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?

quote="Thomond"]Gibbo, disagree about McIlroy. He has to stay agressive. He goes out too defensive and he will drop shots. It's not how he plays his golf. Tommorrow maybe he can go defensive but today he has to be quite attacking.[/quote]

T,
I agree - to a certain extent. He needs to play his natural game. But... he also needs to temper it and learn "cool" at the highest level. He needs to learn when to play percentage-shots and that seems to go against his grain, when the real pressure is on. All Masters winners know that He's not there yet.

Westwood is dangerous. He has it all. He's a shark.

Notch wrote:

Thomond wrote:Seeing as it came up last week, Ireland will be represented at Wimbledon!

http://www.rte.ie/sport/tennis/2011/0618/nilandc_wimbledon.html

Apparently this goes has a 100% record against Federer too.Beat him in an U-14 match in 1994!

I'd say Federer will be out for revenge...

Did anyone else see John Isner and Nicolas Mahut got drawn together again in the first round

Best book a day off work then. I'll have some Homer Simpson bum groove by the end of that game.

MBTGOG wrote:Here's a question. At this level, do you play the guy who is better now or the one that you think will be better in the future?

How could you tell the difference - now?

I'd always go for obvious, latent, potential and feed it. But, what de phhok do I know?

Westwood has blown 3 or 4 chances to win a major. If McIlroy can remain 3-4 shots ahead I wouldn't worry too much.

Gibson wrote:

MBTGOG wrote:Here's a question. At this level, do you play the guy who is better now or the one that you think will be better in the future?

How could you tell the difference - now?

I'd always go for obvious, latent, potential and feed it. But, what de phhok do I know?

Very little.

I've watched far too much rugby today!

Condescending basteward!

Johnny Sexton? 4 years ago? No?

Thomond, everyone up here will be nervous when 'our Rory' comes up to his last round.

I mean, I don't even like golf that much!

He really is in the zone, is our Rory.

Don't know what you're talking about at all

I believe it was Deccie who stuck by him though.

It's good for the place Notch. Nice to have some positive news every now and then.

Im just loving the Europeans dominating US Golf. It really hurts em.

So the U20s won with late tries from Conway, Marshall and Annett

http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/23317.php

What I really want to know is how our lineout went- hopefully getting in for a score will help Annett as I feel he's been short of his best so far!

I don't know Gibbo, the US fans seem to like him.

Make that 13 under.

MBTGOG wrote:Don't know what you're talking about at all

I believe it was Deccie who stuck by him though.

It was Deccie - when times were bad and I dont think he will ever forget it either. Throw in Felipe as a mentor, the talent to get there and it was a done deal.

Meanwhile... back at the golf....

Need a break from sport. Going to watch Beauty and the Beast.

Night folks!

Thomond wrote:It's good for the place Notch. Nice to have some positive news every now and then.

Absolutely right Thomond! If McIlroy could bring it home over the next 27 holes- well him and GMac winning back to back US Opens would be on a par with Ulster in the European Cup in 1999. Just like that win for Ulster back then, even people who don't follow the sport will be enormously proud and it will give the sport a big boost!

Notch wrote:I don't know Gibbo, the US fans seem to like him.

When Tiger fell from grace... Rory got a wee bit cocky and said some things a young guy would say. He turned out to be right, but wasnt liked in the US for it - at the time. But yes, he is an affable man.

And dont believe for one minute that the Yanks like this. They dont do 2nd. Not in their "sporting" psyche. I was in the States for the Ryder Cup for the one before the last one. Man, I nearly got lynched. Loved it when "we" beat them though.

Ach, dropped shot.

I remember that. Yeah, even with that- I think over the past few days some of the US fans are really warming to him. They want to see good golf and he's given them some very good golf indeed.

What the golfing establishment in the US thinks about it behind closed doors- well, I can't say I'd know a thing about that

It runs deep Notch. My Mam and Dad were serious golfers and filled me in. But in fairness, they have had to come to respect European golfers since Seve. He broke the mold. Before then... it was a running-joke.

All Hail Seve.

Well I'm a bit out of my depth when it comes to the old golf

I appreciate great talent and drive in any sport though, and the way McIlroy is representing Ulster, Ireland and Europe; pretty, pretty good

Let's hope he keeps it up!

You feicin BEAUTY!

Boom Baby!

Notch wrote:So the U20s won with late tries from Conway, Marshall and Annett

http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/23317.php

What I really want to know is how our lineout went- hopefully getting in for a score will help Annett as I feel he's been short of his best so far!

Well he's our Captain. This win will have done him a power of good. Be interesting to read a full, non IRFU - report. Macken has really grown in this tournament as well.

Ulster and Leinster players have dominated the team, in a very tough group.

Oi Munsty! Can I just ask...

Wooo Rory ... cruising now.

Evening

Been too busy watching Rory to get my computer to say hello

Hello Kia. <NoRedWineSymbol>

He's goin well eh?

He's playing some glorious shots. Nothing is phasing him, even whne he does a bad shot, he recovers sensibly.

That's key. His experience in the Masters is being put to use now. He fell apart after a few really loose ones in that. He is just growing mentally stronger in this one.

He visibly Believes.

He was in Haiti last week as a UNICEF Ambassador - he said that gave him perspective. He has dealt with the Masters debacle so well. I would imagine if Tiger had done as Rory did, Tiger would have banned all questions about THAT round in press conferences - but Rory has answered every question they have asked.

Don't you just LOVE Yank pharmaceutical ads? "Take this drug for all your rheumatism ills.. It's a miracle. But... if you are susceptible to anything else in Life. Dont. "

Its good. Its advisory by the FDA. I know. But still funny.

I'm watching on sky - turn it to mute for the ads

Ludicrous shotmaking from Rory. If he keeps this up the rest of field will beleive they cant catch him which is important. He has dominated every playing partner he has had

And another. 9 shot lead

Certainly seems to know how to get his head right away from the majors and in the run-up; thats as important a part of preparation as anything.

Another birdie

First player EVER to get to 14 under in the US Open

9 ahead! Goooo Rory.

Just wake up tomorrow man. His body-language is all good.

I agree Kia. Mindset is everything. It grounded him. Tiger was in all the bad places before his fall.

Tiger was also a pain in the proverbial - the media always ignored every other player, regardles of how he was playing.

Great shot by Sergio.

I mentioned that yesterday Kia. Think the trip to Haiti really could have helped. Go on Rory boy,do it for Ireland!

Rory's on the prowl, enemies beware : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBTSG_Tryhc

They talked a lot about it yesterday - especially during the rain breaks (Haiti). It's got to have given him a different sense of himself and his place. The life of a professional sportsperson is a very pampered existence; I know they have to work hard to get anywhere, but it is not about pure survival.

Actually, I find Tiger far more interesting now, than ever before. He was a medya robot. Far too clean. Apparently. Allegedly.

Ah I'm so pleased! I've just been informed that a photo i took has been featured on the Stragngford Lough facebook page.

A mighty 55 people like the page, so clearly I'm on my way to fame

Here's the photo. A snap took while out at my parents house over Christmas. They live in a picturesque part of Northern Ireland.

Come on Rory!

Gibson wrote:Actually, I find Tiger far more interesting now, than ever before. He was a medya robot. Far too clean. Apparently. Allegedly.

Never went for him. Even before his troubles. And I certainly don't find him even remotely interesting now

KiaRose wrote:They talked a lot about it yesterday - especially during the rain breaks (Haiti). It's got to have given him a different sense of himself and his place. The life of a professional sportsperson is a very pampered existence; I know they have to work hard to get anywhere, but it is not about pure survival.

So true. Rob Kearney was feeling sorry for himself, so he jumped/was shipped-off to Africa on a charidee-gig, to see how the "other half" lived. He said it changed him.Gave him perspective. I hope it did.

In an attacking sense.

Lovely photo, Notch. Well done.

KiaRose wrote:

Gibson wrote:Actually, I find Tiger far more interesting now, than ever before. He was a medya robot. Far too clean. Apparently. Allegedly.

Never went for him. Even before his troubles. And I certainly don't find him even remotely interesting now

Yup, he's still terminally boring. I blame the pushy-parents.

Gibson wrote:

KiaRose wrote:They talked a lot about it yesterday - especially during the rain breaks (Haiti). It's got to have given him a different sense of himself and his place. The life of a professional sportsperson is a very pampered existence; I know they have to work hard to get anywhere, but it is not about pure survival.

So true. Rob Kearney was feeling sorry for himself, so he jumped/was shipped-off to Africa on a charidee-gig, to see how the "other half" lived. He said it changed him.Gave him perspective. I hope it did.

In an attacking sense.

That did make me giggle. It's great sportsmen get involved with that. Heaslip was out doing something similar as well. Bothar I believe.

KiaRose wrote:Lovely photo, Notch. Well done.

Check out some of the other shots in that album if you have time Kia. Some very nice shots.

That's beautiful Notch. <dressedorange>

Is that from taken from out Mountstewart direction Notch. Excellent photo.

Have to say i love winter landscapes. The one immediately after yours is awesome also