-cup.They have been in 9 or 10 league finals and never won a single one,you can be gauranteed where their priorities lie.


Think of it this way,its hard for Munster or leinster's players to get excited over a league game,whereas they would be pumped for a H-Cup game,the opposite is true of the french team apart frm the 2.
To put it in context,their strength in depth is such that Leinster or Munster wouldnt finish in the top 5 in their league imo.

But of course you should know that,didnt you?

Good response btw.

Thanks im just fascinated by your theory that only two french teams take the HC seriously - dont tell Biarritz, Perpingan, Castres looked serious enough Friday night, and are you willing to offer me odds on Clermont in next years competition when they dont end up in possibly the strongest pool ever in the HC???

And if the HC is so demeaning and only two french teams take it serious why is Leinsters record so poor surely if the french teams arent takin it seriously it should be a walk in the park for such a talented squad?

premierstone

premierstone wrote: »

Thanks im just fascinated by your theory that only two french teams take the HC seriously - dont tell Biarritz, Perpingan, Castres looked serious enough Friday night, and are you willing to offer me odds on Clermont in next years competition when they dont end up in possibly the strongest pool ever in the HC???

And if the HC is so demeaning and only two french teams take it serious why is Leinsters record so poor surely if the french teams arent takin it seriously it should be a walk in the park for such a talented squad?

Leinster are hot and cold,thats why they are so poor in the competition but what has Leinsters performance got to do with anything? your just Wumming tbh,bringing provincial crap into the argument.

Do you not remember a few years ago when they put near 100 points when a french team sent their reserves and then the team actually tried the next week.

Biaritz and perpignan and other teams give it a go,but the dont concentrate on it,like tolouse and stade which just proves my point at them having ridiculously strong squads.They are able to get results even when they dont prioritise it.

You are obviously a fair weather fan if you dont know that,you are confusing the strength of the french squads and teams with them prioritising the competition.

They dont prioritise it but are still very good,says it all really.Can you imagine if they went out like Munster and Leinster and put all their efforts into wining it?
If they did you sure as **** wouldnt see anyone but a french winner most years.

Your just believing what you want to hear.
Go out and ask french fan what they would prefer to win?

zenmonk

Goose
No doubt they would like to win the French Chship but the HCup would be a very close second.
Biarritz, Perpignan, Toulouse , Stade have all proud HCup traditions.
Clermont you can be sure were devastated to loose on Sat- not because they almost beat Munster but because they almost beat the European Champions and progressed further in the greatest club competition in the world.
Donal Linehan said of Clermont that they were a better side than the French team put out in the autumn internationals so there might not be a massive differnece between the standards as you say!
After watching Munster win in Cardiff and lose a HCup also I can tell you what it means.
Cederic Heymans walked around the stadium last year applauding the crowd with tears pouring down his face - maybe someone was eating onions?
Fabien Pelous got sin binned for toepoking Alan Quinlan - when have you seen Pelous lose the head in a French shirt? Toulouse were certainly up for this and every Euro match they play - as were Biarritz in 06- to say if the French teams tried to win they would is a joke.

Tim Robbins

I like the way the average rugby fan can get tickets to go out and see their provence. I don't like the way international rugby can cost a fortune to go and see.

I hate the way some fans support only their provence and couldn't give an *rse about any other aspect of Irish rugby. Whether it be grass roots or the national team.

They seem to forget that the provences are being bank rolled by the IRFU and without grass roots we'd have no Rugby.

The amount of armchair experts in Rugby is absolutely head recking. It's a very technical game and it's rare someone understands all aspects of it very well. This is why, even the best coaches hire many other coaches to help out with the different aspects of Rugby.

zenmonk

zenmonk wrote: »

Goose
No doubt they would like to win the French Chship but the HCup would be a very close second.
Biarritz, Perpignan, Toulouse , Stade have all proud HCup traditions.
Clermont you can be sure were devastated to loose on Sat- not because they almost beat Munster but because they almost beat the European Champions and progressed further in the greatest club competition in the world.
Donal Linehan said of Clermont that they were a better side than the French team put out in the autumn internationals so there might not be a massive differnece between the standards as you say!
After watching Munster win in Cardiff and lose a HCup also I can tell you what it means.
Cederic Heymans walked around the stadium last year applauding the crowd with tears pouring down his face - maybe someone was eating onions?

Yeah,the fact that haymens was crying says how much it means to them at Tolouse but in all honesty,no one can say that every french club in the comp is prioritising it because they arent,to them the championship comes first simple as.Although any team that gets to the final is going to try their hardest,so it takes nothing away from Munsters wins,esp against Tolouse,who do try as hard as thay can,so Munster really were the champions of europe truly.

My point is more in realation with the pools,if every french team gave number 1 priority to the h-cup,then we would see alot more french team through to the quarters and semi's.

Look at their budgets,15,20,25 million.If they all tried their hardest in the poools it would make the comp truly brilliant but I would consider winning a top 14 better than a heineken cup as the quality of opposition is higher and its based on squad depth and consistency throughout the year and then the best progress.

zenmonk

That's a fair point but the likes of Bourgoin and Castres not taking it too seriously is because deep down they know they can't really compete with the likes of Leicester, Munster, Sales of this world.
Therefore they concentrate on survival in their own league.

sock puppet

I don't think it really matters. I mean it's not like you have to support one over the other. Unless it's a situation like in England where countries have more difficulty accessing their players. Thankfully all our players are centrally contracted so I don't see any how there could be any conflict.

premierstone wrote: »

Thanks im just fascinated by your theory that only two french teams take the HC seriously - dont tell Biarritz, Perpingan, Castres looked serious enough Friday night, and are you willing to offer me odds on Clermont in next years competition when they dont end up in possibly the strongest pool ever in the HC???

Clermont are a bloody good side though not as good now as last year. But they have a reputation for being chokers. If they finally win the top 14 this year, they could win the Heineken Cup next year. If they don't then I'd say no.

zenmonk wrote: »

That's a fair point but the likes of Bourgoin and Castres not taking it too seriously is because deep down they know they can't really compete with the likes of Leicester, Munster, Sales of this world.
Therefore they concentrate on survival in their own league.

I think the problem for the French is the nature of their own league. On one end of the scale its a 2 up 2 down promotion and relegation system meaning that a team finishing in the top half of the league one year could very easily find themselves relegated the next. And unlike the GP they have a fully pro 2nd division meaning that playing there isn't the cakewalk it is in England.

On the top end of the table there is a significant gap between the big teams and the rest. They have 6-7 Heineken Cup places. Below the big teams you then have the rest scrapping over maybe 1 spot. This means that the likes of Bourgoin and Castres find it very difficult to consistently qualify.

Tim Robbins

Egypt Putrid Guillotine wrote: »

Look at their budgets,15,20,25 million.If they all tried their hardest in the poools it would make the comp truly brilliant but I would consider winning a top 14 better than a heineken cup as the quality of opposition is higher and its based on squad depth and consistency throughout the year and then the best progress.

I think if French clubs took it seriously a few more of their fans would go to a final. Only about 5,000 fans went to see Toulouse and only about 3,000 to see Biaritiz.

In France, the tournement is called the H cup. Because Heineken aren't allowed to sponsor sporting events nor is any alcohol company.

In Ireland, Heineken have put a huge amount of money into it. The hang up posters in pubs and then have loads of ads on tv, radio and papers.

Sky also really hype it up, the hype up any product they have.

I think it's called Marketing.

corny

I wonder how many Englishmen or Welshmen you'd find putting club before country?

Anyway i hate the idea of anyone preferring success with their province. It is unpatriotic. I'd go so far as to say it's treason. You should all be hanged.:mad:

Tim Robbins

Tim Robbins wrote: »

I think if French clubs took it seriously a few more of their fans would go to a final. Only about 5,000 fans went to see Toulouse and only about 3,000 to see Biaritiz.

In France, the tournement is called the H cup. Because Heineken aren't allowed to sponsor sporting events nor is any alcohol company.

In Ireland, Heineken have put a huge amount of money into it. The hang up posters in pubs and then have loads of ads on tv, radio and papers.

Sky also really hype it up, the hype up any product they have.

I think it's called Marketing.

Good point,but if we ask ourselves,if all the teams in our celtic league were the best in europe would be care about the Heineken cup?

The french teams are all unbelievable and if you take into account the quality of the top 6 especially,they make aswell be playing against the best teams in europe week in and out,so why should they care about the cup.

SpAcEd OuT

premierstone wrote: »

And if the HC is so demeaning and only two french teams take it serious why is Leinsters record so poor surely if the french teams arent takin it seriously it should be a walk in the park for such a talented squad?

premierstone I have read a lot of your posts now and you always seem to subtly bring up provincial crap could you please stop it really takes away from the discussion.


As regards the H Cup it is true that most French teams don't concentrate on it. An Example of this would be last year when Clermont essentially allowed Munster through by sending out a second string side to use just one example. I reckon that if all french teams took the H Cup seriously we would see a very different competition and a lot less of Irish, English and Welsh sides getting to the final

SpAcEd OuT

premierstone wrote: »

lol no prizes for guessing what province your from, or not from as the case may be

:rolleyes:

I think you'll find that any real rugby fans would prefer to see their country win its easier to simply put all your support into a team doing better in their respective competition than a team doing poorly but I belive they have a term for that... fair weather fans.

RuggieBear

debate the post not the poster.

back on topic

premierstone

SpAcEd OuT wrote: »

:rolleyes:

I think you'll find that any real rugby fans would prefer to see their country win its easier to simply put all your support into a team doing better in their respective competition than a team doing poorly but I belive they have a term for that... fair weather fans.

Thanks for the psycho analysis Actually I would support both equally and see nothing wrong with that and yes if you really want to bring it up I have had far more enjoyable experiences following Munster than Ireland, but I would still follow and support Ireland as much as anyone and believe it or not I am also a huge admirer of Leinster rugby and If Munster dont retain the HC I would love to see Leinster win it not that i need to justify myself to you, oh and yes i attend AIL games as well dont know your definition of fairweather fans but your well off the mark :mad:

seadog9

I'd always choose Ireland over Leinster.

Chucky the tree

Munster over Ireland for me. I find it difficult to get a solid allegiance to Irish teams, wether it's soccer or rugby. For the majoirty of the year I am cheering most of them to fail, then a couple of times they come together and it feels a bit werid jumping for joy when someone like BOD/robbie Keane scores a goal.



Edit: EOS has also been a huge factor in my relative disliking of Ireland. I found myself alot of the time wishing we would do badly for 3 or 4 years so we could get rid of him.

premierstone

premierstone wrote: »

believe it or not I am also a huge admirer of Leinster rugby and If Munster dont retain the HC I would love to see Leinster win

Judging by your sly comments at every oppertunity I sincerely doubt that tbh.Saying that is an easy way of trying to justify yourself.

seadog9

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Munster over Ireland for me. I find it difficult to get a solid allegiance to Irish teams, wether it's soccer or rugby. For the majoirty of the year I am cheering most of them to fail, then a couple of times they come together and it feels a bit werid jumping for joy when someone like BOD/robbie Keane scores a goal.

I don't mind that you choose Munster over Ireland but why would you cheer for your own country to fail? A deplorable attitude in my opinion.:cool:

Chucky the tree

seadog9 wrote: »

I don't mind that you choose Munster over Ireland but why would you cheer for your own country to fail? A deplorable attitude in my opinion.:cool:

In that point I meant I was wishing BOD to do badly with Leinster and Keane with spurs, now that he's a Liverpool players makes it a bit tricker, but I still have a very strong disliking of him.

Diabhal Beag

I'd rather know the apocolypse is coming when Connacht win the Heineken Cup then not know tbh

Hazys

Im Munster over Ireland. That doesnt mean i want Munster to suceed at Irelands expense (although i do curse the Irish team if Munster player gets injured in a friendly or a loss and misses a HC game:P)

I take offence to the fact that people call it unpatriotic to support Munster over Ireland. Because we all know that true patriotism and pride in Ireland comes from supporting its rugby team and has nothing to do with taking pride in irish culture and society.

At the end of the day(quoting a legend), they are two rugby teams, i feel more associated to Munster, as myself and my family have gone to so many games tru the years (only 3 or 4 Ireland games) and it matters more to me when Munster win or lose and there is absolutly nothing wrong with that.

Hazys

Hazys wrote: »

Im Munster over Ireland. That doesnt mean i want Munster to suceed at Irelands expense (although i do curse the Irish team if Munster player gets injured in a friendly or a loss and misses a HC game:P)

I take offence to the fact that people call it unpatriotic to support Munster over Ireland. Because we all know that true patriotism and pride in Ireland comes from supporting its rugby team and has nothing to do with taking pride in irish culture and society.

At the end of the day(quoting a legend), they are two rugby teams, i feel more associated to Munster, as myself and my family have gone to so many games tru the years (only 3 or 4 Ireland games) and it matters more to me when Munster win or lose and there is absolutly nothing wrong with that.

Yes there is something wrong with it and it is unpatriotic.

Chucky the tree

Egypt Putrid Guillotine wrote: »

Yes there is something wrong with it and it is unpatriotic.

Who are you to decide if its wrong or unpatriotic? I dont see what's so Patriotic about the irish team anyway, dont even sing the real anthem sure.

Chucky the tree

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Who are you to decide if its wrong or unpatriotic? I dont see what's so Patriotic about the irish team anyway, dont even sing the real anthem sure.

Im a proud patriotic Irish man giving an opinion.
Who are you? addmittedly a man that cheers for fellow Irish players and Teams to fail.

The idea of not supporting a team,that is representing your country on an international stage is very unpatriotic.

They do sing the anthem when in Ireland and regardless of the Anthem being sung or not they are still representing your country.

Im sure if Ireland started winning world cups the unpatriotic Irish rugby fans would soon be swayed lol

Chucky the tree

Egypt Putrid Guillotine wrote: »

Im a proud patriotic Irish man giving an opinion.Who are you? addmittedly a man that cheers against fellow Irish players and Teams.

The idea of not supporting a team,that is representing your country on an international stage is very unpatriotic.

They do sing the anthem when in Ireland and regardless of the Anthem being sung or not they are still representing your country.

Im sure if Ireland started winning world cups the unpatriotic Irish rugby fans would soon be swayed lol

Of course, why should I support every single Irish person/team? I doubt they would, I certainly wouldnt. I wouldnt not celebrate an Irish WC, I just rather celebrate a Munster HEC.

Iang87

whats this patriotism bull**** about.

I prefer to see Munster do well over Ireland simply because the politics to get an irish jersey in years gone by made it probably easier to get into the government. These politics weren't seen in Munster to get the red shirt which makes me value that shirt a bit more.

Its not unpatriotic i didnt say i dont support them i'm just more passionate about Munster Another reason for this is that i can go to a munster match and feel like you're just another fan in the crowd, whereas, now this isn't a dig at Leinster or anything like that so dont freak out, i find when i go to dublin the crowd are a little more arrogant at an irish match. This means you dont feel like one of the fans cos the last thing you wanna come across lik is an arrogant rugby fan with your head up your own arse.

Iang87

Iang87 wrote: »

whats this patriotism bull**** about.

I prefer to see Munster do well over Ireland simply because the politics to get an irish jersey in years gone by made it probably easier to get into the government. These politics weren't seen in Munster to get the red shirt which makes me value that shirt a bit more.

Its not unpatriotic i didnt say i dont support them i'm just more passionate about Munster Another reason for this is that i can go to a munster match and feel like you're just another fan in the crowd, whereas, now this isn't a dig at Leinster or anything like that so dont freak out, i find when i go to dublin the crowd are a little more arrogant at an irish match. This means you dont feel like one of the fans cos the last thing you wanna come across lik is an arrogant rugby fan with your head up your own arse.

Thats utter ****e tbh and plain baiting.Judging by the amount of Red shirts you see at ireland matches these days,the crowd isnt majority dubs.So is it the red shirt wearing fans that have their heads up their arses?

Iang87

its not bull**** there's people who will think the same even tho it bothers you to think it

corny

I'll say it again i find it utterly deplorable that people would rather support a club team.

Its akin to what happens when Seltic or Man U roll into town. I was at a Shelbourne-Seltic game a while back and i couldn't believe it that 99% of the crowd had Seltic shirts on and whats more they booed anytime a Shels player touched the ball. Now it was 11 Irishmen against a bunch of Scots and foreigner mercenaries. Unbelievable. Obviously pride in ones country doesn't extend to the sporting arena for the glory hunting Irish!

Iang87

Iang87 wrote: »

its not bull**** there's people who will think the same even tho it bothers you to think it

Iang87 wrote: »

Another reason for this is that i can go to a munster match and feel like you're just another fan in the crowd, whereas, now this isn't a dig at Leinster or anything like that so dont freak out, i find when i go to dublin the crowd are a little more arrogant at an irish match. This means you dont feel like one of the fans cos the last thing you wanna come across lik is an arrogant rugby fan with your head up your own arse.

So is it the red shirt wearing Ireland fans that are arrogant dicks or is it the "dublin" Leinster fans?


Your obviously implying Leinster fans but I wonder will you say it and risk a ban.
Your a troll,simple as.

Danger_Dave

Toulous and Stade certaintly give the most attention to the HEC out of all the french teams. To say Perpignan and Biarittz dont put effort in his not excatly true. However Clermont in the past and Castres defeintely field very weak sides for away games to focus on the Top 14.

On topic, Im a leinster man, id love leinster to win a HEC, id love to see Connacht get into the HEC, id love to Munster and Ulster to win more Heineken Cups.

I would trade all that for ireland to win a Grand slam .

Serenity Now!

corny wrote: »

Its akin to what happens when Seltic or Man U roll into town. I was at a Shelbourne-Seltic game a while back and i couldn't believe it that 99% of the crowd had Seltic shirts on and whats more they booed anytime a Shels player touched the ball. Now it was 11 Irishmen against a bunch of Scots and foreigner mercenaries. Unbelievable. Obviously pride in ones country doesn't extend to the sporting arena for the glory hunting Irish!

That soccer thing is just typical of the hypocrisy of people in this country, especially the old firm side of it. Its utterly pathetic.

buck65

I suport Munster and Ireland but if I had to choose it would be another HCup for Munster. Munster means more to me as a fan. The sense of family at Thomond on a cold day up against the wall is amazing. The crowd never turn on the players and the mutual respect is amazing.
Going to Ireland games of course is great in it's own ways too but an Irish loss hurts nothing like a Munster loss.
This patriotic thing is a joke though, it's a harmless poll, I'm as Irish as the next but Munster will always come first - always.

Otacon

Iang87 wrote: »

Another reason for this is that i can go to a munster match and feel like you're just another fan in the crowd, whereas, now this isn't a dig at Leinster or anything like that so dont freak out, i find when i go to dublin the crowd are a little more arrogant at an irish match. This means you dont feel like one of the fans cos the last thing you wanna come across lik is an arrogant rugby fan with your head up your own arse.

Egypt Putrid Guillotine wrote: »

So is it the red shirt wearing Ireland fans that are arrogant dicks or is it the "dublin" Leinster fans?

Your obviously implying Leinster fans but I wonder will you say it and risk a ban.
Your a troll,simple as.

OK, I think you're getting riled up over nothing here. I believe what Iang87 was trying to say was that watching Munster play in Thomond, you feel like one group of fans, however, watching Ireland play, the fanbase is more segmented. This is probably down to the rivalries between the provinces but at the end of the day, that is just the way he feels.

Me, I can appreciate that feeling too. A number of times, I've had to listen to a Leinster fan beside me, chanting to get ROG or POC off the field during an Ireland game, and of course, there are similar Munster fans. At the end of the day, for me anyway, when my country is lining out, I cheer for the team, not just half of them.

RuggieBear

keep it civil people.

if you have a problem with a post report it.

Serenity Now!

Otacon wrote: »

I've had to listen to a Leinster fan beside me, chanting to get ROG or POC off the field during an Ireland game

Have done the same, in effect, myself. ROG in Cardiff in 2005 and Paul O'Connell during the All Blacks game when he got a dead leg.

Otacon

Serenity Now! wrote: »

Have done the same, in effect, myself. ROG in Cardiff in 2005 and Paul O'Connell during the All Blacks game when he got a dead leg.

Whenever I am actually at a match, I make a point of not criticising my team. When my team, or a single player, is playing poorly, I chant all the louder. That's what being a supporter means to me.

That said, watching at home, I myself was cursing POC and ROG, as well as every other player this past year! (except Wallace and Kearney)

Serenity Now!

Otacon wrote: »

Whenever I am actually at a match, I make a point of not criticising my team. When my team, or a single player, is playing poorly, I chant all the louder. That's what being a supporter means to me.

That said, watching at home, I myself was cursing POC and ROG, as well as every other player this past year! (except Wallace and Kearney)

My point was that it was because Ronan O'Gara was playing poorly and there was only 20 minutes to go and Paul O'Connell because he was injured with a dead leg (the try followed soon after). It was nothing to do with the province they play for because quite frankly that poop doesn't bother me in the slighest.