Rugby Union 2009

**passinginterest** · 05/05/2009, 9:05 AM

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

If his view of Cullen was obstructed.

I haven't seen footage yet which shows where Quinlan was looking. If he was looking at Cullen and could see what he was doing, then its anopen and closed case.

If not, then he deserves the benefit of the doubt.

He was behind him, he grabbed his face and then proceeded to poke his fingers into his eye socket. It looks horrific, it was probably a very rash moment of frustration in the heat of the battle, but it's pretty unforgivable, I think the grovelling apologies were the result of the realisation that he was heading for a lenghty ban and missing out on the lions tour. HAving seen it a few time I don't see how it could possibly have been an accident, it's not like Quinlan gets knocked off balance or anything, where he might be able to claim he just made a grab to stop himself from falling.

**Schumi** · 05/05/2009, 9:33 AM

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

If his view of Cullen was obstructed.

I haven't seen footage yet which shows where Quinlan was looking. If he was looking at Cullen and could see what he was doing, then its anopen and closed case.

If not, then he deserves the benefit of the doubt.

The clawing motion of his fingers is difficult to explain as anything but an attempt to gouge. I'd hope it was all accidental but I just can't see how it could be.

**Shilts** · 05/05/2009, 9:33 AM

Congratulations to all the Irish players who got selected for the Lions touring team. However, why are we still clinging to the coat tails of the Empire in the twenty-first century?

If the 6 nations put together a team for some reason I could see how we would want to be a part of it but why are we the only tag-ons to the Brits?

I don't see France or Italy wanting to be part of it, and as an independant country why should we?

Also, everyone in the UK refers to the team as the British Lions, not the full title British and Irish Lions - have a look at the tours available on the net to go and see the British Lions.

Either we are independant or we are not, or do our rugby crowd still like to think that they are part of the Empire??

Also big congrats to Leinster who out-munstered Munster all over the park.

Someone said to me that Limerick lads always bottle it in Croke Park

Quinlan should be banned for his eye-gouging antics. If this means he misses the British Lions tour then he can blame nobody but himself. Tough luck and recover soon to O'Leary.

**Macy** · 05/05/2009, 9:37 AM

A great performance by Leinster - didn't let Munster get going at all. A repeat of that and they will win.

I'm especially delighted for the Lunsters. Provincial Rugby is a bandwagon, as has been said the old inter pro's had poor attendances. Munsters bandwagon just got going quicker (Leinsters arguably the more sustainable slow build). However, it shows something about the Irish psyche that even with a local successful team people would still bypass that to support the more glamorous and successful team down the road (and come up with nonsense reasons to justify it).

**OneRedArmy** · 05/05/2009, 9:38 AM

Shilts, What part of the name British and Irish Lions don't you get?

**Rashers Baptisa** · 05/05/2009, 10:24 AM

Anyone else think that Leo Cullen looks like a cross between Dirk Kuyt for Liverpool and BFG (Big Friendly Giant)?

I think what Quinny did was terrible (if he meant it). He could have blinded Cullen and possibly tarnished his rugged looks!

**Pious37** · 05/05/2009, 10:45 AM

Leo Cullen Miley from Glenroe

Oh Holy God!!!

**shakermaker1982** · 05/05/2009, 11:25 AM

any truth in the independent article that Munster fans are selling their tickets to Leicester fans over Leinster fans?

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugb...y-1728801.html

**Rashers Baptisa** · 05/05/2009, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

any truth in the independent article that Munster fans are selling their tickets to Leicester fans over Leinster fans?

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugb...y-1728801.html

I really hope there is no truth to this. I hope that all my fellow Munster supporters get behind the remaining Irish team. I trully wish Leinster the best of luck in the final.

Bring it home lads

**Dodge** · 05/05/2009, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

any truth in the independent article that Munster fans are selling their tickets to Leicester fans over Leinster fans?

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugb...y-1728801.html

is that a big deal?

**shakermaker1982** · 05/05/2009, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

is that a big deal?

sh**ty thing to do if you ask me.

**OwlsFan** · 05/05/2009, 1:07 PM

Originally Posted by Greenforever

WOuldnt it be great if 2 Irish soccer clubs were to meet in a Champons League semi....I know it's been posted and debated before but if we only took a leaf out of the IRFU book, as posted earlier 10 - 15 yrs ago a Leinster Munster game would be lucky to attract 500 people.

I am not sure the Provincial format would work in Irish soccer. Club rugby games are still sparsely attended. In what way should soccer here follow rugby?

**tetsujin1979** · 05/05/2009, 1:14 PM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

any truth in the independent article that Munster fans are selling their tickets to Leicester fans over Leinster fans?

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugb...y-1728801.html

some are, but most are either still going, or offering their tickets to Leinster fans.
There's a thread on munsterfans.com for people looking to offload tickets, and one on leinsterfans.com for the same reason.
From people I know with flights, tickets and accomodation, the majority are still going

From my own experience of the final, the biggest problem is going to be getting to Edinburgh, tickets are always available on the day.

**Schumi** · 05/05/2009, 1:28 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

From my own experience of the final, the biggest problem is going to be getting to Edinburgh, tickets are always available on the day.

Accommodation is a pain as well. Although, having said that our route includes the Dun Laoghaire ferry to Holyhead.

**Youths4Ever** · 05/05/2009, 2:08 PM

accommodation is not to bad yet just keep checking as some people canceling and an option is to rent a house andfit as many as possible. The cost of getting there is looking so high not sure will be able to go

**tetsujin1979** · 05/05/2009, 2:16 PM

Y4E, look into flying over the day before to Liverpool/Manchester/Birmingham/London and staying in Glasgow. There's trains to Edinburgh every half hour from there.

**Youths4Ever** · 05/05/2009, 2:56 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Y4E, look into flying over the day before to Liverpool/Manchester/Birmingham/London and staying in Glasgow. There's trains to Edinburgh every half hour from there.

Yeah looking into it at moment looking better than other options anyway.

**OneRedArmy** · 05/05/2009, 3:16 PM

Have a look on wikipedia and check what low cost airlines fly to Glasgow and Edinburgh from Europe. E.g. Hahn, Charleroi etc. The obscurer the better.

That should work out cheaper (if a lot longer).

**gspain** · 05/05/2009, 4:15 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

A great performance by Leinster - didn't let Munster get going at all. A repeat of that and they will win.

I'm especially delighted for the Lunsters. Provincial Rugby is a bandwagon, as has been said the old inter pro's had poor attendances. Munsters bandwagon just got going quicker (Leinsters arguably the more sustainable slow build). However, it shows something about the Irish psyche that even with a local successful team people would still bypass that to support the more glamorous and successful team down the road (and come up with nonsense reasons to justify it).

Despite all the controversy over the Lunsters guess which football teams are supported by the Leinster players?

Try Bohs, Pats or Rovers!!!!! Err no guess again. Brian O'Driscoll is a loyal Man Utd fan.

So it's OK for Dublin people to support a British football team rather than an Irish one but not an Irish rugby team?

Anyway well done to Leinster - well deserved win.

**Youths4Ever** · 05/05/2009, 5:05 PM

Originally Posted by gspain

Despite all the controversy over the Lunsters guess which football teams are supported by the Leinster players?

Try Bohs, Pats or Rovers!!!!! Err no guess again. Brian O'Driscoll is a loyal Man Utd fan.

So it's OK for Dublin people to support a British football team rather than an Irish one but not an Irish rugby team?

Anyway well done to Leinster - well deserved win.

and I am guessing that Munster players support LOI clubs in Munster