Munster v Ulster Easter Sunday ko 1.45pm

by Standulstermen Wed 25 Jan 2012, 10:27 am

First topic message reminder :

Sat 7 Edinburgh v Toulouse 3pm Murrayfield
Sat 7 Leinster v Cardiff 5.45pm Lansdowne Raod
Sun 8 Munster v Ulster 1.45pm Thomond Park
Sun 8 Saracens v Clermont 4.30pm Vicarage Road

Gutted we dont have the saturday game. I wonder will this effect some peoples thoughts on travelling. Personally i will head down on saturday for a boozing day watching the other 1/4's and will head home on sunday night after the Sarries game. Have to be back in work for Easter Monday

by geoff998rugby Thu 26 Jan 2012, 12:51 pm

Rory you can join anytime BUT last year they had a cut off date for when you would eligable for a QF ticket.

I would imagine the same applies this year.
This is to stop people joining after we qualify just to get a ticket - which I think is fair enough.

You need to join at the start of the season to be sure.

by Rory_Gallagher Thu 26 Jan 2012, 12:52 pm

Okay thanks thumbsup

by clivemcl Thu 26 Jan 2012, 12:53 pm

geoff998rugby wrote:Rory you can join anytime BUT last year they had a cut off date for when you would eligable for a QF ticket.

I would imagine the same applies this year.
This is to stop people joining after we qualify just to get a ticket - which I think is fair enough.

You need to join at the start of the season to be sure.

Would joining now be effective should we get to the SF Geoff? Can you direct me where to go? Is it on the Ulster Rugby website?

by MrsP Thu 26 Jan 2012, 12:57 pm

Or clive,

You could take the easy route and marry a STH!

Whistle

I hope you get a ticket, I really do.

But me and the little Ps will all be in Limerick that day, ticket or no ticket and if we can't manage to pick any up we will find somewhere to watch it!

by geoff998rugby Thu 26 Jan 2012, 12:57 pm

I dont think you would have to worry about the SF as we would get 20,000+ tickets and anyone who wanted to go would be able to get a ticket.

The game would be at the Aviva

by clivemcl Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:00 pm

MrsP wrote:Or clive,

You could take the easy route and marry a STH!

I hope you get a ticket, I really do.

But me and the little Ps will all be in Limerick that day, ticket or no ticket and if we can't manage to pick any up we will find somewhere to watch it!

lol!

Have a great time in Limerick with the family, I'll be going buck daft wherever i watch it!

Geoff, good job about the SF, now just need to get there! Come on! SUFTUM!

by **rodders** Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:12 pm

Anyone see this?

Ulster tried to get the game moved on religious grounds:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/16741366.stm

by 1F'sgonnagetya! Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:18 pm

I think that was always going to happen Rodders. With some of the squad having strong religious views and the club wondering if people would go because it's Easter Sunday!

Doesn't bother me though, I'll be flying in from England (if I get tickets) to give praise to Fez and boys!

by red_stag Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:19 pm

Rodders, I suspect thats a smokescreen.

Real issue is that it doesn't suit fans.

Ulster never act this way with other Sunday games and Andrew Trimble has said he has no problem about it on Sunday.

by Rory_Gallagher Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:21 pm

TBH I doubt those in the squad who are christians would agree with the people trying to move the date of the game..

by **rodders** Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:23 pm

Well it suits me stag...except I can't get a ticket Laugh

...where's that violin symbal.... Whistle

by 1F'sgonnagetya! Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:27 pm

I feel for you Rodders, I was in the same position last year! I joined supporter's group back then and they let my payment from last year roll over to this years membership (very nice people!)

by geoff998rugby Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:28 pm

Ulster certaintly didn't want a Sunday game but I don't think that was the reason

by **Notch** Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:30 pm

I know at least one season ticket holder personally who refuses to go to any rugby games on a Sunday.

Ulster want to sell the full allocation and this is a stumbling block. It's ironic given said fan would move heaven and earth to be there if the game was on any day between Monday and Saturday.

It's not an issue for the players.

by **rodders** Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:34 pm

That was the reason they cited geoff?

1F have no sympathy for me mate, meant to join the supporters club but for various reasons never got round to it.. Sad

...enjoy the game sir! guinness

Actually really happy to have got to the Tigers game, thought I'd be out of the country with work. You win some, you lose some zen

.

by red_stag Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:36 pm

Everyone its ok, read back Geoff cant make it. Tickets up for grabs!!

Whistle

by **rodders** Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:40 pm

Thats why I thought they were trying to change the date stag...to accommodate Geoff !.... Whistle

by **Notch** Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:46 pm

Thats right rodders. He has, like, connections man Smile

by marty2086 Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:47 pm

Ulster have said that its the fans that are the issue, they expect to sell their full allocation either way but dont want some fans being put off by it being on a Sunday

by red_stag Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:48 pm

marty2086 wrote:Ulster have said that its the fans that are the issue, they expect to sell their full allocation either way but dont want some fans being put off by it being on a Sunday

Which is perfectly valid and understandable. Is there a bank holiday in UK on Monday. It doesn't affect us in Munster THAT badly as we have the next day off but still it would be better Saturday.

by 1F'sgonnagetya! Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:57 pm

There is a Bank Holiday in UK on the Monday.

by geoff998rugby Thu 26 Jan 2012, 1:57 pm

roddersm wrote:Thats why I thought they were trying to change the date stag...to accommodate Geoff !....

Ddin't do me any good - I am going to complain boxing

I heard it was for the fans that Ulster did not want a Sunday

by ME-109 Thu 26 Jan 2012, 2:06 pm

Wow theres a conflict of interest for the Free Presbyterians amongst Ulster supporters...protest against the game or watch it...

by MrsP Thu 26 Jan 2012, 2:13 pm

Or....Both!

by **rodders** Thu 26 Jan 2012, 2:16 pm

This is no joke DOD...we may have to just send out the non- christian team members! ........ Whistle

Stand Up for the Agnostic Ulster Men! guinness

by The Great Aukster Thu 26 Jan 2012, 2:30 pm

roddersm wrote:This is no joke DOD...we may have to just send out the non- christian team members! ........

Stand Up for the Agnostic Ulster Men!

... surely that should be Stand Up for the Unchristian Ulster Men? I've heard they're a bad bunch of bar stewards.

by geoff998rugby Thu 26 Jan 2012, 2:36 pm

I bloody hope not it would be a urine poor team.

No Muller, Pienaer, Wannenberg, Humphreys, Marshall, Trimble, Spence at least and for all I know more

by **Notch** Thu 26 Jan 2012, 2:56 pm

We'd still have the Big Buddha, Rory Best.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Fri 27 Jan 2012, 12:46 pm

Just read this on the BBC site:

Heineken Cup organisers have turned down Ulster's request that their quarter-final with Munster should not be played on Easter Sunday.

Ulster asked the European Rugby Cup (ERC) that the game should not be played on Christianity's most important date.

However, the request was turned down.

Ulster have emphasised that the 8 April date is "not an issue" for the team's players despite the religious convictions of a number of the squad.

The Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union also made the request in the knowledge that some fans would also have reservations about attending the game on Easter Sunday.

"We did ask the ERC to consider not making us play on a Sunday but ultimately it is their decision and the decision of the broadcasters. There is not an awful lot we can do about it," Ulster press officer Lyndsey Irwin told the Irish Times.

Despite the ERC's decision, the Ulster official said she was confident that the province's full 6,000 ticket allocation would be taken up.

by geoff998rugby Fri 27 Jan 2012, 1:18 pm

Interesting because everything I've heard it was a question of supporters, accomodation, travel, work etc

May I suggest this is the 'official' line but not the real reason.

by BlueMuff Fri 27 Jan 2012, 1:25 pm

Is this Ulster running scared or just getting the excuses in early I cant decide Wink

by MrsP Fri 27 Jan 2012, 1:55 pm

Or...both?

Very Happy

by red_stag Fri 27 Jan 2012, 2:03 pm

I agree entirely with Geoff. The religious thing was their best shot at getting it moved but this is nothing to do with Easter but supporters. I would have done the same thing as Ulster.

Its a ready made excuse should they lose and will be considered a talking point if they win . . i.e. the Easter Sunday occasion motivated the Christians at Ulster.

I really really REALLY can't wait for the whole occasion.

by marty2086 Fri 27 Jan 2012, 2:14 pm

stag its just a shame we have to wait so long until the match especially with the momenteum Ulster have got and Munster have built throughout the HC

by **Notch** Fri 27 Jan 2012, 2:20 pm

I hope it isn't used as an excuse if we lose or a talking point if we win! I don't think either way it stands up to scrutiny.

by red_stag Fri 27 Jan 2012, 2:22 pm

Absense makes the heart grow fonder Marty.

I like that you can't rely on momentum to win the Heineken Cup.

I can't wait for the game but I'm glad of the break.

Because each match is so long apart there is more build up, more tension and every match is a massive occasion.

Munster just smashed 51 points past Northampton. And they have to sit down and treat the Ulster game as something new entirely. I love it.

by Standulstermen Fri 27 Jan 2012, 2:36 pm

I dont know about Munster but i would hope ulsters momentum continues through the 6N.

We have Dragons, Aironi, Ospreys all at home (i think) and Cardiff and Treviso away before the Munster game. (aironi is actually the game before thumbsup

)

If we have ambitions to beat munster and go forward i think we need to win all the home games there (possible BP's) and get at least one win from Treviso and Cardiff. This would propel us up the Pro 12 aswell.

We will most likely not be hit as bad as the welsh regions (dragons aside) from the 6N and with the likes of Afoa, Muller, Terblanche and Pienaar directing traffic i think we should be really positive.

by red_stag Fri 27 Jan 2012, 2:37 pm

Stand, I find that those games don't contribute much to momentum.

by Standulstermen Fri 27 Jan 2012, 2:38 pm

They would if Ulster could win them all. Ditto Munster for their fixtures btw.

Winning is a habit that Munster are already in, Leinster too. Ulster are getting into that habit but they arent there yet

by red_stag Fri 27 Jan 2012, 2:46 pm

I think compartmentalizing the Heinken Cup and Pro 12 works better.

Beating depleted Aironi, Dragons and Treviso teams will do Ulster no good come a European Cup quarter final in Thomond Park.

What we simply do in Munster is use the final Pro 12 match as a launch pad.

So for example 8 days before we play you in HEC, we take on Leinster in what will be a full on intense battle. That is what we take momentum from.

Our matches against Connacht, Treviso, Dragons, Cardiff and Aironi (thats our fixture list) won't have any bearing and nor should it.

If we slip up against Cardiff during the Six Nations its no big deal.

by Standulstermen Fri 27 Jan 2012, 2:49 pm

The leinster game is before the QF! Shocked

I know it works for you but for my money i would rather have Aironi at home. Give the big guns a half, hopefully score a few trys then take them off after 50 mins or so.

I can see the merit in both approaches. I just think ulster are more fragile, mentally than Munster and we will need that momentum going into the game. It would be great to back up last years Pro 12 performance aswell. Consistency

by red_stag Fri 27 Jan 2012, 2:53 pm

Players need a break and you need the next generation to come soon.

Remember at Christmas when Ulster sent out the Ravens to be slaughtered in Dublin to get a big win over Munster with 14 changes.

Momentum is over rated. Game Management is better.

by **rodders** Fri 27 Jan 2012, 4:05 pm

red_stag wrote:Remember at Christmas when Ulster sent out the Ravens to be slaughtered in Dublin to get a big win over Munster with 14 changes.

Exactly stag and I think we'll see the exact same happen here, the Ravens to make Leinster look ordinary for 70min and then the senior boys will go out and give Munster a good pasting. Job done.

SUFTUM guinness

by Don Alfonso Fri 27 Jan 2012, 6:56 pm

Interesting - Stag and Geoff are right, it would seem. Paddy Wallace just said on Newsline that the players would play this game on Christmas Day, if it was asked of them, and that there was no issue at all

by Gibson Sun 29 Jan 2012, 8:04 pm

Notch wrote:
BlueMuff wrote:On the positive side for Ulster the atmosphere will be some what diluted by a Sunday morning kick off.

I really want Ulster to get any little advantage we can, but I also really want to experience the full majesty of Thomond Park on a Heineken Cup matchday. It's been one of the grounds on my bucket list for ages. This is literally too good an opportunity to miss.

Given the date thats in it and Munsters propensity for coming back from the dead in Europe I'm not sure it's an advantage anyway!

Its a stunning stadium Notch. You will be suitably impressed. And I agree, this game should have got top-billing in Ireland, imo.

by clivemcl Fri 03 Feb 2012, 11:12 am

Ulster Facebook just said...

IMPORTANT: We will be bringing you a quarter final ticket update later today. Keep checking this page for the latest... SUFTUM

Does this sound like there may actually be a few tickets going on general sale after all? I will be watching like a hawk!

by BlueMuff Fri 03 Feb 2012, 12:00 pm

clivemcl wrote:Ulster Facebook just said...

IMPORTANT: We will be bringing you a quarter final ticket update later today. Keep checking this page for the latest... SUFTUM

Does this sound like there may actually be a few tickets going on general sale after all? I will be watching like a hawk!

Maybe up in Ulster - must alert all of the Munster faithful so they can snatch up those Ulster tickets Very Happy

by WillyGilly Fri 03 Feb 2012, 12:14 pm

Very doubtful Clive. Season ticket holders get first bite and I can't see there being any tickets left after that.

by **rodders** Fri 03 Feb 2012, 12:16 pm

Info up. General sale 2nd - 8th March.

by red_stag Fri 03 Feb 2012, 12:16 pm

I'd be surprised if the fair weather fans got hold of any tickets unless through 3rd parties and at a high premium. I'd say tickets will be trading hands at about €200 closer the time.

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