The IRISH RUGBY thread

[Wildweasel74]

See Ole McKenna over the moon about Ireland beating SA, hard believe that lad was a good writer one time.

[seafoid]

We can't confirm about NZ yet but australia are already out. So that may just leave the Saffers
On the other hand the hoors might win both quarters.

We could alternatively have an all 6N semi final line up.  The likelihood of only a second 6N victor must be rising at this stage.

[Joeythelips]

See Ole McKenna over the moon about Ireland beating SA, hard believe that lad was a good writer one time.

I seen his tweets where is almost giddy with excitement that Ireland will get knocked out in QF stage. Strange.

[Applesisapples]

Sinn Féin's online army are flat out

Don't sweat it, SF have gobshite followers just like every other party. Saw a clip from Shane Byrne, some times a good tune is just a good tune and 99% of people do not think of the meaning, same with up the ra. We get so worked upper songs ffs. They are just that and like most things in life everybody's taste is different.
Zombie is a good tune written as a reaction to Warrington which lets face it was reprehensible. What it does though IMO is expose the hypocrisy of the Good Ra/Bad Ra brigade in its reference to 1916. But you know pop stars are just that they often write stuff that doesn't stand up to the great poets and that is fie. It's a good tune.

[trailer]

Sinn Féin's online army are flat out

Don't sweat it, SF have gobshite followers just like every other party. Saw a clip from Shane Byrne, some times a good tune is just a good tune and 99% of people do not think of the meaning, same with up the ra. We get so worked upper songs ffs. They are just that and like most things in life everybody's taste is different.
Zombie is a good tune written as a reaction to Warrington which lets face it was reprehensible. What it does though IMO is expose the hypocrisy of the Good Ra/Bad Ra brigade in its reference to 1916. But you know pop stars are just that they often write stuff that doesn't stand up to the great poets and that is fie. It's a good tune.

What? How? I don't get ya.

[Eire90]

is sinn fein not a bunch of politically obsessed middle classers these days that probably talk about poltics while at a bar at 10pm saturday night

[Applesisapples]

Sinn Féin's online army are flat out

Don't sweat it, SF have gobshite followers just like every other party. Saw a clip from Shane Byrne, some times a good tune is just a good tune and 99% of people do not think of the meaning, same with up the ra. We get so worked upper songs ffs. They are just that and like most things in life everybody's taste is different.
Zombie is a good tune written as a reaction to Warrington which lets face it was reprehensible. What it does though IMO is expose the hypocrisy of the Good Ra/Bad Ra brigade in its reference to 1916. But you know pop stars are just that they often write stuff that doesn't stand up to the great poets and that is fie. It's a good tune.

What? How? I don't get ya.

It has a go, same old thing as 1916, ie no difference.

[RedHand88]

is sinn fein not a bunch of politically obsessed middle classers these days that probably talk about poltics while at a bar at 10pm saturday night

is sinn fein not a bunch of politically obsessed middle classers these days that probably talk about poltics while at a bar at 10pm saturday night

I think to an extent yes, depends on the area. Could say the same for any party though.

[Franko]

Ireland has 4 Grand Slams in over a century . Scotland has 3. England, France and Wales are way ahead. $
Ireland has 25 wooden spoons. Scotland has 18.
Ireland has been in zero RWC semi finals, Scotland 1 ..
In GAA terms, Ireland would be the equivalent of Kildare
#2InjuredSwans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsD9k82uAjo

In the last 10 6N's, Ireland have won 4 of them, is that not more relevant than your stats?

Lies, damned lies, and statistics

I don't think so. If antrim or Laois got to the hurling final, the excitement level would be off the charts.
But to count they would have to win it.      The hurling  elite very similar to the rugby elite. Same number of teams, same number of top elite teams (3) same gap to second tier, small catchment area (Ireland/globals) .  The losing mentality is psychological and Ireland have never been able to get past the QF because of it. Winning the RWC would be the equivalent of Antrim or Laois winning the hurling by beating a op elite team in the final imo.

For Galway it wasn't enough to win in 1980. They had to beat Kilkenny and Tipp in the final to be respected. Ireland is not respected in France, for example,when it comes to the RWC. The absolute top would be being the first of France and Ireland to win the shaggin trophy.

the progress since Brian O'Driscoll's 3 tries in Paris is amazing but it isn't enough.

I see where you're coming from here but the bold bit is nonsense.

It would only be similar had Antrim or Laois won 4/10 of the preceding Leinster Championships (some at a relative canter) and a maybe couple of National League titles.

[seafoid]

Ireland has 4 Grand Slams in over a century . Scotland has 3. England, France and Wales are way ahead. $
Ireland has 25 wooden spoons. Scotland has 18.
Ireland has been in zero RWC semi finals, Scotland 1 ..
In GAA terms, Ireland would be the equivalent of Kildare
#2InjuredSwans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsD9k82uAjo

In the last 10 6N's, Ireland have won 4 of them, is that not more relevant than your stats?

Lies, damned lies, and statistics

I don't think so. If antrim or Laois got to the hurling final, the excitement level would be off the charts.
But to count they would have to win it.      The hurling  elite very similar to the rugby elite. Same number of teams, same number of top elite teams (3) same gap to second tier, small catchment area (Ireland/globals) .  The losing mentality is psychological and Ireland have never been able to get past the QF because of it. Winning the RWC would be the equivalent of Antrim or Laois winning the hurling by beating a op elite team in the final imo.

For Galway it wasn't enough to win in 1980. They had to beat Kilkenny and Tipp in the final to be respected. Ireland is not respected in France, for example,when it comes to the RWC. The absolute top would be being the first of France and Ireland to win the shaggin trophy.

the progress since Brian O'Driscoll's 3 tries in Paris is amazing but it isn't enough.

I see where you're coming from here but the bold bit is nonsense.

It would only be similar had Antrim or Laois won 4/10 of the preceding Leinster Championships (some at a relative canter) and a maybe couple of National League titles.

You are very hard work, Franko. Read the next line
They would need to lose a few finals before winning one.

[seafoid]

Gatty has done a fabulous job with Wales, considering how abject they were in the 6 nations.
He is some manager.
Of course it would be highly ironic if Wales got to the semis and the Grand Slam winners didn't.

[Joeythelips]

Im living in Wales and they would fully believe they can beat either Ireland or the All Blacks if they get over Argentina of course. Ireland showed against SA that they are one of the big teams in this tournament, if they show up and play to their potential there is no reason they cannot win it out. I would not be at all surprised if we end up with a SA v Ireland final. I think the Dupont injury is huge and SA would really fancy turning them over.

[Bord na Mona man]

Im living in Wales and they would fully believe they can beat either Ireland or the All Blacks if they get over Argentina of course.

Wales haven't beaten NZ in 70 years, so you'd have to admire their optimism.

[seafoid]

The Lions, backboned by Welsh plyers with 6 Irish players including Gibson and Willie John , won the tour series in NZ in 1971


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiJChmhe9A4&t=2740s

[dec]

The games this weekend are all fairly uninteresting. Ireland, England, Wales and France all have the weekend off.