Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

buck65

Whilst lending players to Connacht for a season or two is beneficial to Munster on the flip side it will be hard for Connacht to ever build a squad if their best prospects are called home to the other provinces.
Sean Cronin is an example of this. It seems he wants to come home to Munster and Munster would surely love to have him back but the real emergence of Varley as first choice and the return of Jerry Flannery, if he can stay injury free, along with Mike Sherry makes Munster far too competitive and strong at hooker (I reckon Denis Fogarty is probably going to be moved on at some stage).
It seems now that Cronin will head east to Leinster who will indirectly be the real winners here and the only losers will be Connacht who will probably end up with Denis Fogarty, capable though he surely is is not international level.

irishbucsfan

buck65 wrote: »

Whilst lending players to Connacht for a season or two is beneficial to Munster on the flip side it will be hard for Connacht to ever build a squad if their best prospects are called home to the other provinces.
Sean Cronin is an example of this. It seems he wants to come home to Munster and Munster would surely love to have him back but the real emergence of Varley as first choice and the return of Jerry Flannery, if he can stay injury free, along with Mike Sherry makes Munster far too competitive and strong at hooker (I reckon Denis Fogarty is probably going to be moved on at some stage).
It seems now that Cronin will head east to Leinster who will indirectly be the real winners here and the only losers will be Connacht who will probably end up with Denis Fogarty, capable though he surely is is not international level.

I haven't heard anything about Cronin moving to Leinster, and given Strauss being there I'd very much doubt it will happen. I think Cronin will stick with Connacht until Flannery retires, and Sherry will replace him at Connnacht.

JustinDee

buck65 wrote: »

It seems now that Cronin will head east to Leinster

How do you figure that one out?

buck65

It actually came from the horses mouth in an interview with I think the Irish Times last week. I read it anyway either in the Times or the Sunday times. Cronin reckons with Munster's strength in depth and Leinster's lack (Jackman and Fogarty retirements) that it could be where he goes. He spoke about moving at the end of the season but that Elwood is coaxing him to stay but reading between the lines he is on the move.

Cpt_Blackbeard

buck65 wrote: »

It actually came from the horses mouth in an interview with I think the Irish Times last week. I read it anyway either in the Times or the Sunday times. Cronin reckons with Munster's strength in depth and Leinster's lack (Jackman and Fogarty retirements) that it could be where he goes. He spoke about moving at the end of the season but that Elwood is coaxing him to stay but reading between the lines he is on the move.

The article I read hinted that Cronin wants to return home to Limerick, but I can't see this happening tbh. Cronin and Varley will be Ireland's top 2 hookers in the near future and both should be starters for their teams. Munster produce too many top class hookers so some of them will have to move on for game time.

Sherry should move West next season unless Fla retires and Fogarty replaces his brother for Leinster. He is too promising to not be playing imo.

buck65 wrote: »

Whilst lending players to Connacht for a season or two is beneficial to Munster on the flip side it will be hard for Connacht to ever build a squad if their best prospects are called home to the other provinces.

It is Connacht's only chance of having any decent players in their team. They will become more competitive but will have a high squad turnover. Players can't be called Connacht's prospects if they are only at Connacht to gain experience. Connacht must have known that players like Cronin would have to leave the club to reach their potential; Connacht's only purpose was to give them time to further their development.

Cpt_Blackbeard

Team for the British & Irish Cup match with Melrose at the weekend:

Scott Deasy
Danny Barnes
Tom Gleeson
Ivan Dineen
Barry Murphy
Declan Cusack
Conor Murray
Dave Ryan
Sean Henry
Peter Borlase
Billy Holland capt
Donnacha Ryan
Dave O'Callaghan
Tommy O'Donnell
Paddy Butler

Replacements: Duncan Casey, Stephen Archer, Dave Foley, Kieran Essex, Cathal Sheridan, Troy Smith, Sean Scanlon.


Its a quality team, with some great prospects in it. Surprised to see B.Murphy on the wing though. And what position is Barnes considered to be, he was a centre as far as I knew? Delighted to see him back fit though, he is another good prospect.

profitius

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

It is Connacht's only chance of having any decent players in their team. They will become more competitive but will have a high squad turnover. Players can't be called Connacht's prospects if they are only at Connacht to gain experience. Connacht must have known that players like Cronin would have to leave the club to reach their potential; Connacht's only purpose was to give them time to further their development.

Indeed.

Connacht might ask how can they build a team if players are off after a few years but look at the positives. They had top player in Cronin for a few seasons, which strengthened them for that time. IF Cronin does go then Connacht will have a choice of hookers to replace him with. Mike Sherry is a real good prospect IMO. And Sean Henry in the Munster academy is from Connacht..

Connachts squad can't cope with the amount of games they have to play every season so an influx of good players will really help them.

At the moment Munsters A team are probably better than Connachts team so Irish rugby had to do something about it and they have, although we have to see how smoothly it works over the next few seasons.

I think if the likes of Sherry, Nagle, Butler etc went to Connacht for a season or two Connacht would benefit and Munster would benefit because those players would be ready for first team action.

And with all the academy players/ second string players not able to get games and add in the players coming through the system I think its only a matter of time before Connacht has a really strong side because every year they should be getting better quality players. And many will stay in the West.

thomond2006

Munster: Scott Deasy (Cork Con), Danny Barnes (Dolphin), Tom Gleeson (Cork Con), Ivan Dineen (Cork Con), Barry Murphy (UL Bohs),Declan Cusack (Garryowen), Conor Murray (Garryowen), Dave Ryan (Dolphin), Sean Henry (UL Bohs), Peter Borlase, Billy Holland capt (Cork Con), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon), Dave O'Callaghan (Dolphin), Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohs), Paddy Butler (Shannon).
Replacements: Duncan Casey (Shannon), Stephen Archer (Cork Con), Dave Foley (UL Bohs), Kieran Essex (UL Bohs), Cathal Sheridan (UL Bohs), Troy Smith (Midleton), Sean Scanlon (Cork Con).

I wish they would stop playing Deasy at FB. Funny that 11-15 are all centres.

Savage lineup though, a lot of experience and talent in that side.

phog

The dates and kick off times for next round of ML games up to the end of March have been confirmed.

Only one home Friday night game and thats in Thomond Park, I hate a Friday night game in Musgrave park.

Amazotheamazing

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Its a quality team, with some great prospects in it. Surprised to see B.Murphy on the wing though. And what position is Barnes considered to be, he was a centre as far as I knew? Delighted to see him back fit though, he is another good prospect.

McGahan has always favoured B. Murphy as a winger. He played there a good bit once McGahan came in.

Barnes is a strange one, plays 13 for Dolphin and for the Irish u20's but has always been used as a winger by Munster, iirc.

Cpt_Blackbeard

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

McGahan has always favoured B. Murphy as a winger. He played there a good bit once McGahan came in.

Barnes is a strange one, plays 13 for Dolphin and for the Irish u20's but has always been used as a winger by Munster, iirc.

Murphy is wasted on the wing imo. He run fantastic lines at 13 and is an extremely creative player. Pity that he is so unlucky with injury. But if playing on the wing means that he gets a run of games, I'm happy.

Ya I know he played centre in senior cup, but that is no real hint at where you'll make it at professional level. Just like with Murphy I'm happy that he is playing, but was curious as to where he generally plays, I knew he featured on the wing for Munster but that could be due to age and size, I expect him to be playing in his best position at A-level.

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

I wish they would stop playing Deasy at FB. Funny that 11-15 are all centres.

Savage lineup though, a lot of experience and talent in that side.

I've read you post that about half a dozen times, where do you think his best position is?

Cpt_Blackbeard

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I've read you post that about half a dozen times, where do you think his best position is?

12

thomond2006

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I've read you post that about half a dozen times, where do you think his best position is?

10/12. He's been lacking at 15 anytime I've seen him.

phog

Munster A beat Melrose - 47 points to 14. Good result for our lads

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

Munster A beat Melrose - 47 points to 14. Good result for our lads

Wow, that's brilliant!

Are Melrose the equivalent of an AIL team?

CIARAN_BOYLE

thomond2006 wrote: »

Wow, that's brilliant!

Are Melrose the equivalent of an AIL team?

sorta Melrose are in their domestic league, that said the Magners League superclubs don't have A teams like our provinces, as a result the domestic league contains a number of semi professional players or Edinburgh/Glasgow players out on loan to get experience like our guys do on the A team squads.

I'd say their domestic league is a step above the AIL league division one.

jolley123

phog wrote: »

Munster A beat Melrose - 47 points to 14. Good result for our lads

Try scorers??

phog

jolley123 wrote: »

Try scorers??

Match report borrowed from MFs.

From Melrose's site

Melrose 14 v Munster 47

14: 47
11-12-10 (B & I)
That this B & I Cup match went ahead was testament to
Gordon Barkham, Groundsman, for preparing the pitch,
and Ross Ovens who co-ordinated the massive snow
clearing effort undertaken by both member and non-
,ember volunteers, students from Borders College and
pupils of St. Mary's School, Melrose. Thanks to all of these
heroes. That the pitch was somewhat greasy is not
surprising, but everyone was entertained to a fascinating
and enthraling match. The first quarter of an hour was
spent with both teams sizing each other up, then, at 16
minutes David O'Callaghan picked up at the base of the
scrum and dived over for a try converted by Declan
Cusack.

Shortly thereafter Melrose upped the tenor of their
play and put in some slick passing moves. At 28 minutes,
following quick ball across the face of the posts, Netani
Talei crashed over for a try in the Policeman's Corner
leaving Scott Wight with a tricky, but successful,
conversion.

Six minutes later Melrose,again, put in a fine
handling move to the left ending with the ball being passed
to Garry Elder, marauding on the wing, who crossed the
line in the Town Corner before racing in towards the posts
for a try which Wight converted.

Within two minutes a slack
Melrose pass was intercepted and fine inter-passing by
Munster ended with Ivan Dineen diving into St. Mary's
Corner for a try converted by Cusack.

Half tme - Melrose 14 Munster 14.

Whether it was due to the rollicking that Munster must have
received at half time, or the adverse effect on Melrose of
having ten minutes in the changing room, the second half
was more one-way traffic.

Four minutes into the half Munster put in a series of picks and drives with Tom
Gleeson scything through the Melrose defence for a try to
the left of the posts, Cusack converting. David McCall's sin-
binning, on 46 minutes, did not help the Melrose cause.
Peter Borlase crashed over for a try at 50 minutes with
Cusack adding the points.

At 56 minutes a loose ball
crossed the try line and, with the Melrose defence failing to
ground it Danny Barnes dived on it for a try in the
Policeman's Corner. The highlight of the next quarterof an
hour was the plethora of replacements by both sides. At 73
minutes Keiron Essex crashed over for a try converted by
Cusack and, then, with three minutes remaining Essex
claimed the points from a push-over, Cusack's conversion
ending the scoring.

Although well beaten at the end of the
day the Melrose players should be proud of their efforts.
Congratulations are extended to all players, from both
sides, and the match officials for providing the spectators
with a great game of rugby.

Melrose 14 Munster 47

profitius

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

sorta Melrose are in their domestic league, that said the Magners League superclubs don't have A teams like our provinces, as a result the domestic league contains a number of semi professional players or Edinburgh/Glasgow players out on loan to get experience like our guys do on the A team squads.

I'd say their domestic league is a step above the AIL league division one.

I doubt it. I'd imagine Ireland would have more players and thats why we have 4 pro teams with 2 being much batter than the Scottish teams and Ulster being about level.

jolley123

profitius wrote: »

I doubt it. I'd imagine Ireland would have more players and thats why we have 4 pro teams with 2 being much batter than the Scottish teams and Ulster being about level.

So you're saying that Edinburgh and Glasgow's A team wouldn't be better than Blackrock/Garryowen/Marys????? Not sure I agree with that.

profitius

jolley123 wrote: »

So you're saying that Edinburgh and Glasgow's A team wouldn't be better than Blackrock/Garryowen/Marys????? Not sure I agree with that.

I'm saying the AIL is better than the Scottish equivalent. I don't know for sure but I'm looking at Scottish rugby vs Irish rugby and would find it hard to believe their equivalent league is better than the AIL.

buck65

Alot of "crashing over" for tries in that game. Hope everyone survived. Who wrote that report? John Banville?:D

PhatPiggins

profitius wrote: »

I'm saying the AIL is better than the Scottish equivalent. I don't know for sure but I'm looking at Scottish rugby vs Irish rugby and would find it hard to believe their equivalent league is better than the AIL.

It's not their equivalent league though, its their professional A teams under the guise of Melrose etc.

thomond2006

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuwCW0YEZ_c

The Rooster

Reported in the Times today that Warwick is heading to Stade Francais at the end of the season. His contract ends in the summer, and Munster have only offered him a 1 year deal. Cheika has offered him a 2 year deal in Paris.

Not signed and sealed yet, so still time for another U-turn.

buck65

The Rooster wrote: »

Reported in the Times today that Warwick is heading to Stade Francais at the end of the season. His contract ends in the summer, and Munster have only offered him a 1 year deal. Cheika has offered him a 2 year deal in Paris.

Not signed and sealed yet, so still time for another U-turn.

Can't blame the guy for wanting to move after the treatment he has gotten from the blazers in Munster. Same guys who spent 400k on a one year deal with JDV , who was never going to stay and yet we have a guy who can cover 3 positions competently and we won't give him a decent contract?
Best of luck to Paul in his decision.

bamboozle

buck65 wrote: »

Can't blame the guy for wanting to move after the treatment he has gotten from the blazers in Munster. Same guys who spent 400k on a one year deal with JDV , who was never going to stay and yet we have a guy who can cover 3 positions competently and we won't give him a decent contract?
Best of luck to Paul in his decision.

Warwick is a top quality player and i'd love to see him at Leinster. I'm guessing either of two things, he's trying to play hard ball in negotiating a new contract or Munster have Keatley lined up for next season and see Warwick as expendable.

Otacon

That old phrase, 'he owes Munster nothing' seems to apply here. Personally, I hope he gets a better contract and stays with Munster, but I would be the first to congratulate him on the move if it does go ahead. Fantastic player.

thomond2006

Why in the name of Jebus are they only offering a 1 year deal? :rolleyes:

From Warwick's point of view, I wouldn't take that **** either from Munster.