Irish fans: Who are you most excited about next year?

First topic message reminder :

I have to say, I cannot wait to see Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connacht next year. I will be interested to see how all four do in the HEC, especially Ulster (obviously) and Connacht, and I hope that again we can look to an all irish final.

However what I am really looking forward to next season, is how our next generation of players will get on. I want to see who is going to be challenging the international team next year, in the same fashion that Murray, O'Mahony and Zebo have done this year. I have a feeling we are going to unearth a few gems next season, from each of the provinces. I was wondering who you are most looking forward to from firstly your own province, and secondly the other provinces. I shall go first:

Ulster: Gilroy to have a huge season, and make his claim for the irish shirt. Also Spence to get much more game time at 13, and challenge Cave for the starting 13 shirt, and hopefully make his mark as the best prospect at 13 for the future. Apart from this I hope to see Hendy get a shot at second row as much as possible, though he will mostly be playing 6 if he does play next season. Birch is another guy who needs game time, as he is an IQ 7 and has looked a good prospect when he has featured.

Munster: O'Mahony to continue to grow as a real candidate as a future irish option, and as a possible captain. I also hope to see how the Munster 7s (whoever they decide to play) will get on, as they have quite a few options there, and O'Donnell has impressed me in the latter stages of the season just past. The guy I am most excited about however, is Hanrahan. Will he get a lot of game time? I hope so.

Leinster: Leinster have quite a few players I will be looking forward to seeing. The likes of Dave Kearney, Ian Madigan and O'Malley are all players who have shown great potential this past season. Madigan especially looks the real deal. I hope he can get more starts for Leinster, possibly even at 12. Kearney will probably get quite a bit of game time on the wing due to Fitzgerald's injury. One of the guys I am most interested about however, is Dominic Ryan. The last game I saw him play I was impressed, and I know he is highly rated by many Leinster fans on here. I hope to see him make a huge impact. Lastly, is Furlong going to get any game time at this point or is it too early for him?

Connacht: The player I will be most interested in will be Faloon, for obvious reasons. Ex-Ulster player in Connacht, a natural 7, and a guy with a lot of talent, though he hasn't lived up to his potential over the past few seasons. I hope to see a revival of his potential irish career. Apart from Faloon, I will be keen to see Griffin progress and to see if he is a contender for the 13 shirt for Ireland.

Im excited for the new 2nd row that we are signing

Bent is not highly rated by NZ fans from what I've read. A Hurricanes squad player that never really looked like breaking into the team.

I'd say Leinster are just taking a bit of a gamble on him. Martin Moore is the one to watch out for. Although it is too soon for him to play more than a handful of games, hes a year ahead of Furlong and a highly rated scrummager.

Big season for Jamie Hagan ahead. Make or break season for him.

Ye the signing of bent better not hold back the development of these young props coming threw...hope he comes good for us

Penney - just read an interview with Kieran Read who credits Penney for developing him - said he persuaded him to come down to the Canterbury/Crues Academy - he is from Auckland and was an equally good cricketer as rugby player.

You might see a lot of young forwards attracted to Munster from elsewhere if he is that inspiring.

Here Sin, I am taking a break from the forums but I am popping in to apologise for being a bit grumpy over the week. Hope there are no hard feelings, even if I do think you talk rubbish.

And I also think Penney looks like an incredible signing. Expect O'Mahony especially to show how good he really is.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Here Sin, I am taking a break from the forums but I am popping in to apologise for being a bit grumpy over the week. Hope there are no hard feelings, even if I do think you talk rubbish.

And I also think Penney looks like an incredible signing. Expect O'Mahony especially to show how good he really is.

Yea, you were a bit grumpy. Not to worry about though Enjoy your break. I take them every now and then and find them good

And yes, you too talk complete Poopie

Popping into this thread a little late but.......

Ulster:
Gilroy- Hopefully he can get some good amount of gametime. Looks very dangerous all the time IMO and seems to have his basics really well sorted.
McAllister- Court isn't all that and a bag of potato chips so I am hoping McAllister gets some good time on the pitch as he looks like a good prospect.
Marshall- Hope he can kick on and learn more from Pienaar and become more than just an impact sub. Needs to be able to control a game.

Munster:
JJ- From his stint in the U20's this year the guy looks quality. Would really like to see him get some time as he would appear to deserve it, possibly at 12.
Ryan- The guy is one of the best players in Ireland at the moment I feel, I really hope he kicks on and becomes even better. Serious lineout, carrying, defence and leadership as well IMO.
O'Mahony- Hope he kicks on from what he has been doing this season but settles on a position more this season.

Leinster:
Toner- One of our best players this year and I think was cruely over looked when POC was injured. hopefully he can continue his excellent form and rate of improvement.
Ryan- Ruddock seems to dropping off, Ryan could well work out to be one of our most important players. Can see him challenging for the HCup bench.
Madigan- Really hope to see him coming through and getting further gametime and hopefully more chances to kick as well. This guy could/should go far.
O'Malley- I think BOD is going to be moving in this year and McFadden is failing it would seem. Hopefully EOM can get in there, quick, great passer and better defence than given credit for.

Connaught:
I am afraid I am gonna have to pleade ignorance here. Griffin, that's all I'm really looking out for, Falloon too?

Team I'm gonna keep an eye on:

McAllister-Sherry-Furlong/Macklin
Ryan-Toner
McLaughlin-O'Mahony-Ryan
Marshall-Madigan
Hanrahan-O'Malley
Zebo-Kearney Jr-Gilroy