Teams for O2 Challenge Game

castie

Leinster/Ulster Squad, O2 Challenge Aviva Stadium July 31:

Andrew Boyle (Leinster)
Conor Carey (Ulster)
Paddy Carroll (Leinster)
Sam Coughlan Murray (Leinster)
Peter du Toit (Leinster)
Craig Gilroy (Ulster)
Ian Henderson (Ulster)
Robert Hynes (Leinster)
Paddy Jackson (Ulster)
Alex Kelly (Leinster)
Stephen Lecky (Ulster)
Paddy Marks (Ulster)
Cathal Marsh (Leinster)
Luke Marshall (Ulster)
Michael McAuley (Ulster)
Mark McGroarty (Leinster)
David McGuigan (Ulster)
Emmet McMahon (Leinster)
Martin Moore (Leinster)
Jonny Murphy (Ulster)
Conor Spence (Ulster)
James Tracy (Leinster)

Leinster/Ulster Management:

Johnny Bell (Coach)
Colin McEntee (Coach)
Gary Longwell (Manager)
John McKibben (Manager)
Dave Fagan (Fitness Advisor)
Emma Gallivan (Physiotherapist)
Jessica O'Brien (Squad Coordinator)

Connacht/Munster Squad, O2 Challenge Aviva Stadium July 31:

Ronan Barry (Munster)
Callum Boland (Connacht)
Shane Buckley (Munster)
Shane Leydon (Connacht)
Luke Cahill (Munster)
Aaron Conneely (Connacht)
Jack Costigan (Munster)
Mark Dolan (Connacht)
Johnny Holland (Munster)
Daniel Horgan (Munster)
Lucas Kunz (Munster)
Tadhg Leader Connacht)
Eoin McKeon (Connacht)
Ian Mullarkey (Munster)
Paul Mullen (Munster)
Rob O'Herlihy (Munster)
Danny Qualter(Connacht)
Gareth ^-McDonogh (Munster)
James Rael (Munster)
Ben Sargent (Munster)
Aaron Spring (Connacht)
Kieran Stokes (Munster)
Sean Wooton (Connacht)

Connacht/Munster Management:

Nigel Carolan (Coach)
Ken O'Connell (Coach)
Ian Sherwin (Manager)
Antoine Mobian (Fitness advisor)
Paudie Roche (Fitness advisor)
Damien Mordan (Physiotherapist)
Nicola Lyons (Squad Coordinator)


Not even academy teams.....

outwest

im ****ing delighted i didnt get a ticket for this, joke that punter have forked out for this

Superbus

Who are all these people?

budhabob

Thank feck the tickets were only a Tenner!

delta_bravo

Lulster versus Cunster.

It begins.

GSOIRL

Happy enough. Always knew it wouldn't be the top players. Probably expected a few better known players but I know a few of these lads and I'd say it will be a good game. It seems like a selection of the sub academy players. Hopefully a bit BaaBaa like from both teams.

Fits Morris

Lucas Kunz playing for Cunster in a c u next Tuesday of a match. Very approriate.

laugh

They should get a fine for misleading advertising for that.

drunkmonkey

laugh wrote: »

They should get a fine for misleading advertising for that.

Well it is the o2 challenge, what did you expect, the truth?:rolleyes:

funky penguin

It was never going to be Big Names in the middle of pre-season training.

I'm glad I'm going, get to see the future of Irish rubgy, on and off the pitch.

jolley123

Didn't epect this, think it was a bit sly and misleading- advertising wise. I would appreciate if someone could give more deatils on each of the the players(age, school, club etc) The only one i know is Cathal Marsh, who is talented. I know Paddy Carroll if it's the one who played for Blackrock, but that's it.

Sandwlch

That's scandalous deceit by the IRFU alright.

I could organise a game between Lulster and Cunster selection myself and you wouldnt have of heard of any of the names too. If I sold tickets for it I'm sure I would be sued.



Is the IRFU offering a money back option?

Cookiemunster

While I'm a bit annoyed with the squad selections my main reason for going is to see the stadium. It was only €10 for the ticket like.

gcgirl

****e view could of let a few academy players play

Looking forward to this!

Don't think I ever expected to see any big names in the stadium for a tenner a ticket to be fair. I thought the day would be more of a €10 tour of the stadium with a freebie of an exhibition match, which is pretty much exactly what it is.

For everyone who has tickets and is complaining, how many of you complain that there is no youth and up and coming players? This is a great chance for you to get to know a few of the younger lads trying to break through the U20s and Academy positions for the next 2/3 seasons.

gcgirl

Just like one of the guys said not even academy players ah well its a day out in the big smoke !

themont85

Ha I didn´t expect the players to be this green but its more about seeing the stadium and the young lads are good players in fairness. Great honour at 18 or 19 to be the first ones out there, lucky bastards!

JustinDee

laugh wrote: »

They should get a fine for misleading advertising for that.

What was misleading?

Even in the competition for the IRFU's tag rugby promotion, the make-up of the teams had said . . .
"It will be an exhibition match consisting of some of the young stars of the future, drawn in the main from the academies and development squads pitting a Leinster/Ulster Team against a Connacht/Munster selection".

The website page where tickets are bought said clearly from the outset . . .
"The first game in Aviva Stadium is The O2 Challenge - featuring emerging young players from the four provinces in composite teams: Leinster/Ulster V Connacht/Munster".

castie

JustinDee wrote: »

What was misleading?


"It will be an exhibition match consisting of some of the young stars of the future, drawn in the main from the academies and development squads pitting a Leinster/Ulster Team against a Connacht/Munster selection".
.

Are there any from the academy?

danthefan

castie wrote: »

Are there any from the academy?

There are no contracted players involved as far as I understand.

This is a load of rubbish tbh, the game was initially billed as Ulster/Leinster vs Munster/Connacht. What we've got is teams made up of players who've just done their Leaving Certs pretty much. Tempted to not go.

outwest

whats the point of this game, should of just let the soccer crowd have the 1st game, just another way of the irfu making a bit more money, i eat my hat if 30,000 go to this

CatFromHue

at ten euro a ticket i think the main attraction of this game is the stadium not the game that will be played.

this was never going to be about to be about how such and such a player plays or wether football or rugby gets the first game.

its more for fans who wont be able to get a ticket for full internationals, either through price or ticket unavailability, to look at the new lansdowne road stadium

also it'll be a test of the new stadiums crowd control/stewarding/toilets/bars etc. abilities

Sandwlch

CatFromHue wrote: »

at ten euro a ticket i think the main attraction of this game is the stadium not the game that will be played.

Which would have been fine if they had been up front about it, rather than billing it as a match between provincial selections. Its the dishonesty, and false advertising that leaves the bad taste.

IRFU dont usually go for scams but they have let themselves down here.

JustinDee

JustinDee wrote: »

What was misleading?

Even in the competition for the IRFU's tag rugby promotion, the make-up of the teams had said . . .
"It will be an exhibition match consisting of some of the young stars of the future, drawn in the main from the academies and development squads pitting a Leinster/Ulster Team against a Connacht/Munster selection".

The website page where tickets are bought said clearly from the outset . . .
"The first game in Aviva Stadium is The O2 Challenge - featuring emerging young players from the four provinces in composite teams: Leinster/Ulster V Connacht/Munster".

Academys my arse.
I take an intrest in underage rugby especially Leinster and I have only heard of 1 of those leinster players.
This is a team of players from Leinster/Ulster/Connacht and Munster,not neccesarily players that will ever be associated with the Team that people pay to watch.
None of the Leinster players are in the academy and maybe a couple in the sub academy.

People paid to see the likes of Nevin Spence,Conway,Macken,zebo,Ryan,O'Halloran etc and maybe a few veterans like Mal and girve and instead get a team made up of 18yr old no names who have just finished competing in their schools cup comp.

Maybe the way it was marketed has covered the IRFU's ass by mentioning development players etc but people who bought tickets for this expected more,even if it was only a tenner.

castie

I wonder would you have a case for a refund if theis game was advertised as having academy players and now does not.

[Jackass]

These are composote schools selection teams...that really wasn't made clear and although I understand it's the off season, I think the fan deserved a lot more and it would benefit the likes of Conway, Macken, Carr, Zebo, Keatley, Hagan, Harris-Wright etc. etc. to get game time in a packed Lansdowne Road.

Those players deserve it too, and it can only help developmen to get guys in front of big crowds and they'd be hungry enough to make it a cracking game.

Who knows, this could be a cracking game too, but I think it's unfair on everybody the way they've done it.

It should really have been academy stars and emerging / retiring talent. What does Carr have to do to play in front of more than 500 supporters without having to call it an away game...

Spud83

Have to say I'm a little disappointed with the players that have been selected, because well I don't know one of them. I did expect a few academy players, and some that weren't on international duty. However I understand that the players would just be able to leave their pre-season camp and go play a game after being thrown together. Surely they would need to train together for a few days before the match, just for the set pieces if anything, and I can understand why the provinces didn't want to release players for that.

A lot of the Academy players will probably have a big part to play this season, with the extra games in the magners league, an extra international in November (4 compared to three last year), and it being a world cup year. So I can see why the proveniences would want to have them at pre-season training.

Overall for €10 I was really paying to see the new stadium as I'm not confident of getting tickets in the future. So I'll still be going, checking out the stadium, and hoping we see an entertaining game of rugby regardless of who is playing.

buttonsflyie

Well I have to say, I am looking forward to seeing the new Landsdowne, I am looking forward to seeing what potential the new stadium has for atmosphere for a big international, as Croker, of all the matches played, only 2 stand out!

Finally I can’t wait to see the future of Irish Rugby playing and it’s a great boost for the 18 and 19 year olds that are getting to play the very first rugby match at the new home of Irish Rugby.

At a tenner a ticket its a cheap look at all of the above

Buttons

Sandwlch

buttonsflyie wrote: »

Well I have to say, I am looking forward to seeing the new Landsdowne, I am looking forward to seeing what potential the new stadium has for atmosphere for a big international, as Croker, of all the matches played, only 2 stand out!

Finally I can’t wait to see the future of Irish Rugby playing and it’s a great boost for the 18 and 19 year olds that are getting to play the very first rugby match at the new home of Irish Rugby.

At a tenner a ticket its a cheap look at all of the above

Buttons

Please declare publicly your relationship to the rugby establishment.

castie

buttonsflyie wrote: »

Well I have to say, I am looking forward to seeing the new Landsdowne, I am looking forward to seeing what potential the new stadium has for atmosphere for a big international, as Croker, of all the matches played, only 2 stand out!

Finally I can’t wait to see the future of Irish Rugby playing and it’s a great boost for the 18 and 19 year olds that are getting to play the very first rugby match at the new home of Irish Rugby.

At a tenner a ticket its a cheap look at all of the above

Buttons

tenner is indeed buttons unless your in the same boat as the people not from dublin who will travel to see the game and maybe even stay overnight.
Then its far from buttons.

buttonsflyie

Apart from being and avid supporter I have no relationship to the establishment.

PS. I do live outside of Dubli!

castie

buttonsflyie wrote: »

Apart from being and avid supporter I have no relationship to the establishment.

PS. I do live outside of Dubli!

So how can you say this game costs 10 euro then??

funky penguin

Eh.....because it's €10 for a ticket?

Lets just leave it be, if you want to go, go. If you don't, don't.

castie

funky penguin wrote: »

Eh.....because it's €10 for a ticket?

Lets just leave it be, if you want to go, go. If you don't, don't.

Ticket is 10. going to the game is alot more.

danthefan

castie wrote: »

Ticket is 10. going to the game is alot more.

To be fair that is completely outside the control of the IRFU, €10 for a ticket is reasonable.

I'm still not particularly happy about the squads though.

kaawaazoo

A mate of mine called the IRFU today and said it was falsely advertised and he wanted a refund. They said to send his tickets in and he would get a full refund!

ALH-06

I'm not in the country right now but I'd hop at the chance to go to this game if I was.

e10 to experience the first ever match in the new stadium. I'd prefer a few big names to make the event more of an occasion, but it's still a historic event nonetheless.

chupacabra

I have 4 tickets for this game but only 2 of us are going to be able to make it. Anyone who wants a ticket PM me. Ill give them to you for nothing.

Deedsie

Anyone know what time it's kicking off?

funky penguin

14.30

Bowel Cancer

Will they allow pints to be taken into the stands? They did for the world cup screening despite there being signs everywhere saying you couldn't. It will be a real shame if you can't watch a match there and bring a pint in.

JustinDee

Bowel Cancer wrote: »

Will they allow pints to be taken into the stands? They did for the world cup screening despite there being signs everywhere saying you couldn't. It will be a real shame if you can't watch a match there and bring a pint in.

Most likely not.
This will be a proper match day scenario and as far as I know, everything in place for November will be in place for Saturday.

Bowel Cancer

What a joke. Most of the other stadiums in the world have no problem with drinking in the stands.

JustinDee

Bowel Cancer wrote: »

What a joke. Most of the other stadiums in the world have no problem with drinking in the stands.

Personally speaking, I'm all for it.
There's fewer wallies constantly walking across me to and from the bar when I'm trying to watch a game . Croke Park, Lang Park (Suncorp Stadium), SFS, Stade . . . the list of grog-free stands is endless so I wouldn't say most of the other stadia in the world go along the same lines as Twickenham and Millenium Stadium.
If 80 minutes of rugby gets in the way of going out on the grog then go to the pub instead.

thebossanova

The RDS is a ****ing joke with people up and down like yoyo's all the time. Really grinds my gears when you're trying to watch the match and the group of 15 guys in front have to get up individually to buy drink at different times.

tolosenc

Is it on TV?

P_1

tolosenc wrote: »

Is it on TV?

Think RTE 2 are going to be showing highlights on Saturday at 9.

icdg

pithater1 wrote: »

Think RTE 2 are going to be showing highlights on Saturday at 9.

There's a programme simply titled Rugby Union on RTÉ Two 9pm-10pm on Saturday which I understand is highlights of the O2 Challenge.

Both RTÉ One and RTÉ Two are choc-a-bloc with sports on Saturday afternoon between the Irish Open, the GAA quarter finals, and the European Athletics Championship, leaving precious little room for what is, after all, a friendly game between academy players, in the schedule, despite the historic significance of it. (In fact there is sport on Saturday on RTÉ Two from 1:30pm to 10pm straight and similalry from 1pm-6pm on RTÉ One).

Judgement Day

I'm stunned by the teams for this game as I thought when it was originally announced that it was going to be major event to celebrate the opening of the new stadium. I nearly missed it completely until I heard it mentioned on the radio tonight - 30,000 people they'll be lucky to get 3,000. I don't think I would go even if I lived across the road and admission was free. What a wasted opportunity. Still there's the Aussies vs All Blacks to look forward to in the morning.

ALH-06

pithater1 wrote: »

Think RTE 2 are going to be showing highlights on Saturday at 9.

Great, hopefully the highlights make it to rugbydump at some stage...

thomond2006

chupacabra wrote: »

I have 4 tickets for this game but only 2 of us are going to be able to make it. Anyone who wants a ticket PM me. Ill give them to you for nothing.

PM sent.