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The Munster A team have had the perfect warm up for their B&I cup semi-final beating Esher 50 -21 in what looked like a one sided affair. The team mainly made up of youths due to player commitments in the AIL and Munster’s up coming game against Connacht

Munster: Troy Smith (Midleton), Ronan O’Mahony (Garryowen), Mike Kelliher (Richmond), Mossie Lawlor (Shannon), Luke O’Dea (Shannon), Paul Rowley (UL Bohs), Aiden McNulty (UL Bohs), Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohs), Mike Sherry (Garryowen), Pa O’Regan (UL Bohs), Frank McKenna (Garryowen), Fergal Walsh (Shannon), Dave Sherry (Garryowen), Eoghan Grace (Shannon), Paddy Butler (Shannon). Replacements: Duncan Casey (Shannon), James Cronin (Highfield), Darragh Frawley (UL Bohs), Kieran O’Gorman (UL Bohs), Cathal Sheridan (UL Bohs), Johnny Holland (UCC), David Maloney (UL Bohs)

Some interesting news coming out of Headquarters. There maybe another option for stricken who can’t afford Michael O’Leary “low cost fairs to soak up some atmosphere right here at home. Thomond park Stadium company are considering having a large screen erected in front of the east stand. Could be a good day.

From their Facebook page.

” We at Thomond Park Stadium are considering having a big screen located in front of the east stand in the Stadium for the HC Semi-Final on Sunday 2nd May. However, we are looking to get feedback from the supporters on what they want. Would supporters pay a nominal entrance fee to cover costs of a big screen? What would be their expectations of the day if it did go ahead?”

Thumbs up from me if the price is right (and bars open). Maybe we could replicate the atmosphere of Limerick in 2006. I draw your attention to (1:48)

Anyone else still feeling the euphoria from the week end. A tribute to this Man. ( Probably many more to come)

Read the rest of this entry »

The highs and lows of Munster Rugby this year have seen both ends of the spectrum more than once. One week the team look like they’re so far over the hill the fell off it. The next they are world beaters. I myself have questioned the commitment of some players and the intelligence of the coaching staff. Most fans expect Munster to win, yet in the dark days of this season no one could expect that we would be in with a real shot of winning the double. Our Magners League campaign has been laughable at stages with some really disheartening results. (Leinster). The one thing that has become clear in that H’cup Munster and Magners League  Munster are two different animals.

So now that we are in the business end of the season, what does one consider a “good” season? We are in the Semi of the H’cup and potentially a semi in the Magners. Do we need to win one? Will two finals do? Personally I feel that Munster will make both finals. If by chance Leinster also make both finals my criteria for a good season will be to at least win the H’cup. (Yes I am sour and bitter)

The Good

The Bad

A Interprovincial in Thomond Park

Show your support this Thursday evening in Thomond Park when Munster A take on their Connacht counterparts at
6.30pm.
The Munster A side remain undefeated in their Interprovincial ties this season, recording wins against Ulster and Leinster, and they hope to continue their winning run when they take on Connacht A on Thursday in
Thomond Park, ko 6.30pm.
Gates open at 5.30pm

Cash entrance via turnstile 3 in the East Stand of Thomond
Park

Adult: €5     Schoolboy: €2

Its a black day in Munster as MunsterBlogger understands that Doug Howlett is to leave Munster the end of this season.

Heavensgame are reporting the New Zealand Rugby Union appears to be preparing to raid the top European clubs to further bolster their playing ranks in time for the 2011 Super 15 season and crucial home World Cup. Read the rest of this entry »

21 year old Clarence Harding from Kent has been blinded in a rugby match after an he had his eye gouged out by an opponent.
Clarence, 26, was playing in a cup clash between local rivals in Kent when the number-eight was left in agony.
His family branded it an ‘intentional and vicious attack’.

His father Charles said: ‘He purposefully tried to injure our son.’

The family could consider suing opposition team Maidstone who hosted the match at their ground at Mote Park.

The game continued after Clarence was taken off injured while his team, Gravesend, went on to claim victory with a 41-5 scoreline.

Shocking incident and will surely have repercussions in the professional game. Disciplinary committees will need to take an even harsher approach when dealing with eye gouging

An official statement from Celtic Rugby Ltd this afternoon.

“The Board of Celtic Rugby Ltd. are disappointed that it has not proven possible to conclude a satisfactory agreement with the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) that would have seen the addition of two Italian teams into the Magners League in September 2010.

“In March 2009 Celtic Rugby agreed in principle to the possible enlargement of the Magners League through the addition of two Italian teams subject to certain conditions being met in terms of commercial, finance, playing standards and playing/spectator facilities.

“Celtic Rugby engaged Deloitte to conduct a comprehensive “due diligence” process to satisfy the shareholders and existing Magners League clubs of the feasibility, financial and otherwise of this structural change to the Magners League and in particular to ensure there was no resulting net cost to the existing ten clubs.

“Following an extensive process that involved consultations with FIR and its nominated clubs, the existing Magners League participants and Celtic Rugby, Deloitte provided a report to Celtic Rugby in December 2009, clarifying the various parameters that had been met and that would need to be met. Despite extensive discussions between Celtic Rugby and FIR in December and January it has not been possible to reach a satisfactory agreement by the deadline set of end January 2010, clarity being required at this point in order to plan not only the Magners League but also Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup for the 2010/2011 season.”

The destinations around the globe that saw a Munster presence included Chicago, New York, Dubai, Portugal, Sydney and Grenoble while Doug Howlett and Jeremy Manning flew home to New Zealand to lend their support to their bro Lifeimi Mafi when he gets married to Sera on Saturday.

Just in.

Press release from the FIR Itialy are not going to enter two teams into the Magners League siteing money as the main reason

From http://www.federugby.it translation by Google

The Italian Rugby Federation, after months of intense negotiations and a thorough internal review process, announced today find themselves in a position of having to stop all negotiations with the Board of Magners Celtic League on the entry of two entities Starting with the Italian sports. Tale decision was taken following the demands of an economic nature ultimately advanced by the Board itself, and considered by FIR is not acceptable to the entity is facing because of the sun for the sole benefit selections already participating in the league.

“I am most sorry – said the federal president Giancarlo Dondi – is that these requests have emerged only in the final stage of negotiations. If we were made aware in advance of excessive economic demands of the Board of Magners we would have avoided a long and arduous path. This bitter decision, which comes from the sole purpose of preserving the dignity of Italian rugby, can not and must not in any way constitute a brake on the growth of the movement rugby in our country.
If there are no second thoughts by the Celtic Board I’m sure that, through alternative routes, they did reach the targets with great earnestness and perseverance, we have set. In the coming months we will work with even greater intensity and commitment to ensure that national competitions can be more training for the high level and attractive to sponsors and the general public. “