The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

by **Pal Joey** Sun 22 Jan 2012, 10:14 am

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 pictures of John Hayes, Craig Gilroy,
Niall O'Connor, Ben Skirving and Jonny May above the bar!

clap

Last Pub: https://www.606v2.com/t22243p950-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:30 pm

Here's my match report, if anyone fancies a read:

https://www.606v2.com/t22487-dragons-end-european-campaign-with-seven-try-win#888487

by Rava Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:31 pm

MrsP wrote:Our neighbour is a builder called Pat so we call our postman Bob just to even things out!

Rava, get on the the architechs and make sure we have random seats!

I bet poor old Jess is confused

by MrsP Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:33 pm

Best interview ever from Cockerill

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/leicester/9683389.stm

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:37 pm

I heard Jess swings both ways.

by Glas a du Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:37 pm

But would a Saturday evening game help them? When I was playing I knew any plans for after 5pm were pointless. By the time we'd had our 5 watering cans of beer it was out on the town and home.

Whereas an afternoon kick off means the Mrs can go shopping and you can have a meal and be home at a reasonable time or Dad can go to the pub as it suits. Games that end at 9.30 or 10.00 on a Friday are a pain. However, if I'M being selfish 5.00 on a Saturday is ideal. I can get a days work done before going and at 7pm the worlds your oyster - home, pub, meal, all do-able.

by PJHolybloke Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:42 pm

MrsP wrote:Best interview ever from Cockerill

[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/leicester/9683389.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/leicester/9683389.stm[/quote[/url]]

Golden. The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub - Page 15 3610695981

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:43 pm

Notch wrote:So Ulster Rugbys big announcement; Ravenhill is to be expanded into an 18,000 capacity stadium with the additions of stands at both ends.

I hope we cut prices for the Pro12 now, because we only are getting 8,000/9,000 for these games thanks to 7.05 kickoffs on Friday nights (might as well put up a sign saying "F*ck you, people from outside Belfast") and the ubiquitous TV coverage of home games.

We need to be getting 14,000/15,000 to maintain the atmosphere. Empty seats on TV will damage the grounds reputation as a fearsome venue to play at, damage us as a Province. We need to get more people through the gates.

Notch, from memory, aren't 15k and 20k the magic numbers for hosting certain games (ie Heino qfs and semis)?

by Glas a du Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:45 pm

PJHolybloke wrote:
MrsP wrote:Best interview ever from Cockerill

[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/leicester/9683389.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/leicester/9683389.stm[/quote[/url]]

Golden.

Can't play that, anybody prepared to give a flavour of what he said?

by **Notch** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:46 pm

You can't host a semi-final in your home ground anyway Asbo, it's home country advantage but not home ground.

But you're right; the point of this upgrade is to be theoretically able to host Heineken Cup quarter-finals and Pro12 finals.

by Glas a du Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:46 pm

Yes and the IRFU will try and get any of the QF's to the Vivian anyway.

by MrsP Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:47 pm

Glas,

That's kinda the point!

by **Notch** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:48 pm

Anyway, the real reason for our kick-off times is this. Friday nights and Saturday nights are slots where Premiership football does not take place. We are staying out of the way of that TV viewing juggernaught in order to try and catch a decent TV audience.

by **Notch** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:49 pm

Glas a du wrote:Yes and the IRFU will try and get any of the QF's to the Vivian anyway.

Aye, but final call with that rests with the Branch as Munster shall demonstrate.

by Rava Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:50 pm

Notch wrote:You can't host a semi-final in your home ground anyway Asbo, it's home country advantage but not home ground.

But you're right; the point of this upgrade is to be theoretically able to host Heineken Cup quarter-finals and Pro12 finals.

Just look on it as employment for Rava for the next couple of years Hug

by **Notch** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:51 pm

The bonuses just keep coming Smile

by MrsP Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:53 pm

Rava,

The info released say the stand at the Aquinas end and the replacement for the Old stand will each seat 3,200.

How come?

by Rava Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:02 pm

The information I have, and remember these are the drawings submitted for Planning, is: -

Aquinas - 3170 seated
Car Park - 2465 Seated + 1290 standing
Old Stand Replacement - 3023 Seated + 3079 Standing (Prom)

So while the seating will be similar the provision for standing on the Prom will still make that side of the ground the bigger capacity.

by MrsP Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:05 pm

Ah ha.

That makes more sense.

Very exciting couple of weeks we have had here at Ulster Rugby!

by mickyt Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:11 pm

you really working on this Rava?

by Glas a du Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:16 pm

Notch wrote:Anyway, the real reason for our kick-off times is this. Friday nights and Saturday nights are slots where Premiership football does not take place. We are staying out of the way of that TV viewing juggernaught in order to try and catch a decent TV audience.

Exactly.

by Rava Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:21 pm

mickyt wrote:you really working on this Rava?

Sure am Micky. It's Brilliant!!

by **Pal Joey** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:22 pm

Great news Rava. Sounds like they went with the best one!

How long before you take possession of the site and how long will it all take?

by mickyt Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:26 pm

wow fair play Rava.. dream job by the sounds of it.

I hope you are looking for life time free entry as well

by **rodders** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:26 pm

Glas a du wrote:But would a Saturday evening game help them? When I was playing I knew any plans for after 5pm were pointless.

Can't speak for anyone else but if there were more Saturday games then I'd come to more games. A 3 hr round trip every Friday night just isn't feasible and with Friday night traffic its a nightmare travelling into Belfast. Even leaving work at 4ish its tight enough to make a 7 pm kick off.

by Rava Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:31 pm

Breaker, it is planned to have the Contractor on site by this December with the first phase complete ready for the 2013/14 season (August 2013)
The second phase (replacement of existing stand) is due to commence May 2013 and be complete by August 2014 ready for that new season.

by **Pal Joey** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:33 pm

Rava wrote:Breaker, it is planned to have the Contractor on site by this December with the first phase complete ready for the 2013/14 season (August 2013)
The second phase (replacement of existing stand) is due to commence May 2013 and be complete by August 2014 ready for that new season.

OK... so capacity reduced for 2013/14 season or will there be a temporary 'home' ground somewhere else in Belfast?

by Rava Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:39 pm

No the ground will remain open throughout the works.

It will be part of my remit to ensure staff, player and spectator safety while the contractor is present.

by eirebilly Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:44 pm

Will we get a tour of the site if we ask Rava? Wink

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:45 pm

Does anyone here use Google+?

by eirebilly Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:47 pm

Nope, why luckless?

by red_stag Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:49 pm

Rava, serious congratulations on the Ravenhill job.

Dreamer, Mickado, MickyT and Glas. I have some bad news.

I have the Ireland v Wales tickets. Couldn't get 8 together.

It has ended up that 4 of us will be together and another 4 together.

by Rava Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:51 pm

Ross Ford has been given the Scotland captaincy. I'm sure that's a decision that will please most Scottish fans. Apparently Kelly Brown had been earmarked for the job but he is out of the tournament with injury Sad

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:53 pm

Just wondering, Billy. They've relaxed the rules on nicknames or something.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:55 pm

Ross Ford as Scotland captain does surprise me, but you need your captain to be guaranteed his starting place.

by Glas a du Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:56 pm

red_stag wrote:Rava, serious congratulations on the Ravenhill job.

Dreamer, Mickado, MickyT and Glas. I have some bad news.

I have the Ireland v Wales tickets. Couldn't get 8 together.

It has ended up that 4 of us will be together and another 4 together.

That's not bad news Stag. I'm chuffed to have tickets at all and four together is a big bonus.

by eirebilly Tue 24 Jan 2012, 1:59 pm

Would'nt have a clue then luckless Smile

What about my ticket stag? Hope you got me one otherwise i will have to drink beer with Gibbo in Coco's Amsterdam Wink

by mickyt Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:00 pm

No Worries stag. can't be helped we can meet before hand and after.

does that naturally break up as 4 - MIckado, me, Dreamer & you

and Glas and his 3? or what way do you want to do it?

I don't mind either way of course. I was last to the party so will do what ever suits.

Thanks for sorting it Stag

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:09 pm

luckless_pedestrian wrote:Ross Ford as Scotland captain does surprise me, but you need your captain to be guaranteed his starting place.

lucky, is that cos he comes across as quiet and like a wee lad in shorts?!

Yes, sadly Kelly B out with a dislocated fibula - never come across that injury before

by red_stag Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:10 pm

Well there are 8 tickets all same category in 2 groups of 4.

So yea Glas + 3, and all the people with Irish names Smile

Eire, you are first reserve.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:13 pm

George Skivington seems like a very decent signing for Irish, Pete (when you come in)?

by MrsP Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:21 pm

On the subject of kick-off times, do we have issues of noise late at night annoying the locals?

Could that be why we have to start matches early?

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:22 pm

I just hadn't thought of him as captain material, As. Has he captained at all before? Also, could the added pressure of the captaincy affect his throwing in? That's pressure enough and he's suffered the yips before.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:25 pm

luckless_pedestrian wrote:As, could the added pressure of the captaincy affect his throwing in? That's pressure enough and he's suffered the yips before.

For sure, lucky, altho his throwing in has improved a huge amount since pre-Lions tour (when it could be downright awful). Having Gray and Kellock to aim for has helped over the last couple of years, with Hines and now Hamilton, as more than capable deputies (at the recent RWC his stats for darts were as good as any other 6Ns hooker). The key will be to get the first couple spot on - so a few bankers to the front before he goes for the clever stuff and he should be ok

by mickyt Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:26 pm

Cool stag.. the money went through last week for you I take it?

did that Girls ticket money for the Italy game get through to you today?

by red_stag Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:29 pm

Micky it did last week and it did today Very Happy

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:33 pm

I really rate him as a player. If he's got his throwing in sorted he's a real asset for Scotland.

Who would you have at half back for the Six Nations?

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:34 pm

lucky, I'd happily go with either Blair/Laidlaw or Cusiter/Weir - just as long as Parks is nowhere near the XXII

by red_stag Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:35 pm

Surely it has to be:

09 Greg Laidlaw
10 Duncan Weir

by Mickado Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:36 pm

red_stag wrote:Rava, serious congratulations on the Ravenhill job.

Dreamer, Mickado, MickyT and Glas. I have some bad news.

I have the Ireland v Wales tickets. Couldn't get 8 together.

It has ended up that 4 of us will be together and another 4 together.

Feic Stag, i didn't know all 8 were supposed to be in a row at all. I was assuming it would be 4 pairs. That's grand with me anyway mate! Thanks!

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 24 Jan 2012, 2:37 pm

Both quality half-back pairings, but do you see Andy Robinson leaving out Dan Parks? He seems to be a fan.

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