Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread IV

thomond2006 · 14-07-2014 2:07pm

crasy dash wrote: »

@thomond any idea what day the munster v treviso in september is due to be played on?

No clue, sorry. I assume that will be confirmed in the next few weeks when the broadcast schedule is sorted.

On a separate note, what are peoples' thoughts on Darren Sweetnam's prospects? He's in the last year of his academy contract while many of the senior back three players are in the last year of their deals. There was a get to know article on him today.

Teferi · 14-07-2014 2:21pm

What do you think of him yourself out of interest Thomond?

thomond2006 · 14-07-2014 2:24pm

Teferi wrote: »

What do you think of him yourself out of interest Thomond?

I've never seen him play so I've no clue!

phog · 14-07-2014 2:34pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

No clue, sorry. I assume that will be confirmed in the next few weeks when the broadcast schedule is sorted.

On a separate note, what are peoples' thoughts on Darren Sweetnam's prospects? He's in the last year of his academy contract while many of the senior back three players are in the last year of their deals. There was a get to know article on him today.

I don't know if his height or the way he carries himself but he looks very light, from the few minutes I've seen of him he seems to have the speed and the hands but I think with the age profile of Munster backs now he could be moving on after the academy.

The guys at work that thought he should commit to Munster at the time still think he'll make it.

letowski · 14-07-2014 6:05pm

phog wrote: »

I don't know if his height or hithe wat he carries himself but he looks very light, from the few minutes I've seen of him he seems to have the speed and the hands but I think with the age profile of Munster backs now he could be moving on after the academy.

The guys at work that thought he should commit to Munster at the time still think he'll make it.

He is a full back though. Felix hasn't exactly set the place alight in the last 3 years. There could be an opportunity there for him, with Hurley the only other full back in the squad. You can move the likes of Zebo, Conway, Murphy, Keatley, etc. there too but it's not their position (although there is potentially a strong cased for Zebo to play there).

I'd like to see Sweetnam get a chance at least in the league, he has some good football skills and is quick. Hard to know whether he is good enough for senior level, admittedly.

phog · 14-07-2014 7:18pm

letowski wrote: »

He is a full back though. Felix hasn't exactly set the place alight in the last 3 years. There could be an opportunity there for him, with Hurley the only other full back in the squad. You can move the likes of Zebo, Conway, Murphy, Keatley, etc. there too but it's not their position (although there is potentially a strong cased for Zebo to play there).

I'd like to see Sweetnam get a chance at least in the league, he has some good football skills and is quick. Hard to know whether he is good enough for senior level, admittedly.

Maybe you're right, I thought I saw him play in the wing and I suppose that influenced my post.

Like you I'd like to see him get a chance anyway and if he's good enough they'll be loads of room for him.

thomond2006 · 14-07-2014 8:36pm

There will be a spot if he's good enough. I'd be surprised if all three of Jones, Hurley and Murphy are at Munster in 15/16.

CatFromHue · 14-07-2014 8:41pm

Don't Murphy and Hurley only have one year extensions that run out at the end of next season?

thomond2006 · 14-07-2014 9:15pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

Don't Murphy and Hurley only have one year extensions that run out at the end of next season?

Both out of contract in 2015: http://www.independent.ie/sport/denis-hurley-and-johne-murphy-sign-new-deals-with-munster-but-one-young-star-is-moving-on-30229275.html

former legend · 15-07-2014 3:00pm

Tweeted by Munster earlier https://vine.co/v/MQBMA6YXgQq
Would have thought the likes of O'Connell would have another couple of weeks off.

CatFromHue · 15-07-2014 3:08pm

Last game for Ire was 14th June which was 4 weeks ago Saturday just gone so I suppose that's a relatively long break for players at their level.

Cookiemunster · 15-07-2014 3:11pm

former legend wrote: »

Tweeted by Munster earlier https://vine.co/v/MQBMA6YXgQq
Would have thought the likes of O'Connell would have another couple of weeks off.

They get 4 weeks off. The second Argentina test was June 14th, so he's back on schedule.

former legend · 15-07-2014 3:29pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

Last game for Ire was 14th June which was 4 weeks ago Saturday just gone so I suppose that's a relatively long break for players at their level.

I was more thinking about it from the point of view that he probably won't play a match for another 10 weeks or so which makes for a long pre-season, but my main point was "oh look, the internationals are back training".

Cookiemunster · 15-07-2014 3:49pm

former legend wrote: »

I was more thinking about it from the point of view that he probably won't play a match for another 10 weeks or so which makes for a long pre-season, but my main point was "oh look, the internationals are back training".

Isn't the 10 weeks from their last match rather then from the start of pre season? It's been followed pretty loosely in the last few years though.

slingerz · 16-07-2014 9:32am

any ideas on the dates of the fixtures for the european cup???

Cookiemunster · 16-07-2014 10:02am

slingerz wrote: »

any ideas on the dates of the fixtures for the european cup???

As far as anyone knows there's still no TV deal in France. Until that's resolved I can't see any fixtures being released.

thomond2006 · 16-07-2014 10:16am

Cookiemunster wrote: »

As far as anyone knows there's still no TV deal in France. Until that's resolved I can't see any fixtures being released.

There's currently a legal row between Canal+ and BeIn Sport about the awarding of the Top14 rights to Canal+, despite BeIn's offer being allegedly better. The story seems to be that LNR put out the rights to tender, suddenly awarded them to Canal and BeIn were raging. Until that's resolved there won't be any decision on French TV rights for ERCC.

slingerz · 16-07-2014 12:23pm

thanks folks, disaster trying to organise stuff!

lazybones32 · 16-07-2014 7:52pm

former legend wrote: »

Tweeted by Munster earlier https://vine.co/v/MQBMA6YXgQq
Would have thought the likes of O'Connell would have another couple of weeks off.

I think Paulie doesn't do the full sessions with the squad anymore but gets a more specialised, tailored training. But yeah, professional players get a relatively short break...and they have to work over Christmas too.

ssaye2 · 17-07-2014 2:53pm

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/18777.php#.U8fL2fldXYg

Outgoing Munster forward Ian Nagle will take a break from professional rugby for the immediate future.

thomond2006 · 17-07-2014 3:16pm

ssaye2 wrote: »

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/18777.php#.U8fL2fldXYg

Outgoing Munster forward Ian Nagle will take a break from professional rugby for the immediate future.

Wow that's a big decision by him. I suppose unless you're in the top bracket of players with big salaries, being a professional player isn't very lucrative in the long term. Once you've left the bubble then suddenly you're in the real world having not worked in a 'normal' job for years and lacking experience. Realistically Nagle wasn't going to make much money with pro rugby having been a squad player at Munster for years and injury prone.

letowski · 17-07-2014 6:33pm

Disappointed how things have finished up with Ian.

People will always say he was overrated after the Aus match, but to be fair to the lad there was still no reason he couldn't have made a top second row at that time in his career. He was always an excellent line out operator, but it was clear injuries ruined his development. He never grew into a physical, aggressive player and his work rate probably wasn't the highest either. Obviously, being behind POC, DOC, MOD, Ryan didn't help either. It possible he could have done better at Northampton when they offered him a move a few seasons ago too.

Had he managed to stay injury free, things could well have been different.

FrannoFan · 17-07-2014 11:19pm

Feel sorry for ,in a way that MOM award in a high profile game against oz was a curse as people expected a lot straight away. Rejecting the move to Northampton was also a poor judgement. Perhaps a fault of the provinces is that while creating loyalty sometimes the best chances of development are overlooked. A lot of lads at various provinces are going nowhere and missing out on potential first team action and improvement(thinking Dom Ryan at leinster at the moment)

The Lost Sheep · 17-07-2014 11:29pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Wow that's a big decision by him. I suppose unless you're in the top bracket of players with big salaries, being a professional player isn't very lucrative in the long term. Once you've left the bubble then suddenly you're in the real world having not worked in a 'normal' job for years and lacking experience. Realistically Nagle wasn't going to make much money with pro rugby having been a squad player at Munster for years and injury prone.

Big decision. Wonder if he'll think back in time on why he didn't take up that deal in England.

letowski wrote: »

Disappointed how things have finished up with Ian.

People will always say he was overrated after the Aus match, but to be fair to the lad there was still no reason he couldn't have made a top second row at that time in his career. He was always an excellent line out operator, but it was clear injuries ruined his development. He never grew into a physical, aggressive player and his work rate probably wasn't the highest either. Obviously, being behind POC, DOC, MOD, Ryan didn't help either. It possible he could have done better at Northampton when they offered him a move a few seasons ago too.

Had he managed to stay injury free, things could well have been different.

Behind Billy Holland as well. Was unfortunate he couldn't match the Australian performance but when he had so many decent options around it was always going to be impossible.

FrannoFan wrote: »

Feel sorry for ,in a way that MOM award in a high profile game against oz was a curse as people expected a lot straight away. Rejecting the move to Northampton was also a poor judgement. Perhaps a fault of the provinces is that while creating loyalty sometimes the best chances of development are overlooked. A lot of lads at various provinces are going nowhere and missing out on potential first team action and improvement(thinking Dom Ryan at leinster at the moment)

Hopefully our new performance director plays a big role in ensuring guys like this move between provinces to help where provinces have problem positions or great strength in depth

ArmchairQB · 18-07-2014 10:18am

Brave decision and didn't make any excuses or try and get released due to injury etc. Best of luck to him and hope it all works out!

jm08 · 18-07-2014 11:44am

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Big decision. Wonder if he'll think back in time on why he didn't take up that deal in England.
Behind Billy Holland as well. Was unfortunate he couldn't match the Australian performance but when he had so many decent options around it was always going to be impossible.

Hopefully our new performance director plays a big role in ensuring guys like this move between provinces to help where provinces have problem positions or great strength in depth

He would have had the same injury problems in England and they would have dumped him much quicker over there.

thomond2006 · 18-07-2014 11:48am

jm08 wrote: »

He would have had the same injury problems in England and they would have dumped him much quicker over there.

All ifs and buts really. Maybe he would have had the same injuries, maybe he wouldn't have. Maybe he was badly advised to stay. He was immense in that Australia match and you would have expected him to be in the spot that Dave Foley is in now.

Jaundre Kruger was a Vodacom / Currie Cup player when he moved to Northampton from the Bulls, at a time when Matfield and Botha were guaranteed starters. Kruger became a starter at Northampton for the few years he was there, then went back to the Bulls once Matfield and Botha were gone and became a starter for them and a Springbok. Now he's at Racing and probably on great money. Nagle could have had a similar career path: With top class internationals barring your path, go away for a few years for consistent starts and come back in a few years to Munster to challenge as a starter once POC and DOC were getting on. All ifs and buts!

I'm surprised Munster put a contract on the table for him, with five locks already under contract and three in the academy.

The Lost Sheep · 21-07-2014 8:43pm

jm08 wrote: »

He would have had the same injury problems in England and they would have dumped him much quicker over there.

Maybe but he would have had more consistent gametime and starts when fit than he did by staying here

Latest pre season video
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/munster-view.php

athtrasna · 21-07-2014 8:52pm

Anyone know how soon the internationals will feature in the Pro12? IIRC they tend to sit out Pre-season games and September? It's a tough balance between rest and readying for the makeup uppy Heineken Cup replacement thing.

Looks like I'll be spending a lot of time in Cork next year, my ST is Musgrave..living in Dublin it's the more economical of the two options

jm08 · 21-07-2014 9:08pm

All explained here:

Nagle excited about new adventure, but not closing door on rugby
The 25-year-old former Munster lock explains his decision to take time out of the professional game.

http://www.thescore.ie/ian-nagle-munster-break-rugby-1579266-Jul2014/

phog · 21-07-2014 9:55pm

Tommy Creamer died today, the man on the PA for Shannon Home games and I think he did it for Munster games too. RIP

Shannon RFC (@ shannonrfc) tweeted at 9:40 PM on Mon, Jul 21, 2014:
@shannonrfc extend deepest sympathies to family & friends of Tommy Creamer who passed away today May he rest in peace http://t.co/q09OVJMqPO

The Lost Sheep · 21-07-2014 10:02pm

phog wrote: »

Tommy Creamer died today, the man on the PA for Shannon Home games and I think he did it for Munster games too. RIP

He did it for Munster games in Thomond for years. RIP

CIARAN_BOYLE · 21-07-2014 10:23pm

Looking at the irfu annual reports section onthe loan to munster over thomond there is going to be a lot of pressure on munster to sell 10 year tickets when the current ones expire in a few years.

Kirk Van Houten · 21-07-2014 10:58pm

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Looking at the irfu annual reports section onthe loan to munster over thomond there is going to be a lot of pressure on munster to sell 10 year tickets when the current ones expire in a few years.

the loan has been refinanced for a further 10 years and is now interest free.

the large repayment in 2017 is likely to come from either the resale of the 10 year tickets or stadium/stand naming rights. The amount of the repayment for 2017 allows for a drop off of about 50% of the 10 year ticket numbers assuming the same price as before.

bennyl10 · 22-07-2014 12:18am

Slightly off topic but Tommy Creamer, the voice behind Thomond Park, has passed away this evening. Reported from the MRSC..

matches wont be the same without him..
May he rest in peace #RIP

phog · 22-07-2014 6:03am

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

He did it for Munster games in Thomond for years. RIP

I thought as much but wasn't sure if he continued after Thomond Park was redeveloped.

Cookiemunster · 22-07-2014 9:54am

bennyl10 wrote: »

Slightly off topic but Tommy Creamer, the voice behind Thomond Park, has passed away this evening. Reported from the MRSC..

matches wont be the same without him..
May he rest in peace #RIP

phog wrote: »

I thought as much but wasn't sure if he continued after Thomond Park was redeveloped.

Tommy hadn't been the stadium announcer since 2004. His last game was the HEC quarter final against Stade Francais that year.
Never took to the new guy and his inability to mangle foreign names

RIP Tommy.

ssaye2 · 22-07-2014 12:22pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsxpObGFS_s

phog · 26-07-2014 11:28am

Munster squad are doing the race again this year.

It's back! Wednesday will see Munster players embark on the ultimate teambuilding quest, as they make their way across the province in the Munster Race 2014.

Last year it was the talk of the team, and the talk of the town, and this year is set to be no different as 6 groups of players will be dropped at different locations around the province on Wednesday morning. They will reach their final destination in Dingle by Thursday evening, ahead of an open training session at Rugbaí Corca Duibhne on Friday morning at 10:30am.

Full details of groups, locations and how to track the progress of players will be posted here on Monday morning.

kub · 26-07-2014 5:42pm

phog wrote: »

Munster squad are doing the race again this year.

More mackerel for Stander, he likes them.

The Lost Sheep · 27-07-2014 1:18am

phog wrote: »

Munster squad are doing the race again this year.

Great idea from Simon Mannix(iirc) that im delighted to see they've retained. Groups last year started in Kilkee, Castleisland, Nenagh,
Skibbereen, Dungarvan and Killaloe to get to Youghal

Some of the clubs have said already they'll be hosting players with the full list clubs out tomorrow and they've to try to get to Dingle.

twinytwo · 27-07-2014 3:36pm

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Looking at the irfu annual reports section onthe loan to munster over thomond there is going to be a lot of pressure on munster to sell 10 year tickets when the current ones expire in a few years.

Just out if curiosity anyone have a ball park figure of how much 10 year tickets usually go for?

CIARAN_BOYLE · 27-07-2014 3:50pm

twinytwo wrote: »

Just out if curiosity anyone have a ball park figure of how much 10 year tickets usually go for?

In 2007 they may have went for five and a bit thousand

awec · 27-07-2014 11:47pm

twinytwo wrote: »

Just out if curiosity anyone have a ball park figure of how much 10 year tickets usually go for?

I would imagine they go for a lot less now than before.

phog · 28-07-2014 3:54pm

Rosie Foley fulfilled a childhood dream of swimming the English Channel on Saturday.

No mean feat, congratulations to her.

The Lost Sheep · 28-07-2014 3:59pm

phog wrote: »

Rosie Foley fulfilled a childhood dream of swimming the English Channel on Saturday.

No mean feat, congratulations to her.

And only few weeks after being one of first two to swim length lough derg. but relevance to thread??

Routes for Munster Race announced
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/18815.php

phog · 28-07-2014 4:11pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

And only few weeks after being one of first two to swim length lough derg. but relevance to thread??

Routes for Munster Race announced
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/18815.php

She's a former Munster player and I thought it deserved a mention and recognition.

If a mod decides it's not relevant or dragging the thread off topic they can delete it.

phog · 28-07-2014 4:14pm

The teams for the Munster race

Find details of groups and general routes below:

Group 1: Shane Buckley, Ivan Dineen, Denis Hurley, Barry O'Mahony, Johne Murphy, Conor Murray, Damien Varley

Drop-off: Doolin, Co. Clare
Sponsor Challenge: SEAT
General route: Clare-Limerick-Kerry

Group 2: Alan Cotter, Dave Foley, Ian Keatley, Dave O'Callaghan, John Ryan, Gerhard van den Heever, Simon Zebo

Drop-off: Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
Sponsor Challenge: Coca Cola
General route: Tipperary-Limerick-Cork-Kerry

Group 3: Andrew Conway, Sean Dougall, Dave Kilcoyne, Luke O'Dea, Tommy O'Donnell, Niall Scannell, Duncan Williams

Drop-off: Waterford City
Sponsor Challenge: Bank of Ireland
General route: Waterford-Cork-Kerry

Group 4: Paddy Butler, JJ Hanrahan, Billy Holland, Martin Kelly, Donncha O'Callaghan, Peter O'Mahony, Mike Sherry

Drop-off: Cork City
Sponsor Challenge: Timberland
General route: Cork-Kerry

Group 5: BJ Botha, Keith Earls, Johnny Holland, Felix Jones, Kevin O'Byrne, Ronan O'Mahony, Felix Jones

Drop-off: Killaloe, Co. Clare
Sponsor Challenge: Life Style Sports
General route: Clare-Limerick-Kerry

Group 6: Stephen Archer, Cian Bohane, Duncan Casey, Robin Copeland, James Cronin, Paul O'Connell, Cathal Sheridan, CJ Stander

Drop-off: Bandon, Co. Cork
Sponsor Challenge: Irish Independent
General route: Cork-Ring of Kerry

#MunRace14

phog · 28-07-2014 6:37pm

This year each team has a sponsor and I see when the players from their respective teams tweet they use the Sponsor as the team name. The sponsors might not have coughed up anything more for this race but it gives them a bit more publicity. Nice touch.

phog · 29-07-2014 12:03pm

For anyone in London thinking of heading to the pre season game

MRSC (@MRSC16) tweeted at 11:52 AM on Tue, Jul 29, 2014:
Preseason bus- London to Gloucester.

Central London to Gloucester on Saturday 23rd of August, subject to minimum... http://t.co/Ak5SgZgdBr

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread IV

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