The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the virtual rugby pub - a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing the Tommy Bowe photo on the bar. That's a banning offence

So pull up a chair....what'll it be?

WillyGilly wrote:Good to see the media aren't scaremongering this latest financial crisis.

This isn't a crisis Willy. It's armaggedon!!!

Thomond,

For when you come in next, I know you've quite a bit of Irish soccer knowledge. My question to you is who are the 5 best young players coming through. Let's say 23 and under.

One man's crisis is another man's opportunity.

Munsty,

Dave Meyler
John Egan(his dad played football with Kerry, and the lad himself was captain of the Irish u-19s and played on Cork's football and hurling teams)
James McCarthy
James O'Brien.
Conor Clifford
Conor Henderson

JOB is only 17 so he could easily fall out of the game.

Cheers Thomond. Will have to check some of those guys out.

What do you think of players like Ciarán Clark, Seamus Coleman, Marc Wilson and Shane Duffy?

There is probably more promising talent coming out of Ireland now then there has been for a long time,Coleman is a class act and I was disappointed Cork City didn't sing him from Sligo a few years back. Sean Scannell with Crystal Palace could be one to watch only 20 but has over 100 appearances for them he hasn't delivered on his potential though. Meyler is an ex Cork City player who ousted 2 Irish internationals to get game time for City before leaving. Clark looks a capable defensive mid and could very well be Richard Dunne's replacement. Watch out for Conor Hourihane too.

I don't think a lot of this talent will succeed with Trap at the helm.

There is a lot of talent but how are we doing for strikers? Are we going to struggle when Keane finally goes? I know he's not young but what do you make of Jon Walters?

I agree on Trap. I was talking with a friend about him yesterday and say that I really hate the brand of football we play with him at the helm. The only people he really helps are English guys trying to get themselves into the shop window.

Serious question. Would you rather play a better style of soccer if it meant worse results?

I'm going to post an odd youtube video. It's not safe for work! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li9Y0xpQ8j

Long is promising as is that fella from the U-19s O'Connor. Jon Walters is a work horworse but won't get the goals. Kevin Doyle is a superb player but the way we play leaves him with few chances,he does most of the work for Keane.

red_stag wrote:Serious question. Would you rather play a better style of soccer if it meant worse results?

If it means we are developing then yes. Trappatoni is an expensive guy who is there to help this generation get their last chance of a major competition. If we start losing, there is so much to fix with this side.

Thomond wrote: I'm going to post an odd youtube video. It's not safe for work! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li9Y0xpQ8j

Long is promising as is that fella from the U-19s O'Connor. Jon Walters is a work horworse but won't get the goals. Kevin Doyle is a superb player but the way we play leaves him with few chances,he does most of the work for Keane.

To be fair to Walters, he got 12 goals this past season which is pretty good. An Irish striker scoring that many for a top division team must be in the equation.

Stag, we are capable of better results than we're getting in some games. We could have beaten Slovakia over there if we didn't go ultra defensive.

That's definitely the biggest bug bear. That game against Bulgaria away in the WC qualifying game when we were winning, then drew the game and the players celebrated.

What a lack of ambition. That is instilled by the manager.

Don't talk about a lack of ambition/bad managers etc. We have a stinker up here at the moment who needs to be put out to dry.

Willy,a bad enough crop of players isn't exactly helping either.

They should just get it over with and put out a United Ireland team. This two team approach is senseless when it comes to competing at the highest level. Plus the eligibility rules where you can opt to play for either side anyway make it even more divisive than it needs to be.

Notch,

I agree but there are a lot of very vocal people who don't.


Sevens on now. Watching this before I head out later.

Can't never see that happening Notch. Not saying it shouldn't be an option. But never in our lifetimes.

Do you think it would be any less divisive if they had one team? Too many nordies, too many southies, too many Hindus, etc...

Without wanting to stereotype or offend (and I say that knowing I'm going on to do so), I think the football crowd are different in Ireland when it comes to the rugby crowd. Look at the Celtic/Rangers allegiances. I hesitate to say it's a class thing but...

Do you try change attitudes or just leave themselves to themselves?

Personally I think time is needed to change attitudes. By all means help it along, cross community projects, showing that devolution can work etc. Ultimately you can only force someone to change so far, and for all the positive changes we've had over the last decade or so there's still a lot of bitterness about. Sport doesn't change that, in fact where football is concerned it amplifies it.

Away out on the lash now for a friends second 21st birthday (she had her first last year). Apologies in advance if I stumble in here at some ungodly hour and grope about for the light switch.

And whilst we have one international team that is supported by one community in the North, and another for the other community that will never change Willy

The way international football is set up in Ireland is set up ensures division.

how is it that the thread out side for a 'short debate' on Ireland's centres, has now carried on for 3 pages? How do you all talk so much?!

And evening all having a lovely relaxing evening watching the athletics.

rugbydreamer wrote:how is it that the thread out side for a 'short debate' on Ireland's centres, has now carried on for 3 pages? How do you all talk so much?!

We're Irish.

Notch wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:how is it that the thread out side for a 'short debate' on Ireland's centres, has now carried on for 3 pages? How do you all talk so much?!

We're Irish.

Good answer Notch

How camp is this athlete with the dreads?

Notch wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:how is it that the thread out side for a 'short debate' on Ireland's centres, has now carried on for 3 pages? How do you all talk so much?!

We're Irish.

Only after moving to Chester did I realise how much us Irish talked.

I know, but some people say the Welsh can talk but you guys really put us to shame. It's a bit mental really.

rugbydreamer wrote:I know, but some people say the Welsh can talk but you guys really put us to shame. It's a bit mental really.

Well I suppose we come from a place that has relatively little to talk about so we know how to chat ad nauseum about minor topics.

Merlene Ottey!

I love her Glas, can't believe she's still doing the 100m (even if it is the relay), when she's 51!!

Who's round is it?

Just to let you know that we will be putting the chat box on tomorrow for the matches. (it will be right at the bottom of the forum home page)

Hope to see you there guys!

Can't believe I am working between 0700 and 1800 tomorrow so will miss all four matches that are on the TV. The wife is going metal that I have put them all in the Sky Planner to record!!!

If she is going mental now, what will she be like when the RWC starts?

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cork City 4 Shelbourne 1. Happy days biy!

2 things: Is the kickoff for the NZ match half 7 or half eight? Also is the chat box on for this?

I might have to bribe her with some spa days during the World Cup Y I Man!

Instead of a Spar day, try Co-op instead. The food is slightly cheaper

Thom - Penfro's got it for 8:30 on his TV guide and he's pretty much always right

Best way Pete. Bribery will get you anything! (just ask Hobo)
Thomond, I think its a 8.30am kick off due to the show starting at 8am on Sky.

I'll pop the chat box on for it
(not sure if I'll be on the box for the match itself though)

Thank Gof for that,didn't fancy getting up at half 7!

You're not wrong Hobo, I got 2 packs of bacon for 29 pence in the Co-op earlier, got to love the orange stickers!

Pete,if I were you I wouldn't eat that bacon!

Our co op reduces everything out of date at 8pm to 10p

Flowers are the best - I have come back with 7 bunches for 70p before now. The only down side is the stickers dont come off the flower packets easily so I am always rumbled!

ANyway - reminder - if you havent joined the premiership prediction league already, please do;


http://www.sportguru.co.uk/premierleague/pool.asp?p=10009409

NZ game is 08:30 tomorrow. Programme starts at 8. Bit of that, more pre-season training and then time for a few pints watching England v Wales and Wigan v St Helens in RL. Think I've Sky plussed Scotland v Ireland for later.

Not too shabby a day.

I forgot about Scotland v Ireland, will need to Sky+ that as well, or will it be on the iPlayer? That might be better, save space in the Sky planner.

U2 at the BBC on telly now Fine start to the weekend if I do say so meself.

My mate got a job Yay!!..he starts on Monday.

He's been unemployed since 31/03/2010. We have been celebrating....hic

Very happy for him...He's such a nice bloke

OK, it's not rugby, but I thought I would share this news. He's such a nice bloke

Harlequin supporter, is he?