A great big Munster thread

[MunsterMan]

I'll read that piece one day, but I am still too ****** off about Penney only being offered a one year deal, while Axel was offered 2 with an option of a third to think about the Munster coaching setup.

 

[Amiga500]

Not surprisingly it's Murray Kinsella who has penned the piece. He's fast becoming the best rugby journalist in the country.

Ahh... je ne sais quoi, the competition isn't exactly the top quatorze of journalists, indeed it was pretty much a fait accompli that any competent journo that pitched up would shoot straight to the top. You'd think the rest of them were living off scraps given the quality of their articles. But the Litmus test for the callow journalist will be when the sword of Damocles is hanging over a coaching ticket and some sabre rattling starts because everyone is looking their pound of flesh to stop it being a bloodless coup.

 

[munstermuffin]

Ahh... je ne sais quoi, the competition isn't exactly the top quatorze of journalists, indeed it was pretty much a fait accompli that any competent journo that pitched up would shoot straight to the top. You'd think the rest of them were living off scraps given the quality of their articles. But the Litmus test for the callow journalist will be when the sword of Damocles is hanging over a coaching ticket and some sabre rattling starts because everyone is looking their pound of flesh to stop it being a bloodless coup.

Not sure what you on about but Kinsella isn't 1 that do be sucking up to anyone. Most pieces are excellent with a focus on skillsets and finer details

 

[Amiga500]

Ye never read le gravitas de Gerry Thornley?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Yeah, Thornley's not great although he seems to have the inside track and gets a few scoops. I'd rate Peter O'Reilly and Brendan Fanning higher since they're not afraid to air opinions which differ to the IRFU mantra. Kinsella should have the inside track with Munster having been a member of their academy recently and his analysis of tactics is second to none among print journalists.

 

[MunsterMan]

Really interested in seeing how Munster lineup now, with players returning from injury and from the Six Nations.

1. Kilcoyne
2. Casey
3. Botha
4. Ryan
5. O'Connell
6. O'Mahony
7. O'Donnell
8. Coughlan
9. Murray
10. Keatley
11. Earls
12. Hanrahan
13. Laulala
14. Van Den Heever
15. Zebo

Varley, Cronin, Archer, Foley, Stander, Williams :/, Downey, Conway

We have signed Quentin MacDonald, former New Zealand Maori, Crusaders and Blues hooker on a 3 month deal. Haven't a clue about him to be honest, but with our injury problems at hooker he could be useful. I really like the look of Duncan Casey at the same time.

Ahh... je ne sais quoi, the competition isn't exactly the top quatorze of journalists, indeed it was pretty much a fait accompli that any competent journo that pitched up would shoot straight to the top. You'd think the rest of them were living off scraps given the quality of their articles. But the Litmus test for the callow journalist will be when the sword of Damocles is hanging over a coaching ticket and some sabre rattling starts because everyone is looking their pound of flesh to stop it being a bloodless coup.

Fantastic post! Kinsella is indeed a breath of fresh air.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Small tidbit from twitter:

https://twitter.com/TheNRFL/status/449641367095234560

<s>@</s>TheNRFL We are very excited that scouts from the Saracens, Harlequins, Munster, and Grenoble will be attending the NRFL Combine next weekend

Eddie O'Sullivan is putting aspiring rugby players through their paces in this event taking place in Minneapolis.

 

[Amiga500]

Eddie O'Sullivan is putting aspiring rugby players through their paces in this event taking place in Minneapolis.

Ah, but sure them yanks would never have the pashun required.

 

[munstermuffin]

Small tidbit from twitter:

Eddie O'Sullivan is putting aspiring rugby players through their paces in this event taking place in Minneapolis.

Just on this the 2 scouts from Munster are actually based in USA and aren't scouts as such but MRSC personnel who are video analysis specialists and will be recording a lot

 

[Rumpi]

Went along to the Munster v Glasgow match last week, desperate stuff. I was shocked at how empty the stands were, can't have been more then 3,000-4,000 in attendance, yet the official attendance was given as just shy of 14,000. Do Munster count season tickets as always in attendance or whats going on because the attendance on the day was well short of that. Would be interested to read munsters actual attendances over the course of the season.

 

[munstermuffin]

Went along to the Munster v Glasgow match last week, desperate stuff. I was shocked at how empty the stands were, can't have been more then 3,000-4,000 in attendance, yet the official attendance was given as just shy of 14,000. Do Munster count season tickets as always in attendance or whats going on because the attendance on the day was well short of that. Would be interested to read munsters actual attendances over the course of the season.

8517 passed through gates but attendance based on ticket sales which include season tickets. Every club has this procedure as it's for financial purposes

 

[Rumpi]

8517 passed through gates but attendance based on ticket sales which include season tickets. Every club has this procedure as it's for financial purposes

Where are you getting the 8 thousand figure? Looked like half that, at most.

Attendance figures should be given as the number of people who, you know, attend a match, anything else is fudging the stats. Is there some crude ploy to make the league appear better supported then it actually is?

 

[munstermuffin]

Where are you getting the 8 thousand figure? Looked like half that, at most.

Attendance figures should be given as the number of people who, you know, attend a match, anything else is fudging the stats. Is there some crude ploy to make the league appear better supported then it actually is?

That was amount of tickets scanned at Thomond Park.
Not every ground has electronic scanners and it's same all over.
Nothing to do with making league better but it's for financial statements in books and tickets sold per game. Was at it myself and trust me terraces hold more than you'd think

 

[Rumpi]

That was amount of tickets scanned at Thomond Park.
Not every ground has electronic scanners and it's same all over.
Nothing to do with making league better but it's for financial statements in books and tickets sold per game. Was at it myself and trust me terraces hold more than you'd think

I'm talking about The Glasgow game? You are saying the Terraces? There was no one in the terraces Munster muffin. The terraces weren't deceptively full, they were deserted & empty. Plain as the nose on yer face.

The stand opposite me was virtually empty as well. A couple of thousand at most over there. The stand I was in was busier but there is no way there were 6,000 in the stand my side of the ground, it seemed very, very quiet all round.

As a matter of interest, How do you know how many tickets were scanned? Because if 8,000 were scanned on the night some people left before the match started.

I would be astounded if there was as many as 5,000 at the game. It is Incredible that the official attendance was given as 14,000. What a joke.

I had noticed a game in musgrave before Christmas, i think it was the scarlets match, it was on TV and musgrave park looked completely deserted, i was later surprised at the high official attendance, this explains it, the official attendance figures are actually fictional.

Makes a bit of a mockery of Irish fans slagging the attendances in the aviva premiership, when we're totally exaggerating the numbers in attendance at rabo games.

 

[Rumpi]

That was amount of tickets scanned at Thomond Park.
Was at it myself and trust me terraces hold more than you'd think

Here's a shot of one terrace. Don't tell me the crowd there is deceptive. There were 12 lads in that terrace maximum! lol.

There was a nice Big flag saying red army, however the army itself was conspicuous by it's absence. The terrace the other end was the same.

 

[munstermuffin]

Here's a shot of one terrace. Don't tell me the crowd there is deceptive. There were 12 lads in that terrace maximum! lol.

There was a nice Big flag saying red army, however the army itself was conspicuous by it's absence. The terrace the other end was the same.

View attachment 2804

If you've ever been to Thomond Park you'd know there's 4 terraces and North and South terraces were closed with people having tickets for them put in to East and West.
8000+ isn't a poor figure either considering there were other events on.
And Musgrave has always had over 6000 which Munster get. Also English French and worldwide operate this way for attendances. Also at game stand opposite where teams come out had good number for Glasgow game where MRSC sits and a 35% full stadium gives you well over attendance

 

[Groundhog]

Fair enough on the most part I think. Quinny's voice is so soothing he could have narrated the Harry Potter books if their were more references to gouging.

 

[Gavin]

Seems like Munster have returned to the old guard to lead them next season. Anthony Foley on top with Mick O'Driscoll, Jerry Flannery, Brian Walsh and Ian Costello supporting him. Not feeling too positive about next season.

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/anthony-foley-munster-rugby-1477558-May2014/

Looking back on Penney’s two years, I would first have to commend the players for the attitude in the bigger games. It was very much player driven, that return to the Munster values, in those matches. It was in the not so big games, where Munster tried to implement a width-focused style, where you would get disheartened.

Really feel Penny is getting it in the neck, and find it unfair.

 

[munstermuffin]

Seems like Munster have returned to the old guard to lead them next season. Anthony Foley on top with Mick O'Driscoll, Jerry Flannery, Brian Walsh and Ian Costello supporting him. Not feeling too positive about next season.

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/anthony-foley-munster-rugby-1477558-May2014/



Really feel Penny is getting it in the neck, and find it unfair.

While I agree I'm willing to give them a chance. Just a breakdown on each

Foley - Has certainly served his time and is capable of doing a good good job.
Micko - Isn't actually coaching as such as a technical Advisor
Costelloe - Was skills coach but huge change to now being defensive and kicking coach. Can't ever remember him being involved with defense.
Walsh - A strange call that will go brilliant or horrible. Has a fantastic pedigree and is responsible for the earlier coaching go guys like POM and Zebo. But is 100% untested at any coaching of this level.
Fla - He does know his scrummaging but knowing and coaching are 2 different animals. He will be assisted by BJ

 

[psychic duck]

While I agree I'm willing to give them a chance. Just a breakdown on each

Foley - Has certainly served his time and is capable of doing a good good job.
Micko - Isn't actually coaching as such as a technical Advisor
Costelloe - Was skills coach but huge change to now being defensive and kicking coach. Can't ever remember him being involved with defense.
Walsh - A strange call that will go brilliant or horrible. Has a fantastic pedigree and is responsible for the earlier coaching go guys like POM and Zebo. But is 100% untested at any coaching of this level.
Fla - He does know his scrummaging but knowing and coaching are 2 different animals. He will be assisted by BJ

Got to say Munster's coaching shift is an odd one. I thought they were looking to evolve and bring in fresh ideas, seems they have dumped all that and gone for a setup entirely from within.