Yet
again Ireland flattered to deceive with many of
O' Stunted's "Untouchables" coming up short.
Croke Park was devoid of atmosphere
as Ireland went through the motions on the pitch. There was an attempt
to get "Fields of Athenry" going in the second
half but it died a quick death as Italy came more and more into
the match.
Indeed, outside of Ireland's try,
the crowd were most voluble when they booed O'Stunted after pictures
of the expressionless coach appeared on the big screens.
Ireland started reasonably well
and a try in the 18th minute from an O'Gara cross kick fielded by
Trimble who passed inside to Dempsey should have set the scene
for a more relaxed performance. However with 87% of the Ireland
side under no fear of being dropped, Ireland regurgitated the game
plan they used against World Cup giants Georgia and Namibia and
set about defending their lead and hoping to pick up penalties.
The Italian pack started to get
on top in the second half and they drove over for a try on the hour.
A now nervous Ireland responded with very little but they managed
to hold out for a win.
From the Ulster point of view
Trimble had a good game and together with Reddan looked to be one
of Ireland's better players. Best had a mixed game with some poor
line outs and will probably give way to Jackman as O'Stunted pays
lip service to
appeasing the ever more restless Southern press. It will be no
surprise if O'Stunted brings in Horgan to replace D'Arcy rather
than put Trimble in the centre and bring in Bowe. How he justifies
this will be interesting given Bowe's and Horgan's displays on
Friday night.
So while the rest of the Six Nations sides try to develop for
the 2011 World Cup, O'Stunted continues to look for self justification
for Ireland World Cup fiasco. Expect Ireland to win only one more
game this series.
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"RUGBY BALLS" from
RAVENHILL
Workmen
are still struggling to repair the upstairs lounge
in the beer tent. A spokesman for Ulster Rugby said that a huge
tear had been caused in the roof by someone with a plastic glass.
He added that from now on all plastic glasses will be banned and
supporters will only be served draught beer into cupped hands.
He recommended asbestos gloves if anyone should want a hot port.
The Irish Olympic Water Polo team have been offered use of the
big puddle outside the beer tent to help in their preparation
for the Beijing Olympics. A fee will be charged but this will
barely cover the cost of getting the overflow from the gents and
the beer tent diverted.
At a meeting of the Ulster Rugby Supporters Club, message board
celebrity mr van helsing, was proposed and seconded by everyone
there to represent Ulster Rugby in the new BBC NI TV reality show
,' Celebrity Bomb Disposal'.
Our legal representative has pointed out to Ulster Rugby that
Welsh rugby fans visiting Ulster should be made aware that it
is illegal to use ryphanol with sheep anywhere in Ulster and particularly
in night clubs.
A sponsored moan in aid of the' Spectacles for Referees' charity
will be held from now until the end of the season. Moaners and
whiners should ring Ulster Rugby at 02890 ****** and get it off
their chest. Ask for Mike. Calls will be charged at 2p per minute
and it is anticipated enough money will be left over to sign Carter,
Matfield, and Habana for Ulster.
Ulster Rugby Supporters Club held it's first annual 'Fun Day'
recently and it was hailed as a great success and shows signs
of becoming a fixture in the URSC calendar. Police dogs did tricks
and Ulster Rugby supplied an unopposed rolling maul which unfortunately
disintegrated within five metres of the try line.
FOR SALE
Moulinex Teasdrunk. Wake up every morning to a hot empty cup!
£20 ono.
Inflatable Pin Cushion Very disappointing. Hence £2 for
quick sale!
Wrist Magnets Prevent unwanted hand clapping and spurious outbreaks
of spontaneous applause! £2 per pair or £5 for two
pair.
99 Cone without Flake Was £1.50, will accept £1.38.
Melting. Please hurry!
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Letters.
Dear
Ed,
Though you might like this photo from the weekend
trip to dublin. It's of a timetable in Dublin Train Station.
Look at the date when it goes into effect!!
The irish are way ahead of themselves.
Yours,
Davy
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Did You Know?
The
word 'try'came
from the early days of the sport when the main object and only
way of scoring was kicking the ball between the posts - the conversion.
Touching the ball down over the goal line - the touchdown as it
was called - allowed a side to 'try' for the conversion
kick. As years wore on, the 'try' became more important
than the kick.
From THE TRIVIA LOVERS' GUIDE TO
RUGBY
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Rugby on TV
Friday
8th February
19:10 Wales v Scotland U20 International BBC2 Wales (19:00-21:00)
BBC Interactive (19:00-21:00)
19:30 Stade Francais v Brive Top 14 British Eurosport 2 (19:15-21:15)
Saturday 9th February
Rugby Union 14:00 Wales v Scotland Six Nations BBC1 (13:50-15:50)
S4C (13:30-16:15)
Rugby Union 16:00 France v Ireland Six Nations BBC1 (15:50-17:45)
Sunday 10th February
Rugby Union 15:00 Italy v England Six Nations BBC1 (14:50-17:05)
Friday 15th February
17:10 Sharks v Western Force Super 14 Sky Sports Xtra (17:00-19:00)
19:10 Llanelli v Glasgow Magners League BBC2 Wales (19:00-21:00)
BBC Interactive (19:00-21:00)
19:30 Edinburgh v Munster Magners League Setanta Sports 2 (19:20-21:30)
19:30 Ulster v Dragons Magners League Setanta Ireland (19:30-21:45)
19:30 Montpellier v Biarritz Top 14 British Eurosport 2 (19:15-21:15)
Saturday 16th February
06:35 Blues v Chiefs Super 14 Sky Sports 2 (06:30-08:30)
08:30 Waratahs v Hurricanes Super 14 Sky Sports 2 (08:30-11:00)
14:15 Bath v Wasps Guinness Premiership Sky Sports 2 (14:15-17:00)
Sky Sports HD2 (14:15-17:00)
17:05 Cheetahs v Lions Super 14 Sky Sports 2 (17:00-19:00)
17:30 Ospreys v Connacht Magners League Setanta Sports 1 (17:25-19:30)
S4C
19:30 Leinster v Cardiff Magners League Setanta Sports 2 (19:00-21:30)
S4C
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