Yossarian is normally our Leinster Schools Cup expert but this week he has penned a detailed breakdown of Ireland’s summer tour squads looking at who made it, and who missed out. We do delved into the professional sphere on the odd occasion when we have something alternative to offer and we think this fits the bill.

So this summer almost everyone is going on some sort of tour. Lions, North America, Tblisi or with the Under 20’s. With the under 20’s squad to be announced some time next week minus Olding and Henshaw. So who is left behind? who didn’t make the plane to go somewhere? We have a look at who is going where and who didn’t make the cut.

Before we start, here’s a quick reminder of those who weren’t considered.

Lions duty: Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, Paul O’Connell, Cian Healy.

Injured: Stephen Ferris, Eoin Reddan, Luke Fitzgerald, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Marshall, David McSharry, Keith Earls and Stephen Archer.

The North America Tour

We are also told Donnacha Ryan has earned a summer off after playing through the pain. Somewhat surprising Ross wasn’t given a break to ensure he makes the world cup because as things stand it is likely we will need him there in 2015.
Shorn of 15 likely starters if available we have the tour to North America

Posted in All Ireland League, Connacht, Featured, Leinster, Munster, Ulster No Comments »

KnockOn.ie followers

First of all thank you for logging on during past season.

Over 15,000 of you did so on a monthly basis and we are hugely encouraged by the repeat visits you have made and the positive comments we receive on our project more on which anon.

Before all that let’s just update you on what’s to come during the next few months. We have a jam packed summer of content coming your way, team profiles, to season reviews, from the history to the future. Media guides, training guides, uplifting stories and more, much more.

We’ll be in the changing rooms and behind the scenes with Ireland’s 220 + clubs and preparing for our biggest season ever in 2013/14.

Posted in All Ireland League, Connacht, Featured, Leinster, Munster, Ulster 9 Comments »

Professional rugby franchises need fans, rugby clubs need supporters. While a gathering of either at a game could correctly be referred to as a crowd, it is important to understand the distinction in a rugby context when we are discussing the future of the club game here in Ireland, writes KnockOn.ie editor Rob Murphy.

For ‘pay to play’ to work in any sport, crowds are needed, customers are essential if a sport where people are employed is to be a business. This means that if you support the argument that some level of Irish club rugby should have a pay to play, then the issue of how to attract punters to the product cannot be ignored.

Back to the main point though. There are many important components and topics in relation to the club game that need to be addressed to help map out a blueprint for its future in Ireland and one such area is spectators or crowds. Contemplating the difference between fans and supporters in regards to rugby here in Ireland could be key to that.

Amateur rugby clubs don’t need crowds but they do need supporters at their first team matches from time to time to help them grow. There are many traditionalists who will jump up and down to tell you how little they care about crowds at their games but they are ignoring the fact that just because they are not needed doesn’t mean they won’t be beneficial.

Posted in All Ireland League, Connacht, Featured, Leinster, Munster, Ulster 2 Comments »