Irish Rugby Players involved in Twitter row.

Conas

Two Ireland rugby players found themselves embroiled in a Twitter war of words with fans online.

Cian Healy and Jamie Heaslip both hit out at fans for their negative comments following Ireland’s less than impressive victory over an inferior Scottish team at Murrayfield.
One tweeter commented on captain Brian O’Driscoll, stating that he should retire while “we still have good memories of how good you were many years ago” and that he should “go gracefully”.

However, the angered fan was not as kind to prop Tom Court, tweeting @TomCourt1: “You really should retire from international rugby..You are pure crap”

Those comments sparked a reaction from Heaslip and Healy, who tweeted:

@jamieheaslip (Jamie Heaslip)- If u got something bad to say, go somewhere else or unfollow... really don't have time for it. results matter, always said that. Laters

@ProperChurch (Cian Healy) - 'yes, I am happy, we won...so take your negativity elsewhere please...or don't bother following, and thank you to the majority... Church'

Source: http://www.joe.ie/rugby/rugby-news/irish-rugby-stars-involved-in-twitter-row-0010066-1

Sabre0001

I thought it was a joke when I saw it tweeted that Irish players told dissenting fans to unfollow. Oh well, suppose that's what you leave yourself open to when you allow a point of contact.

CouchSmart

Fairly thin skinned stuff. They'd be better off not replying, they're only drawing attention. Seems it's going to go down the soccer route of players being banned from using facebook/twitter/etc.

Amazotheamazing

Fair play to the lads. Easy for those of us with no ability to criticise.

Guy:Incognito

Being critical of someone is ok imo. Pointing out things they did wrong or saying they had a bad game or whatever but telling a person they are crap and/or should retire is not on and helps no one.


Things like that only serve to alienate players from fans and will result in them being less forthvoming and fans getting less from stars. It certainly wont help anyway.

phog

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Fair play to the lads. Easy for those of us with no ability to criticise.

and are more or less anonymous. It sickens me at times the trash thats posted about players.

Random_Person

They're players but they're still people. Fair play to them for standing up for themselves and their team. Sure their entitled to their opinions as are Jamie and Cian for standing up for their team.

Although it's all down to a person's internet image and coolness. Would love to see that person stand up to Jamie in person and say it.

Hardly a row? Akin to a locked person telling you "you're ****", and you telling them where to go.

Mountains and molehills, neither of those are OTT reactions!

brianthebard

CouchSmart wrote: »

Fairly thin skinned stuff. They'd be better off not replying, they're only drawing attention. Seems it's going to go down the soccer route of players being banned from using facebook/twitter/etc.

Its not quite the same as posting on here though for instance, its like yelling across the street to BOD and telling him to quit.

CouchSmart

brianthebard wrote: »

Its not quite the same as posting on here though for instance, its like yelling across the street to BOD and telling him to quit.

Sure let him yell. 99.99% know he's talking ****. Everyone's allowed an opinion and if you start up a public profile on the internet people are going to give you their opinion, good or bad. I think the reaction is just a culmination of all the negativity that's been floating around. Still think they'd be better off keeping out of it, let us armchair coaches have our opinions! :P

meemeep

I don't see the point of twitter to be honest. But if people in the public eye are going to use it they have to accept that they will attract all sorts of opinions. In traditional media, they'd have written an article in a newspaper and dissenting opinions would be printed the following week via the letters page. Now it's immediate and more personal I suppose. If they can't take it they shouldn't use it.

anonymous_joe

Sabre0001 wrote: »

I thought it was a joke when I saw it tweeted that Irish players told dissenting fans to unfollow. Oh well, suppose that's what you leave yourself open to when you allow a point of contact.

Difference between dissent and 'you're ****, retire.'

Most of us respect their efforts, even when things go against them.

CatFromHue

i dont see anything here to be caught up over.

i dont really follow twitter but it is a form of communication. it would have been easier for heaslip and healy to just ignore or delete (i presume you can do this) the unwanted tweets. they didnt, they responded instead.

also what do you really say to people who posted that tom court and bod should retire?

telling them to go elsewhere is very polite in my opinion! but also the correct response.

TheDietShop.ie

I think they should of just ignored it, it's hard to do at the time and I'm pretty sure they would of liked to say a lot more.

CatFromHue

Actually i think the correct response to

Conas wrote: »

“we still have good memories of how good you were many years ago”

is

"just like your ma!"

Conas

I don't know what Tom Court did so wrong to deserve such an insult. We can all complain about twitter, but the same kind of insults get posted about the players on this forum, and on the Munster and Leinsterfans forums too.

These same people wouldn't have the nerve to say it to the players faces though, it's very easy to come onto the web and hide under a false username, and post all kinds of rubbish. If you had to post under your real name, people would think twice, because their afraid at the back of it all.

SARZY

CouchSmart wrote: »

Sure let him yell. 99.99% know he's talking ****. Everyone's allowed an opinion and if you start up a public profile on the internet people are going to give you their opinion, good or bad. I think the reaction is just a culmination of all the negativity that's been floating around. Still think they'd be better off keeping out of it, let us armchair coaches have our opinions! :P

Exactly right in every sense.

Rattlehead_ie

Can't judge a man until you've walked, played and bled in their boots for 80mins.

These players are prob their worst critiques and defo don't need some randomer telling them they were crap (Heaslip for e.g who I thought played well). The negativity thats mainly surrounding this Irish team at the moment is from the supporters and press, whether its here, twitter or at the games, and it will do the actual team no good unless everyone gets behind them.

Some of the comments that are being made here or on twitter about the team and the coaching staff are unbelievable. We sat happily with EoS, with no disrespect to Eddie, for 6+ years winning triple crowns and DK comes in within the 1st yr wins the Grand Slam and now has the oppertuinity to go for a triple crown again this year (have some people forgotten that) to me thats not a bad job. You can't win all the games all the time.

Peoples are allowed have an opinion same as me, but you don't just go shoving it in other peoples face. To those people, you are in no way better than them so why treat them like that. I have watched and played rugby all my life and I have seen a severe drop in the codes of respect in rugby I grew up with specially as a supporter national or provincial and it saddens me in a way.

I could go on about what I think about the current idea that DK has for the team and what he is trying to do, but I think the above is enough venting / opinion for the day.

gcgirl

The lil ****witt is either a scot or English certainly not Irish, JH tweeted his user name had a look at his account and he is a juvenile little twit.

Risteard

They're right to IMO. Nothing wrong with criticism but saying things like 'You're crap' or 'Better retire' is completely ridiculous. And even constructive criticism, they'll get it from their coaches, they don't need us to point out what they did wrong.

bamboozle

this reminds me of Frankie Sheehan's response to a drunken fan abuse match some years back!

durkadurka

I cant believe this is a story. I can't believe the boys reacted, I can't believe they dont get this every day of the week.

Sure the tweeters are morons but the best thing to do is ignore I reckon.

handsomecake

their comments were too harsh on the players but people on here saying " those with no ability have no right to criticise" is unfair. sure we wouldnt be allowed to comment on anything then.
we all give out about politicians and wanting them sacked- how many of us are accountants or economists.
the amount of people who thought they were pilots when that plane crashed in cork was hilarious -he should have diverted,he should have done this,he should have done that.

so now we can only have a pop at players if we are pro players ourselves?
or we can only if we are involved in a circle jerk at how good the irish team is?

of course joe public can have a go at the players when the tickets were 300 odd quid for the autumn series ,and you get served up a load of dross.

its their own fault for being on twitter.they love it when some stranger tweets them saying great game but throw the teddies when when someone says they had a shocker.

Steyr

Conas wrote: »

@ProperChurch (Cian Healy) - 'yes, I am happy, we won...so take your negativity elsewhere please...or don't bother following, and thank you to the majority... Church'

Cian Healy a rapper now................CHURCH.. :rolleyes:

Steyr

Steyr wrote: »

Cian Healy a rapper now................CHURCH.. :rolleyes:

He's a DJ!

DJ Church, believe he DJ'd at Oxegen before too.

toomevara

Alas folks this is the unpalatable reality of modern professional representative sport. Irish players need to be smarter than rising to the bait, and I reckon this shows the need for a squad policy on social media. Alot of the ill-informed nonsense thrown at the players by nameless, faceless, cowardly muppets is appalling but that's life. Players can do without being dragged into pointless spats with idiots via twitter.

RMD

Steyr wrote: »

Cian Healy a rapper now................CHURCH.. :rolleyes:

Deleted User wrote: »

He's a DJ!

DJ Church, believe he DJ'd at Oxegen before too.

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

Opened up the Oxegen dance arena this year. Was alright to according to my mates who went.

bleg

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Fair play to the lads. Easy for those of us with no ability to criticise.

Fun too!

walshb

Rattlehead_ie wrote: »

These players are prob their worst critiques and defo don't need some randomer telling them they were crap (Heaslip for e.g who I thought played well). The negativity thats mainly surrounding this Irish team at the moment is from the supporters and press, whether its here, twitter or at the games, and it will do the actual team no good unless everyone gets behind them.
.

I have never seen such negativity for any sport in this country as I have from rugby. I mean, we all criticise, but it's incessant with the rugby lads. Even winning and we have folks moaning and complaining and actaully making excuses as to why we won. It's weird.

Take the panelists on RTE, from the commentators, Ward and Lenihan, to the studio guys. They go out of their way to find things to criticise. If it's not
the team, they criticise the ref who hasn't penalised us enough?:rolleyes:
We score tries, they make excuses, we win by two points, it's not enough.
We win by 20 points, and it's down to the "crap" opposition, or the ref being on "our side." Unbelieveable.

And then you have all the sheep, hanging on every negative word said and written
about the team, and spouting it off.

To listen to the crap on Saturday, you would think Scotland were
retarded. That they had never ever played the game before.

Lenihan non stop about this poor Scottish team, and Ireland are lucky..Unreal.
Away from home, three tries to nil, and some dodgy ref decisions against us.

All this negativity and crap is being pedaled and fuelled
by RTE and the rugby fraternity. It's the mugs on their armchairs listening
to this, and then having the gall to start slagging off the rugby lads
who are out doing the country proud, and putting their bodies on the line every time.

Hook sitting their on his fat ass taking Scotland to win, and then they don't, and he
dares slate the Irish?

buck65

I wonder does the Bull tweet?

durkadurka

He's more into linkedin. Being middle aged and all that.



Says he, about a year younger than him......

[Jackass]

Uggh, the Leinster lads and their twitter.... :rolleyes:

It's something I never really commented on, but think it's kind of pathetic the way the Leinster lads have their "boys club" on twitter where they joke around and stuff...it's not the joking around, it's the attention seeking and need to do it in public that bothers me...

Use facebook if you just want to have a laugh with your friends, but being so public with your day to day lives is just juvenial at best, or attention whoring at worst, but the main point is, it's leaving yourself open to abuse and / or wind ups, and I cringe when I hear about Heaslip saying things like "laters" and Cian Healy banging on about the DJ crap he's into...

If you are in the publc eye and choose to be so accessable, then be prepaired for negativity and certainly don't stoop to the level of involving yourself in spats and making fool out of yourself to a common fan, who is anonomys to most of us, and the public figure, who isn't.

They look for the attention, it's not the first time it's been mentioned in the media, the twitter antics of the Leinster lads, and if I was Joe Schmidt, the first thing I would do in the next Leinster team meeting is tell the lads that anyone who has any interest in playing should close their twitter accounts and focus on rugby, and when they want to chat to their buddies, there's plenty of other ways that aren't in the public eye.

Some of the Ulster lads are guilty of it too, but it's mainly the Leinster lads and ex Leinster lads in Connacht, I don't know where or why it caught on, but it should be nipped in the bud now before more serious scandal comes from it down the line (such as tweets from EP players and other sports, namely Premier league soccer, where there has been controversy over twitter comments).

Leinster and the players don't need the negative attention and it serves no purpose to the players other than a bit of attention. Close them, close them now.

TheRevolution

[Jackass] wrote: »

Uggh, the Leinster lads and their twitter.... :rolleyes:

It's something I never really commented on, but think it's kind of pathetic the way the Leinster lads have their "boys club" on twitter where they joke around and stuff...it's not the joking around, it's the attention seeking and need to do it in public that bothers me...

Use facebook if you just want to have a laugh with your friends, but being so public with your day to day lives is just juvenial at best, or attention whoring at worst, but the main point is, it's leaving yourself open to abuse and / or wind ups, and I cringe when I hear about Heaslip saying things like "laters" and Cian Healy banging on about the DJ crap he's into...

If you are in the publc eye and choose to be so accessable, then be prepaired for negativity and certainly don't stoop to the level of involving yourself in spats and making fool out of yourself to a common fan, who is anonomys to most of us, and the public figure, who isn't.

They look for the attention, it's not the first time it's been mentioned in the media, the twitter antics of the Leinster lads, and if I was Joe Schmidt, the first thing I would do in the next Leinster team meeting is tell the lads that anyone who has any interest in playing should close their twitter accounts and focus on rugby, and when they want to chat to their buddies, there's plenty of other ways that aren't in the public eye.

Some of the Ulster lads are guilty of it too, but it's mainly the Leinster lads and ex Leinster lads in Connacht, I don't know where or why it caught on, but it should be nipped in the bud now before more serious scandal comes from it down the line (such as tweets from EP players and other sports, namely Premier league soccer, where there has been controversy over twitter comments).

Leinster and the players don't need the negative attention and it serves no purpose to the players other than a bit of attention. Close them, close them now.

Theres just as many, if not more Ulster lads on it. I personally don't see the problem with it, whatever they do in their spare team is their business. In fact I actually think its pretty good that they make the effort to interact with fans. The whole world is turning to Twitter so its not like they're in a minority here. Also Healy completely takes the piss on it, its pretty obvious!

fuss over nothing.

desertcircus

If using Twitter recently is the hallmark of Leinster and Ulster players, it certainly doesn't seem to be doing anything negative compared to teams that aren't using it. And it's no bad thing that clubs and people organising charity events get retweeted by Heaslip and the like.

They're wealthy young men with spare time; of course they'll get into things like Twitter. The fact that they're rugby players doesn't change that.

stephen_n

[Jackass] wrote: »

Uggh, the Leinster lads and their twitter.... :rolleyes:

It's something I never really commented on, but think it's kind of pathetic the way the Leinster lads have their "boys club" on twitter where they joke around and stuff...it's not the joking around, it's the attention seeking and need to do it in public that bothers me...

Use facebook if you just want to have a laugh with your friends, but being so public with your day to day lives is just juvenial at best, or attention whoring at worst, but the main point is, it's leaving yourself open to abuse and / or wind ups, and I cringe when I hear about Heaslip saying things like "laters" and Cian Healy banging on about the DJ crap he's into...

If you are in the publc eye and choose to be so accessable, then be prepaired for negativity and certainly don't stoop to the level of involving yourself in spats and making fool out of yourself to a common fan, who is anonomys to most of us, and the public figure, who isn't.

They look for the attention, it's not the first time it's been mentioned in the media, the twitter antics of the Leinster lads, and if I was Joe Schmidt, the first thing I would do in the next Leinster team meeting is tell the lads that anyone who has any interest in playing should close their twitter accounts and focus on rugby, and when they want to chat to their buddies, there's plenty of other ways that aren't in the public eye.

Some of the Ulster lads are guilty of it too, but it's mainly the Leinster lads and ex Leinster lads in Connacht, I don't know where or why it caught on, but it should be nipped in the bud now before more serious scandal comes from it down the line (such as tweets from EP players and other sports, namely Premier league soccer, where there has been controversy over twitter comments).

Leinster and the players don't need the negative attention and it serves no purpose to the players other than a bit of attention. Close them, close them now.

People posting stuff on the interwebz, it will never catch on, down with that sort of stuff :rolleyes:

michelledoh

[Jackass] wrote: »

Uggh, the Leinster lads and their twitter.... :rolleyes:

It's something I never really commented on, but think it's kind of pathetic the way the Leinster lads have their "boys club" on twitter where they joke around and stuff...it's not the joking around, it's the attention seeking and need to do it in public that bothers me...

Use facebook if you just want to have a laugh with your friends, but being so public with your day to day lives is just juvenial at best, or attention whoring at worst, but the main point is, it's leaving yourself open to abuse and / or wind ups, and I cringe when I hear about Heaslip saying things like "laters" and Cian Healy banging on about the DJ crap he's into...

If you are in the publc eye and choose to be so accessable, then be prepaired for negativity and certainly don't stoop to the level of involving yourself in spats and making fool out of yourself to a common fan, who is anonomys to most of us, and the public figure, who isn't.

They look for the attention, it's not the first time it's been mentioned in the media, the twitter antics of the Leinster lads, and if I was Joe Schmidt, the first thing I would do in the next Leinster team meeting is tell the lads that anyone who has any interest in playing should close their twitter accounts and focus on rugby, and when they want to chat to their buddies, there's plenty of other ways that aren't in the public eye.

Some of the Ulster lads are guilty of it too, but it's mainly the Leinster lads and ex Leinster lads in Connacht, I don't know where or why it caught on, but it should be nipped in the bud now before more serious scandal comes from it down the line (such as tweets from EP players and other sports, namely Premier league soccer, where there has been controversy over twitter comments).

Leinster and the players don't need the negative attention and it serves no purpose to the players other than a bit of attention. Close them, close them now.

What a crazy post, I completely disagree!

irishbucsfan

Twitter has nearly 200 million users and the Leinster guys aren't even close to being the twitter-whores that certain celebrities have become (Stephen Fry?).

More power to them. Most of what I see rugby players doing on twitter is very impressive, like giving charities more publicity etc. And the fact they do have a bit of a laugh with it as well just goes to give the platform more credibility (if they just spouted the monotonous IRFU-led drivel that we see on TV then I wouldn't bother following them).

This whole thing was blown completely out of proportion. Yes, it would have been better if they had refrained from dignifying the ridiculous comments with responses, but what they did say wasn't particularly bad at all.


Was Cian Healy's tweet directed at the guy who commented on Court? Because if so it's good to see him defending the guy who could potentially take his jersey!

Slideshowbob

The players are professionals.

Twitter may not be incorporated into it, but I am sure that as Leinster is now a corporate machine, the lads have signed up to a code of conduct that is sure to include interaction with media and the public.

Joe public contributes to their salaries, they are professionals, hence worthy of criticism.

As to whether it should be from an anonymous source, there are differing opinions:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/comment-analysis/avoid-twitics-hiding-behind-false-names-2565556.html

http://www.out-law.com//default.aspx?page=11798&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+out-law-NewsRoundUP+%28OUT-LAW+News-RoundUP%29&utm_content=Legal+news

Anyone know if tweeters identities can be revealed if required/requested?

Suppose it's the challenge of the new media!!

AdeT

Slideshowbob wrote: »

Anyone know if tweeters identities can be revealed if required/requested?

Suppose it's the challenge of the new media!!

No, don't think they can be - unless it's a police matter.

IMO it's great that players get themselves onto social media, particularly when it comes to retweeting events etc for charities.

This particular incident is silly; they shouldn't be precious when in the public domain, but at the same time - people shouldn't abuse their opportunity to communicate with players by throwing insults.

Also, so what if Cian Healy talks about DJ/music on it! Don't follow him if you don't like what he's saying. It's something he's obviously passionate about and clears his head from rugby! I'm sure there are tons of kids who idolise him and are into DJing that love reading it...

Slideshowbob

Maybe it's in their contracts to promote social media connections and positivity towards teams they represent!??

While still professionals, some are also undertaking 3rd level education for life after rugby yeah?

I suppose looking at gripes on twitter immediately after a match and responding there-on without due consideration may not be best policy for an international player in this day and age?

It goes back to twitter accounts and whether the person is tweeting in a personal or work capacity, or indeed both if thats possible.

There is always the option for players to protect their tweets to remain somewhat private and off limits, the fact that they don't indicates a certain fair game element of their tweets, no?

castie

You dont feed the trolls....not ever!

This is exactly what they have done and now people realise they can not only get a reaction from them but itll make the papers.
Might as well of painted targets on their backs.

Also didnt notice any response from Court himself? Smart enough to ignore the troll?

Slideshowbob

castie wrote: »

You dont feed the trolls....not ever!

This is exactly what they have done and now people realise they can not only get a reaction from them but itll make the papers.
Might as well of painted targets on their backs.

Also didnt notice any response from Court himself? Smart enough to ignore the troll?

are you trolling?

stephen_n

castie wrote: »

You dont feed the trolls....not ever!

This is exactly what they have done and now people realise they can not only get a reaction from them but itll make the papers.
Might as well of painted targets on their backs.

Also didnt notice any response from Court himself? Smart enough to ignore the troll?

I would imagine the players are feeling a lot of pressure themselves and when your feeling critical about yourself it makes you a bit more defensive when others criticise you.

phog

Keith Wood is on the Late Late at the moment and he has said that the players have being asked not to tweet in the 24hr before and after the game. Hopefully, this will prevent the likes of this in the future.

durkadurka

phog wrote: »

Keith Wood is on the Late Late at the moment and he has said that the players have being asked not to tweet in the 24hr before and after the game. Hopefully, this will prevent the likes of this in the future.

A teeny bit off topic but what do you suppose keith woods neck measurement is? Watching him tonight he has the chunkiest neck in the history of the world

louthandproud

[Jackass] wrote: »

Uggh, the Leinster lads and their twitter.... :rolleyes:

It's something I never really commented on, but think it's kind of pathetic the way the Leinster lads have their "boys club" on twitter where they joke around and stuff...it's not the joking around, it's the attention seeking and need to do it in public that bothers me...

Use facebook if you just want to have a laugh with your friends, but being so public with your day to day lives is just juvenial at best, or attention whoring at worst, but the main point is, it's leaving yourself open to abuse and / or wind ups, and I cringe when I hear about Heaslip saying things like "laters" and Cian Healy banging on about the DJ crap he's into...

If you are in the publc eye and choose to be so accessable, then be prepaired for negativity and certainly don't stoop to the level of involving yourself in spats and making fool out of yourself to a common fan, who is anonomys to most of us, and the public figure, who isn't.

They look for the attention, it's not the first time it's been mentioned in the media, the twitter antics of the Leinster lads, and if I was Joe Schmidt, the first thing I would do in the next Leinster team meeting is tell the lads that anyone who has any interest in playing should close their twitter accounts and focus on rugby, and when they want to chat to their buddies, there's plenty of other ways that aren't in the public eye.

Some of the Ulster lads are guilty of it too, but it's mainly the Leinster lads and ex Leinster lads in Connacht, I don't know where or why it caught on, but it should be nipped in the bud now before more serious scandal comes from it down the line (such as tweets from EP players and other sports, namely Premier league soccer, where there has been controversy over twitter comments).

Leinster and the players don't need the negative attention and it serves no purpose to the players other than a bit of attention. Close them, close them now.

Right or wrong it's an admirable and honest post. I 100% agree with it too by the way. Regardless whether its professional sport or any other profession in life there are times and places for saying what you really feel and you must choose them wisely.

castie

stephen_n wrote: »

I would imagine the players are feeling a lot of pressure themselves and when your feeling critical about yourself it makes you a bit more defensive when others criticise you.

But just like on here it achieves nothing except painting a target on your back for others who think they will get a reaction out of you.