Remax leinster League

[Darce]

Well he did get Clontarf relegated in his first season......

And got them back up to fair, pushing a good belvo team hard in the final

[hands away]

whats happening in clane?? didnt play last week and game is PP this week. dont know the story behind either, is it their fault or just a coincidence both werent played?

[jimmmys]

good article on http://www.knockon.ie/?p=6897

Massive loss for Dundalk if their 15 and captain from last year is gone as he had ability to change a game. Seems to be a lot of lads moving on to senior clubs, wish them the best!

Do agree and think Coolmine will win it this year and pretty much the rest of the standings although the 1st round of games will make us have a better idea. Most open in years though

[Pete de Villier]

Exert from www.knockon.ie, any thoughts

So the League begins again on Saturday September 17 and the long summer evenings are replaced by the damp and cold weather that rugby generates. No club seems to have distanced themselves from the pack by way of recruitment over the summer, writes Leinster Ed.

If anything – unemployment and emigration has hit the provincial clubs hard. The lure of work has disarmed a number of sides of their foot soldiers for the battle ahead.

That said, it promises to be an interesting campaign, with very little between all the sides.

Caption: Who will follow Boyne and take the Leinster title.


Coolmine

A new coach in Robert Forbes makes the short journey from Suttonians, where he was in charge of the AIL side for a number of seasons, to replace Willie Anderson. Coolmine’s odds have shortened recently on the back of impressive form at the end of last season and impressive early Spencer Cup results this season.

They have been inclined to rely heavily on the play making ability of former Trinity and Lansdowne AIL player Donal Crotty. The ability of their pack to stand up to the more labour intensive packs in the division will be an indicator of where they up in the table.

Prediction: 1st

Dundalk:

Their Towns Cup form from last season sometimes hides the fact that they were runners up in the League to near neighbours and deadly enemies Boyne. Their pack is tough and uncompromising, but the suspicion is that they will miss John Dodds at ten to direct affairs.

The ability of Ene Fa’atu to build on last year’s success will be further tested by the supposed loss of outstanding full back Stephen Magee, due to travel commitments. However, the Louthmen will be a difficult proposition for anybody during the soft ground spell of the season.

Prediction: 2nd

Enniscorthy:

Declan O’Brien again has the reins on the Ross Road, having won Division 1B last season and captured the Plate for good measure. In Ross Barbour, Richard Dunne and Ivan Poole, the men from the sunny south east have three potential match winners, all capped last season by the Leinster Juniors XV.

Scorthy’s ability to hold onto their squad as a whole will have a major say in the pattern that their season takes. Coach O’Brien has had to tog out and put his shoulder to the wheel on a number of occasions last season. Their ability to find new talent may decide the success of their season.

Prediction:8th

Garda:

Surprise packets of last season, under Brian Rigney, Garda have made steady progress and consistency, once a distant memory at Westmanstown, is now a more frequent visitor. It does help that players like Paddy O’Toole, John Dever, Brian Campbell and Darragh Hughes have made themselves available to the West Dublin side.

Indeed, the steel that Rigney has brought to the pack is completed by the flair and skill of O’Toole and Hughes. Should they gain early momentum in the League, they could well challenge, should they not start so well relegation isn’t impossible.

Prediction: 4th

Monkstown

They quietly they went about their business last season. In an understated way, they regained 1A status via a playoff win over recent AIL side Co. Carlow. Coach, Kevin West, has a distinctly subtle way of going about his business, and in Sydney Parade, he doesn’t seem to have changed his work practices.

From the outside they would seem to lack the high profile names that other clubs in the division possess. Indeed, they have lost Leinster Junior James Clifford to Wanderers. The Cian Duggan led side will find things tough but may survive on memory.

Prediction: 7th

Newbridge

They would have looked at this season as a chance to make a serious impact on the Leinster League, but the loss of the Southern brothers (John and Mark) to Old Wesley, Peter Sutton to New Zealand for a year, Massey Tuhakaraina moving onto a coaching role in Portarlington and the impending retirement of club stalwart, Johnny Downey, have seriously dampened the spirits at Rosetown.

However, the evergreen Rory McCann and Terry Donnelly bring a steel to their pack that other clubs can only envy. Provided they don’t get bullied in the rainy season they should build on last season.

Prediction: 6th

Skerries

On paper, they are serious candidates for League honours, but, they need a pack. The rumour mill has suggested that Rob Connolly has moved to Boyne, reducing further their muscle up front. Carl Roche will carry a large workload into this campaign.

The Hewitt brothers , Mark and David will reunite in a very talented backline containing Derek Keane and cousin Chris. Those names alone should put the fear of god into most opponents, but, without a hardened pack it’s hard to see them gravitate towards the summit of the league ladder.

Prediction: 3rd

Tullamore

New coach, John Moylan, arrives to Spollenstown to find a club in transition. So much of Andy Melville’s time in Offaly was good, but a lack of silverware still causes regret. The loss of Geariod O’Grady to Bective was overcome, but the old guard of Ivor Scully, David Hanlon and Adrian Hanley may not have the heart for a full League campaign.

The arrival of Colin Malone and Tom Gilligan from the West Offaly Lions will add some strength to the squad, while the development of Ger Molloy and John Maloney will be indicative of what progress has been made. Indifferent attitude to League to remain.

Prediction: 5th

Opening games…
Saturday September 17 (3:00)
Skerries v Tullamore
Dundalk v Enniscorthy
Garda v Newbridge
Coolmine v Monkstown

Editors Note: There was a mistake on the original post which we’ve update (1:30pm) Skerries are in fact predicated to finish 3rd (not eight) and Enniscorthy 8th (not 3rd). We’re calling it a ‘copy and paste’ error. Apologies.

[The Galloping Ghost]

[/b]

Exert from http://www.knockon.ie, Newbridge

They would have looked at this season as a chance to make a serious impact on the Leinster League, but the loss of the Southern brothers (John and Mark) to Old Wesley, Peter Sutton to New Zealand for a year, Massey Tuhakaraina moving onto a coaching role in Portarlington and the impending retirement of club stalwart, Johnny Downey, have seriously dampened the spirits at Rosetown.

However, the evergreen Rory McCann and Terry Donnelly bring a steel to their pack that other clubs can only envy. Provided they don’t get bullied in the rainy season they should build on last season.

Prediction: 6th

Ehhhhh Has anybody bothered to tell Johnny Downey that he's retiring??

[was never late ref]

Attention Mr Johnny Downey

You are NOW retired , newbridge no longer want or need you , now close the door after you .


... there ya go ghost , no need to thank me .....

[Pete de Villier]

Attention Mr Johnny Downey

You are NOW retired , newbridge no longer want or need you , now close the door after you .


... there ya go ghost , no need to thank me .....

I hope, for your sake, you are never on the end of one of his runs....

A great servant to Newbridge and Junior Rugby, would be missed by any team in the Leinster League

[the spoofer]

Anyone know what the story is with Buccs/Tullamore?

Seems some of the Buccs lads wanted to join Tullamore but there is a hold up in transfers. Is this common?

[r e seeding]

seemingly alot of clubs are down well on numbers

can anyone show some light on this ?

[theflash]

Go figure... The big R. Emigration, no jobs, no money. Check out RTE 1 round 6 most evenings...

[Carter Pewterschmidt]

RTE1...around 6 most evenings...it can only be the angelus...it all makes sense now.

[Pete de Villier]

This weekend's fixtures and predictions

Skerries vs Tullamore Home Win, Lossing Bonus
Coolmine vs Monkstown Home win
Garda vs Newbridge Home win, lossing bonus
Dundalk vs Enniscorthy Home win with Bonus

[theflash]

Skerries vs Tullamore Away win, losing bonus
Coolmine vs Monkstown Home win with bonus
Garda vs Newbridge Away win
Dundalk vs Enniscorthy Home win

[train_wrecked]

[/b]

Exert from http://www.knockon.ie, Newbridge

They would have looked at this season as a chance to make a serious impact on the Leinster League, but the loss of the Southern brothers (John and Mark) to Old Wesley, Peter Sutton to New Zealand for a year, Massey Tuhakaraina moving onto a coaching role in Portarlington and the impending retirement of club stalwart, Johnny Downey, have seriously dampened the spirits at Rosetown.

However, the evergreen Rory McCann and Terry Donnelly bring a steel to their pack that other clubs can only envy. Provided they don’t get bullied in the rainy season they should build on last season.

Prediction: 6th

Ehhhhh Has anybody bothered to tell Johnny Downey that he's retiring??

Seems the boys at knockon.ie have made a few errors in personell with their previews, James Clifford aka TAZ, scored today playing for Monkstown beating Coolmine away, seems there were a few surprises across the board in 1a, Garda, Coolmine and Dundalk all recording loses.

ps long term reader first time contributor at BB,

[Pete de Villier]

Couple of shockers, really surprised at the Newbridge, Garda result, high scoring game and the Enniscorthy, Dundalk result. Anyone at these matches?? What happen the the favourites Coolmine?

[train_wrecked]

Couple of shockers, really surprised at the Newbridge, Garda result, high scoring game and the Enniscorthy, Dundalk result. Anyone at these matches?? What happen the the favourites Coolmine?

Very surprised by the Garda result seeing as they stormed through 1a last year, have they lost people? Monkstown pack starved the Coolmine team of possession, Coolmine thrive off fast ball and attacking from anywhere but with no ball they just couldnt get going, even resorted to kicking which is unfamiliar for them, lot of new signings at Monkstown.

[r e seeding]

Ashbourne vs Cill Dara/ this one will be Cill Dara
Clondalkin vs Co Carlow/ could be a close one Co Carlow i reckon
Longford vs Portlaoise/ going to go with Longford here
Tullow vs Wicklow/ Wicklow me thinks

Just my 10cents worth

[the spoofer]

Ashbourne vs Cill Dara/ this one will be Cill Dara
Clondalkin vs Co Carlow/ could be a close one Co Carlow i reckon
Longford vs Portlaoise/ going to go with Longford here
Tullow vs Wicklow/ Wicklow me thinks

Just my 10cents worth

I'm going against all promoted teams so

Cill Dara
Carlaw
'Laoise - we couldnt arrange to play them on the small pitch.
Wicklow

to win

[Barack Obama]

Cill Dara
Carlow
Longford
Tullow

On a side note I understand that 25% of games scheduled in Leinster since the start of the season have had to be cancelled. Obviously they are primarily J2/J3 games. The primary reason given has been lack of numbers. The branch have emailed clubs recently to find out the full extent of the problem but it isseverely affecting some.

[hands away]

Leinster League - Division 1A

15:00 Coolmine vs Dundalk home win
15:00 Enniscorthy vs Garda home win
15:00 Newbridge vs Skerries home win
15:00 Tullamore vs Monkstown away win

Leinster League - Division 1B

15:00 Ashbourne vs Cill Dara away win
15:00 Clondalkin vs Co Carlow away win
15:00 Longford vs Portlaoise home win, cant see all 3 new sides losing at home, and based on last year longford are best positioned for a scalp
15:00 Tullow vs Wicklow home win

Leinster League - Division 2A

15:00 Kilkenny vs New Ross home win
15:00 Malahide vs Clane home win, clane didnt field in a few preseason games
15:00 North Kildare vs Portarlington away win
15:00 Roscrea vs West Offaly Lions home win