The D4 Media/ Posh Boys and Irish Rugby – Spoon feeding the masses

Eutow · 13-02-2014 06:50PM

HooohRaaah wrote: »

I wonder if Fred has ever been to Croke Park for a Dublin vs Kerry game in the Championship. Best atmosphere in the world.
I doubt many kids grow up dreaming of playing Zebre in the RDS.

LorMal wrote: »

'Best atmosphere in the world'.....again, really??

Exactly, couldn't give a fook about it, but if people like the GAA, so what, it isn't harming me. I would have far preferred the atmosphere in the Liverpool v Milan Champions League final (2005).

Lester Freamon · 13-02-2014 06:56PM

I could not be bothered reading through all of this thread but wanted to make a few points on some of the comments I've seen:

- Yes rugby in Limerick is popular but not as big as people sometimes think. People who REALLY know their sports scene in Limerick will know that from a playing perspective (both adult and underage) that soccer is by far the biggest game. Working in the corporate scene in Dublin, people actually get perplexed when I throw this comment out but it is true. Also after a really bad decline over the last 20 years, hurling in the city is growing all the time. Na Piarsaigh on the doorstep of Thomond Park is testament to this. The Limerick rugby clubs in the AIL seem to be struggling badly and there are stories that some are badly in debt.

- Agree with many of the comments about business people liking rugby because they think it looks good to talk about it in the office. However, we'll always get this type of thing I reckon. If it wasn't rugby it would be something else they'd cling to I'm sure. During the early 90's, I believe it was the 'in thing' in business circles to say you had managed to secure a ticket to see the Ireland soccer team.

- I respect that there are probably plenty of proper female rugby fanS but the vast majority don't have a clue and can annoy the heck of out of me at times. This isn't something that is rugby's fault so to speak. Again certain people just like to cling to something. And if it makes them happy....then I try not to get too bothered over it! Hard not to sometimes when you hear the sh1te I do in my office!

I don't really hate rugby but I do think it is over-rated as a game myself. The delays while waiting on a scrum do my head in. The scrum in general just seems pointless. Or when a ruck develops and the ref blows the whistle and nobody really knows the heck why until the ref explains it... means I just can't emotionally engage in it as spectacle like I do in other sports.

While soccer players can sometimes play-act, I appreciate the skills of a soccer player or a hurler much more than even the better rugby players. Yes rugby players put their bodies on the line, that isn't really a skill is it? That's just my opinion. It's an opinion that is often met with strange looks in the office. I also don't begrudge the money soccer players make, always a bone of contention for many. Yes it is insane money but it is a global professional game and the nature of football economics happen to dictate that the best few out of millions worldwide that play the game, earn that kind of money. Just the same way golfers, baseball players, basketball players, even actors!, all receive insane money too. I don't get bitter over it. I say fair play to them, they are extremely skilled in thier game.

Anyway, I could go on. Each to their own but please try not be an annoying smug pr*ck if you love "the rugby"

Artful_Badger · 13-02-2014 07:11PM

Lester Freamon wrote: »

I could not be bothered reading through all of this thread but wanted to make a few points on some of the comments I've seen:

- Yes rugby in Limerick is popular but not as big as people sometimes think. People who REALLY know their sports scene in Limerick will know that from a playing perspective (both adult and underage) that soccer is by far the biggest game. Working in the corporate scene in Dublin, people actually get perplexed when I throw this comment out but it is true. Also after a really bad decline over the last 20 years, hurling in the city is growing all the time. Na Piarsaigh on the doorstep of Thomond Park is testament to this. The Limerick rugby clubs in the AIL seem to be struggling badly and there are stories that some are badly in debt.

- Agree with many of the comments about business people liking rugby because they think it looks good to talk about it in the office. However, we'll always get this type of thing I reckon. If it wasn't rugby it would be something else they'd cling to I'm sure. During the early 90's, I believe it was the 'in thing' in business circles to say you had managed to secure a ticket to see the Ireland soccer team.

- I respect that there are probably plenty of proper female rugby fanS but the vast majority don't have a clue and can annoy the heck of out of me at times. This isn't something that is rugby's fault so to speak. Again certain people just like to cling to something. And if it makes them happy....then I try not to get too bothered over it! Hard not to sometimes when you hear the sh1te I do in my office!

I don't really hate rugby but I do think it is over-rated as a game myself. The delays while waiting on a scrum do my head in. The scrum in general just seems pointless. The fact that loads of lads jump on top of each other and then the ref blows the whistle and nobody really knows the heck why until the ref explains it... means I just can't emotionally engage in it as spectacle like I do in other sports.

Again, I make comments that while soccer players can sometimes play-act I appreciate the skills of a soccer player or a hurler much more than even the better rugby players. Yes rugby players put their bodies on the line, that isn't really a skill is it? That's just my opinion. It's an opinion that is often met with strange looks in the office,,,,

Anyway, I could go on. Each to their own but please try not be an annoying smug pr*ck if you love "the rugby"

I might see why it draws such strange looks. You think a scrum is lads jumping on top of one another, that nobody knows whats going on until the ref explains it, that rugby players only put their bodies on the line and yet happily declare them less skilful than other athletes.

Perhaps the problem isnt with rugby fans being smug but more so with you for being too ignorant of the game to engage with them on any intelligent level when you feel the need to comment on the skill level involved in a sport they enjoy ?

OldRio · 13-02-2014 07:14PM

Lester Freamon wrote: »

I could not be bothered reading through all of this thread but wanted to make a few points on some of the comments I've seen:

Each to their own but please try not be an annoying smug pr*ck if you love "the rugby"

Best check the OP. It was giving out about Rugby therefore if you don't mind i'll just change this

Each to their own but please try not to be an annoying pr*ck if you hate rugby

Fratton Fred · 13-02-2014 07:16PM

Artful_Badger wrote: »

I might see why it draws such strange looks. You think a scrum is lads jumping on top of one another, that nobody knows whats going on until the ref explains it, that rugby players only put their bodies on the line and yet happily declare them less skilful than other athletes.

Perhaps the problem isnt with rugby fans being smug but more so with you for being too ignorant of the game to engage with them on any intelligent level when you feel the need to comment on the skill level involved in a sport they enjoy ?

Rugby is definitely one of those games that if you've played, at whatever level, your enjoyment of watching it is greatly enhanced.

paddylonglegs · 13-02-2014 07:17PM

Fu(k tennis!!!!

Lester Freamon · 13-02-2014 07:18PM

Artful_Badger wrote: »

I might see why it draws such strange looks. You think a scrum is lads jumping on top of one another, that nobody knows whats going on until the ref explains it, that rugby players only put their bodies on the line and yet happily declare them less skilful than other athletes.

Perhaps the problem isnt with rugby fans being smug but more so with you for being too ignorant of the game to engage with them on any intelligent level when you feel the need to comment on the skill level involved in a sport they enjoy ?

I didn't make myself clear there. I was actually referring to rucks with the jumping on top of each other comment. I will edit my post.

You missed my point. I am not ignorant of the rules, I played rugby myself for 2 years in school. I'm just left cold when it's a sport when I can't see why the referee gives a penalty until he has to explain it.

Lester Freamon · 13-02-2014 07:26PM

OldRio wrote: »

Best check the OP. It was giving out about Rugby therefore if you don't mind i'll just change this

Each to their own but please try not to be an annoying pr*ck if you hate rugby

I was making some observations to comments spread across the thread and not directly responding to the OP. Is that allowed?? :rolleyes:

Lester Freamon · 13-02-2014 07:29PM

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Rugby is definitely one of those games that if you've played, at whatever level, your enjoyment of watching it is greatly enhanced.

Would not necessary agree with this. Many people much prefer to play than watch.
Indeed, watching can be very frustrating for players.
I would know a few lads who played rugby and take very little interest in watching anymore. In fairness, I know it might not be the majority overall but it is not uncommon too.

Artful_Badger · 13-02-2014 07:31PM

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Rugby is definitely one of those games that if you've played, at whatever level, your enjoyment of watching it is greatly enhanced.

Its not even that its just an effort to understand whats going on that opens up the avenue of enhancing the enjoyment. I've never played at any level but I enjoy it massively because I've learned a huge amount from watching it.

Thats what makes it such a great sport imo. If you follow it closely and delve into the technicalities of it you can get so much out of it. Certainly much more than I've gotten from other sports.

Lester Freamon · 13-02-2014 07:33PM

Artful_Badger wrote: »

Its not even that its just an effort to understand whats going on that opens up the avenue of enhancing the enjoyment. I've never played at any level but I enjoy it massively because I've learned a huge amount from watching it.

Thats what makes it such a great sport imo. If you follow it closely and delve into the technicalities of it you can get so much out of it. Certainly much more than I've gotten from other sports.

I wouldn't totally disagree with what you are saying there. American Football or cricket would be a good example of what you describe. I just don't find the fine details of what goes with the forwards in rugby all that interesting or skilful really.

Quin_Dub · 13-02-2014 07:43PM

HooohRaaah wrote: »

The rugby's beloved Leinster Senior Schools Cup.

Blackrock College, St Michaels, Gonzaga, Belvedere, St Gerards, St Marys, Terenure College, Castleknock College, Clongowes Wood, Kilkenny College, Wesley College, Newbridge & Roscrea play in it. Every single one of them is fee paying and would be middle to upper class. That's Leinster rugby for you. Why are there no non fee paying schools in it?

Plenty on non-fee paying schools involved in the Leinster Snr cup.

St Pauls , St Brendans , Mount Temple , Pres Bray to name a few...

OldRio · 13-02-2014 07:53PM

Lester Freamon wrote: »

I was making some observations to comments spread across the thread and not directly responding to the OP. Is that allowed?? :rolleyes:

I would imagine so.:D

The_Kew_Tour · 13-02-2014 08:10PM

Quin_Dub wrote: »

Plenty on non-fee paying schools involved in the Leinster Snr cup.

St Pauls , St Brendans , Mount Temple , Pres Bray to name a few...

Not much good though are they?

jimboblep · 13-02-2014 08:12PM

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Not much good though are they?

your very bitter and negative

Guy:Incognito · 13-02-2014 08:14PM

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Not much good though are they?

The question was why are there no non fee paying schools in it. How well they do in it isn't relevant.

Maybe all sports should just cap participation to whoever gets to the semi final this year and just play with those four each year? Sure the rest aren't much good.

The_Kew_Tour · 13-02-2014 08:20PM

jimboblep wrote: »

your very bitter and negative

How?

They aint good, just like Carlow in GAA.

Does the truth hurt?

The_Kew_Tour · 13-02-2014 08:22PM

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

The question was why are there no non fee paying schools in it. How well they do in it isn't relevant.

Maybe all sports should just cap participation to whoever gets to the semi final this year and just play with those four each year? Sure the rest aren't much good.

But the big/best players will go to the fee paying schools.

Its that simple. People can brush it up all they like. People aint blind.

jimboblep · 13-02-2014 08:26PM

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

How?

They aint good, just like Carlow in GAA.

Does the truth hurt?

reading back through your posts its negative all the way
the triple crown is no good. the schools no good, do you get better by not competing ?
same can be said of any sport their are only a couple of teams realistically who can win so why should the rest bother now that is an elitest attitude
the teams i played for never had a hope of winning anything but it was the enjoyment of playing that i liked

jimboblep · 13-02-2014 08:27PM

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

But the big/best players will go to the fee paying schools.

Its that simple. People can brush it up all they like. People aint blind.

same as the best players in soccer go to the big teams

The_Kew_Tour · 13-02-2014 08:30PM

jimboblep wrote: »

reading back through your posts its negative all the way
the triple crown is no good. the schools no good, do you get better by not competing ?
same can be said of any sport their are only a couple of teams realistically who can win so why should the rest bother now that is an elitest attitude
the teams i played for never had a hope of winning anything but it was the enjoyment of playing that i liked

So you think the triple crown is good? Seriously? Its a out of date competition that is truly unfair to Italy and France.

I only said that the non paying schools aint as good as fee paying ones. You are wrong to suggest otherwise. I will prove it if you like?

My Posts have been negative??? Maybe you forgot to read the posts where I gave huge credit to our real sporting heros, our world class boxers, our World Champions in Athletics, our cyclists going through the toughest Mountains and endurance possible. If thats what you call negative....

The_Kew_Tour · 13-02-2014 08:31PM

jimboblep wrote: »

same as the best players in soccer go to the big teams

exactly. hence why some teams are better then others. Glad you see sense now.

jimboblep · 13-02-2014 08:35PM

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

So you think the triple crown is good? Seriously? Its a out of date competition that is truly unfair to Italy and France.

I only said that the non paying schools aint as good as fee paying ones. You are wrong to suggest otherwise. I will prove it if you like?

My Posts have been negative??? Maybe you forgot to read the posts where I gave huge credit to our real sporting heros, our world class boxers, our World Champions in Athletics, our cyclists going through the toughest Mountains and endurance possible. If thats what you call negative....

No thats where your bitterness towards rugby came in and your negativity
as for the fee paying schools you do realise they get the best players because they have the setup to develop talent
same as the best young boxers, cyclists, athletes will naturally progress to the best most professional trainers

jimboblep · 13-02-2014 08:37PM

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

exactly. hence why some teams are better then others. Glad you see sense now.

whos arguing theyre not the argument was that working class people or schools dont play which is nonsense

The_Kew_Tour · 13-02-2014 08:40PM

jimboblep wrote: »

No thats where your bitterness towards rugby came in and your negativity
as for the fee paying schools you do realise they get the best players because they have the setup to develop talent
same as the best young boxers, cyclists, athletes will naturally progress to the best most professional trainers

jimboblep wrote: »

whos arguing theyre not the argument was that working class people or schools dont play which is nonsense

Of course they have the money to setup the talent, I honestly would expect a school taking lots of euros of parents to provide that.

I never said working class people dont play rugby?

You make no sense at all. Maybe if you read my posts and stop using bitter as a excuse you be better off.

Burgo · 13-02-2014 08:45PM

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

So you think the triple crown is good? Seriously? Its a out of date competition that is truly unfair to Italy and France.

I only said that the non paying schools aint as good as fee paying ones. You are wrong to suggest otherwise. I will prove it if you like?

My Posts have been negative??? Maybe you forgot to read the posts where I gave huge credit to our real sporting heros, our world class boxers, our World Champions in Athletics, our cyclists going through the toughest Mountains and endurance possible. If thats what you call negative....

Triple crown was around longer than Italy and France have been in the competition. Don't see you giving out about the other trophies.
As for the bold part, please stop.

The_Kew_Tour · 13-02-2014 08:47PM

Burgo wrote: »

Triple crown was around longer than Italy and France have been in the competition. Don't see you giving out about the other trophies.
As for the bold part, please stop.

What other trophies?

What, you dont think our World Champions are not worth talking about?

Thats wrong.

jimboblep · 13-02-2014 08:49PM

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

What other trophies?

What, you dont think our World Champions are not worth talking about?

Thats wrong.

is your issue that rugby gets more coverage than your favourite sports

The_Kew_Tour · 13-02-2014 08:54PM

jimboblep wrote: »

is your issue that rugby gets more coverage than your favourite sports

Its not the coverage at all. I loved watching the great New Zealand, Welsh and the French team of 90's used to play rugby that was as good to watch as any sport. It was excellent.

No my point is that there are better Sports stars out there then most of our Rugby players. BOD and O Gara have been world class and set a standard only few could match, but it seems any Irish rugby player who gets a cap these days should be put in the Immortal bracket

Tox56 · 13-02-2014 09:01PM

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

What, you dont think our World Champions are not worth talking about?

No, I don't. Not in a thread that has nothing to do with them, when you only brought them up for another thinly veiled insult.

The D4 Media/ Posh Boys and Irish Rugby – Spoon feeding the masses

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