Declan Kidney - How I see it!

This is the first topic im going to post here as id like to give my view on what I believe Declan Kidney has done since his appointment to the Irish set up.

When EOS was manager of Ire there were well documented issues within the camp. The irish set up under EOS had under achieved consistantly with the so called "golden generation".

Then came along a certain Mr. Kidney who like him or loath him for years had managed to carry on and instill in the Munster set up a bunch of players who wanted to play for each other and the fans. In fact, the Munster ethos was acknowledged worldwide.

In Mr. Kidney came to the Irish set up and he was fully aware that his first port of call was getting the Irish players to play for each other before he started messing around with names on the team sheet. He done this, and in 2009, the so called "golden generation" delivered some very nice pieces of silverware and went unbeaten. A feat in itself. And before people start bleating on about last minute trys, poor quality rugby and underperforming Aussie teams you would do well to remember the old saying you can only play the 15 men in front of you!! And this was something EOS had failed to do for years with a very similar looking team sheet.

After 2009, Mr. Kidney achieved his first task and got confidence and belief back in this Irish squad, however accepted and knew that Ireland had to move forward with the times. Players were coming to the end of there international carreers and there was a world cup coming around the corner. He brought in some young players. Some worked out well, some not so well. Irelands results suffered due to changes in play and personel changes however showing odd bits of brilliance along the way.

Here we are now going into a world cup with a team who have been in transition for 2 years without a 6N. I for one would definately rather be in Irelands position than any of the other 6N teams. And I include France in that. Say what you want about our inconsistancy over the last couple of years. But we recently put a highly confident very much fancied English side who demolished all in front of them in the 6N to the sword.

So in summary, what has Mr Kidney done?
1. Instill the Munster ethos in the Irish squad and get the players playing for each other - Check
2. Deliver a much sought after Grand Slam - Check
3. Blood some new players - Check
4. Adapt Irelands play - Check

And more importantly - Send a confident Irish squad to the 2011 world - Check

So Mr. Kidney. Hopefully in October I can add to this topic - World Cup Final - Check

If you want to comment on this post, please dont put me down as cocky or arrogant. Im not. I am just confident that we can do some damage in the world cup. What is the point in jumping on the plane if you do not believe this. Roll on the WC!!

Totally Agree

Nice post, and good luck to your team.

hmmm you aren't Declan Kidney by any chance...

I would say:

1. Instill the Munster ethos in the Irish squad and get the players playing for each other - Check
2. Deliver a much sought after Grand Slam - Check
3. Blood some new players - In progress
4. Adapt Irelands play - In progress

I think to say that England had demolished all before them is a bit of an exaggeration and it's a tad optimistic to say we're in a much better position than the other 6N.

How did you guess rodders! I like to refer to myself in the third person!!

Fair comment with 3 and 4 but 3 and 4 will always be in progress.

Can you tell me who in the 6N did England look like losing to other than Ireland over 80 mins?

I agree that Kidney has done a good job and he's undoubtedly a good coach. He's not only had to change Ireland's style of play (which is still a work in progress), but also had to forge a new front row which he's done with some success.

I think Ireland are in pretty decent shape for this World Cup. Perhaps a little short of quality of depth at prop and lock, and have untested options lingering at 12 and 15, but with Reddan and Sexton now setting a decent pace to the back play, and Heaslip and SOB adding to that pace from the back row, I think Ireland will be a tough proposition in the knock-out stages.

Corkman in Cymru!! wrote:
Can you tell me who in the 6N did England look like losing to other than Ireland over 80 mins?

They certainly demolished Italy but the victory over Wales could have gone either way and they struggled against both France and Scotland. Don't get me wrong England were deserved winners but I think you are exaggerating their dominance a tad.

We will have to agree to disagree on that one as I actually think over the whole 80mins I thought they had all thos games in the bag. Tight at time yes. Although in hindsight I probably could use a better choice of words than demolish to get my point accross!

Corkman in Cymru!! wrote:We will have to agree to disagree on that one as I actually think over the whole 80mins I thought they had all thos games in the bag. Tight at time yes. Although in hindsight I probably could use a better choice of words than demolish to get my point accross!

Well, yes, over the 80 minutes you won those games, so of course they were in the bag! England vs Scotland was a close game, no question. The better side won, but there was no demolishing going on. Scotland vs Ireland was equally close. Better side won, close contest though.

I dont mean at the final whistle I thought they were in the bag. I mean that even though at particular times there may have only been a few points in it I always fancied England to go on and win. Ive already admitted that use of the word demolish was probably a poor choice!!!

1. Instill the Munster ethos in the Irish squad and get the players playing for each other - Check

______

What a load of nonsense.

leinsterbaby wrote:1. Instill the Munster ethos in the Irish squad and get the players playing for each other - Check

______

What a load of nonsense.

Good spot Leinsterbaby!

1. Instill the Ulster ethos in the Irish squad and get the players playing for each other - Check

roddersm wrote:

leinsterbaby wrote:1. Instill the Munster ethos in the Irish squad and get the players playing for each other - Check

______

What a load of nonsense.

Good spot Leinsterbaby!

1. Instill the Ulster ethos in the Irish squad and get the players playing for each other - Check

Instilled the Munster ethos? WHAT? He had to dismantle it. It was the Munster/Leinster divide that was holding us back. Munster put their province before Ireland's Cause - for yonks. Rob Kearney sorted that out when all the players were free to have their say. Initiated by Kidney - in fairness, because he knew it was there and a limiting factor to our progress. Some heavy discussions ensued and the air was cleared. Then, we really started playing for each other.





Kidney will be judged on his performance in the RWC. That is the acid-test. That's what he has been planning and building for. 6-N's dont even come close. The jury is very much out on him until then. We had a dreadful 6-N. Saved by the bell in the last game with England. Can we follow that up with the same level of consistency in the games to come? Something we have not done - yet - with this squad. If we go out in the QF's - as per... he has failed. I hope it does not happen, but the odds are - it will. Unless we beat Oz. I think we can, but we will have to bring our Double-A game to do it.

Corkman. Excellent 1st post besides that. Welcome to V2 mo chara.

Gibbo,Kidney lead the talks for unity betwen the players and organised that meeting where Kearney and co said their piece.

Gibson wrote:Kidney will be judged on his performance in the RWC. That is the acid-test. That's what he has been planning and building for. 6-N's dont even come close. The jury is very much out on him until then. We had a dreadful 6-N. Saved by the bell in the last game with England. Can we follow that up with the same level of consistency in the games to come? Something we have not done - yet - with this squad. If we go out in the QF's - as per... he has failed. I hope it does not happen, but the odds are - it will. Unless we beat Oz. I think we can, but we will have to bring our Double-A game to do it.

Not sure this is entirely correct. The IFRU have extended his contract already, so it seems they are not too bothered about how he and Ireland perform at the World Cup, he's staying whatever happens.

I think it was Kearney who was the first to actually stand up and speak his mind though. But let's not get into a Munster - Leinster thing here shall we?

Did ye see that that lovable rogue Quinnie will be co-commentator over at ITV for the world cup?

funnyExiledScot wrote:
Not sure this is entirely correct. The IFRU have extended his contract already, so it seems they are not too bothered about how he and Ireland perform at the World Cup, he's staying whatever happens.

It's the 606v2 mafia who will judge kidney not the IRFU....

Gibbo - Rob Kearney has suggested that the Irish players (Munster ones included) didn't play as hard for Ireland as Munster guys did for Munster. It was never a case of Munster bashing on Kearneys part.

Kidney DID bring the Munster ethos but he's so crafty he made the players implement it not him.

Thomond wrote:Gibbo,Kidney lead the talks for unity betwen the players and organised that meeting where Kearney and co said their piece.

I know that T. He is the best in World Rugby at it. Has very few peers at man-mangement, psychology and motivation. Just saying a wee hello like.

Gibson wrote:

Thomond wrote:Gibbo,Kidney lead the talks for unity betwen the players and organised that meeting where Kearney and co said their piece.

I know that T. He is the best in World Rugby at it. Has very few peers at man-mangement, psychology and motivation. Just saying a wee hello like.

Kidney for taoiseach. He was a maths teacher wasn't he? he should know a thing or two about money management!

I'd say Deccie still has his communion money. Saved up for a rainy day.

Thomond wrote:

Gibson wrote:

Thomond wrote:Gibbo,Kidney lead the talks for unity betwen the players and organised that meeting where Kearney and co said their piece.

I know that T. He is the best in World Rugby at it. Has very few peers at man-mangement, psychology and motivation. Just saying a wee hello like.

Kidney for taoiseach. He was a maths teacher wasn't he? he should know a thing or two about money management!

So does that make him ineligible?

Delighted Deccie has had his contract extended.
Thoroughly deserved in my opinion.

I'm sure it will not please some folk but such is life.

Stag,my mom served him in the bank a few times. He used to bring in those big jugs for pennies and get them counted out. Shows you how careful he is.

MMC,

That's a thing of the past TF. With the squad anyway. Its obvious on the field.



Feel de rugby lurve, mo Munster chara.



Believe.

Thomond wrote:Stag,my mom served him in the bank a few times. He used to bring in those big jugs for pennies and get them counted out. Shows you how careful he is.

...don't know if serious...

By the way lads,

WHAT THE HELL WOULD KEARNEY KNOW ABOUT PLAYING HARD?

The guy is a doormat.

MMC wrote:

Thomond wrote:Stag,my mom served him in the bank a few times. He used to bring in those big jugs for pennies and get them counted out. Shows you how careful he is.

...don't know if serious...

I am serious.

Oh it's night and day the difference Gibbo. Another great thing is that there's healthy representation from 3 of the provinces instead of just 2. And Connacht playing HEC rugby next year. Happy days.

The only complaint that I'd make really is that the world cup isn't starting sooner, like today.

First he bridged the Cork/Limerick divide. Can he now bridge the Munster/Leinster divide. And whoever the token Ulsterman happens to be too

Oh let it go Tayto man. Most of the SH & NH would disagree with you on that. Forget Jones playing for Ireland at the WC. He wont. It's too late this time round.



But I still love you. Anyway, Kings crisps are better than Tayto.

red_stag wrote:And whoever the token Ulsterman happens to be too

Tommy Bowe?

red_stag wrote:First he bridged the Cork/Limerick divide. Can he now bridge the Munster/Leinster divide. And whoever the token Ulsterman happens to be too

Everyone knows that that Stephen Ferris guy is just a show pony. Rory Best only has a place by default while Flannery's injured. That Paddy Wallace fella isn't much of a 10 is he? Andrew Trimble - has anyone seen him run any way but sideways?
Tommy Bowe used to be the slowest player EVER til he moved to the Ospreys...

Oh and PDV is my favourite coach.

red_stag wrote:First he bridged the Cork/Limerick divide. Can he now bridge the Munster/Leinster divide. And whoever the token Ulsterman happens to be too

Is Ulster in Ireland? Well I never...

Christ!!! First and last post im thinking! One Leinster man sticks the knife in and the other rips the juggler out!!



Thanks for the welcome Gibson but do me a favour. Next time you are at the bar, can you not put any blackcurrent in my Murphys! We drink it straight up where im from!!

Gibbo,whatever you say about Jones,your line about Tayto is over the line! I won't stand for that kind of poppycock!

Bowe?? Oh right that Welsh fella whos parents are from Munster and Leinster. Forgot about him.

red_stag wrote:Bowe?? Oh right that Welsh fella whos parents are from Munster and Leinster. Forgot about him.

I heard that all he's interested in are his tan and his hair...

MMC wrote:

red_stag wrote:Bowe?? Oh right that Welsh fella whos parents are from Munster and Leinster. Forgot about him.

I heard that all he's interested in are his tan and his hair...

He is definately an Ospreys player so!

Corkman in Cymru!! wrote:Christ!!! First and last post im thinking! One Leinster man sticks the knife in and the other rips the juggler out!!

Thanks for the welcome Gibson but do me a favour. Next time you are at the bar, can you not put any blackcurrent in my Murphys! We drink it straight up where im from!!

You do realise this is banter right?

Corkman in Cymru!! wrote:Christ!!! First and last post im thinking! One Leinster man sticks the knife in and the other rips the juggler out!!



Thanks for the welcome Gibson but do me a favour. Next time you are at the bar, can you not put any blackcurrent in my Murphys! We drink it straight up where im from!!

No knife Corkman, no knife... The lads on here know me well. I just a like a wee discussion. And its getting your article more attention. Welcome my friend.



ROG is a Ligind.



Tayto, I was lying about the crisps. 1st thing I do when I hit Dub Airport... pint of and a package of Taaaytooooooooooo!



Bloody luxury.

Absolutely MMC! But I hate blackcurrent!!

We're nearly getting more Welsh than Ulster lads these days.

Ciaran Ruddock, Rhys Ruddock, Tommy Bowe, Stewart Maguire, those Welsh lads at Connacht who IRFU had the legal battle to get them recognised for Ireland. And of course we've got Wales Grandslam manager Mike Ruddock content to run our kiddies day care team

I know guys! No need to console me although I was close to a tear when I tasted the blackcurrent in my stout!!

Corkman in Cymru!! wrote:Absolutely MMC! But I hate blackcurrent!!

Ahhh roysh!

If you're not familiar with some of posters on here from the old 606, look out for that Gibbo fella. He's a bit mad.

You guys in Leinster are blessed! Not only do ye have "In BOD we trust" but now ye also have the messiah that is Rob Kearney!!!

Corkman in Cymru!! wrote:You guys in Leinster are blessed! Not only do ye have "In BOD we trust" but now ye also have the messiah that is Rob Kearney!!!

Don't forget chinos and prawn sandwiches...

And a girly pack.

All we have is turnips. God do I hate turnips.