Leinster Rugby

Now that Munster rugby has had its day the sophisticats of the east coast have taken over and are set to bring the game to a new level. No disrespect to Munster who bashed their way to a couple of Heino Cups by stuffing the ball up their jumper - but Leinster are the real deal. It must be a few years now since they beat the Leinster top dogs. The Munster fans too have had their day. The erstwhile romantic and tall stories of Limerick and Cork farmers travelling to matches on tractors and by any other such vehicles have dried up. Rugby is back in D4 - its spiritual home - though Munster may still dominate the third tier AIL.

And what a joy to see the innovative rugby that Leinster play. Total rugby and in keeping with the Dublin sporting ethic of playing a game the way it should be played and in a flamboyant and entertaining way. And nice it is too to see the lesser counties such as Carlow, Wexford, Kildare, Louth and Meath getting some representation. How the fans of those counties must have delighted in singing Come on ye Boys in Blue last Friday night in the RDS. Secret Dublin GAA fans all - and now in a Dublin stadium singing the Boys in Blue anthem. These fans must surely hope that Leinster may get back to Croker for a Heineken Cup Final and enable them to do something they have secretly always wanted - yes the boys from Carlow, Wexford, Kildare, Louth and Meath covet a chance to sing this ditty from Hill 16 - and be like the Dublin GAA fans. Who knows - it may happen! Onwards and upwards - C'mon ye Boys in Blue!

As predicted Munster on the slide. A lot of good players now the wrong side of the 30 mark and not a lot coming through.

Hayes is 37, Quinlan 36, Wallace 34, Horan, Stringer and O'Gara all 33, Flannery, O'Driscoll are 32 as is Dougie Howlett while O'Connell and O'Callaghan are 31. Their imports have not had the impact of previous ones and their discipline has been wretched. Hard to see them having any real impact for a while as real transition and surgery are needed.

Thanks goodness for Leinster - what a superb outfit.

Leinster are indeed the 2nd best province now that Munster are in decline.

Good to see the game spreading to traditionally weak areas.

Yes indeed. South Africa Ulster have always had a strong rugby tradition ....

Jayo Cluxton wrote:Yes indeed. South Africa Ulster have always had a strong rugby tradition ....

They haqve indeed.

they won the inter provincials 48 times in a row before the professional era when teams began to import ringers.

Also supplied a number of Captains to the lions, and Ireland's 3 best players of all time.

patrique wrote:

Jayo Cluxton wrote:Yes indeed. South Africa Ulster have always had a strong rugby tradition ....

They haqve indeed.

they won the inter provincials 48 times in a row before the professional era when teams began to import ringers.

Also supplied a number of Captains to the lions, and Ireland's 3 best players of all time.

BOD hides the Northern Accent well.

Jonsmith wrote:BOD hides the Northern Accent well.

I take it you refer to Gibson, McBride and Kyle. Good players indeed - but not in the same league as BOD. Beest player to ever pull on a Leinster, Irish and Lions jersey. Be glad you were around when he was - cos they don't come around that often.