Bob Casey's Article today in the Irish Times

TheRevolution

"Some supporters’ websites should carry a government health warning as far as players are concerned. Individuals take a peek and can get adversely affected by it. Many players don’t have the time or the inclination for ‘sappers’ (people who drain your emotional energy with relentless negativity as it is primarily a distraction from what should be the main focus; your team-mates and your coaches.
One former Leinster player was known to log onto websites of that ilk under a pseudonym and add in the odd positive comment about his performance. Another would log on straight after a game to see what people were saying about him."

Bob Casey in today's Irish Times.


Alright lads, whose the professional rugby player amongst us? Hugh Farrelly and Neil Francis have shown themsevles to be a boards.ie readers (possibly posters) is there any other journalists/players we should know about? George?!?!

CouchSmart

George did a QA on here before didn't he?

Can't understand why a player would be bothered with what any of us really have to say, they have access to some of the best thinkers/coaches of the game who I'm sure can give them feedback.

phog

CouchSmart wrote: »

George did a QA on here before didn't he?

Can't understand why a player would be bothered with what any of us really have to say, they have access to some of the best thinkers/coaches of the game who I'm sure can give them feedback.

You could say the same about twitter too and a lot of the current crop of players seem to be into it.

thomond2006

CouchSmart wrote: »

George did a QA on here before didn't he?

Can't understand why a player would be bothered with what any of us really have to say, they have access to some of the best thinkers/coaches of the game who I'm sure can give them feedback.

Aye, he did. Here he is: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/member.php?u=304977

Players can have all the access to expert coaches but naturally some will be curious as to what the punters who are roaring them on from the sidelines really think of them. Personally I can't fault players for sneaking a peek on online forums. Same for reading newspapers to read what reporters/columnists think.

WeeBushy

phog wrote: »

You could say the same about twitter too and a lot of the current crop of players seem to be into it.

Except that twitter is a way to interact with the fans, while somewhere like here is all about commenting and criticising performances etc. Criticism does come into twitter as well, but to much less of an extent. I can see why they would like being on twittter, its generally a nice informal way of bantering with fans.

I can't unserstand why they would read these pages either. Id say 50% of posters here have never played the sport, 49% have never played it to a high level, and 1% don't even know what rugby is. There are some very insightful and interesting posts/posters on here but if I were a professional rugby player, I would have no interst in what us mere plebs have to say. There are far more qualified people in charge of them to do that.


Actually thomond makes a good point, maybe I retract mine I guess you would be curious to see what everyone thinks of you, but I would hope they don't put too much weight on it.

GerM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Aye, he did. Here he is: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/member.php?u=304977

Players can have all the access to expert coaches but naturally some will be curious as to what the punters who are roaring them on from the sidelines really think of them. Personally I can't fault players for sneaking a peek on online forums. Same for reading newspapers to read what reporters/columnists think.

Girv's missus used post a bit on LF. Girv definitely saw some of the stuff that was posted on there. Players are aware of what's being said online about them. It's impossible to shut all commmentary out. They're only human and curiousity will play its part. It's impossible to avoid all media unless they lock themselves in a room.

GerM

WeeBushy wrote: »

There are some very insightful and interesting posts/posters on here but if I were a professional rugby player, I would have no interst in what us mere plebs have to say. There are far more qualified people in charge of them to do that.

There aren't too many self respecting journalists out there so. Pretty sure I've seen pieces by several of the rugby writers for IT and II that have reflected exact comments from the boards. I recall one article used direct quotes from posters on MF in the past. I think it was in the build up/fall out of a Leinster/Munster game.

WeeBushy

GerM wrote: »

There aren't too many self respecting journalists out there so. Pretty sure I've seen pieces by several of the rugby writers for IT and II that have reflected exact comments from the boards. I recall one article used direct quotes from posters on MF in the past. I think it was in the build up/fall out of a Leinster/Munster game.

I suppose with the advent of the likes of MF, LF and boards, journalists can get away with being quite lazy. I wouldn't mind so much if they attributed the opinions from whence they came, or participated in the discussions themselves. Be nice if some of the more blatent one were called up on, through notifying the sports editors or something. I'll have to keep an eye out for intellectual theft by unscrupulous journalists

durkadurka

If it happens it should be called out here. Maybe start a thread on it.

I know one former Leinster player who posted on boards but virtually never on the rugby forum.

Didn't someone on here say they met fionn Carr and they were joking about the shagging deccies misses theory?

[Jackass]

Girvan Dempsey's wife was a regular contributer on Leinsterfans, under the incognito name of Mrs.D

She was told to stop.

Although she did make one final post when Girv retired saying that the tributes to him on the site made her cry and Girv saw them and was delighted.

I don't like the idea of players reading our comments though.

We're (slash I am) over opinionated know it alls at times, and I know I can be particularly harsh at times, but at the end of the day, it's nothing personal and I'd hate to think a players confidence was damaged by stupid internet message boards.

durkadurka

By girv? I would doubt if it could have helped much.

durkadurka

Didnt Gary Neville use to buy the Manchester evening news to see what score out of ten they gave him?

d'Oracle

WeeBushy wrote: »

I suppose with the advent of the likes of MF, LF and boards, journalists can get away with being quite lazy. I wouldn't mind so much if they attributed the opinions from whence they came, or participated in the discussions themselves. Be nice if some of the more blatent one were called up on, through notifying the sports editors or something. I'll have to keep an eye out for intellectual theft by unscrupulous journalists

This is one of the huge problems with print media today.
Lazy effin' google journos.

[Jackass]

durkadurka wrote: »

By girv? I would doubt if it could have helped much.

No, I don't think Girv ever read or posted on the forums, but his wife did.

I've never said a bad word about Girv, to the day he retired he was a superb option to have at Leinster.

Other players though. Notably Earls, might have to lay off him in case he reads boards.

durkadurka

[Jackass] wrote: »

No, I don't think Girv ever read or posted on the forums, but his wife did.

I've never said a bad word about Girv, to the day he retired he was a superb option to have at Leinster.

Other players though. Notably Earls, might have to lay off him in case he reads boards.

I meant did Girv make his wife stop?

CatFromHue

well when you think about why shouldnt they post on here or wherever they want?

they're people who have opinions too, just like the rest of us who post on boards.ie.

i dont say anything on here that i wouldnt be comfortable with any person im talking about knowing. if you would be uncomfortable maybe you should think about what you're saying.

durkadurka

Id say the person who said something about stapling a bag of cats together to find a better passer ofthe ball than Tomas o Leary would be feeling a tad uncomfortable!! I'll never forget the inventiveness of that one!

The Rooster

[Jackass] wrote: »

We're (slash I am) over opinionated know it alls at times, and I know I can be particularly harsh at times, but at the end of the day, it's nothing personal and I'd hate to think a players confidence was damaged by stupid internet message boards.

100%

Players would be mad to have any interest in what keyboard warriors with stupid names have to say about them.

Although I did get a PM from Donncha O'Callaghan saying my incessant criticism of him inspired him to put in his super performance against England

profitius

Chances are theres plenty of players online as well as possible coaches and journalists etc. Bob Casey mentioned one or 2 but most would keep it quiet.

I bet young players are the most curious but these days I'd say they'd get good advise about reading about themselves especially online.

JustinDee

Bear in mind, just like fake twitter accounts, people post under pretence on internet forums.

durkadurka

JustinDee wrote: »

Bear in mind, just like fake twitter accounts, people post under pretence on internet forums.

You're bods dad aren't you?


I KNEW IT!

If you're reading bod, my man love knows no bounds.

Trojan

JustinDee wrote: »

Bear in mind, just like fake twitter accounts, people post under pretence on internet forums.

A lot of people don't realise they're not anonymous, but a lot of people also stand over what they say, even when using pseudonyms online.

P_1

Trojan wrote: »

A lot of people don't realise they're not anonymous, but a lot of people also stand over what they say, even when using pseudonyms online.

That is quite true, for example, although I would not be the most prolific poster in the history of internet forums (I prefer to observe and occasionally offer whatever I'd call wisdom:D), there are at least three posters from lf.com that I'd recognise on this forum and at least one from planet rugby.

buck65

Speaking of lazy journalism and totally OT, a local Clare paper printed as fact a "story" that was invented on Facebook about a new adult store opening in the centre of Ennis a few weeks back.
Surprising the power of the net.

GerM

pithater1 wrote: »

there are at least three posters from lf.com that I'd recognise on this forum and at least one from planet rugby.

Except those of us that use different user names for each forum.

*steps back into shadows*

LostPassword

They're young guys with lots of time on their hands and pretty much everybody in the world is curious as to what other people are saying about them. If anything this curiosity tends to increase with celebrity. Since rugby-punditry is so piss-poor in this country, I'd say that a very large number of players have a peek here, especially after good performances. Who wouldn't like to peruse thousands of randomers talking about how great you are?

This is why I am not much of a fan of the more critical and invective-laden posts. These guys are all outstanding athletes compared to almost every single poster here and they almost always try their best.

stephen_n

LostPassword wrote: »

This is why I am not much of a fan of the more critical and invective-laden posts. These guys are all outstanding athletes compared to almost every single poster here and they almost always try their best.

And are extremely well paid for doing so! I fail to see why any player would need to read a fans forum. They would know better than anyone when they are playing badly or playing well. Nothing to learn nothing to gain but a lot to loose would be the approach i'd imagine they take. Fans are entitled to their opinions and their passion and the best way any player can interact with that is to do their talking on the pitch.

Morf

stephen_n wrote: »

And are extremely well paid for doing so! I fail to see why any player would need to read a fans forum. They would know better than anyone when they are playing badly or playing well. Nothing to learn nothing to gain but a lot to loose would be the approach i'd imagine they take. Fans are entitled to their opinions and their passion and the best way any player can interact with that is to do their talking on the pitch.

What would you call footballers then? I wouldn't begrudge them a cent.

buck65

LostPassword wrote: »

They're young guys with lots of time on their hands and pretty much everybody in the world is curious as to what other people are saying about them. If anything this curiosity tends to increase with celebrity. Since rugby-punditry is so piss-poor in this country, I'd say that a very large number of players have a peek here, especially after good performances. Who wouldn't like to peruse thousands of randomers talking about how great you are?

This is why I am not much of a fan of the more critical and invective-laden posts. These guys are all outstanding athletes compared to almost every single poster here and they almost always try their best.

Is twitter down Jamie?

stephen_n

Morf wrote: »

What would you call footballers then? I wouldn't begrudge them a cent.

What has that got to do with anything? I don't begrudge them the money at all but saying that they are above criticism by fans because "These guys are all outstanding athletes compared to almost every single poster here and they almost always try their best". when their wages are paid by the same fans is not a valid argument IMO.

handsomecake

pithater1 wrote: »

That is quite true, for example, although I would not be the most prolific poster in the history of internet forums (I prefer to observe and occasionally offer whatever I'd call wisdom:D), there are at least three posters from lf.com that I'd recognise on this forum and at least one from planet rugby.

im ali's choice

Aidric

JustinDee wrote: »

Bear in mind, just like fake twitter accounts, people post under pretence on internet forums.

Really? I never knew this.

P_1

handsomecake wrote: »

im ali's choice

I knew it!!:D

Yikes some of the bitching and casual trolling on that site would probably give poor Ruggie and Toomy a stroke!

antogz1979

Aidric wrote: »

Really? I never knew this.

Justin Dee are you that far behind with the times. No one would never dream of making up fake accounts.:rolleyes:

JustinDee

antogz1979 wrote: »

Justin Dee are you that far behind with the times. No one would never dream of making up fake accounts.:rolleyes:

It was just a polite way of calling bullsh on most of the claims made here, thats all.

phog

Word over on MF.com is that Jamie Heaslip closed his twitter account as he was being harrassed by a follower.

Healy has just tweeted "Heaslip is on maternity leave from twitter!!

durkadurka

Can't you block people?

Hyperbullet

phog wrote: »

Word over on MF.com is that Jamie Heaslip closed his twitter account as he was being harrassed by a follower.

Healy has just tweeted "Heaslip is on maternity leave from twitter!!

Thats the risk you take when you give the public access to you.

phog

durkadurka wrote: »

Can't you block people?

Not sure but I suppose you can.

Hyperbullet wrote: »

Thats the risk you take when you give the public access to you.

Well surely Heaslip should be able to keep a social network profile open without dumbasses targetting him.

Maybe it was the straw that broke the camels back and he decided enough is enough.

brianthebard

JustinDee wrote: »

Bear in mind, just like fake twitter accounts, people post under pretence on internet forums.

Maybe all the inter-provincial nonsense on the forum is by players using pseudonyms! :eek: