Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread IV

lt091 · 26-02-2014 12:50AM

former legend wrote: »

I don't think Leinster have announced any contracts other than Heaslip and O'Brien?

I would hope for at least another year from each.

probably but Cooney isn't going to get much better without playing time, McGrath too.

wouldn't mind to see Boss leave and Reddan kept.

sullivlo · 26-02-2014 08:32AM

lt091 wrote: »

basically no one has apart from Heaslip and SOB.

Leinster announce all the extensions at once when they are all done.

Dave Kearney was announced too.

lt091 · 26-02-2014 09:58AM

sullivlo wrote: »

Dave Kearney was announced too.

not officially, same with Moore.

sullivlo · 26-02-2014 10:06AM

lt091 wrote: »

not officially, same with Moore.

So who announced Dave Kearney? I thought it was official sources saying he turned down an offer from France to stay with Leinster.

lt091 · 26-02-2014 10:34AM

sullivlo wrote: »

So who announced Dave Kearney? I thought it was official sources saying he turned down an offer from France to stay with Leinster.

sources have said it but Leinster Rugby have not officially announced it to be true.

CatFromHue · 26-02-2014 03:33PM

I thought he'd signed one too but the reports at the time were only that he was ready to sign one.

"The younger of the two international playing brothers will seal the deal at IRFU headquarters within the next 48 hours and officially pledge his future to Leinster and Ireland.

Having come to within inches of scoring another try in the dying seconds of Sunday’s RBS Six Nations clash with Scotland, Kearney admitted yesterday: “It’s pretty much sorted. I’m going to look to get in now in the next couple of days and sign up.”

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/boost-for-ireland-as-kearney-ready-to-sign-new-contract-257682.html

This was 3 weeks ago now

CIARAN_BOYLE · 26-02-2014 03:58PM

I've a feeling ferg or luke will be in the centre for Leinster this weekend.

CatFromHue · 26-02-2014 04:03PM

I think one of the reasons Leinster were so cautious with Fitzgerald last week was I don't think we've played on an artificial pitch before.

I'd say they were worried on what it felt like on the joints and could possibly irritate a weak spot far more than a normal pitch.

LeeroyJones · 26-02-2014 11:56PM

Pretty much any question you may have regarding the RDS the answer is a fancy "I donno" or "Maybe.......(?)". Perhaps a little cynical of me but I'm not exactly oozing with knowledge on reading this!

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/supporters/11532.php#.Uw5v5Pl_tHU

Q. What are the plans to redevelop the Anglesea stand and when is it likely to take place?
A. Plans are on-going to redevelop the Anglesea stand and we are currently at the funding stage. Once funding has been secured work will commence. No timelines are available as yet.

Q. Are there any plans for toilets in the Laighin Out Bar?
A. There are no plans for toilets at present to go in to the Laighin Out Bar. There are several portacabin toilets in close proximity which supporters are guided to use.

Q. Would an RWC 2023 bid ensure that the RDS will get expanded?
A. The RDS is a participant in this proposal bid and the facilities will be expected to meet the requirements set down.

Q. Will there be a Leinster Club shop incorporated into any redeveloped Angelsea Stand?
A. The final details have yet to be agreed and we expect to liaise with Leinster on this as common operations will typically be involved.

Q. Do you have any power to encourage Dublin bus to improve the frequency of buses after a game, waiting 45 minutes is not unusual and can spoil an evening.
A. The RDS is well serviced by direct bus routes (bus number 4, 7, 8 and 18 stop outside the Main Hall Entrance to the RDS on Merrion Road). Furthermore, Donnybrook which is also a short walk from the RDS is on the Quality Bus Corridor (QBC). Alternatively, there is a regular dart service from either Lansdowne or Sandymount dart stations which again are both just a short walk from the RDS.

Q. Why do we have to cross over muddy\grass to get food service?
A. Weather conditions have been unpredictable and extreme. It is no longer suitable to situate the food kiosks in the grass arenas. Instead food kiosks are now located on the tarmac walk -way beside the Anglesea stand.

Q. Why is no orderly queuing in place for all food outlets?
A. Due to space restrictions it is difficult to set up and manage orderly queues as the queues would run into one another. Staff at each unit manage the queues as required and we find that the current queuing system flows reasonably smoothly and quickly.

Q. Please explain why mobile tea\coffee\chocolate vendors are not permitted - service to seated and terrace patrons?
A. The mobile vendors sell confectionary and service each stand before matches and during half time. For health and safety reasons they are prohibited from serving hot drinks to seated and terrace patrons.

Q. Please explain why the sound system for terrace patrons is so poor?
A. The sound system for the terrace is carefully checked before every match. Sound levels are pre-set two hours in advance of each match. We have noted this concern and will raise it with our sound system specialist.

Q. Is there any chance of having a queuing system for the toilet blocks?
A. A queuing system has been in place at recent matches. The Leinster Blue Crew and RDS Security will work jointly to ensure this system is managed effectively.

Q. Does the RDS have baby changing facilities on match days and if so, where are these as I have asked a number of stewards and nobody can tell me?
A. Baby changing facilities are available on match days and are located at the rear of the Grand Stand beside Gate F. Our regular pre-match briefing includes updates on all aspects of venue facilities including baby changing. Additional effort will be undertaken to ensure patrons can locate these facilities.

Q. Is there any chance of installing bike racks inside the RDS arena (after a scanning point for added security)?
A. Bike racks are located outside the scanning area at Gate D which is inside the Anglesea Gate entrance and adjacent to the security hut.

Q. Is there any way of reducing the cost of pints, we believe we pay the same as a customer going to a one off concert but we are visiting the RDS 13-15 times each season?
A. Beer prices at the RDS compare favourably with other venues in the city.

Q. Are there any plans to have a 'Dublin Bike' station installed in or near the RDS?
A. The RDS is fully supportive of the Dublinbike Scheme expansion programme and there are plans to have a Dublinbike station installed. Phase 2 is only in construction now and the RDS and Ballsbridge area form phase 5. Therefore, it could take a few years before one is in operation in or near the RDS.

mus02 · 26-02-2014 11:59PM

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I've a feeling ferg or luke will be in the centre for Leinster this weekend.

luke at 13 hopefully.

decisions · 26-02-2014 11:59PM

LeeroyJones wrote: »

f reducing the cost of pints, we believe we pay the same as a customer going to a one off concert but we are visiting the RDS 13-15 times each season?
A. Beer prices at the RDS compare favourably with other venues in the city.

:pac:

molloyjh · 27-02-2014 12:30AM

decisions wrote: »

:pac:

Yeah, over €11 for a pint of Guinness and Carlsberg. Favourably my arse. I don't buy there any more and I can see I'm not alone. The numbers at the bars are nowhere near as large as they used to be.

That said it has nothing to do with the OLSC and they can't really impact any change there.

.ak · 27-02-2014 12:39AM

LeeroyJones wrote: »

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/supporters/11532.php#.Uw5v5Pl_tHU

Q. Is there any way of reducing the cost of pints, we believe we pay the same as a customer going to a one off concert but we are visiting the RDS 13-15 times each season?
A. Beer prices at the RDS compare favourably with other venues in the city.

irishbucsfan · 27-02-2014 12:42AM

molloyjh wrote: »

That said it has nothing to do with the OLSC and they can't really impact any change there.

Well that was a Q&A with RDS managememt. Do they run the bars or is it a different 3rd party?

Grimebox · 27-02-2014 01:26AM

.ak wrote: »

They must be going to temple bar...

Morf · 27-02-2014 04:47AM

Grimebox wrote: »

They must be going to temple bar...

Pints o Guinnesss in The Temple Bar?

desertcircus · 27-02-2014 09:30AM

Presumably they're drinking in Cafe En Seine.

Dravokivich · 27-02-2014 09:33AM

Bloody hell, reading that Q&A is like pulling teeth. It's like they are blindly defending themselves instead of actually paying attention to peoples concerns.

Have they used the portacabins by the Laighin Out?

Do they expect people from all over the arena to go to the one little hut to use a baby changing facility?

How can you adequately test sound 2 hours before a match, when bodies are the main thing that drowns it out? And calling their sound engineer a "sound system specialist," makes me think the person who answered the questions, took it upon themselves to just provide vague and rough comments. If they talked to their sound system specialist, they'd know it's not the job title. If it is what they call themselves, they are not trained for the job! :pac:

27-02-2014 10:01AM

I assume they mean that cans that can be bought all over the city are about the same price as the cans that you bring in yourself?

Heroditas · 27-02-2014 11:01AM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Well that was a Q&A with RDS managememt. Do they run the bars or is it a different 3rd party?

Third party. I'm almost certain it's the same guy who owns the Horseshow House.

danthefan · 27-02-2014 11:10AM

Heroditas wrote: »

Third party. I'm almost certain it's the same guy who owns the Horseshow House.

I think it's the people who own Madigans in Donnybrook. They may or may not also own the HSH.

sullivlo · 27-02-2014 11:12AM

danthefan wrote: »

I think it's the people who own Madigans in Donnybrook. They may or may not also own the HSH.

I think they do own the HSH. They often have a sign up saying "Madigan Square Gardens" on the beer garden of the HSH.

Larbre34 · 27-02-2014 12:19PM

Madigans do have the contract for the RDS, and that means ALL the bars within the curtilage, including the Laighin Out. It is the same Madigans as Donnybrook, HSH, O'Connell St and others.

Mick Dawson was questioned directly about the price of drink in his Newstalk interview with Plank Kenny a few weeks ago. He again cited the contract at the RDS but that they were 'exploring options' in relation to drink outlets. He also said it might only be improved or resolved on the back of the redevelopment of the Arena, so dont hold your breath.

Dont forget in those price comparisons that you arent getting a Pint in the RDS bars, you are getting 500mls (or maybe 450 by the time you ferry those sh1tty plastic glasses back to wherever youre sitting). Effectively the price is €6.59 per pint, and frankly **** that, cans all the way. The only way it might be seriously addressed is if a campaign to boycott the RDS bars actually took hold.

danthefan · 27-02-2014 12:25PM

I just outright refuse to buy pints in the RDS. I can survive the 2 hours or so without a drink, the prices are absolutely nuts. It's cans or nothing.

sullivlo · 27-02-2014 12:30PM

At the last match my mam bought a pint, put it on the ground to get something out of her bag, and a ball from the warm up knocked it over. 5 odd quid wasted.

I too refuse to pay the prices. If I'm going out after I might have one, but then there's the issue of queueing for the toilets. It's easier not to drink. I've taken to driving - saves on the bus fares and I'm home a lot quicker than waiting for buses. I bring sweets and a drink for my cousin - €2 for a bottle of water the last match we were at! And last week I brought a flask for him. I know it's probably scabby of me, and that the vans etc have to pay to be there, but the costs are outrageous sometimes.

Dravokivich · 27-02-2014 12:30PM

Larbre34 wrote: »

Madigans do have the contract for the RDS, and that means ALL the bars within the curtilage, including the Laighin Out. It is the same Madigans as Donnybrook, HSH, O'Connell St and others.

Mick Dawson was questioned directly about the price of drink in his Newstalk interview with Plank Kenny a few weeks ago. He again cited the contract at the RDS but that they were 'exploring options' in relation to drink outlets. He also said it might only be improved or resolved on the back of the redevelopment of the Arena, so dont hold your breath.

Dont forget in those price comparisons that you arent getting a Pint in the RDS bars, you are getting 500mls (or maybe 450 by the time you ferry those sh1tty plastic glasses back to wherever youre sitting). Effectively the price is €6.59 per pint, and frankly **** that, cans all the way. The only way it might be seriously addressed is if a campaign to boycott the RDS bars actually took hold.

The price board says pint. The cups say pint on the side of them. If you are not getting a pint within the cup at the bar, they are falsely advertising and should be challenged on it.

Larbre34 · 27-02-2014 12:41PM

sullivlo wrote: »

At the last match my mam bought a pint, put it on the ground to get something out of her bag, and a ball from the warm up knocked it over. 5 odd quid wasted.

I too refuse to pay the prices. If I'm going out after I might have one, but then there's the issue of queueing for the toilets. It's easier not to drink. I've taken to driving - saves on the bus fares and I'm home a lot quicker than waiting for buses. I bring sweets and a drink for my cousin - €2 for a bottle of water the last match we were at! And last week I brought a flask for him. I know it's probably scabby of me, and that the vans etc have to pay to be there, but the costs are outrageous sometimes.

It really really isn't.

Larbre34 · 27-02-2014 12:43PM

sullivlo wrote: »

At the last match my mam bought a pint, put it on the ground to get something out of her bag, and a ball from the warm up knocked it over. 5 odd quid wasted.

Annoying but funny, if that kind of accuracy in practice is helping Jimmy Gopperth to land a touchfinder on a dime then she can say she contributed to the cause!

sullivlo · 27-02-2014 12:43PM

Larbre34 wrote: »

It really really isn't.

Phew

sullivlo · 27-02-2014 12:44PM

Larbre34 wrote: »

Annoying but funny, if that kind of accuracy in practice is helping Jimmy Gopperth to land a touchfinder on a dime then she can say she contributed to the cause!

It the Dragons kicker so nothing for the greater good

Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread IV

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