Munster Victory overrated

[Ball Ox]

I think Munsters recent victory is vastly over rated. I recently had a discussion with a friend who said that "Munster have done more for Irish Rugby than Leinster." Horsesh!te

Munster recently beat Leinster, this defeat was detremental to Leinster Rugby. Since Leinster represent one quarter of Irish Rugby it can be argued that they have damaged Irish Rugby in pursuit of their greedy ambitions.

Furthermore, there was a huge amount of luck involved in teh game. Munster just happened to be the best team on the day. Who knows what would have happened if they played this week for instance.

As a Leinster man I was deeply sickened to see Munster win on Saturday. Perhaps the upcoming GAA championships will allow us to regain some prestige.

Bog monsters out! If you agree with this message, post no reply.

[eamo]

fockoffrangers said:

Furthermore, there was a huge amount of luck involved in teh game. Munster just happened to be the best team on the day. Who knows what would have happened if they played this week for instance.

quote]

Is this your first post? Please dont post anymore if you are going to spout absolute bullshit like that. I will give you the benefit of the doubt because I think it may have been in jest.

[bandage]

eamo said:

fockoffrangers said:

Furthermore, there was a huge amount of luck involved in teh game. Munster just happened to be the best team on the day. Who knows what would have happened if they played this week for instance.

quote]

Is this your first post? Please dont post anymore if you are going to spout absolute bullshit like that. I will give you the benefit of the doubt because I think it may have been in jest.

Eamo, we're trying to expand membership not decrease it.

[therock67]

Now now eamo everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[Ball Ox]

Yeah eamo, its a democracy and everyone has a view on sport. Do you know who i am?

[eamo]

Thats is not opinion... that is a lame attempt to get a rise out of everyone

If he is who I think he is then he cant get enough slagging....

[bandage]

I've exalted you in an attempt to make you feel more at home here - you're karma is now -1.

[iamthelaw]

we have usernames for a reason, rangers. use them.

[bandage]

Well said!

[Ball Ox]

OK back to the issue at hand. Munster. Overrated, you cant take any team seriously that is sponsored by the japs.

I seen Stringer on the news yesterday. He went back to his old school. Thats all bollix, he thinks hes great. Did any see the clip im talking about. Its sickening to see that dirty cunt up there shiting out of him about how great it is when one compares his performance in the six nations.

And did anyone see that pr!ck Quinlan on the news, giving it large about how "he's enjoying every moment." Fook that sh!t, he didnt even get his game and had minimal contribution to their success, apart from fetching the water bottles at training.

And what about that other sh!tebag, Henderson at the homecoming with his sh!t - for - brains child in his arms. Is he going to tell us that somehow his child gave him an extra spur on when he looked up and saw him in the stand, while his Daddy was on the bench because he cant run. He's not even Irish, the dirty hun. Another fook who had minimal contribution to the success but still revels in the limelight. I'll bet he doesn't pay he TV liscence either!!

I hate the hypocracy that we are being forced to endure at the hands of these guys. I think we should all take stock of what happened and not get carried away.

[Ball Ox]

Munster are sh!t - Ah

[bandage]

Taken from a decent poster on An Fear Rua who's having a go at Gerry Thornley. Might make NNIAK (TAFKAFOR) feel like he's not alone:

Just when I thought the bar for hype and over reaction couldn't be raised any higher, the supposed doyen of modern day Irish rugby writers raises it even higher. Here's a few gems from his latest offering in the Irish Times;

'Its hard to think of a comparable Holy Grail in any Team Sport'

No Gerry its actually not that hard. Here's a few off the top of my head for starters. Manchester United winning the European Cup in 1968, 10 years after the majority of a side which seemed destined to dominate the club scene in the 1960's was killed in a plane crash. The Boston Red Sox waiting 86 years to win a world series. The Chicago White Sox waiting 88 for a World Series. Closer to home, Waterford hurlers waiting 47 years for an AI, Limerick hurlers 33 year wait for an AI. Wexford waiting 28 years for an AI, 19 for a Leinster Title and losing 13 (yes thirteen) consecutive finals between 1977 & 1996.Clare ending the curse of Biddy Early, Mayo waiting since 1951 to win an All Ireland Football title. The Irish rugby team waiting since 1948 for a 2nd grand slam.

'The Heineken Cup is the biggest competition in world rugby''.

No Gerry its not. That would be the World Cup followed by the Tri Nations & the Six Nations. On the club scene the Super 14 is light years ahead of the European Cup (to give it its proper title and not its commercial title) in terms of quality, skill levels and entertainment.

[eamo]

bandage said:

Taken from a decent poster on An Fear Rua who's having a go at Gerry Thornley. Might make NNIAK (TAFKAFOR) feel like he's not alone:

Just when I thought the bar for hype and over reaction couldn't be raised any higher, the supposed doyen of modern day Irish rugby writers raises it even higher. Here's a few gems from his latest offering in the Irish Times;

'Its hard to think of a comparable Holy Grail in any Team Sport'

No Gerry its actually not that hard. Here's a few off the top of my head for starters. Manchester United winning the European Cup in 1968, 10 years after the majority of a side which seemed destined to dominate the club scene in the 1960's was killed in a plane crash. The Boston Red Sox waiting 86 years to win a world series. The Chicago White Sox waiting 88 for a World Series. Closer to home, Waterford hurlers waiting 47 years for an AI, Limerick hurlers 33 year wait for an AI. Wexford waiting 28 years for an AI, 19 for a Leinster Title and losing 13 (yes thirteen) consecutive finals between 1977 & 1996.Clare ending the curse of Biddy Early, Mayo waiting since 1951 to win an All Ireland Football title. The Irish rugby team waiting since 1948 for a 2nd grand slam.

'The Heineken Cup is the biggest competition in world rugby''.

No Gerry its not. That would be the World Cup followed by the Tri Nations & the Six Nations. On the club scene the Super 14 is light years ahead of the European Cup (to give it its proper title and not its commercial title) in terms of quality, skill levels and entertainment.

Super post bandge.

Lyonsee and I are heading to the match this evening if you are around....

[iamthelaw]

Well I've always thought Gerry was a fool. But I still think Munster's win was one of the greatest days in Irish rugby. Obviously Ulster did it first, but the English weren't involved that year, and the French have raised the bar hugely since 1999. I'm not sure where it ranks among Triple Crowns and Grand Slam, but it's up there.

I'm not sure how he comes up with the second point (attendances?) but I would dispute ranking the Heineken Cup below the Super 14. Super 14 is pretty to look at, but rugby is about more than that. If I want uncontested, showy scoring, I'll watch basketball. And even if the Super 14 is better than the Heineken Cup "in terms of quality, skill levels and entertainment", one would have said the same of Leinster against Munster. And yet who won? I'd back Munster in Thomond, with a Northern Hemisphere ref, against the Crusaders, or whoever.

[bandage]

eamo said:

Super post bandge.

Lyonsee and I are heading to the match this evening if you are around....

Just nailed a tricky cash flow statement so will probably be in either The 51 or The Waterloo by 6.30pm. PM me to let me know where you are if you're bringing your laptop to the game.

[bandage]

iamthelaw said:

Well I've always thought Gerry was a fool. But I still think Munster's win was one of the greatest days in Irish rugby. Obviously Ulster did it first, but the English weren't involved that year, and the French have raised the bar hugely since 1999. I'm not sure where it ranks among Triple Crowns and Grand Slam, but it's up there.

I'm not sure how he comes up with the second point (attendances?) but I would dispute ranking the Heineken Cup below the Super 14. Super 14 is pretty to look at, but rugby is about more than that. If I want uncontested, showy scoring, I'll watch basketball. And even if the Super 14 is better than the Heineken Cup "in terms of quality, skill levels and entertainment", one would have said the same of Leinster against Munster. And yet who won? I'd back Munster in Thomond, with a Northern Hemisphere ref, against the Crusaders, or whoever.

Valid points there but disagree with the basketball one; the NBA playoffs have been superb so far with many of the 7 game series going the distance. Think I'll start a US sport thread.

[Ball Ox]

Munster Band Wagon: rollin rollin rollin

[thepiedpiper]

I think Munster would take any Super 14 team in Thomand any day. It would be a great match to see anyway for sure

[therock67]

bandage said:

Taken from a decent poster on An Fear Rua who's having a go at Gerry Thornley. Might make NNIAK (TAFKAFOR) feel like he's not alone:

Just when I thought the bar for hype and over reaction couldn't be raised any higher, the supposed doyen of modern day Irish rugby writers raises it even higher. Here's a few gems from his latest offering in the Irish Times;

'Its hard to think of a comparable Holy Grail in any Team Sport'

No Gerry its actually not that hard. Here's a few off the top of my head for starters. Manchester United winning the European Cup in 1968, 10 years after the majority of a side which seemed destined to dominate the club scene in the 1960's was killed in a plane crash. The Boston Red Sox waiting 86 years to win a world series. The Chicago White Sox waiting 88 for a World Series. Closer to home, Waterford hurlers waiting 47 years for an AI, Limerick hurlers 33 year wait for an AI. Wexford waiting 28 years for an AI, 19 for a Leinster Title and losing 13 (yes thirteen) consecutive finals between 1977 & 1996.Clare ending the curse of Biddy Early, Mayo waiting since 1951 to win an All Ireland Football title. The Irish rugby team waiting since 1948 for a 2nd grand slam.

'The Heineken Cup is the biggest competition in world rugby''.

No Gerry its not. That would be the World Cup followed by the Tri Nations & the Six Nations. On the club scene the Super 14 is light years ahead of the European Cup (to give it its proper title and not its commercial title) in terms of quality, skill levels and entertainment.

I have to agree with thepiedpiper and iamthelaw on this one. You can argue the other points all you like - and it is a little ridiculous for a rugby journalist to be comparing the victory to other sports, because rugby is a minority game in this country and will never command the influence over the nation that soccer or GAA can.

However the point on the Super 14 is plain wrong. There is little entertainment in the Super 14 - and this isn't some anti-southern hemisphere rant. I like the tournament and the standard is very high but there's no way in the world they could have produced a final like that. There is none of the same drama or tension (largely because too many of their games are so one-sided - especially when the Crusaders are playing).

And though the overall standard might be very high you'd have to fancy Munster's chances at home certainly. I'd like to see a one-off world final like they have in rugby league.

[cully]

Agree on that, i'd like to see a club final game. The Crusaders are just about to win another title and there would defo be the money around to keep the munster lads interested for another few weeks waiting for their competition to finish. it'd be an interesting game.

[Ball Ox]

Super 14 is far superior. Champagne rugby, not forwards grinding it out. The beautiful game played well.

Ps Rollin rollin rollin, Kidney is a bollox

[thepiedpiper]

admin said:

bandage said:

Taken from a decent poster on An Fear Rua who's having a go at Gerry Thornley. Might make NNIAK (TAFKAFOR) feel like he's not alone:

Just when I thought the bar for hype and over reaction couldn't be raised any higher, the supposed doyen of modern day Irish rugby writers raises it even higher. Here's a few gems from his latest offering in the Irish Times;

'Its hard to think of a comparable Holy Grail in any Team Sport'

No Gerry its actually not that hard. Here's a few off the top of my head for starters. Manchester United winning the European Cup in 1968, 10 years after the majority of a side which seemed destined to dominate the club scene in the 1960's was killed in a plane crash. The Boston Red Sox waiting 86 years to win a world series. The Chicago White Sox waiting 88 for a World Series. Closer to home, Waterford hurlers waiting 47 years for an AI, Limerick hurlers 33 year wait for an AI. Wexford waiting 28 years for an AI, 19 for a Leinster Title and losing 13 (yes thirteen) consecutive finals between 1977 & 1996.Clare ending the curse of Biddy Early, Mayo waiting since 1951 to win an All Ireland Football title. The Irish rugby team waiting since 1948 for a 2nd grand slam.

'The Heineken Cup is the biggest competition in world rugby''.

No Gerry its not. That would be the World Cup followed by the Tri Nations & the Six Nations. On the club scene the Super 14 is light years ahead of the European Cup (to give it its proper title and not its commercial title) in terms of quality, skill levels and entertainment.

I have to agree with thepiedpiper and iamthelaw on this one. You can argue the other points all you like - and it is a little ridiculous for a rugby journalist to be comparing the victory to other sports, because rugby is a minority game in this country and will never command the influence over the nation that soccer or GAA can.

However the point on the Super 14 is plain wrong. There is little entertainment in the Super 14 - and this isn't some anti-southern hemisphere rant. I like the tournament and the standard is very high but there's no way in the world they could have produced a final like that. There is none of the same drama or tension (largely because too many of their games are so one-sided - especially when the Crusaders are playing).

And though the overall standard might be very high you'd have to fancy Munster's chances at home certainly. I'd like to see a one-off world final like they have in rugby league.

I think a two-legged final between European winners and Super 14 winners would be a fantastic contest

[timofte]

Charlie Bird,

Why don't you stop all your Dublin rhetoric and enjoy the Munster victory as a great sporting moment for all of Ireland. As a Munster man I took pleasure in Leinsters brilliant victory against Toulouse in the quarter final and I am sure that when Leinster win the Heineken cup, as I feel they have the potential to do in the coming years, I will be able to savour this victory.

While I'm sure it pains you to admit it, there is something special about the support received by this Munster team. To get over 60,000 fans to travel to a foreign country isn't something you'd see many other teams in any sport being able to achieve. Especially when you consider the potential fan base for this team.

There are plenty of other great Irish sporting moment in history that you can argue are better that this, but why not enjoy them all and keep the bitterness for teams that actually deserve it like Chelsea and their deep pockets or any dopers in sport.

Ps. Don't forget to stand up and fight!

DT

[whyohwhy]

timofte said:

Charlie Bird,

Why don't you stop all your Dublin rhetoric and enjoy the Munster victory as a great sporting moment for all of Ireland. As a Munster man I took pleasure in Leinsters brilliant victory against Toulouse in the quarter final and I am sure that when Leinster win the Heineken cup, as I feel they have the potential to do in the coming years, I will be able to savour this victory.

While I'm sure it pains you to admit it, there is something special about the support received by this Munster team. To get over 60,000 fans to travel to a foreign country isn't something you'd see many other teams in any sport being able to achieve. Especially when you consider the potential fan base for this team.

There are plenty of other great Irish sporting moment in history that you can argue are better that this, but why not enjoy them all and keep the bitterness for teams that actually deserve it like Chelsea and their deep pockets or any dopers in sport.

Ps. Don't forget to stand up and fight!

DT

Well said Daniel, well said. I was refraining from replying to fockoffrangers/charliebirds inane ramblings.

Its quite sad that he gets enjoyment from belittling a fantastic achievement by the Munster team.

I too enjoyed the Leinster victory over Toulouse as it was without a doubt the finest attacking play by any Irish rugby team of any generation.

He is probaly bitter that his 'team' (Everton or such like) have no chance of any success (even in the Mickey Mouse Carling cup) and therefore has to belittle others.

As for fockoffrangers, I do hope he will, in time, get over it (maybe when everton or whoever win something).

btw an exaltation from me, for the finely worded retort.