Not for the first time this season am I glad that I made the conscious decision not to do any write-ups immediately after the match for if I did for this one I’m sure it would have been a Raging Raven type rant on the incompetence of George Clancy.
It’s certainly a long time since I’ve shouted so much at the TV. So much so that my aging mutt decided it would be safer to release his brussel sprout and turkey fuelled gasses in another room rather than stay in close proximity to a raging madman.
No, to concentrate on Clancy would be a disservice to the Ulster players who travelled down to the RDS and took it to the European champions in their own back yard. But for a forward pass, a miss fielded catch and a lucky bounce Ulster would have been coming away with a win rather than a loss which definitely flattered their unimpressive hosts.
Leinster created very little outside their two fortunate tries and on another day they could have conceivably been on the end of a good beating, with Ulster creating three or four clear cut scoring opportunities. Unfortunately they lacked the clinical finishing of their opponents and therein lies the true story of this game. Leinster scored with their only two opportunities whereas Ulster failed to finish off their numerous breaks.
However, Ulster can take many positives from this game. Questions were asked of our second string players and they certainly came up with the answers with Anderson, Smith, Shiels, Whitten and O’Connor all having good games and even with the absence of Ulster’s power players they outgunned their opponents in the scrum and the lineout. On another day the scrum would have been a constant source of penalties as Healey constantly struggled against the classy Botha.
Ulster’s front five really are becoming an impressive unit, with the second row pairing of Tuohy and O’Donoghue quickly becoming one of the best combinations around. The back row edged the breakdowns and it must be remembered that it was a back row without Ferris, Diack and Pollock and even when Tuohy had to drop back for the injured Henry they more than held their own for the final fifteen minutes.
As it was the decisions went with Leinster, it was one of those days, but I don’t think Ulster would be too worried if they were up against the Mexicans in the RDS in the play off quarterfinals.
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6 Responses to “Leinster 15 Ulster 3”
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I have been a long time admirer of George Clancys incompetence but until the Ulster Branch grow a set and demand neutral referees get used to losing. Oh thats right we have. The last time anything was neutral in Ireland was the Republic during both world wars! Is it only a coincidence that the last time we beat the Mexicans it was with an English referee? O’Brien should have got two yellows (the second would therefore be red) for two professional fouls but that would be childish to point out. The Ladyboys know they got a good hiding upfront and but for Clancy and a couple of forward passes would have lost. Bring on the Bog men of Turnipstan.
PS Good to see my tip to make a break through this season get a game , Jamie Smith , maturity beyond his years. Well done.
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Despite the moans and groans and whinneys and whines above, I thought it was a cracking game – great entertainment, which after all, is what it’s all about. A good Ulster performance against a great side. I was in the North Stand so wasn’t aware that D’Arcy’s pass to Kearney was forward – not too many protests from the 18,000+ crowd! It was more of a soft try as was Heaslip’s – a big Garryowen that Ulster failed to deal with. Again, looking positively, we produced some excellent creative attacking rugby and were let down by the final pass.
I think many of us were expecting a Munster v Connacht scoreline. Looking forward to this Saturday.
Saturday was my first URSC trip and I must say the organisation was excellent though the ‘choir’ on the way home was shite. I suggest that such ‘singing’ is more injurious to minors than alcohol on the bus!
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Despite the moans and groans and whinneys and whines above, I thought it was a cracking game – great entertainment, which after all, is what it’s all about.
If you want entertainment go to the movies. Professional rugby is about winning you loser.
On second thoughts perhaps choir practice might be more up you street
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Are you raging?
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Do you like losing?
PS Happy New Year.
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Not particularly but I don’t get upset about it.
Happy New Year to you too.
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