AIL semi finals

kevin99

What date are the AIL semi finals this season and where is the final scheduled to be played?

Gordon Gecko

April 16th Belvo vs. 'Tarf, Cork Con and Young Munster on the 17th. Not sure when the final is gonna be though

jolley123

They'll be broadcasted on Rte also.

PhatPiggins

Should they not just hand the title to Con now

CIARAN_BOYLE

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Should they not just hand the title to Con now

God no, if you did that you would deny the players involved valuable experience.

Lads like Nagle POM Dineen Deasy and Zebo would all be denied valuable experience which would damage their development.

Podge_irl

When does the limit on contracted players in AIL teams come into effect? Or is it already? Con seem fairly stacked with them.

Where is the final held?

PhatPiggins

Podge_irl wrote: »

When does the limit on contracted players in AIL teams come into effect? Or is it already? Con seem fairly stacked with them.

Where is the final held?

Next season and I don't know.

Gracelessly Tom

The final is on the 30th April......same day as Leinster/Munster/Ulster could all be playing in European semi finals. Absolutely crazy IMO but thats the forward thinking of the IRFU for you!

More than likely it'll be held in Athlone, same as last year. Only way I can see Con being beaten is in the semi if Munster call up a pile of their squad for the ML game that weekend.

In fairness to them I think a lot of their guys are academy and development players so the new rule (one less fully contracted player) shouldn't overly effect them unless these guys are all bumped up to full contracts.

bamboozle

Podge_irl wrote: »

When does the limit on contracted players in AIL teams come into effect? Or is it already? Con seem fairly stacked with them.

Where is the final held?

there is a rule that if a player has not started 3 league games he is not allowed play in the semi's or final. (as a Clontarf fan which lost finals to Ballymena and Shannon teams which were loaded with provincial players for the final i'm delighted to see this brought in)

however if i recall correctly wily Cork Con skirted this rule last season and had Manning play in the semi's.

Belvo v Tarf game will be a cracker, ex tarf coach now in charge of Belvo, lots of lads on both teams would be good mates from school days in Belvedere College.

Gracelessly Tom

bamboozle wrote: »

there is a rule that if a player has not started 3 league games he is not allowed play in the semi's or final. (as a Clontarf fan which lost finals to Ballymena and Shannon teams which were loaded with provincial players for the final i'm delighted to see this brought in)

however if i recall correctly wily Cork Con skirted this rule last season and had Manning play in the semi's.
QUOTE]

The rule is now you must have played 2 games prior to the last two regular season games to be able to play in those two games and beyond.

Last year Con pulled a fast one by getting the Munster branch to appeal to the IRFU that Manning needed gametime and to overlook the fact he had only played once for Con in the AIL all season! The fact he was leaving Munster in a month seem to be overlooked as well!

Con to beat YM, home advantage to swing a tight game for Belvo and Munster A to win the final!

Gracelessly Tom

So the AIL final will be between a Munster club and a Leinster club. Munster KO at 13:00 in the Amlin semi and Leinster at 15:30 in the H Cup semi. Now thats what I call genius planning from the IRFU, :rolleyes:.

Surely they'll change the date of the final now?

kevin99

I wouldn't hold my breadth. IRFU has shown in the past that they are not for turning.
Maybe they will ask the ERU to change their dates instead!
But sure like everything else the AIL will receive scant media coverage. The papers pay scant regard to this competition.
The IRFU needs to up the ante next season in terms of promoting the AIL.
You're lucky if the top games get more than 300-500 fans.
I've noticed that none of the teams this year had the player's name on the back of his jersey, making it impossible for 'neutral' or 'transient' fans to know who was who.
And subsititutions are not broadcast over the PA system at grounds informing the same groups of spectators who has replaced who.
Local radio and newspapers could be utilised to highlight forthcoming games with a build up, interviews with players etc.
But this all has to come from the IRFU. Otherwise the league will die a death again.
Individual clubs cannot be expected to do a professional job in terms of PR/Media relations. They need experts, but the experts need to be paid.
So, I would encourage the IRFU to look into this whole area ...for the future of the game.

IngazZagni

To me I think Con would be strong favourites to go on and win both the semi and final. These where the past two results between con and Ymum.

Sat 23rd Oct 10 14:30 Div1A Cork Constitution 32 - 19 Young Munster Temple Hill
Sat 5th Feb 11 14:30 Div1A Young Munster 6 - 3 Cork Constitution Tom Clifford Park

So they share 1 win each this season but Con had the more impressive victory and with Con at home that should have them win with a small margin of comfort.

As for Belvo vs Tarf, I would have to side with Belvo for that. Belvo have competed against tougher competition this season and beaten tougher competition. Having watched Tarf compete this season against Lansdowne (a Lansdowne fan myself) I know how good they can be. However they ended the season with two disappointing losses. That could be due to the fact that they were already guaranteed promotion but coming off back to back losses to beat Belvo will be a tough ask indeed, especially away from home as well. I predict Belvo to win with a small margin of comfort too.

I'm very happy that both these games are being televised. I would love to see the AIL become more popular. This is where so many Irish Internationals are developed. Devin Toner became the 100th player to get an International cap from Lansdowne alone. Hopefully both games are entertaining.

And yes you would have to believe that the date for the final will be changed from April 30th to the following week or even Sunday May 1st.

kevin99 wrote: »

..

Most AIL games I've attended a match program was provided with the names and numbers of the players. Many times, the away team has had no numbers associated with the players.

I do think the IRFU do a decent job with coverage. http://www.irishrugby.ie/club/index.php The problem is so few people actually read the stuff or are aware of it. The AIL needs a distinct premier division of sorts. Next seasons Div 1A with 10 teams will help that but I still don't think calling the leagues 1A and 1B gives it the Premier/1st division feel.

Gracelessly Tom

kevin99 wrote: »

I've noticed that none of the teams this year had the player's name on the back of his jersey, making it impossible for 'neutral' or 'transient' fans to know who was who.

And subsititutions are not broadcast over the PA system at grounds informing the same groups of spectators who has replaced who.

Local radio and newspapers could be utilised to highlight forthcoming games with a build up, interviews with players etc.

Individual clubs cannot be expected to do a professional job in terms of PR/Media relations. They need experts, but the experts need to be paid.
So, I would encourage the IRFU to look into this whole area ...for the future of the game.

Do you have any idea how much a set of jersey's cost? There is simply no way that the AIL will ever feature names on the jerseys. The fact that it's just not done in rugby at all aside, if a guy got called up for one game can you expect a club to fork our for a new jersey with his name on it??

A lot of the grounds do announce the substitutions, if they have a PA system this is used to announce changes. Again, these things cost cash which most clubs don't have.

Agree with the local media although the interest just isn't there to justify using inches up to cover AIL rugby. It's an unfortunate truth.

Club rugby is not professional and therefore they are not expected, nor do they need to, do a professional job when it comes to PR/Media relations. Most clubs work on a volunteer basis, they would not survive paying money to fill these type of positions. The PRO volunteer in AIL clubs is more than sufficient to serve the purpose.

bamboozle

IngazZagni wrote: »

To me I think Con would be strong favourites to go on and win both the semi and final. These where the past two results between con and Ymum.

Sat 23rd Oct 10 14:30 Div1A Cork Constitution 32 - 19 Young Munster Temple Hill
Sat 5th Feb 11 14:30 Div1A Young Munster 6 - 3 Cork Constitution Tom Clifford Park

So they share 1 win each this season but Con had the more impressive victory and with Con at home that should have them win with a small margin of comfort.

As for Belvo vs Tarf, I would have to side with Belvo for that. Belvo have competed against tougher competition this season and beaten tougher competition. Having watched Tarf compete this season against Lansdowne (a Lansdowne fan myself) I know how good they can be. However they ended the season with two disappointing losses. That could be due to the fact that they were already guaranteed promotion but coming off back to back losses to beat Belvo will be a tough ask indeed, especially away from home as well. I predict Belvo to win with a small margin of comfort too.

I'm very happy that both these games are being televised. I would love to see the AIL become more popular. This is where so many Irish Internationals are developed. Devin Toner became the 100th player to get an International cap from Lansdowne alone. Hopefully both games are entertaining.

And yes you would have to believe that the date for the final will be changed from April 30th to the following week or even Sunday May 1st.



Most AIL games I've attended a match program was provided with the names and numbers of the players. Many times, the away team has had no numbers associated with the players.

I do think the IRFU do a decent job with coverage. http://www.irishrugby.ie/club/index.php The problem is so few people actually read the stuff or are aware of it. The AIL needs a distinct premier division of sorts. Next seasons Div 1A with 10 teams will help that but I still don't think calling the leagues 1A and 1B gives it the Premier/1st division feel.

however next season the play offs have been scrapped, this could see by half way through the seasons teams having nothing to play for if they are out of contention for play-offs or relegation. Very silly idea in my opinion.

As a clontarf fan i see the final between Cork Con and Belvo. Jackman has done a fairly decent job in getting a very strong Clontarf squad promoted straight back up but i'd feel belvedere are beyond us at the moment.

IngazZagni

bamboozle wrote: »

however next season the play offs have been scrapped, this could see by half way through the seasons teams having nothing to play for if they are out of contention for play-offs or relegation. Very silly idea in my opinion.

Are you serious? Ugh why do the IRFU do this? Many seasons at the half way point, top spot seems out of reach yet a top 4 spot is still up for grabs and that's what keeps the league exciting and now the IRFU are going to take that away? I would like to see an explanation for them doing this. Terrible idea for sure.

Be prepared to see many stalemate games with even fewer supporters post mid season now. :mad:

shoutman

bamboozle wrote: »

As a clontarf fan i see the final between Cork Con and Belvo. Jackman has done a fairly decent job in getting a very strong Clontarf squad promoted straight back up but i'd feel belvedere are beyond us at the moment.

Agreed, unfortunately...

JustinDee

kevin99 wrote: »

I wouldn't hold my breadth. IRFU has shown in the past that they are not for turning.
Maybe they will ask the ERU to change their dates instead!
But sure like everything else the AIL will receive scant media coverage. The papers pay scant regard to this competition.
The IRFU needs to up the ante next season in terms of promoting the AIL.
You're lucky if the top games get more than 300-500 fans.
I've noticed that none of the teams this year had the player's name on the back of his jersey, making it impossible for 'neutral' or 'transient' fans to know who was who.
And subsititutions are not broadcast over the PA system at grounds informing the same groups of spectators who has replaced who.
Local radio and newspapers could be utilised to highlight forthcoming games with a build up, interviews with players etc.
But this all has to come from the IRFU. Otherwise the league will die a death again.
Individual clubs cannot be expected to do a professional job in terms of PR/Media relations. They need experts, but the experts need to be paid.
So, I would encourage the IRFU to look into this whole area ...for the future of the game.

So if a media outlet (excepting the Daily Mail and sometimes, Irish Times and Independent) doesn't bother covering the Ulster Bank League, while people can't be bothered attending games, its the IRFU's fault?
You can't make people take something on.

bamboozle

JustinDee wrote: »

So if a media outlet (excepting the Daily Mail and sometimes, Irish Times and Independent) doesn't bother covering the Ulster Bank League, while people can't be bothered attending games, its the IRFU's fault?
You can't make people take something on.

its certainly the IRFU's fault for having AIL games on at the same time as 6 nations games & its the IRFU's fault in having a 10 team top division next season with no top 4 play-off which will result in lots of pointless games.

The AIL has been moving in the right direction with the advent of home and away league games this season and last but removing the play offs is a stupid idea.

mikedragon32

JustinDee wrote: »

So if a media outlet (excepting the Daily Mail and sometimes, Irish Times and Independent) doesn't bother covering the Ulster Bank League, while people can't be bothered attending games, its the IRFU's fault?
You can't make people take something on.

Justin, the IRFU is charged with promoting the game and in the case of the AIL, they're failing badly.

JustinDee

mikedragon32 wrote: »

Justin, the IRFU is charged with promoting the game and in the case of the AIL, they're failing badly.

Apart from actually getting a sponsor on-board despite the economic climes and constantly pushing the comps to media, as well as club and competition funding programmes then nothing.

mikedragon32

So, why isn't it attracting the numbers?

A few hundred people at supposed top level games isn't really success, is it?

Well done IRFU on getting the money in, but the league is dying on it's feet. Putting games on that clash with major provincial fixtures doesn't help attendances and as been pointed out, removing the playoffs altogether will mean a lot of clubs are playing for nothing come Christmas.

Maybe it's time to stick up some more posters of Lukey in his 'rock shirt or ROG in his Con jersey? Let the peeps know that these are the clubs the lads may make the odd appearance for. Maybe.

JustinDee

mikedragon32 wrote: »

So, why isn't it attracting the numbers?

You can't make people go to an event.
How many rugby afficianados (but non-club members) actually bother going to their local club for UBL games? Percentage-wise an extremely low number. The majority go for Magners, ERC and internationals.

kensutz

bamboozle wrote: »

its certainly the IRFU's fault for having AIL games on at the same time as 6 nations games & its the IRFU's fault in having a 10 team top division next season with no top 4 play-off which will result in lots of pointless games.

The AIL has been moving in the right direction with the advent of home and away league games this season and last but removing the play offs is a stupid idea.

Last Saturday there were 2 cup finals in St Marys before the Leinster game. Decent crowds at it too and I was at both and then headed over to the Aviva. I try to make it my business to get to as many games as possible, both as a fan or rugby and a referee/photographer.

mikedragon32

So as long as they've suckered a bank into ponying up the readies, then the IRFU has done it's job?

Bank balance > attendance?

JustinDee

mikedragon32 wrote: »

So as long as they've suckered a bank into ponying up the readies, then the IRFU has done it's job?

Bank balance > attendance?

Even ignoring the 'suckering' reference, I think you're being a little subjective and selective here.

The IRFU promotes the Ulster Bank League through its own and branch media channels, pushes to broadcast and print media and invests in and develops the league itself, not just with sponsorship revenue.
There are not only Finals this year but Semi-Finals being televised too.

Up to the punter to go along to their local club's games. You can't force them to go.

kevin99

I totaly disagree.

It is the RESPONSIBILITY of the IRFU to ensure they promote the AIL on an ongoing, positive basis.
National Sports desks (editors, news editors, rugby corrs) don't have the time to devote to checking out facts regarding the AIL and the respective clubs.
You cannot expect club PROs to be coming up with 'sports news angles' for their local paper or radio station.
You need experienced media relations experts for that.
I don't expect the national media to preview every Premier divison AIL game or indeed cover them in great detail.
But the local press and radio would provide coverage once they receive all the relevant informaton well in advance.
I would also introduce Friday night 'under lights' matches when they clash with an international game or Magner's League or Heineken Cup match on the Saturday or Sunday.
Generally from my experience people will go to games if they know when, where and what time the game is on; and have some background information about the club and its team.
The clubs don't have the resources to pay media relations experts; some guys fancy themselves as such and fall way short of the mark.
But, unless something positive is done the league will die a death in the next few seasons.
It is up to the IRFU to promote the league far better than it is currently doing.
Just look at how the GAA club games at national and provincal level get some much media coverage! Why? because the GAA liaise on a regular basis with the clubs and the media.
The IRFU should ignore the club game at its peril.

pappyodaniel

Cookies are going well but I feel they have the harder draw in the Semis. If they can pip Con they'll do it in the final.

IngazZagni

JustinDee wrote:

There are not only Finals this year but Semi-Finals being televised too.

What about next year? I have a feeling nothing may be televised as there may not be a game to warrant it. At least with the current set-up, even if one team has dominated and is guaranteed 1st place in the regular season, there is still a semi and final to play for. Ugh I'm just so annoyed by this.

kevin99 wrote:

I don't expect the national media to preview every Premier divison AIL game or indeed cover them in great detail.

Well that's just it. I don't think the national press want to cover the AIL with anything other than results.

The IRFU don't do that bad a job at previewing all the weeks games, here's the preview for last weeks games.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/ulsterbankleague/22852.php

I doubt even if the IRFU wrote the previews for the media, they wouldn't take it, there just isn't the following there for it.

ormond lad

kevin99 wrote: »

I totaly disagree.

It is the RESPONSIBILITY of the IRFU to ensure they promote the AIL on an ongoing, positive basis.
Sports desks ( editors, news editors, rugby corrs) don't have the time to devote to checking out facts regarding the AIL and the respective clubs.
You cannot expect club PROs to be coming up with 'sports news angles' for their local paper or radio station.
You need experienced media relations experts for that.
I don't expect the national media to preview every Premier divison AIL game.
But the local press and radio could do it and would be willing to devote time and space once they receive all the relevant informaton in advance.
It is up to the IRFU to promote the league far better than it is currently doing.
I would also introduce Friday night 'under lights' matches when they clash with an international game or Magner's League or Heineken Cup match on the Saturday or Sunday.
Generally from my experience people will go to games if they know when, where and what time the game is on; and so background information about the club and its team.
The clubs don't have the resources to pay media relations experts; some guys fancy themselves as such and fall way short of the mark.
But, unless something positive is done the league will die a death in the next few seasons.

of course clubs cant employ media experts but it is up to the clubs to ensure crowds turn up at games, with magners on most weeks that the AIL is on it is very hard to arrange for fixtures not to clash especially with clubs from different provinces playing each other.
friday night 'under lights' matches have slightly been introduced but it is up to the clubs to ask for them/want them
clubs dont need media experts to publicise their games,
1. get club members to put posters/signs up in local shops,
2. local radio to mention game/do regular updates
3. do food/drink deals in the clubhouse
3. get live music if facilites are available after the game
4. get minis/youths to play before/after the game
all simple ideas that will get as many members/non members of the club to go to seniors games
getting minis to play before/after AIL games is an excellant idea as all the club blazers will be at the senior game and they can talk to the parents about the club and if the club does it right can get those parents to become involved in the club

JustinDee

kevin99 wrote: »

I totaly disagree.

It is the RESPONSIBILITY of the IRFU to ensure they promote the AIL on an ongoing, positive basis

I think you misunderstand actually.
Read on...

kevin99 wrote: »

National Sports desks (editors, news editors, rugby corrs) don't have the time to devote to checking out facts regarding the AIL and the respective clubs

What do you mean? The IRFU should run editorial in every publication or outlet it sends information to or responds to??? Nobody does that.

kevin99 wrote: »

You cannot expect club PROs to be coming up with 'sports news angles' for their local paper or radio station.
You need experienced media relations experts for that

Local print and broadcast media also receive IRFU communications.

kevin99 wrote: »

I don't expect the national media to preview every Premier divison AIL game or indeed cover them in great detail
But the local press and radio would provide coverage once they receive all the relevant informaton well in advance

No-one is distinguished from the other. Press releases, invites, accreditation: all the same for everyone whether you're with a national newspaper or a local radio station.

kevin99 wrote: »

I would also introduce Friday night 'under lights' matches when they clash with an international game or Magner's League or Heineken Cup match on the Saturday or Sunday.
Generally from my experience people will go to games if they know when, where and what time the game is on; and have some background information about the club and its team

"Generally from my experience", the season is only so long and games can only be played within a certain window. IRFU does push the clubs. Not enough in your eyes but I've yet to see a particular channel where this occurs.

kevin99 wrote: »

The clubs don't have the resources to pay media relations experts; some guys fancy themselves as such and fall way short of the mark.
But, unless something positive is done the league will die a death in the next few seasons.
It is up to the IRFU to promote the league far better than it is currently doing.
Just look at how the GAA club games at national and provincal level get some much media coverage! Why? because the GAA liaise on a regular basis with the clubs and the media.
The IRFU should ignore the club game at its peril.

Again, you are under a misconception in how the process actually works and how what you say is different in process and procedure, is actually the very same.

Gracelessly Tom

kevin99 wrote: »

I would also introduce Friday night 'under lights' matches when they clash with an international game or Magner's League or Heineken Cup match on the Saturday or Sunday.

Just look at how the GAA club games at national and provincal level get some much media coverage! Why? because the GAA liaise on a regular basis with the clubs and the media.
The IRFU should ignore the club game at its peril.

"Friday night lights" are never going to catch on. Clubs need the Saturday games to allow for the pre match lunch (a major money spinner) so unless the IRFU offer cash incentives for Friday night games then this will never catch on. Clubs make too much money from Sat afternoon KO's to give up on them.

Also, very few clubs have match grade floodlights. All very well saying they should have Friday night games but the floodlights cost a fortune to install.

You really can't compare GAA club games and AIL club games, huge difference, massive advantage in the player and support base for GAA clubs. Non-comparable imo.

kevin99

ormond lad wrote: »

of course clubs cant employ media experts but it is up to the clubs to ensure crowds turn up at games, with magners on most weeks that the AIL is on it is very hard to arrange for fixtures not to clash especially with clubs from different provinces playing each other.
friday night 'under lights' matches have slightly been introduced but it is up to the clubs to ask for them/want them
clubs dont need media experts to publicise their games,
1. get club members to put posters/signs up in local shops,
2. local radio to mention game/do regular updates
3. do food/drink deals in the clubhouse
3. get live music if facilites are available after the game
4. get minis/youths to play before/after the game
all simple ideas that will get as many members/non members of the club to go to seniors games
getting minis to play before/after AIL games is an excellant idea as all the club blazers will be at the senior game and they can talk to the parents about the club and if the club does it right can get those parents to become involved in the club

So how does a non member know a match is taking place?
All you've suggested are ideas such as minis, food/drink deals - get real. When was the last time a rugby club offered decent food!!! Why do we have to have special 'drinks' deals in this country. We know what alcohol can do to people.
Live music after a game is basically a 'booze up' and a means to retain supporters already in the clubhouse.

You haven't addressed the issue of attracting 'new' fans to a match. People who haven't been to a club game need to know a game is taking place, the time and venue.

Simple but true. From my experience sticking up posters in local shops is a good idea, but it is merely part of an overall PR strategy to attract new fans. An ongoing media plan is key to its success.
How many times have you turned on your radio sports news bulletin on a Thurs, Fri and up to Sat lunchtime only to hear the same sports news being broadcast that you read in that morning's newspapers?
If clubs got off their arses they could submit details of games to sports desks. Experts are needed to ensure the games, backgrounds, interviews with coaches and players are covered. Simple as.
I did this in the UK for a number of years and it worked a dream.

bamboozle

so who else is going to be attending the AIL semi finals?

i'll be amongst the Tarf crowd outnumbering Belvo fans at anglesea road!

kevin99

I will be there too. Supporting 'Tarf.
No doubt there will be a charge at the gate. Short sighted. IRFU should allow free admission.
Was chatting to some mates in the gym, none knew the match was on this weekend.
And they are all sports fans. A guy in Newstalk sports department didn't know the semis are on this weekend. Thanked me for letting him know.
So much for IRFU's Media Relations operation.

JustinDee

kevin99 wrote: »

I will be there too. Supporting 'Tarf.
No doubt there will be a charge at the gate. Short sighted. IRFU should allow free admission

Up to the host venue.

kevin99 wrote: »

Was chatting to some mates in the gym, none knew the match was on this weekend. And they are all sports fans

It has been in newspapers, on the web and on radio.

kevin99 wrote: »

A guy in Newstalk sports department didn't know the semis are on this weekend. Thanked me for letting him know.
So much for IRFU's Media Relations operation.

Press releases contain every prompt for every event. If this person isn't on mailing list, then they should subscribe or make sure they are updated.

Digifriendly

On a similar note very little in the press about last Saturday's AIB Cup Final. Maybe it was because it was a European cup weekend but nevertheless little publicity. The club game is suffering in my opinion and the fact that during the 6 nations we had British/Irish Cup games as well as U-20's taking away from clubs some of their best players didn't help.

JustinDee

Digifriendly wrote: »

On a similar note very little in the press about last Saturday's AIB Cup Final. Maybe it was because it was a European cup weekend but nevertheless little publicity. The club game is suffering in my opinion and the fact that during the 6 nations we had British/Irish Cup games as well as U-20's taking away from clubs some of their best players didn't help.

Independent, Mail and Times covered both games. Star too.
Yes, the ERC games would have received greater publicity.
The press take their pick.

kevin99

Agreed. The apologist for the IRFU who defended the Union's PR of the AIL thinks it is doing as much as it can do to promote the game.
Having worked in the Pr business I know that issuing blanket press releases rather than individually tailored 'releases doesn't work.
And he thinks sports news editors, sports reporters, presenters and producers are going to pick up on the generic release and give it coverage!!!

I haven't seen anything written or heard any broadcasts about the AIL semi-finals.

The IRFU should have sought a 5-7 minute slot on RTE's radio sports programme after Drivetime and on Newstalk's 'Off the Ball' and on Matt Cooper's evening show on Today FM to highlight the semi-finals, providing background info and strong sports news angles on all four clubs. Each coach/captain should have been interviewed.

But is probably issued to all media outlets is a three par news release informing us that the semis are taking place this weekend, the two venues and kick off times. And that's it.Have they even considered placing ads on local and national radio and in national newspapers? Of course, that would them cost money.
Lazy, shoddy PR.

The club game is dying a death. Ulster Bank should insist a percentage of its sponsorship money goes directly into promoting the club game and into the clubs themselves.
The IRFU should reduce by 50% its ticket prices for the summer friendlies. Otherwise Lansdowne Road will be half empty for them. In case the Union heads don't realise it, we are living through the worst economic recession in the history of the State.

JustinDee

kevin99 wrote: »

Agreed. The apologist for the IRFU who defended the Union's PR of the AIL thinks it is doing as much as it can do to promote the game

I know exactly what the IRFU is doing to promote the club game which is why I'm calling you on your misconceptions.

kevin99 wrote: »

Having worked in the Pr business I know that issuing blanket press releases rather than individually tailored 'releases doesn't work.
And he thinks sports news editors, sports reporters, presenters and producers are going to pick up on the generic release and give it coverage!!!

I know perfectly well how an editorial centre works.

kevin99 wrote: »

I haven't seen anything written or heard any broadcasts about the AIL semi-finals

Well then it mustn't have been there if you haven't seen it.

kevin99 wrote: »

The IRFU should have sought a 5-7 minute slot on RTE's radio sports programme after Drivetime and on Newstalk's 'Off the Ball' and on Matt Cooper's evening show on Today FM to highlight the semi-finals, providing background info and strong sports news angles on all four clubs. Each coach/captain should have been interviewed

Look, if a media outlet doesn't want to or cannot cover something, they won't. You can't force them.
The semi-finals are being broadcast and media channels have their info.

kevin99 wrote: »

But what so we get probably a three par release informing us that the semis are taking place this weekend, where and kick off times. And that's it. Lazy, shoddy PR.

Thats all that is distributed, is it? No.

bamboozle

kevin99 wrote: »

Agreed. The apologist for the IRFU who defended the Union's PR of the AIL thinks it is doing as much as it can do to promote the game.
Having worked in the Pr business I know that issuing blanket press releases rather than individually tailored 'releases doesn't work.
And he thinks sports news editors, sports reporters, presenters and producers are going to pick up on the generic release and give it coverage!!!

I haven't seen anything written or heard any broadcasts about the AIL semi-finals.

The IRFU should have sought a 5-7 minute slot on RTE's radio sports programme after Drivetime and on Newstalk's 'Off the Ball' and on Matt Cooper's evening show on Today FM to highlight the semi-finals, providing background info and strong sports news angles on all four clubs. Each coach/captain should have been interviewed.

But is probably issued to all media outlets is a three par news release informing us that the semis are taking place this weekend, the two venues and kick off times. And that's it.Have they even considered placing ads on local and national radio and in national newspapers? Of course, that would them cost money.
Lazy, shoddy PR.

The club game is dying a death. Ulster Bank should insist a percentage of its sponsorship money goes directly into promoting the club game and into the clubs themselves.
The IRFU should reduce by 50% its ticket prices for the summer friendlies. Otherwise Lansdowne Road will be half empty for them. In case the Union heads don't realise it, we are living through the worst economic recession in the history of the State.

RTE radio sport just focus on GAA and eh more GAA, cant see them giving much if any time to club rugby.

kevin99

Where did you work. There is no such thing as an 'editorial centre'
It is a sports news desk.
Methinks,you like to think you know these things.

I've just perused the online editions of today's Indo and Times, they are national newspapers, and neither carried any coverage of tomorrow's semi-finals.
Ditto for RTE sports online.

As I said, no strong sports angles provided to the sports desks. Why should they bother running details of a fixture?
Lazy, shoddy PR.

JustinDee

kevin99 wrote: »

Where did you work. There is no such thing as an 'editorial centre'
It is a sports news desk.
Methinks,you like to think you know these things

I know exactly what I'm talking about. I worked for The Economist before my current role.

kevin99 wrote: »

I've just perused the online editions of today's Indo and Times, they are national newspapers, and neither carried any coverage of tomorrow's semi-finals.
Ditto for RTE sports online

Like I said, you can't force-feed anyone.

kevin99 wrote: »

As I said, no strong sports angles provided to the sports desks. Why should they bother running details of a fixture?
Lazy, shoddy PR.

"No strong sports angles"?? What do you expect from a sports release??

Gracelessly Tom

Kevin99, no offense but I think you're understanding of the AIL and Irish club rugby is poor. You are obsessing over the PR side of it and seem determined to slam the IRFU in every post. You got a problem with the way they do it, approach them and give them your suggestions.

This is a rugby forum and the AIL semi final thread is meant for discussing the upcoming matches so drop the PR rant, you've made it clear you don't like the way the PR is done now let it go.

I have to question how much interest in AIL club rugby you have, very little would be my guess. If you did then you would know the semi's are on this week. As for the paper coverage, it'll be in tomorrows papers, same as it is every year come semi final day. The IRFU website has reports up on the games as well.

From reading your posts the word Troll comes to mind, for a guy who claims to know about rugby and have an interest in it to describe the RWC warm up games as summer friendlies is rather odd.

Anyway, that's my thoughts, not sure if others agree but can we discuss rugby and not the "IRFU PR failings as seen by Kevin99".

For the semi's my predictions -

Belvo 29 Tarf 17 (close game but late Belvo score to seal it perhaps)
Cork Con 23 YM 15 (Con's Munster contingent to make the difference)

JustinDee

Gracelessly Tom wrote: »

For the semi's my predictions -

Belvo 29 Tarf 17 (close game but late Belvo score to seal it perhaps)
Cork Con 23 YM 15 (Con's Munster contingent to make the difference)

I'll take a punt at Con fluffing it to the Cookies and Clontarf halting Belvo form.
Should be a great day of rugby. Was just down at Belvo now taking a peek at the pitch etc. All good. Dusty but good.

Gracelessly Tom

JustinDee wrote: »

I'll take a punt at Con fluffing it to the Cookies and Clontarf halting Belvo form.
Should be a great day of rugby. Was just down at Belvo now taking a peek at the pitch etc. All good. Dusty but good.

We played Belvo two weeks ago and the pitch was rock solid, imagine it will be the same tomorrow, which will make it ideal for running rugby. Should be a great spectacle there tomorrow.

kevin99

I worked for Irish Times and RTE (Radio and TV).
What did you do at The Economist.
If you are now working for the IRFU, in a PR role, you are not doing a good job.

JustinDee

kevin99 wrote: »

I worked for Irish Times and RTE (Radio and TV).
What did you do at The Economist.
If you are now working for the IRFU, in a PR role, you are not doing a good job.

Wow, cheers.
I'm not in PR but I'll pass on the message. If only we had you on board ...

RuggieBear

Why not take it to pm. No more about PR. This is a thread on the AIL semi-finals

Downtime

Gracelessly Tom wrote: »

The final is on the 30th April......same day as Leinster/Munster/Ulster could all be playing in European semi finals. Absolutely crazy IMO but thats the forward thinking of the IRFU for you!

More than likely it'll be held in Athlone, same as last year. Only way I can see Con being beaten is in the semi if Munster call up a pile of their squad for the ML game that weekend.

In fairness to them I think a lot of their guys are academy and development players so the new rule (one less fully contracted player) shouldn't overly effect them unless these guys are all bumped up to full contracts.

The final is on May 1st in Donnybrook.

Tim Robbins

JustinDee wrote: »

I know exactly what I'm talking about. I worked for The Economist before my current role.

Jee - fair play. I read that from time to time. Don't always agree with it but it's great for finding out about international madness. The Irish media tends to eb very insular.