Bryan Cullen Joins Leinster Rugby

[IolarCoisCuain]

We've heard for years about how an All-Ireland win would help promote football in Dublin. If I were involved in Dublin football, this development would really, really piss me off.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/dublin-skipper-cullen-joins-leinster-rugby-2882572.html



Independent.ie
Dublin skipper Cullen joins Leinster rugby
By Ruaidhri O'Connor
Wednesday September 21 2011

LEINSTER rugby chiefs have signed up Dublin's All-Ireland winning captain Bryan Cullen to coach their
next generation of stars.

Having made history by becoming the first Dublin skipper in 16 years to lift Sam Maguire, one of
Cullen's next big tasks will be to help deliver success for Leinster rugby.

The Skerries native will be overseeing the fitness programme of the province's next generation of
stars when he starts his new job as the Heineken Cup champions' sub-academy fitness coach in the
coming weeks.

The 27-year-old is in the process of completing a PhD in exercise physiology at DCU where he has
studied under sports science expert Niall Moyna. He is believed to be keen to develop his skills in a
fully professional environment.

Cullen has been working part-time at the Medfit Wellness and Rehabilitation centre in Blackrock, but
now he will form a key part of the successful Leinster Academy team under academy manager Colin
McEntee and former Ireland and Leinster full-back Girvan Dempsey.

The province's production line is impressive, with nine of Ireland's 30-man World Cup squad having
come through their ranks.

Based out of the Riverview gym in Donnybrook and UCD, the Dublin half-forward will provide
specialist support in the area of physical conditioning to age-grade and nominated development
players, implement the IRFU national fitness programme and work with schools and youths coaches
to develop young players with prospects of provincial success.

The job was advertised as an "exciting and challenging position," and Cullen was required to have an
IRFU conditioning certificate, strength and fitness coaching experience, his educational qualifications
and organisation and communication skills.

His decade playing at the top level of competitive Gaelic games is sure to have helped his cause,
and it will be regarded as a notable coup for rugby to appoint such a high-profile GAA star.

Leinster's gain will definitely be seen as the GAA's loss, with the association hoping to capitalise on
the huge goodwill in the capital following Sunday's momentous victory over great rivals Kerry.

However, Leinster manager and former Ireland scrum-half Guy Easterby believes that the city is big
enough for two massive sporting brands in blue.

"It's a huge positive, especially with Kilkenny winning the hurling and now Dublin the football -- it's
great for the area," he said.

"Their season doesn't run along our season and I just hope that the positivity that has come out of
Sunday that was plain for all to see, it was a fantastic atmosphere there, can be carried on."

Newly-crowned All-Ireland champions Dublin will play county champions Kilmacud Crokes in a charity
challenge in Parnell Park (7.45) this evening. Admission is €10 with the entire proceeds divided
between two charities that the Dublin team is involved with -- Crosscare and Temple Street
Children's Hospital.

- Ruaidhri O'Connor

[ludermor]

How would you expect Cullen to give up an opportunity like this though? A full time job in the area he has trained in is great these days.
Until the GAA starts to pay players i cant see how anyone can stop people working in any job.

[Denn Forever]

I can't see what the problem is.  He is taking up a job that he has trained for.  He isn't playing for them.

[HiMucker]

If the GAA don't have a similar position to offer then I don't see whats wrong with this.  You have a young man playing a sport he loves at a professional level with amateur status and he is able to pursue a career in the sport and leisure sector.

I know different sports compete with one another, but I just don't buy this argument that we need to be looking over our shoulder at rugby and soccer.  I come from what many would call a predominantly soccer city in Derry.  Nearly everyone of our senior players would have played soccer at a competitive level when younger.  Our current captain was the captain of the best youth side in the city and many of our players could have played semiprofessional.  But not one single player is playing soccer at a competitive level now.  The structure of our sport stands up to and betters anyother, which is down to the club ethos of "one life, one club" (well in most cases anyway).  We just need to continually work on promoting the games and the rest will take care of itself.

[fearglasmor]

Ha Ha no surprises there.  Anyone in Nth Co Dublin will tell you Skerries have always been out n out D4 wannabees.

Seriously though,  I dont see a problem. GAA is an amateur organisation, he is pursuing a professional career in sports, fair play to him.
I'm sur eif the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.

[Hoof Hearted]

Where does this leave Dinny Breen ? Is Cullen working with him or instead of him ?

[IolarCoisCuain]

I'm sure if the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.

How can they not have offered him a similar position? The GAA has paid coaches all over the country. You're telling me that they couldn't find a job for the All-Ireland winning captain?

Cullen has the right to do whatever he wants, of course. All I'm saying is that Dublin GAA should ask themselves how they allowed such a PR disaster to happen.

[Dinny Breen]

Where does this leave Dinny Breen ? Is Cullen working with him or instead of him ?

For me

[Jinxy]

He got a job as a fitness coach working in rugby.
Don't see how it's any different than working in a bank tbh.
It's a day job, it's not like he's given up football.

[Billys Boots]

Ha Ha no surprises there.  Anyone in Nth Co Dublin will tell you Skerries have always been out n out D4 wannabees.

Seriously though,  I dont see a problem. GAA is an amateur organisation, he is pursuing a professional career in sports, fair play to him.
I'm sur eif the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.

That's for sure. 

[lynchbhoy]

I'm sure if the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.

How can they not have offered him a similar position? The GAA has paid coaches all over the country. You're telling me that they couldn't find a job for the All-Ireland winning captain?
Cullen has the right to do whatever he wants, of course. All I'm saying is that Dublin GAA should ask themselves how they allowed such a PR disaster to happen.

Can see where you are coming from alright, but the lad needs to get a good job or a high profle job to help boost his fledgling career. This is such a job. He wont be playing football in 10 years time. The GAA is an amateur organisation and the money paid to coaches wouldnt match what is available in the private sector.
Colm Brady - Ex Meath player was the first LeinsterGAA football coach (along with Harry or Lester ryan of kilkenny for the hurling) and he moved on to bigger and better things after a few great years at the job.  Wouldnt begrudge Bryan at all as its a career opportunity.
the title makes it sound worse and indeed a pr own goal. imo it isnt.

[ross matt]

I'm sure if the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.

How can they not have offered him a similar position? The GAA has paid coaches all over the country. You're telling me that they couldn't find a job for the All-Ireland winning captain?

Cullen has the right to do whatever he wants, of course. All I'm saying is that Dublin GAA should ask themselves how they allowed such a PR disaster to happen.

Christ talk about sucking something negative out of a positive story!
The guy has a top qualification in strength and conditioning. Presumably he applied for a position in a professional sport? How could the gaa afford to match this in terms of renumeration and opportunity ?
He has every right to go for the position. The Gaa dont own him.
Best of luck to him. Tops a great week for the lad.

[Tubberman]

I'm sure if the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.

How can they not have offered him a similar position? The GAA has paid coaches all over the country. You're telling me that they couldn't find a job for the All-Ireland winning captain?

Cullen has the right to do whatever he wants, of course. All I'm saying is that Dublin GAA should ask themselves how they allowed such a PR disaster to happen.

Christ talk about sucking something negative out of a positive story!
The guy has a top qualification in strength and conditioning. Presumably he applied for a position in a professional sport? How could the gaa afford to match this in terms of renumeration and opportunity ?
He has every right to go for the position. The Gaa dont own him.
Best of luck to him. Tops a great week for the lad.

I don't think ICC is having a go at Bryan Cullen in any way.
His criticism is for the GAA in that they didn't offer him a coaching role and keep his talents within the organisation (not to mention the media "GAA star joins rugby" type headlines).

But there are a lot of details that aren't publicy known:
- Maybe the GAA knew nothing about this - players would hardly be telling Croke Park when they're applying for a job.
- Maybe all current coaching roles in Dublin or Leinster are filled.
- Maybe Cullen was offered a role by the GAA and turned it down for his own reasons.

[Mayo4Sam]

If there was a similar position in the GAA he'd probably still go for the Leinster job. A more professional organisation, chance to move to the Irish set up in future, chance to be recognised internationally, it's a no brainer. It's not like choosing to play rugby instead of football, it's a job and you have to analyse which gives the better experience and opportunities like any job

[IolarCoisCuain]

I'm sure if the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.

How can they not have offered him a similar position? The GAA has paid coaches all over the country. You're telling me that they couldn't find a job for the All-Ireland winning captain?

Cullen has the right to do whatever he wants, of course. All I'm saying is that Dublin GAA should ask themselves how they allowed such a PR disaster to happen.

Christ talk about sucking something negative out of a positive story!
The guy has a top qualification in strength and conditioning. Presumably he applied for a position in a professional sport? How could the gaa afford to match this in terms of renumeration and opportunity ?
He has every right to go for the position. The Gaa dont own him.
Best of luck to him. Tops a great week for the lad.

I don't think ICC is having a go at Bryan Cullen in any way.
His criticism is for the GAA in that they didn't offer him a coaching role and keep his talents within the organisation (not to mention the media "GAA star joins rugby" type headlines).

But there are a lot of details that aren't publicy known:
- Maybe the GAA knew nothing about this - players would hardly be telling Croke Park when they're applying for a job.
- Maybe all current coaching roles in Dublin or Leinster are filled.
- Maybe Cullen was offered a role by the GAA and turned it down for his own reasons.

Thanks Tubberman. I have no problem with Cullen at all, any more than I have with Pearse Hanley or Tommy Walsh playing Aussie Rules. Everybody's got to make a living.

But there's no way between Hell and Bethlehem that Dublin GAA can let the positive publicity of an All-Ireland win be lost to rugby without putting up a big fight, and I'd like to know what that fight was.

If I were in charge of Leinster rugby, I'd have posters of Brian O'Driscoll and Bryan Cullen shoulder to shoulder in the RDS, and I'd call it Brothers in Arms. At least Hanley and Walsh are on the other side of the world.

I love rugby but I'm not stupid. This is a bad blow to Dublin GAA and a complete result for Leinster rugby. And I'm afraid to see it as any other way is naive in the extreme.