RTE News said 8,000.Quote:
Originally Posted by Monkfish
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RTE News said 8,000.Quote:
Originally Posted by Monkfish
Not bad considering that very few would have been home from Edinburgh by then.
I'd say 4-5,000 max.
They opened the gates at 2 and then told people the team wouldn't be there until 4, so quite a few people with young kids wandered off.
There's nothing wrong with that. Apart from the lions and some internationals, their season's over and they've earned the right to celebrate.Quote:
Originally Posted by OneRedArmy
Congratulations to Leinster.
Rocky is a monster. World class again. It's a pity he's not Irish.
And its way beter than the rest of them that went to Krystle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bald Student
There's nothing wrong with that either. They've 2 months 'til their next game, a late night won't do them any harm.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Absolutely. I was pointing out that if it was me I'd prefer a few pints in Kielys over a night in Krystle. Far too much effort for me ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Bald Student
I'd actually think there was something wrong with them if they didn't want to celebrate
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bald Student
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
My point was more along the lines of Dodge's, nothing to do with the fact they celebrated, more the locations chosen were reflective of the usual Leinster flash harry stereotypes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
They deserve every pint!
What the hell is wrong with them going to their local?
And since when was Kiely's flash?Quote:
Originally Posted by Aberdonian Stu
First Lions XV selected
Lions v Royal XV
15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
13. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
10. Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland)
9. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)
8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
6. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
5. Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland) captain
4. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
3. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
1. Andrew Sheridan (Sales Sharks/England)
Replacements
16. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
17. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
18. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
19. Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland)
20. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
21. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
22. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
Looks like a string side. Can't be too far away from starting test side.
Due to injury (nothing major) Wallace is starting instead of Powell and Heaslip replaces Ferris on the bench.
Can't wait for this match. Lions to win by a minimum 20 points.
Am I the only one who doesn't give a fiddler's fart about the Lions?
Why is that?Quote:
Originally Posted by brianw82
I enjoy the tours to see how the nationalities mix. They were almost beaten yesterday and will need to step up the performance big time if they are to make any impact.
I wonder will the day come when it becomes a Home Championship team to include the French.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aberdonian Stu
Do you read Ross O'Carroll Kelly? Kiely's is the epicentre of collar up, roysh lads, D4-ism.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bald Student
I don't say that as a negative, only as a statement of fact.
So, I made a pithy comment in relation to the supposed new all-inclusiveness of Leinster rugby.
Soft skins?
Only as regards its location, being across the road from Donnybrook Stadium, Leinster's traditional home. As a pub, it's not that flash a place.
I know, I live round the corner!Quote:
Originally Posted by Longfordian
The rest of the squad did go to Krystal though. Thats fairly flash :D
It just seems to be a typical Sky Sports, hype-driven affair. Are the N. Hemisphere teams so weak in the modern age that they have to pool their resources to beat one of the S.Hemisphere teams? No, there have been several examples in recent years of Northern teams beating Southern ones, although the Southerners still hold a general advantage. It's perpetuating a stereotype that our teams can't compete on their own, even though they've clearly proved they can.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
Also, it's been a long rugby season. The SA teams play ferociously - why would the likes of O'Driscoll and O'Connell travel all this way to get battered for 6 weeks after winning Magners Leagues, Heineken Cups and Six Nations titles, and having busted their guts to do so? Doesn't make any sense to me.
Finally, to be extremely cynical, it just seems an excuse for Irish people to wear a British jersey and not feel at all bad about it, because they've stuck "and Irish" in the middle of "British Lions" And yes, I do know that Irish players have always played in the Lions, that's not the point. The point is that in this endeavour, everyone involved with rugby is happy to be British in all but name.
There is a lot of history behind the Lions. Never mind Skysports, it predates TV.Quote:
Originally Posted by brianw82
As for giving Irish people an excuse to wear a British jersey, given the amount of English football jersies in the country I don't think people have to search too hard for an excuse.
I find that a lot of the blow in fans of rugby who never played or supported an AIL or junior side are the ones that are bothered by the Lions and to a lesser extent the international side. For most people that grew up with rugby, the Lions is a rare example to watch the best of the 4 nations play together.
Maybe now is the time to make it more inclusive and bring in France and Italy, in the same way the Ryder Cup did it the 70s. I suspect that would end the complaining, as it's real driven from an anti-British stance whatever the reasons given.
Now is probably a good time to widen it as I can't see any scratch side being as competitive as in the past now the professional game is embedded.
if you are going to do that why not a xv from N v 15 from south. Its like the provinces a whole continent versus one country its hardly fair....
I would hardly use a satirical series of novels and articles as useful sources for facts. Kiely's is a pub, one that is unsurprisingly popular amongst rugby people given its location in Donnybrook. It also happens to serve good beer.Quote:
Originally Posted by OneRedArmy
NO!Quote:
Originally Posted by brianw82
I love rugby and golf is probably my favourite sport, but I really don't get the hype that surrounds the Lions Tour and The Ryder Cup.....
I think you misunderstand. Kiely's is flash because Leinster Rugby drinks there and Leinster Rugby is flash because it drinks in Keily's. It's a perfectly straightforward and logical argument.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aberdonian Stu
I think if didn't have Sky Sports I would not go out of my way to watch it. Would be more interested in Irish performances than Lions results.Quote:
Originally Posted by brianw82
Well the bottom line is it means a hell of alot to the players playing. These players have grown up wanting to be lions players because it is such a rare thing to be apart of and not everyone gets a chance to be involved. Alot of rugby players come from clubs with great history of past greats playing in these tests and they want to emulate this and be apart of it. If its the British part people have problems with well basically thats just sad. Call it the Irish and British Lions if you feel like that. The british part gets no preference over any thing else. The crest have all four countries crests on it and gives no special preference to any one.
I'd be with OneRedArmy, in that it's something that's always been something referenced when you're playing rugby. It's probably un-PC these days, but I remember the '73 tour being referenced when it was being drilled into us to stick up for each other on the pitch. I saw Jonathon Davies on inside sport suggesting it was the one regret of his career that he didn't play for the Lions.
I don't remember such a back lash the last tour, but then rugby wasn't on such a wave then and wasn't deemed to be threatening other sports to the extent it is now.
I don't agree with extending it out to France and Italy though. The only reason golf did it was because the Ryder Cup was no longer competitive. The only reason the lions survived professionalism is because of the history and tradition - no need to mess with that to try and justify it as not being perceived as "British".
Well the big issue a lot of fans had with the last tour was the squad size. It was far too big and somewhat devalued the meaning of a call up.
Is this a smaller squad?
Much, it's got 8 less players,
Woodward wrecked the ethos as well. Bringing Alastair Campbell as a spin doctor, completely separating the dirt-trackers (midweek side) and the Test side at an early stage etc. The Kiwi media makes the English rags looks like Ireland's Own and when they got a sniff of blood the wheels fell off.
For anyone thats not convinced about the Lions, at least get a copy of Living with the Lions from 1997 (I have it on video, not sure about DVD?). Absolutely seminal fly on the wall sports documentary. Passionate stuff, but most of all, the craic looks mighty (for players and fans alike) and I came away from it wanting to go on a tour (still unfulfilled, bloody recession!).
I was on that Lions tour in 97 as a drunken spectator and boy what a trip. The atmosphere, particularly at the mid week games was unreal. Watching that Living with Lions DVD really brought it back. The camraderie and unity really showed in the on field performances and this was highlighted by three things in particular on that DVD- Firstly, John Bentley. A 'never before heard of' Rugby League guy whose personality really lit up the tour. That, and his absolutely amazing try in the midweek game against the Gauteng Lions.
Secondly, the determination of Martin Johnson to get back out on the field after this against Natal.
And thirdly...just imagine how motivated they were after this.
What a great sporting experience that tour was. I will remember it forever.
D'Arcy called up for the lions... http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rug...247983947.html
Before D'arcy were Roberts & Flutey the only inside centres?Quote:
Originally Posted by Macy
Earls, The Luke and BOD have all played there as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
Big big win tonight with impressive performances by Bowe, BOD (apart from gifting them a try by moving up too soon), Roberts, Hines and Croft. The Lions are struggling badly at half back. On Saturday, ROG and Blair were poor...tonight Jones and Phillips didn't fare much better. I fear for them against the Boks back row and halves.
Improvement needed...but possible.
Thought Bowe was a different class on the pitch, scoring two tries and setting up a couple. O Driscoll and roberts had a great game and all the forwards where solid both in attacking with the ball and agressive in defense. Phillips did well but got away with alot, he was slow with passing at times but was able to recover well with his strenght. He gives another great option though with the way he can attack and off load in the tackle. Kearney did very well and tried to attack more than he has been recently but if Byrne keeps his form up i think he will get the fullback position for the test side.
what rubbish. the tour existed long before sky. skys coverage actually allows us to see all the matches which wasnt possible before. maybe hyped up a little... but so what?Quote:
Originally Posted by brianw82
did it cross your mind that they may be proud sportsmen eagar to be involved in something with such a long and proud tradition? they are clearly loving being part of it. anyway, the Irish international rugby player is a very protected sportsman who only plays a limited amount of matches a season to protect them from burn-outQuote:
Originally Posted by brianw82
i thought your post couldnt get any worse but you really did save the best for last :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by brianw82
Third side selected. Fitzgerald playing inside centre is intereting enough. D'Arcy on the bench
Lions team v Cheetahs:
Lee Byrne (Ospreys & Wales);
Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues & Wales),
Keith Earls (Munster & Ireland),
Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster & Ireland),
Shane Williams (Ospreys & Wales);
James Hook (Ospreys & Wales),
Harry Ellis (Leicester & England);
Andrew Sheridan (Sale & England),
Ross Ford (Edinburgh & Scotland),
Euan Murray (Northampton & Scotland),
Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster & Ireland),
Paul O'Connell (Munster & Ireland - capt),
Stephen Ferris (Ulster & Ireland),
Joe Worsley (Wasps & England),
Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues & Wales).
Replacements:
Matthew Rees (Scarlets & Wales),
Adam Jones (Ospreys & Wales),
Simon Shaw (Wasps & England),
Nathan Hines (Perpignan & Scotland),
Mike Blair (Edinburgh & Scotland),
Ronan O'Gara (Munster & Ireland),
Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster & Ireland).