sports bits
Ulster beat a second string Munster side 19 -9 in the Magners League to finish off the slim hope that Munster had of catching up with Leinster. For the Heineken cup final the red army will have to change to their second strip and turn into the blue army as Toulouse who also wear red won the coin toss for choice of jersey for the final. Munster will use the North dressing room at the Millenium stadium, the same one that they had in 2006.
Cork city beat Limerick 37 by a score of 3 to nil last night in the league cup in front of a lowly crowd of 292 people. Most people were probably watching Utd V Barca. Shelbourne are up next at Jackman Park in the league on Friday night, kick off 7.45pm.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:06 am
That’s Connacht well and truly screwed. You’d think they almost rescheduled this game so close to the HEC semi final to benefit Ulster.
May 1st, 2008 at 11:25 am
Felt sorry for Barry Murphy.I know Keith Earls was injured last night but he should have seen more game time this year-what is the point in playing Anthony Horgan @this stage??
Kidney has been quite willing to give the likes of O Leary, Mush , & Hurley their chance -why not Earls.
Maybe he should have been born in Cork!!
I know he was a great rugby league player but Carney hasn’t impressed me at all.
Dowling may not be as dynamic a player but he gets through an amount of work and is far more effective.
May 1st, 2008 at 1:51 pm
True Colm, whatever about strength on the field, the Leinster-Ulster “Old Boys” network within the IRFU likes to keep the safety of the Northern Brethren first and foremost in their thoughts.
Donnie, in fairness Earls and a few other players were exempted as they are being released for AIL semi-final matches this w/e (afaik). The rescheduling of this match had all to do with ensuring Ulster’s place in next season’s HEC was secured and its timing did not suit Munster in any way - in fact it was originally pencilled in for Tuesday. No consideration for Munsters European Cup campaign at all.
Carney hasn’t lived up to expectations, true, but its a gamble (moving from League to Union) that has had few success stories, I wouldn’t doubt his commitment but in hindsight he should have taken up Union much earlier. It’s a far tougher game than many in RL give it credit for.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:05 pm
is keith earls a good player. i know him a bit and i must say he is a lovely pleasant young man his parents must be very proud of him. i havent actually seen him play yet.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Starkie - He’s got great potential. Made a fantastic break of 50m against Ospreys lately. Whether he can break through to the Munster team past Mafi & Topoki in the next few years is the question. He will certainly be in contention for a place in 2 years. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a bid from another club for him in the meantime though, don’t know what his length of contract with Munster is.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I suppose Ulster will be going on for the next 30 years about how they beat Munster and it will grow into a legand.
I’m sure though that they will fail to mention that it was only the second string Munster team that they beat :-)