Ulster Bank League 2015-2016 Talk/Gossip/Rumours

Tarf1234 · 30-10-2015 12:13pm

Thoughts for the weekend? Here are mine.

1A
Nure v Tarf - Tarf win, strong Tarf team out. Can't wait for it.
Con v Hinch - Con, comfortably. Hinch are in awful form.
Wegians v UCD - Wegians. Should be a close one but Home advantage to pay off for wegians.
Lansdowne v Garryowen - Garryowen going well and Lansdowne in poor form of late. Still think Lansdowne will have enough to win but hope I am wrong.
Munsters v OB - On form Belvo but YM not an easy place to go. Belvo win

1B
Rock v Bohs - Rock. Bohs looking like they have no D
Dolphin v buccs - Away win for Buccs
Trinity v B'Quins - Non contest. Quins look like their almost down already.
Shannon v Old Wes - Wesley away win... Who would have thought Wesley would ever go to Shannon as favourites in the AIL??
Marys v Ballymena - Marys. Think this will be very tight and is up there as game of the weekend with Nure v Tarf

The Lost Sheep · 30-10-2015 12:41pm

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Thoughts for the weekend? Here are mine.

1A
Nure v Tarf - Tarf win, strong Tarf team out. Can't wait for it.
Con v Hinch - Con, comfortably. Hinch are in awful form.
Wegians v UCD - Wegians. Should be a close one but Home advantage to pay off for wegians.
Lansdowne v Garryowen - Garryowen going well and Lansdowne in poor form of late. Still think Lansdowne will have enough to win but hope I am wrong.
Munsters v OB - On form Belvo but YM not an easy place to go. Belvo win

1B
Rock v Bohs - Rock. Bohs looking like they have no D
Dolphin v buccs - Away win for Buccs
Trinity v B'Quins - Non contest. Quins look like their almost down already.
Shannon v Old Wes - Wesley away win... Who would have thought Wesley would ever go to Shannon as favourites in the AIL??
Marys v Ballymena - Marys. Think this will be very tight and is up there as game of the weekend with Nure v Tarf

Agree on 1A bar Garryowen who I think will beat Lansdowne.
In 1B agree on all. On Wesley... all bar first year or two. Remember Wesley were one of those clubs who were expected to do well in AIL when it began.

Any thoughts on Division 2. Might do a preview later if I have time.

ArmchairQB · 30-10-2015 2:04pm

1A
Nure v Tarf - Tarf
Con v Hinch - Con
Wegians v UCD - UCD
Lansdowne v Garryowen - L'sdowne
Munsters v OB - Munsters

1B
Rock v Bohs - Rock
Dolphin v buccs - Dolphin
Trinity v B'Quins - Trinity
Shannon v Old Wes - Shannon
Marys v Ballymena - Ballymena

lukey967 · 30-10-2015 2:31pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Agree on 1A bar Garryowen who I think will beat Lansdowne.
In 1B agree on all. On Wesley... all bar first year or two. Remember Wesley were one of those clubs who were expected to do well in AIL when it began.

Any thoughts on Division 2. Might do a preview later if I have time.

Judging by the Leinster team for this weekend, lansdowne will have all their young guns back. I'd expect them to win.

Tarf1234 · 30-10-2015 2:48pm

lukey967 wrote: »

Judging by the Leinster team for this weekend, lansdowne will have all their young guns back. I'd expect them to win.

Do they have that many to get back from Leinster? Dooley anyway (that'll be huge for them) Kelleher. Can't for the life of me think of anyone else. They've still had the 2 Tom's as far as I'm aware.

Stainalert · 30-10-2015 4:08pm

lukey967 wrote: »

Judging by the Leinster team for this weekend, lansdowne will have all their young guns back. I'd expect them to win.

Leinster holding back a lot of young players for the A game next Thursday including Cian Kelleher.

UCD team in the Indo this morning doesn't have a lot of their more prominent young Leinster stars in it either Leavy, Ringrose , Moloney - still chocabloc with Leinster academy and underage stars though so expect them to go well.

Not a fan of A games

- AIL a much better environment to learn in my opinion

The Sceptic · 30-10-2015 4:32pm

My predictions for Division 2

Cashel v Malone (Cashel)
Banbridge v Naas (Banbridge)
Corinthians v Skerries (Skerries)
Queens University v U.C.C. (Queens)
Thomond v Nenagh Ormond (Nenagh)

Bective Rangers v Sundays Well (Bective)
City Of Derry v Greystones (Derry)
Highfield v Seapoint (Highfield)
MU Barnhall v Armagh (Armagh)
Rainey OB v Dungannon (Rainey)

Bruff v Midleton (Midleton)
Navan v Kanturk (Navan)
Old Crescent v Wanderers (Wanderers)
Sligo v Dundalk (Sligo)
Tullamore v Boyne (Tullamore)

Tarf1234 · 30-10-2015 4:49pm

Stainalert wrote: »

Leinster holding back a lot of young players for the A game next Thursday including Cian Kelleher.

UCD team in the Indo this morning doesn't have a lot of their more prominent young Leinster stars in it either Leavy, Ringrose , Moloney - still chocabloc with Leinster academy and underage stars though so expect them to go well.

Not a fan of A games - AIL a much better environment to learn in my opinion

Same absolutely hate A game stuff. Don't see the value in it at all. Players playing for a team they don't care about against opposition who don't care if they win or lose.

Is that UCD side online anywhere?

The Lost Sheep · 30-10-2015 5:04pm

Stainalert wrote: »

Leinster holding back a lot of young players for the A game next Thursday including Cian Kelleher.

UCD team in the Indo this morning doesn't have a lot of their more prominent young Leinster stars in it either Leavy, Ringrose, Moloney - still chocabloc with Leinster academy and underage stars though so expect them to go well.

Not a fan of A games - AIL a much better environment to learn in my opinion

A games are needed and as good but it depends on the balance between the two in relation to players learning

The Sceptic wrote: »

My predictions for Division 2

Cashel v Malone (Cashel)
Banbridge v Naas (Banbridge)
Corinthians v Skerries (Skerries)
Queens University v U.C.C. (Queens)
Thomond v Nenagh Ormond (Nenagh)

Bective Rangers v Sundays Well (Bective)
City Of Derry v Greystones (Derry)
Highfield v Seapoint (Highfield)
MU Barnhall v Armagh (Armagh)
Rainey OB v Dungannon (Rainey)

Bruff v Midleton (Midleton)
Navan v Kanturk (Navan)
Old Crescent v Wanderers (Wanderers)
Sligo v Dundalk (Sligo)
Tullamore v Boyne (Tullamore)

Agree on 2A predictions. Think Greystones may beat Derry though Derry have started very strongly. And think Crescent will beat Wanderers

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Same absolutely hate A game stuff. Don't see the value in it at all. Players playing for a team they don't care about against opposition who don't care if they win or lose.

Is that UCD side online anywhere?

There is plenty of value in the A games. Why do you assume/think players don't care about the team or results. Players are potentially playing for contracts in those games.
Have you looked on Independent website???

madlad88 · 30-10-2015 5:25pm

The Sceptic wrote: »

My predictions for Division 2

Cashel v Malone (Cashel)
Banbridge v Naas (Banbridge)
Corinthians v Skerries (Skerries)
Queens University v U.C.C. (Queens)
Thomond v Nenagh Ormond (Nenagh)

Bective Rangers v Sundays Well (Bective)
City Of Derry v Greystones (Derry)
Highfield v Seapoint (Highfield)
MU Barnhall v Armagh (Armagh)
Rainey OB v Dungannon (Rainey)

Bruff v Midleton (Midleton)
Navan v Kanturk (Navan)
Old Crescent v Wanderers (Wanderers)
Sligo v Dundalk (Sligo)
Tullamore v Boyne (Tullamore)

Cashel v Malone (Cashel looking stronger as the season goes on, fancy them to win easily)
Banbridge v Naas (Banbridge unlucky to loose out to skerries last time, should have enough to beat Naas)
Corinthians v Skerries (Very tough to call both had big wins in last 2 games, would fancy Corinthians bigger pack to over power skerries)
Queens University v U.C.C. (Promises to be very open and high scoring game, Queens by a score)
Thomond v Nenagh Ormond (Thomond by a point, very hard to beat at home)

Agree with 2B and 2C predictions

Tarf1234 · 30-10-2015 5:25pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

There is plenty of value in the A games. Why do you assume/think players don't care about the team or results. Players are potentially playing for contracts in those games.
Have you looked on Independent website???

I know a number of players who have played in B&I and don't value it. Where is the value in going over to some awful place in the UK to play a second string championship team who aren't interested in it or against principality teams. Surely we should be backing/aiming for the UBL to be as strong as the welsh version. I think strengthening the UBL is the real answer. More players released, more exposure given.

Tried the website but doesn't seem to be there.

The Lost Sheep · 30-10-2015 5:46pm

Tarf1234 wrote: »

I know a number of players who have played in B&I and don't value it. Where is the value in going over to some awful place in the UK to play a second string championship team who aren't interested in it or against principality teams. Surely we should be backing/aiming for the UBL to be as strong as the welsh version. I think strengthening the UBL is the real answer. More players released, more exposure given.

Tried the website but doesn't seem to be there.

I would have heard mixed opinions on B&I from players and yes some championship sides now are putting second string teams in some games. That hasn't always been the case and working to get a sponsor and more meaningful prize money etc would go a long way to helping the competition. We wouldn't get the AIL near the welsh premiership and the Championship tbh.
More players wont be released to play AIL. Just wont happen.

Tarf1234 · 30-10-2015 5:58pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

I would have heard mixed opinions on B&I from players and yes some championship sides now are putting second string teams in some games. That hasn't always been the case and working to get a sponsor and more meaningful prize money etc would go a long way to helping the competition. We wouldn't get the AIL near the welsh premiership and the Championship tbh.
More players wont be released to play AIL. Just wont happen.

Agree on the Championship point but surely we should be aiming at the welsh. I am completely resigned to the fact that it won't happen. Doesn't stop me from wishing it would. I really can't understand why we wouldn't be trying to turn at least 1A into a strong semi pro competition.... but again plenty of people don't want to see that happen and are happy to see its decline...

The Lost Sheep · 30-10-2015 6:02pm

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Agree on the Championship point but surely we should be aiming at the welsh. I am completely resigned to the fact that it won't happen. Doesn't stop me from wishing it would. I really can't understand why we wouldn't be trying to turn at least 1A into a strong semi pro competition.... but again plenty of people don't want to see that happen and are happy to see its decline...

Just isn't needed. Turning AIL 1A semi pro isn't possible for plenty of clubs and then you have the issue of clubs throwing money to just get to 1A etc etc

UCD team from indo

B Daly, T Fletcher, J Power, S Murphy, A Bryne, B Holland, J Glynn, A Porter, S McNulty, J Loughman, G Thornbury, E McMahon, J Murphy, M McGroarty, P Timmins

ucdb0ller · 30-10-2015 6:32pm

Players like Leavy, Molony, Ringrose and Kelleher have all been named in Leinsters european squad, they won't playing much if any AIL this season.

That UCD team has 6 Leinster players: Byrne, Thornbury, McNulty, Loughman, Murphy & Timmins.
Along with 2 probable future leinster academy players: Power & Porter.

I'd say very few players will be held out of AIL action this weekend because of the A game next thursday.

Leinster have done a very good job a player development using the AIL and A games, despite some people thinking the A game are a waste of time.

turtleshead · 31-10-2015 10:41pm

Anybody catch any games this weekend? Went to YM and Belvo, game that YM controlled for large parts and left Belvo back in it, but were well worth the win and might rue not picking up the 4th try at the end, the YM scrum half again was excellent as well as Ben Kilkenny, Diarmuid Dee and Gearoid Lyons. Danny Riordan as usual stood out for Belvo and got a try but that was about it.

The Lost Sheep · 31-10-2015 11:23pm

turtleshead wrote: »

Anybody catch any games this weekend? Went to YM and Belvo, game that YM controlled for large parts and left Belvo back in it, but were well worth the win and might rue not picking up the 4th try at the end, the YM scrum half again was excellent as well as Ben Kilkenny, Diarmuid Dee and Gearoid Lyons. Danny Riordan as usual stood out for Belvo and got a try but that was about it.

Saw Wegians and UCD. UCD well worth the win and should have won by much more. Adam Byrne very impressive with and without the ball but Timmins and McGroarty were the principal differences between the sides for me. Both were awesome

Division 1A
Cork Con 32 Ballynahinch 23
Galwegians 3 UCD 35
Lansdowne 17 Garryowen 10
Young Munster 20 Old Belvedere 18
Terenure 3 Clontarf 13

Division 1B
Blackrock College 14 UL Bohs 21
Dolphin 24 Buccaneers 23
Trinity 26 Belfast Harlequins 12
Shannon 25 Old Wesley 17
St Marys 26 Ballymena18

Division 2A
Cashel 18 Malone 29
Banbridge 11 Naas 0
Corinthians 27 Skerries 9
Queen's University 34 UCC 34
Thomond 33 Nenagh Ormond 20

Division 2B
Bective Rangers 17 Sunday's Well 35
City of Derry 20 Greystones 17
Highfield 14 Seapoint 3
MU Barnhall 15 Armagh 29
Rainey Old Boys 23 Dungannon 13

Division 2C
Bruff 22 Midleton 25
Navan 24 Kanturk 3
Old Crescent 24 Wanderers 25
Sligo 39 Dundalk 19
Tullamore 21 Boyne 3

Tarf1234 · 02-11-2015 12:02pm

Was at Tarf Nure. Conditions were awful and it was a very messy game. Tarf always in control of the game and deserved winners but never looked like pulling away. Terenure appear to be very limited with the ball but dogged and strong in D

Tarf1234 · 06-11-2015 1:10pm

Prediction Time, I'll get the ball rolling:

1A:
Hinch v Nure: Hinch win, as long as hinch haven't lost anyone to next weeks B&I
Tarf v Wegians: Tarf, totally dependent on whether Wegains have had their Connacht guys released. Tarf team is still relatively strong.
Belvo v Garryowen: Garryowen, Garryowen all Munster players released Belvo probably without Crosbie and Rory Loughlin. OB strength in depth is not great and will be tested.
UCD v Lansdowne: 2 shadow teams I'd imagine so hard to call but I reckon Lansdowne win
Munsters v Con: Munsters going relatively well but going for a con win.

1B:
Quins v Shannon: Great bounce back from Shannon last week. Quins struggling massively and in desperate need of a win. Hard to see them getting it though.
Dolphin v trin: Going Dolphin win. Can't imagine Trinity looking forward to the trip if the weather is due to be off
Wesley v Rock: Tough one to call Wesley confidence must be very low after last 2 games, same could be said of Rock. Wesley win.
UL v Marys: Good timing for Marys, they'll be missing a few with the A games but should still have enough to win.
Buccs v Ballymena: Going for a Ballymena win away from home. Not sure how badly Buccs will be affected by A games

The Lost Sheep · 06-11-2015 2:56pm

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Prediction Time, I'll get the ball rolling:

1A:
Hinch v Nure: Hinch win, as long as hinch haven't lost anyone to next weeks B&I
Tarf v Wegians: Tarf, totally dependent on whether Wegains have had their Connacht guys released. Tarf team is still relatively strong.
Belvo v Garryowen: Garryowen, Garryowen all Munster players released Belvo probably without Crosbie and Rory Loughlin. OB strength in depth is not great and will be tested.
UCD v Lansdowne: 2 shadow teams I'd imagine so hard to call but I reckon Lansdowne win
Munsters v Con: Munsters going relatively well but going for a con win.

1B:
Quins v Shannon: Great bounce back from Shannon last week. Quins struggling massively and in desperate need of a win. Hard to see them getting it though.
Dolphin v trin: Going Dolphin win. Can't imagine Trinity looking forward to the trip if the weather is due to be off
Wesley v Rock: Tough one to call Wesley confidence must be very low after last 2 games, same could be said of Rock. Wesley win.
UL v Marys: Good timing for Marys, they'll be missing a few with the A games but should still have enough to win.
Buccs v Ballymena: Going for a Ballymena win away from home. Not sure how badly Buccs will be affected by A games

Ballynahinch only 1A team listed in paper today
They do have Lorcan Dow, Zac McCall, Craig Trenier, Conor Joyce, all starting so may get the win....
Would agree on Lansdowne if both missing players due to call ups etc and the other games I agree on 1A but think Trinity will beat Dolphin

The Lost Sheep · 06-11-2015 11:59pm

Div 2C:
Boyne 13 Navan 16

Only game played tonight

Stainalert · 07-11-2015 9:50am

Hinch v Terenure: Ballynahinch - They've come close in the let couple of rounds
Tarf v Wegians: Clontarf - good time to get Galwegians both in terms of A game and Wegians form
Belvo v Garryowen: Belvo assuming they have Crosby
UCD v Lansdowne: Both teams losing massive numbers due to A game which IRFU could surely schedule better! UCD have a lot of strength in depth but going to go with Lansdowne
Munsters v Con: I think Con might surprise a few people

1B:
Quins v Shannon: Shannon - Quins look doomed
Dolphin v trin: Weather to favour Dolphin but think Trinity will get a win on the road.
Wesley v Rock: Wesley to bounce back will be tight though
UL v Marys: Marys
Buccs v Ballymena: Ballymena - McKeon will be missing for Buccs big loss

The Lost Sheep · 07-11-2015 6:31pm

Didn't get to a game this weekend but did many here???

results
Division 1A:
Ballynahinch 6 Terenure 30
Clontarf 16 Galwegians 9
Old Belvedere 13 Garryowen 28
UCD 39 Lansdowne 10
Young Munster 11 Cork Con 10

Division 1B
Belfast Harlequins 10 Shannon 32
Dolphin 3 Trinity 44
Old Wesley 36 Blackrock College 22
UL Bohs 24 St Marys 27
Buccaneers v Ballymena 7.30 kickoff

Division 2A
Cashel 23 Queen's University 26
Malone 47 Nenagh Ormond 10
Naas 41 Corinthians 14
Skerries 28 Thomond 22
UCC 27 Banbridge 26

Division 2B
Armagh 24 Bective Rangers 17
Dungannon 13 MU Barnhall 7
Greystones 27 Rainey Old Boys 23
Highfield 29 City of Derry 27
Seapoint 7 Sunday's Well 20

Division 2C
Dundalk 21 Kanturk 8
Midleton 6 Tullamore 14
Sligo 7 Old Crescent 47
Wanderers 19 Bruff 21
Boyne 13 Navan 16

Tarf1234 · 09-11-2015 9:44am

Was at Tarf v Wegains for the official opening of the new astro.

Was a fairly scrappy game with both teams missing a good few players and looking somewhat disjointed. Wegians could have won it in the end but Tarf hung on, winning the tight game s is a great sign but we really need to move on.

UCD result is massive did not expect that at all. UCD are miles ahead on points scored now, considering their exposure to academy and development players it's very impressive (as much as it hurts to say that)...

Couple of big results in a row for Shannon, Quins all but down already

madlad88 · 09-11-2015 11:03am

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Didn't get to a game this weekend but did many here???

results
Division 1A:
Ballynahinch 6 Terenure 30
Clontarf 16 Galwegians 9
Old Belvedere 13 Garryowen 28
UCD 39 Lansdowne 10
Young Munster 11 Cork Con 10

Division 1B
Belfast Harlequins 10 Shannon 32
Dolphin 3 Trinity 44
Old Wesley 36 Blackrock College 22
UL Bohs 24 St Marys 27
Buccaneers v Ballymena 7.30 kickoff

Division 2A
Cashel 23 Queen's University 26
Malone 47 Nenagh Ormond 10
Naas 41 Corinthians 14
Skerries 28 Thomond 22
UCC 27 Banbridge 26

Division 2B
Armagh 24 Bective Rangers 17
Dungannon 13 MU Barnhall 7
Greystones 27 Rainey Old Boys 23
Highfield 29 City of Derry 27
Seapoint 7 Sunday's Well 20

Division 2C
Dundalk 21 Kanturk 8
Midleton 6 Tullamore 14
Sligo 7 Old Crescent 47
Wanderers 19 Bruff 21
Boyne 13 Navan 16

2A is a ridiculously competitive league.
Anyone can beat anyone.

City of Derry, Highfield and Greystones looking strong in 2B

Good to see Dundalk finally getting a win, hopefully they can push on now in 2C.

The Lost Sheep · 09-11-2015 11:23am

madlad88 wrote: »

2A is a ridiculously competitive league.
Anyone can beat anyone.

City of Derry, Highfield and Greystones looking strong in 2B

Good to see Dundalk finally getting a win, hopefully they can push on now in 2C.

Probably will be most competitive of all the leagues. Nenagh may struggle as they just are not scoring enough. Malone hit them for a big score this weekend but there defence is usually very strong which has helped them so far. Cashel and Malone look to be strongest from what ive seen/heard of games in the division so far
Corinthians and Thomond will be bottom half teams as well IMO.

Dundalk were so strong at junior last year but are struggling in a big way. Will they be able to push on and survive(early days I know) madlad?

madlad88 · 09-11-2015 11:46am

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Probably will be most competitive of all the leagues. Nenagh may struggle as they just are not scoring enough. Malone hit them for a big score this weekend but there defence is usually very strong which has helped them so far. Cashel and Malone look to be strongest from what ive seen/heard of games in the division so far
Corinthians and Thomond will be bottom half teams as well IMO.

Dundalk were so strong at junior last year but are struggling in a big way. Will they be able to push on and survive(early days I know) madlad?

Cashel have fallen off the pace in their last 2 games.
Big surprise losing at home to Queens, Cashel have a big strong pack and would expect them to put away most teams especially at home.
With Corinthians it all depends on whether their Connacht lads are available or not.

Last week against Skerries they had them available and were by far the bigger and stronger pack but then seeing there result against Naas this weekend suggests they were missing them. Ultan Dillane who played against Skerries started for Connacht against Treviso on Friday.

Dundalk lost a lot of their key players when they got promoted which was unfortunate. And a few bad injuries left there squad very bare for the start of the season but its good to see them getting there first win

Would be a disaster to go straight back down to junior rugby after working so hard to get promoted.

The Lost Sheep · 09-11-2015 12:21pm

madlad88 wrote: »

Cashel have fallen off the pace in their last 2 games.
Big surprise losing at home to Queens, Cashel have a big strong pack and would expect them to put away most teams especially at home.
With Corinthians it all depends on whether their Connacht lads are available or not.

Last week against Skerries they had them available and were by far the bigger and stronger pack but then seeing there result against Naas this weekend suggests they were missing them. Ultan Dillane who played against Skerries started for Connacht against Treviso on Friday.

Dundalk lost a lot of their key players when they got promoted which was unfortunate. And a few bad injuries left there squad very bare for the start of the season but its good to see them getting there first win

Would be a disaster to go straight back down to junior rugby after working so hard to get promoted.

Cashel haven't fallen too far off pace tbh. Lost to Malone who are going very well. Loss to Queens more of a shock... Ultan Dillane has played a few games so made big difference in those games. He played against Nenagh, which Corinthians won, and I think he played in Corinthians other win as well.... Agree about Corinthians and Connacht players.
Shame Dundalk lost players. Who did they lose them to?

GavMan · 09-11-2015 1:16pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Shame Dundalk lost players. Who did they lose them to?

Didn't they lose a very good kiwi who was a player coach or something?

The Lost Sheep · 09-11-2015 1:21pm

GavMan wrote: »

Didn't they lose a very good kiwi who was a player coach or something?

They did. But who else did they lose? Losing him would have made a difference but they surely must have lost others as well

Bit of a break now from AIL with no games for 3 weeks

madlad88 · 09-11-2015 2:30pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

They did. But who else did they lose? Losing him would have made a difference but they surely must have lost others as well

Bit of a break now from AIL with no games for 3 weeks

They have had injuries to 3 or 4 key players along with losing another 2 or 3 to emigration i understand from a source from the club.

There player coach for last few years went to Corinthians which would have been tough.
Skerries ex-coach who got them promoted to senior took over the reigns up there.

shaungil · 09-11-2015 7:06pm

John Murphy took over alright. He's a good coach and was greatfor Skerries winning a few promotions. Like any coach would need time to implement his structures especially if down a few players.

I believe the coach of Dundalk last year has a connection with Pat Lam so moving to Corintans was a good move for him. Theres a lot of local derbies between Navan Boyne and Dundalk.

At Skerries Thomond. Any team in that division can bet any team. Every point vital for every team. Great entertainment from Skerries as usual , never a dull moment!

The Lost Sheep · 12-11-2015 2:43pm

No AIL for 2 weeks.
Leinster League Cup/Shield semi finals are this weekend
Senior Cup Semi finals
UCD v Lansdowne- 18th of November. 7.30pm KO
Terenure v Old Belvedere-14th of November 2.30pm KO

Senior Shield Semi Finals
Greystones v Tullamore 14th of November 2.30pm KO
Wanderers v Bective 14th of November 3pm KO

Finals for both Senior Cup and Shield will take in Donnybrook as a double header on the 20th December.

In Munster there is a senior cup game between Thomond and Young Munster in Tom Clifford Park Friday night

Tarf1234 · 12-11-2015 3:43pm

Quick chance for Lansdowne to get some revenge.. I wonder what kind of team UCD and Lansdowne will put out. I've been told Belvo will be putting out a fairly strong side (A's excluded) I expect Nure to be largely as normal.

I presume YM should comfortably beat Thomond??

The Lost Sheep · 12-11-2015 4:09pm

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Quick chance for Lansdowne to get some revenge.. I wonder what kind of team UCD and Lansdowne will put out. I've been told Belvo will be putting out a fairly strong side (A's excluded) I expect Nure to be largely as normal.

I presume YM should comfortably beat Thomond??

Hard to say what sides both UCD/Lansdowne will have considering A game.
You would assume YM should beat Thomond. Wouldn't say comfortably. Neither doing great in AIL...

The Lost Sheep · 16-11-2015 6:15pm

Results from weekend
LSLC semis
Terenure 14 Old Belvedere 19
Lansdowne UCD game moved to Wednesday night at 7.30 in Lansdowne

LSLS semis
Greystones 35 Tullamore 9
Wanderers 28 Bective Rangers 16

Munster Senior Cup 1st round
Thomond 6, Young Munster 25

The Lost Sheep · 25-11-2015 9:24pm

This weekends fixtures

Some very good games this weekend hopefully. Win at home for Wegians will really put Ballynahinch in a bad way at the bottom of the top flight. UCD and Garryowen is 2nd v 3rd. No A games this weekend but Garryowen still should edge it IMO

Marys and Wesley stand out game in 1B. Banbridge Cashel and Nenagh Skerries in 2A..
wont be good result for Dundalk in 2C with them hosting leaders Crescent....

Division 1A:
Galwegians v Ballynahinch
Garryowen v UCD
Lansdowne v Clontarf
Old Belvedere v Cork Constitution
Terenure College v Young Munster

Division 1B:
Ballymena v UL Bohemian
Blackrock College v Belfast Harlequins
Buccaneers v Dublin University
Shannon v Dolphin
St. Mary's College v Old Wesley

Division 2A:
Banbridge v Cashel
Corinthians v UCC
Malone v Queens University
Nenagh Ormond v Skerries
Thomond v Naas

Division 2B:
Bective Rangers v Dungannon
MU Barnhall v Greystones
Rainey Old Boys v Highfield
Seapoint v City of Derry
Sunday's Well v City of Armagh

Division 2C:
Bruff v Sligo
Dundalk v Old Crescent
Kanturk v Boyne
Navan v Midleton
Tullamore v Wanderers

Tarf1234 · 26-11-2015 10:04am

Division 1A:
Galwegians v Ballynahinch - Hinch to get cut a drift after this game. Wegains will be too strong with no A game.
Garryowen v UCD - Very tight game. I think Garryowen will squeeze past
Lansdowne v Clontarf - Lansdowne faltering at stages this year. Can't continue with the side they have. However, I hear they are missing a few and reckon tarf win
Old Belvedere v Cork Constitution - OB win. Apparently a few very poor performances in a row but I think they'll bounce back.
Terenure College v Young Munster - Nure to win. Will probably be an awful game

Division 1B:
Ballymena v UL Bohemian - Ballymena win. Bohs would be in trouble if quinns weren't so far adrift
Blackrock College v Belfast Harlequins - Rock easy win. Quins look in real trouble
Buccaneers v Dublin University - Buccs to get the advantage of home fixture. Could be tight and high scoring
Shannon v Dolphin - Shannon win. They appear to have turned things around
St. Mary's College v Old Wesley - Potentially tie of the weekend. Tough to pick a winner but Marys always very difficult to beat at home

madlad88 · 26-11-2015 12:46pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

This weekends fixtures

Division 2A:
Banbridge v Cashel
Corinthians v UCC
Malone v Queens University
Nenagh Ormond v Skerries
Thomond v Naas

Division 2B:
Bective Rangers v Dungannon
MU Barnhall v Greystones
Rainey Old Boys v Highfield
Seapoint v City of Derry
Sunday's Well v City of Armagh

Division 2C:
Bruff v Sligo
Dundalk v Old Crescent
Kanturk v Boyne
Navan v Midleton
Tullamore v Wanderers

Division 2A:
Banbridge v Cashel - Banbridge all day at home - fancy them to win it handy enough
Corinthians v UCC - Seeing as no Connacht A game, Corinthians should be too strong for UCC (if the Connacht players are available)
Malone v Queens University - Malone should be too strong up front for Queens, will be close though
Nenagh Ormond v Skerries - Skerries dont travel well down in Munster and even though Nenagh are struggling this will go down to the wire.
Thomond v Naas - Thomond dont lose at home, should win comfortably.

Division 2B:
Bective Rangers v Dungannon - Bective
MU Barnhall v Greystones - Greystones
Rainey Old Boys v Highfield - Highfield by a score
Seapoint v City of Derry - COD by a cricket score
Sunday's Well v City of Armagh - Sundays well

Division 2C:
Bruff v Sligo - Easy win for Bruff
Dundalk v Old Crescent - Cant see Dundalk getting anything from this.
Kanturk v Boyne - Kanturk bonus point win
Navan v Midleton - Midleton by a score
Tullamore v Wanderers - Wanderers by a score

The Sceptic · 26-11-2015 3:19pm

Division 2A:
Banbridge v Cashel (too close to call-go for Cashel upset)
Corinthians v UCC (Corinthians)
Malone v Queens University (Malone)
Nenagh Ormond v Skerries (Skerries)
Thomond v Naas (Thomond)

Division 2B:
Bective Rangers v Dungannon (Bective)
MU Barnhall v Greystones (Greystones)
Rainey Old Boys v Highfield (Highfield)
Seapoint v City of Derry (City Of Derry)
Sunday's Well v City of Armagh (Sunday's Well)

Division 2C:
Bruff v Sligo (Bruff)
Dundalk v Old Crescent (Old Crescent)
Kanturk v Boyne (Close to call, Kanurk by a score, Boyne could cause an upset here)
Navan v Midleton (Midleton)
Tullamore v Wanderers (Tullamore)

The Lost Sheep · 26-11-2015 3:45pm

madlad88 wrote: »

Division 2A:
Banbridge v Cashel - Banbridge all day at home - fancy them to win it handy enough
Corinthians v UCC - Seeing as no Connacht A game, Corinthians should be too strong for UCC (if the Connacht players are available)
Malone v Queens University - Malone should be too strong up front for Queens, will be close though
Nenagh Ormond v Skerries - Skerries dont travel well down in Munster and even though Nenagh are struggling this will go down to the wire.
Thomond v Naas - Thomond dont lose at home, should win comfortably.

Wouldn't agree on Banbridge beating Cashel "handy enough". If Brendan O Connor can play and Cashels defence is as good as it has been so far then Banbridge wont find it easy.
Even if Corinthians don't have their Connacht players I would expect them to beat UCC
Nenagh and Skerries games, last season apart, have been close run affairs and while Nenagh have generally won the games im not sure on this weekend. Both sides generally attempt to play a good brand of rugby but considering Nenaghs form its hard to say how this will go.

Division 2B:
Bective Rangers v Dungannon - Bective
MU Barnhall v Greystones - Greystones
Rainey Old Boys v Highfield - Highfield by a score
Seapoint v City of Derry - COD by a cricket score
Sunday's Well v City of Armagh - Sundays well

Agree on Bective. Whats happened to Dungannon?? On a very slippery slope. If they don't improve things they could be on the way to a third successive relegation and be in the basement division???

Division 2C:
Bruff v Sligo - Easy win for Bruff
Dundalk v Old Crescent - Cant see Dundalk getting anything from this.
Kanturk v Boyne - Kanturk bonus point win
Navan v Midleton - Midleton by a score
Tullamore v Wanderers - Wanderers by a score

Disappointing Sligo are struggling. Them up senior is great boost for North West but they are isolated which doesn't help things.

Stainalert · 27-11-2015 11:23am

Galwegians v Ballynahinch - Going with Hinch on this one
Garryowen v UCD - UCD BP Win
Lansdowne v Clontarf - Clontarf strong favourites and have too much strength in depth for a very young Lansdowne team
Old Belvedere v Cork Constitution - Belvo should have Crosbie back and if they do they will win.
Terenure College v Young Munster - Terenure in a tight game

Division 1B:
Ballymena v UL Bohemian - Ballymena win.

Blackrock College v Belfast Harlequins - Rock by a canter

Buccaneers v Dublin University - Trinity to keep up good form

Shannon v Dolphin - Shannon win

St. Mary's College v Old Wesley - Going with Marys on this one

Malmedicine · 27-11-2015 12:46pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Disappointing Sligo are struggling. Them up senior is great boost for North West but they are isolated which doesn't help things.

Lost 14 first team players through retirement,emigration or migration. 2 sets of players now exist in the club those near the end of their AIL careers (the late 20's early 30's) and those in late teens early 20's.

Stainalert · 30-11-2015 9:30am

Big win for Munsters over Terenure - They seem to be flying after a slow start

Tarf1234 · 30-11-2015 9:57am

Stainalert wrote: »

Big win for Munsters over Terenure - They seem to be flying after a slow start

Corkery appears to be doing a very good job there. Some turn around and huge result in lakelands

ArmchairQB · 30-11-2015 11:34am

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Corkery appears to be doing a very good job there. Some turn around and huge result in lakelands

By all accounts their new South African 9 is a very good player

turtleshead · 01-12-2015 5:43pm

Re the cookies, the new 9 is excellent, has been the stand out player in the games I have seen so far, over playing for a professional contract and has all the signs of being good enough to pick up a contract somewhere in Europe.

One of the big changes is the tightening up of the defence, only 36 points conceded in the last 3 games, perhaps it is the shift in the weather but I know they are focussing on improving their defence where under Mathison there was no defence work done.

Big game for them this weekend v Galweigans will be missing Lyons and Goggin who are off with the Ireland 7's team. If they can maintain their defensive effort from the last 3 games and keep the scoreboard ticking over with Paul Downes at 10 they should make it 5 wins in a row.

chrstoper · 01-12-2015 6:55pm

Saw James Ryan make his AIL debut for Lansdowne, super impressive really looks the part already of a future pro. Max Deegan impressive too playing out of position at 7.

Tarf1234 · 02-12-2015 10:15am

chrstoper wrote: »

Saw James Ryan make his AIL debut for Lansdowne, super impressive really looks the part already of a future pro. Max Deegan impressive too playing out of position at 7.

Missed the Lansdowne game at the weekend and heard they were exceptionally lucky. Was that Ryan's debut had thought he had played a few times already. Saw him play 2nds a few weeks ago and looks a real athlete. Deegan at 7 is a bit odd. Wouldn't have thought it would suit him naturally. Potential to be very good, great to see him getting a chance straight away in AIL.

Tarf1234 · 02-12-2015 10:16am

ArmchairQB wrote: »

By all accounts their new South African 9 is a very good player

Did the 9 come from currie cup or S15 or is he a young guy?

Ulster Bank League 2015-2016 Talk/Gossip/Rumours

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