Ulster 2013/2014

First topic message reminder :

One guy I think deserves high praise from these two Treviso games is Sean Doyle.
As you know I reported some doubt about his future and that he needed to put his hand - he has done so big time.

Few more games like that and he will be with us next year for sure.

clivemcl wrote:
Phrases like ‘can’t be bothered’ or implying we are swayed by glory or weather conditions is not helpful.

Exactly Clive.

Stephen Ferris just tweeted this picture;

https://twitter.com/StephenFerris6/status/439432337512992768/photo/1

New stand is looking class. Can't wait to see it full.

LOL

Should I be annoyed?

Or glad that I'm famous?

http://www.uafc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16967&start=15&hilit=clive

Everyone needs to relax a bit this issue has caused infighting we all need to just get behind the team.
Just to give those of you who don't know a bit of background I up to this season had a season ticket, for health reasons I was not able to go this year so do not currently have a season ticket and haven't been to Ravenhill at all this year. I also was not looking for a ticket to QF because of this and just giving myself time away from outdoor events like this to get stronger again.
I can see it from both sides on 1 hand if you live in Donegal, tyrone etc it is a very long journey to make there and back to watch every game but you do still want to go and you are not any less of a supporter, but if you are a season ticket holder and go to every game you want to be able to go to something like this too.
In reality you cannot please everyone it is going to be impossible to get everyone in for something like this, the stadium is 18k seats, so many go to saracens and erc sponsors etc so how do you allocate
Realistically those with season tickets do deserve the chance to buy a ticket first as they do attend all the matches, you cannot then turn round and say thanks for that but you aren't getting into this one.
Now there should obviously be chances for others to purchase too and this should be done in a way that you can make sure the people are going who are fans and not just 1 dayers or opposition fans, this is not easy to do either .
From a business perspective Ulster rugby have to do what they think will help them draw in the numbers and keep fans happy so naturally going to season ticket holders first has to be their option.
What I am trying to say here is that everyone has valid points and UR have distributed the tickets in the way they think works best we all need to try and move on from this and just support the team wherever you are on the day.
Now that I have said that I want to focus on things I think are more important to me like the game we have tonight c'mon ullsssteerrr

Naughty, naughty.  Alot of fighting going on.  Kiss and make up won't you?  You look like a bunch of Munster fans.  No tongues though, we aren't that familiar.  I'd make an exception for Rodders though.  He's Linford Christie-esque.  I reckon its a pair of Ulster alternate socks from 1999 personally.

Also, I got my tickets for the QF.  The following video speaks to my feelings on this issue:
 

Hear hear Neil!

Those for whom a trip to Ravenhill is impossible will not have been looking for tickets to the quarter final. For the rest of us, how often we go to Ravenhill is a matter of how we prioritise our resources, time, money etc.

For those who are too NorthWestocentric to even recognise the name of any club outside their region and therefore imagine some huge anti-culchie conspiracy says more about their own prejudices than anything else!

SUFTUM!!

  

Nonsense, I hate culchies and the north west too....all they do is moan.

That's the first sensible thing you have posted on this thread Rodeos!

  

Hey Rodeos you'd moan too if the smell of cow dung was omnipresent

Hey Neil, I am in the same position apart from ever having a ST.

SUFTCAB!!!!!

Posted a thread for anyone wanting to talk about tonight's match btw
https://www.606v2.com/t52269-ulster-v-dragons-28th-feb

I will have to avoid that I'm afraid Neil.

It will be populated with all the culchies who are not dedicated enough to buy season tickets so therefore do not have a ticket for the quarter final!!

It will be moan/gurn city!!!

  

If there's one thing worse than a culchie, it's a culchie with a ST who plays for Cooke RFC and works for bank of Ireland.

Sorry for the bad form today - never quite got over losing that medallion shield SF so hearing the old culchies take a bashing today brought it all back.

Love,

Rodeos.

Ah sure it was all in yer head buddy!

  

clivemcl wrote:LOL

Should I be annoyed?

Or glad that I'm famous?

http://www.uafc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16967&start=15&hilit=clive

Clive I must admit- this made me laugh. The perils of social media; here's to making the semi final in Dublin!  

Tell you what city slickers those sarries did some number on bath tonight (legal and illegal), they'll be no push over whether you're watching on TV behind the couch or at the game.

And what was a loyal fan like yerself doing watching them when you should have been cheering home the boys in White?

No committment!

  



  

What happened Rodeos?

No, they certainly won't be... they'll tackle a lot harder than the Dragons did at times tonight!

They tackle a lot harder all right! Hands no hands, round the neck - whatever way takes their fancy!

I was cheering on the boys in white mrs p but whenever they took off Bowe for that McIlwayne fella I had to switch over as it was blatant Belfast favouritism, no way yer man's better than Bowe - I bet he has a season ticket and all.

  

McIlwaine is a culchie from Larne (hai)?

I can't understand the debate about unfairness at all. I haven't a season ticket as I will only ever get to about six games a season, and so haven't a ticket for the 1/4 final, but I think it is perfectly fair the way Ulster have allocated the tickets to those who support the team most financially.

Ulster have purposely built the capacity at Ravenhill to be able to stage HEC quarters, so having done so they aren't going to switch the game elsewhere. Obviously having the game at Ravers is good for rugby reasons but even more so for financial ones - undoubtedly some potential season ticket holders will consider the offer of premium game tickets as an added incentive to make the ST investment.

The Saracens game isn't a final - but it will be sold out, so it makes no difference to Ulster Rugby whether I'm personally in attendance or not. There are plenty of other games when tickets are available that UR do need my money and voice in the crowd and those are the ones I make a point of going to. Considering the "home" semi-final was not sold-out two years ago, I wonder just how many of non-ST supporters would actually make the effort to go to the Aviva should Ulster progress?

The Great Aukster wrote:McIlwaine is a culchie from Larne (hai)?

I can't understand the debate about unfairness at all. I haven't a season ticket as I will only ever get to about six games a season, and so haven't a ticket for the 1/4 final, but I think it is perfectly fair the way Ulster have allocated the tickets to those who support the team most financially.

Ulster have purposely built the capacity at Ravenhill to be able to stage HEC quarters, so having done so they aren't going to switch the game elsewhere. Obviously having the game at Ravers is good for rugby reasons but even more so for financial ones - undoubtedly some potential season ticket holders will consider the offer of premium game tickets as an added incentive to make the ST investment.

The Saracens game isn't a final - but it will be sold out, so it makes no difference to Ulster Rugby whether I'm personally in attendance or not. There are plenty of other games when tickets are available that UR do need my money and voice in the crowd and those are the ones I make a point of going to. Considering the "home" semi-final was not sold-out two years ago, I wonder just how many of non-ST supporters would actually make the effort to go to the Aviva should Ulster progress?

      

Chris Farrell to Grenoble?

Looks like it.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/chris-farrell-to-leave-ulster-for-french-pastures-1-5907771


Good move for Farrell. It gives him an opportunity in France to kickstart his career.

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:Naughty, naughty.  Alot of fighting going on.  Kiss and make up won't you?  You look like a bunch of Munster fans.  No tongues though, we aren't that familiar.  I'd make an exception for Rodders though.  He's Linford Christie-esque.  I reckon its a pair of Ulster alternate socks from 1999 personally.

Also, I got my tickets for the QF.  The following video speaks to my feelings on this issue:
 

  

profitius wrote:Looks like it.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/chris-farrell-to-leave-ulster-for-french-pastures-1-5907771


Good move for Farrell. It gives him an opportunity in France to kickstart his career.

Gotta say i'm a bit disappointed at that. We aren't that strong for depth at centre are we? Especially if the likes of Marshall, Olding and Payne are called up for Ireland..

Overheard at Ravenhill the other night guys talking in detail about how to get into the Saracens allocation; apparently they will only send the tickets to an English address, but if you have a relative or a friend over there it could be a goer?

http://www.saracens.com/ulster-ticket-update/

https://www.eticketing.co.uk/saracens/memberships.aspx?findmembership=0

It appears you need to register as an out of town member, which is £60, but it would open the door to getting tickets- have seen Ulster fans on other forums saying they've registered and intend to pursue tickets this way.

Personally I would balk at putting £60 in the pockets of Nigel Wray...

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

profitius wrote:Looks like it.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/chris-farrell-to-leave-ulster-for-french-pastures-1-5907771


Good move for Farrell. It gives him an opportunity in France to kickstart his career.

Gotta say i'm a bit disappointed at that.  We aren't that strong for depth at centre are we?  Especially if the likes of Marshall, Olding and Payne are called up for Ireland..

I'm delighted for the lad. He's not going to get much gametime at Ulster and one year under Jackman would be time better spent than in the Ravens.

I hope the birds that fly the nest come back one day... we are a massive exporter of talent.

Not sure if it's been mentioned but has anyone looked at the uafc forum recently. Saw an interesting thread title   

Yeah, Clive brought that up earlier   

I will say this. The UAFC forum is full of merchant bankers.

That it is notch but I think Clive would be flattered. All those quotes and he gets the attention   

Yea the thread went strangely quiet once I posted on it! lol.

I also can't make head nor tale of some of their banter. I don't know if its in-jokes or what - but some of the chat is nonsensical!

Aye I wouldn't get drawn in Clive. I didn't even notice you posted on it   

Notch what's wrong with Nigel Wray? He's a top bloke.

rodders yup, Sarries did well vs Bath. Showed a level of intensity and professionalism which pleased me. If we can show a similar intensity vs you I think it could a close match.

What sort of team are you expecting when you play Sarries? Will you be at full strength?

Notch wrote:Overheard at Ravenhill the other night guys talking in detail about how to get into the Saracens allocation; apparently they will only send the tickets to an English address, but if you have a relative or a friend over there it could be a goer?

http://www.saracens.com/ulster-ticket-update/

https://www.eticketing.co.uk/saracens/memberships.aspx?findmembership=0

It appears you need to register as an out of town member, which is £60, but it would open the door to getting tickets- have seen Ulster fans on other forums saying they've registered and intend to pursue tickets this way.

Personally I would balk at putting £60 in the pockets of Nigel Wray...

Like a lot of supporters I am not a season ticket holder due to my daughter swimming, and we get when we can. However I will be getting Sky for at least one month to watch the game rather than pay £60 then pay for tickets. As much as I would love to go with my daughter somethings you just have to sacrifice. I used to have seaon tickets but as mentioned my daughter has taken priority in her swimming, she also misses it but watches the Friday night games with me when we gat back from swimming on the playback.

beshocked wrote:Notch what's wrong with Nigel Wray? He's a top bloke.

rodders yup, Sarries did well vs Bath. Showed a level of intensity and professionalism which pleased me. If we can show a similar intensity vs you I think it could a close match.

What sort of team are you expecting when you play Sarries? Will you be at full strength?

Yup, I've said it before that I'm worried about this and it was probably one of the worst draws for us in terms of Sarries being one of the better equipped teams to win at Ravenhill.

Sarries just look like a team that know how to win and will do whatever it takes - that win at Bath was pretty brutal, the score line flattered Bath if anything.

We won't have come up against a blitz or line speed like that so far this year and Anscombe needs to show he has an antidote for it. Should be a fantastic game.

Rodders you should still feel very confident. I have heard that the atmosphere at Ravenhill is very different and will likely be something that the Sarries players have not faced.

I agree. I think Sarries are one of the better sides equipped to win away but we know how tough it will be. Sarries are used to winning away in the AP but beating an Irish side or French side away is very difficult.

Our recent trips to Ireland have hardly been fruitful with losses to Leinster and Munster and just about scraping the win vs Connacht.

I think it could be similar to the England-Ireland game in terms of intensity.

Plus you'll target the set piece.

I'm confident but apprehensive -

Ravenhill is a fortress for sure but McCall will have his team well warned and Sarries have real steel there - Burger, Farrell, Borthwick ... a long list of tough costumers who won't be intimidated by the cauldron atmosphere.

The scrum didn't go so great against Bath so that is an area hopefully we will target but this is a great matchup ...both sides will be coming to win.

Never mind Saracens, I am concerned about the Scarlets game.

I had been worried about OH – are we really going to have to field Ruan again? Is he the best of a bunch of bad options? And now, it’s exacerbated by the issue that we might have to field McCloskey – our fifth choice IC – for the rest of the season. He looked good on Friday, but the Dragons really were poor.

If Ferris does come back, it will be emotional, never mind exciting, but really, the pressure’s on. HEC qualification depends on us fronting up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8dgPyqw780

Sounds like a lot of hard work if you ask me...   

clivemcl wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8dgPyqw780

Sounds like a lot of hard work if you ask me...   

All sorted   

Is Ferris in line for a return against Scarlets? Where for art thou Geoff?

clivemcl wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8dgPyqw780

Sounds like a lot of hard work if you ask me...   

Clive you should do one where you wax lyrical about the TVs you've had over the years   

Don Alfonso wrote:Never mind Saracens, I am concerned about the Scarlets game.

I had been worried about OH – are we really going to have to field Ruan again? Is he the best of a bunch of bad options? And now, it’s exacerbated by the issue that we might have to field McCloskey – our fifth choice IC – for the rest of the season. He looked good on Friday, but the Dragons really were poor.

If Ferris does come back, it will be emotional, never mind exciting, but really, the pressure’s on. HEC qualification depends on us fronting up.

If Luke Marshall isn't fit, I think we have to go with;

11 Trimble
12 Cave
13 Payne
14 Bowe
15 Gilroy

We can't afford any more injuries to the backs. We're without Wallace, Olding AND Marshall atm. We'd think we had loads of cover at 10 with them...

Notch wrote:

clivemcl wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8dgPyqw780

Sounds like a lot of hard work if you ask me...   

Clive you should do one where you wax lyrical about the TVs you've had over the years   

#bethe1081stline

  

Wow. I've never had an established, professional sportsteam release a slick PR video to counter the effects of my online musings.

Congrats, Clive.

Notch wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:Never mind Saracens, I am concerned about the Scarlets game.

I had been worried about OH – are we really going to have to field Ruan again? Is he the best of a bunch of bad options? And now, it’s exacerbated by the issue that we might have to field McCloskey – our fifth choice IC – for the rest of the season. He looked good on Friday, but the Dragons really were poor.

If Ferris does come back, it will be emotional, never mind exciting, but really, the pressure’s on. HEC qualification depends on us fronting up.

If Luke Marshall isn't fit, I think we have to go with;

11 Trimble
12 Cave
13 Payne
14 Bowe
15 Gilroy

We can't afford any more injuries to the backs. We're without Wallace, Olding AND Marshall atm. We'd think we had loads of cover at 10 with them...

That's the obvious backline and a very strong one it is too - speaking of Wallace, has he played his last game for Ulster or is he due back?

What's the deal with Nelson? Is he injured or just off the radar?

Don Alfonso wrote:Wow. I've never had an established,  professional sportsteam release a slick PR video to counter the effects of my online musings.

Congrats, Clive.

I must have missed the line where he talks about the 16th mans three hour car journey from south Donegal every Friday after taking half days at work....   


Na, seriously though, great video - and I should know - its my profession. Man, I'd love that gig!

clivemcl wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:Wow. I've never had an established,  professional sportsteam release a slick PR video to counter the effects of my online musings.

Congrats, Clive.

I must have missed the line where he talks about the 16th mans three hour car journey from south Donegal every Friday after taking half days at work....   

Aw come off it clive, that's rubbish...... people in Donegal don't work......

Just watched against the head from last night and they made a good point we talk about Marshall's concussions and we seemingly forget a little that Marshal is still very young. My question is with that in mind should Marshall recover from this one and get another one in the near future should he retire? I ask because it is very concerning he has had so many recently

The guy on the other forum who is normally correct has said Keegan Daniel has opted to head for Japan.