How about a new cup for Irish provinces

Coburger

Hey,
The other week Real Madrid were playing a game and the commentator said that the club could possibly win 6 (or 7) competitions throughout the season. That got my little brain thinking about the Irish provinces with the A team being in with a chance to win only the Pro 12 and the European Cup.

Does anyone think this would be worth a thought. I find it a bit annoying when the provinces play one another and sometimes there are more fringe players than the main / internationals involved. I guess the average punter (that would be me), goes along in the hope of seeing an Irish international playing (nothing against fringe players as I know they are the future).

How about a mini league within the league? The provinces play 6 games in the League against Irish opposition. How about, this mini league within a league, awarding 4 points for a win, with an additional 1 being given for four or more tries scored, and a point for finishing within 7 points of the winning team.

At the end of the season the Irish province with the most points could be awarded the "Irish Celtic Cup". Any thoughts??

Coburg

CatFromHue

I like it.

It's the same as the Bledisoe Cup.

The Interpros used to be a bigish thing here so there is a history of it too.

tigerbarron

If anything id want it for the fringe players who dont get enough games..

bilston

Coburger wrote: »

Hey,
The other week Real Madrid were playing a game and the commentator said that the club could possibly win 6 (or 7) competitions throughout the season. That got my little brain thinking about the Irish provinces with the A team being in with a chance to win only the Pro 12 and the European Cup.

Does anyone think this would be worth a thought. I find it a bit annoying when the provinces play one another and sometimes there are more fringe players than the main / internationals involved. I guess the average punter (that would be me), goes along in the hope of seeing an Irish international playing (nothing against fringe players as I know they are the future).

How about a mini league within the league? The provinces play 6 games in the League against Irish opposition. How about, this mini league within a league, awarding 4 points for a win, with an additional 1 being given for four or more tries scored, and a point for finishing within 7 points of the winning team.

At the end of the season the Irish province with the most points could be awarded the "Irish Celtic Cup". Any thoughts??

Coburg

Aye it's a decent idea, I don't see why this couldn't be done. A lot of us like to do an Inter Pro table anyway, it wouldn't be hard to do and let's face it for decades and decades the Inter Pros were the only show in town in terms of proper competitive fixtures.

Losty Dublin

Coburger wrote: »

Hey,
The other week Real Madrid were playing a game and the commentator said that the club could possibly win 6 (or 7) competitions throughout the season. That got my little brain thinking about the Irish provinces with the A team being in with a chance to win only the Pro 12 and the European Cup.

Does anyone think this would be worth a thought. I find it a bit annoying when the provinces play one another and sometimes there are more fringe players than the main / internationals involved. I guess the average punter (that would be me), goes along in the hope of seeing an Irish international playing (nothing against fringe players as I know they are the future).

How about a mini league within the league? The provinces play 6 games in the League against Irish opposition. How about, this mini league within a league, awarding 4 points for a win, with an additional 1 being given for four or more tries scored, and a point for finishing within 7 points of the winning team.

At the end of the season the Irish province with the most points could be awarded the "Irish Celtic Cup". Any thoughts??

Coburg

Why not revamp the Inter Pro competition instead? No need to reinvent the wheel.

thelad95

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Why not revamp the Inter Pro competition instead? No need to reinvent the wheel.

No space in the calendar.

eyescreamcone

A Calcutta League Cup?
Is that what you mean?

Why would it be taken seriously?

thelad95

eyescreamcone wrote: »

A Calcutta League Cup?
Is that what you mean?

Why would it be taken seriously?

This is what I immediately thought especially with a lot of the inter-pro fixtures involving sides at half-strength.

In saying that if you got this cup a sponsor and a cash prize from the IRFU, then I could see it being taken more seriously.

Winters

Why not award an Interpro cup during the Pro12 league. The two Scottish teams already have a trophy for their derbies. A tournament within a tournament with no extra fixtures.

Winters

Winters wrote: »

Why not award an Interpro cup during the Pro12 league. The two Scottish teams already have a trophy for their derbies. A tournament within a tournament with no extra fixtures.

This makes the most sense

Hagz

I like the idea. Of course I doubt it would be taken seriously but it would still be a nice token.

bilston

Winters wrote: »

Why not award an Interpro cup during the Pro12 league. The two Scottish teams already have a trophy for their derbies. A tournament within a tournament with no extra fixtures.

I assumed this is what was being suggested. Anyway it would be a good idea. No extra games but throws and extra trophy out there and no extra cost and who knows you might even get a sponsor to add some income.

I think this is a great idea. What would you call it?

postitnote

Surely there's an old Inter pro trophy knocking about the place? get the brasso out and polish her up.

And while we're at it, what about a Ranfurly Shield type trophy to play for too?

Of course this is all futile as long as the player welfare scheme is in place. We'll hardly ever see a full blooded interpro during the regular season ever again!

bilston

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I think this is a great idea. What would you call it?

The Inter Provincial Championship

thomond2006

I really like the idea. However I can see Celtic Rugby as a whole being against it. The 1872 Cup in Scotland is one thing, but I think a league within a league might take from the Pro12.

The Lost Sheep

Deleted User wrote: »

I think this is a great idea. What would you call it?

Copying Scots who call trophy for games between Glasgow and Edinburgh the 1879 cup couldn't we call cup '1885 Cup' or whatever year Connacht first competed in the interpro championships?

postitnote wrote: »

Surely there's an old Inter pro trophy knocking about the place? get the brasso out and polish her up.

And while we're at it, what about a Ranfurly Shield type trophy to play for too?

Of course this is all futile as long as the player welfare scheme is in place. We'll hardly ever see a full blooded interpro during the regular season ever again!

Yes its futile as we'll never see many full blooded interpros during regular season especially with 2 games being played so close to each other in Christmas/new year period

thomond2006

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Yes its futile as we'll never see many full blooded interpros during regular season especially with 2 games being played so close to each other in Christmas/new year period

which needs to stop

I've no problem with back to back interpros but this policy of playing a full team for the home match and then sending the U20s away is a joke. It's going to be particularly bad this year as some teams have three interpros in a row.

former legend

What problem would this be attempting to solve?

The OP says:

I find it a bit annoying when the provinces play one another and sometimes there are more fringe players than the main / internationals involved. I guess the average punter (that would be me), goes along in the hope of seeing an Irish international playing (nothing against fringe players as I know they are the future).

How would this in any way change that?

eyescreamcone

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I think this is a great idea. What would you call it?

The Calcutta League Cup I said!!!

former legend

former legend wrote: »

What problem would this be attempting to solve?

The OP says:


How would this in any way change that?

I would simply disagree with OP's perception. Leinster V Munster in the Aviva prior to the H-Cup games last season were full strength.

Besides Ulster's mickey mouse team (which won?!) versus Munster recently, they've all been almost full strength as far as I remember

Winters

I would call it the Interprovincial Cup or Interpro Cup. I would be hesitant about getting a sponsor for it as it would devalue Guinness' sponsorship with the Pro12.

Like someone said, all it needs is a trophy or THE trophy if in fact there is one.

.ak

I'd like it if it was called The Tikka Masala Cup.

who the fug

Given there be a railway cup , why not The Automobile Is King BP/Nike and Mercedes cup

.ak

Also, if the IRFU/Pro12 don't want to do it, then we should run it, and make a trophy out of tinfoil (to save on the post and packaging when we send it to the winning team).

The Lost Sheep

thomond2006 wrote: »

which needs to stop

I've no problem with back to back interpros but this policy of playing a full team for the home match and then sending the U20s away is a joke. It's going to be particularly bad this year as some teams have three interpros in a row.

Never will stop when fixtures are set up like that

Winters wrote: »

I would call it the Interprovincial Cup or Interpro Cup. I would be hesitant about getting a sponsor for it as it would devalue Guinness' sponsorship with the Pro12.

Like someone said, all it needs is a trophy or THE trophy if in fact there is one.

I wouldn't get a sponsor but do like I mentioned above and use a historical title that goes back to the original interpro championships

postitnote

.ak wrote: »

Also, if the IRFU/Pro12 don't want to do it, then we should run it, and make a trophy out of tinfoil (to save on the post and packaging when we send it to the winning team).

How about using one of those online greetings card makers:

Congratulations Ulster*
on winning the 2014/2015
Interprovincial Championship.


And then we chip in and get one of those amazon gift vouchers for the squad to split between themselves.

*Historically speaking, it's most likely Ulster that win the interpros :cool:

former legend

I'm sorry but...

WHY?

bilston

former legend wrote: »

I'm sorry but...

WHY?

Well I think the OP's original point was that there wasn't enough silverware on offer each season. This would be an easy way of adding a new trophy into the mix.

former legend

bilston wrote: »

Well I think the OP's original point was that there wasn't enough silverware on offer each season. This would be an easy way of adding a new trophy into the mix.

A new trophy that no one will care about though? It's not even like it would be something for Connacht to aim for, and the winner would always be in the hunt to win the actual league so would be focused on that.
It would be easy, yes, but I just don't see the point.

CatFromHue

It'd be some fun.

.ak

Trophies within a cup are always just a side quest. Would the players care? I don't know to be honest.... but then again, do they care about the Triple Crown?

elefant

Deleted User wrote: »

I think this is a great idea. What would you call it?

The Railway Cup

CIARAN_BOYLE

The only way it would work out is if a sponsor comes aboard and pays for it, otherwise no one would care.

CatFromHue

The Ranfurly shield
The Bledisoe Cup
The Calcutta Cup

I think people are over thinking this, it's not meant to replace the Pro12, it's just a cup for the winner of the Irish interpro games.

It's just a nice add on really to what has historically been something of importance in Irish rugby.

It would be nice to have a cup displayed before the deciding match and afterwards definitively say that that province is the best for that season

former legend

It's a silly idea. No-one could sponsor it because Guinness wouldn't allow it, Guinness themselves wouldn't sponsor it because it would be more money for no extra exposure. The players wouldn't care and I doubt the fans would either.

The Calcutta Cup, the Ranfurly and the Bledisloe all pre-date the competitons into which they were subsumed. The Irish interpros never had anything like the same significance as those competitions and very few people cared when they were done away with.

who the fug

The could dig out that Dublin Millennium yoke , if it hasn't been melted down by now.

.ak

The time in the slime?

Where is that now?

who the fug

.ak wrote: »

The time in the slime?

Where is that now?

In Martin Johnson shed I would expect

CatFromHue

former legend wrote: »

It's a silly idea. No-one could sponsor it because Guinness wouldn't allow it, Guinness themselves wouldn't sponsor it because it would be more money for no extra exposure. The players wouldn't care and I doubt the fans would either.

The Calcutta Cup, the Ranfurly and the Bledisloe all pre-date the competitons into which they were subsumed. The Irish interpros never had anything like the same significance as those competitions and very few people cared when they were done away with.

Mr.Applepie

who the fug wrote: »

The could dig out that Dublin Millennium yoke , if it hasn't been melted down by now.

The cousin/nephew of a TD had a shed that wasn't being used so he allowed it to be stored there for only $50m a year + security costs....

^^This might be fictional.

who the fug

Mr.Applepie wrote: »

The cousin/nephew of a TD had a shed that wasn't being used so he allowed it to be stored there for only $50m a year + security costs....

^^This might be fictional.

Then again this is Ireland

Beery Eyed

Definitely a good addition and easy to carry out.

As for the "who cares" brigade? Given the amount of provincial bickering that goes on at times, I find it hard to believe that fans of each province would be indifferent to their team losing out to a rival province year after year.

salmocab

Good idea but as pointed out would not really be of benefit, however if it was run on league weekends it could effectively be an A competition which would mean extra games for the A teams together instead of AIL games

The Lost Sheep

salmocab wrote: »

Good idea but as pointed out would not really be of benefit, however if it was run on league weekends it could effectively be an A competition which would mean extra games for the A teams together instead of AIL games

A teams already play each other through the season midweek etc and we shouldn't be adding extra games to lessen AIL where we can at all possible

CatFromHue

No the trophy would be for games played in the Pro12, there would be no extra games.

Hagz

Speaking of trophies. Donncha O'Callaghan lifting the SEAT Challenge cup after Munster's pre season win against London Irish.

CatFromHue

It doesn't always go to the team that tops the league at the end of the season either.

In 10/11 Munster topped the league by 13 points but Leinster would have won the Interpro title that year (assuming the Interpro title is only for regular season Pro12 games).

Molester Stallone II

Would like to see a poll on the subject to see what the for/against split is, but, realistically I'd think it's complete non runner