Having followed Ulster pretty constantly for the last twelve years it’s somewhat disturbing to witness the seismic shift in expectations for the team this season
After so many years of travelling in hope rather than expectation I still find myself surprised to hear and read the overall appreciation of the team from those outside the Province.
I think there is something in the Ulster, and particularly the Northern Ireland, identity that perversely enjoyed the barren years, the us against the world, the punchy underdog tag and even the sometimes, frankly, bigoted reporting from the southern press (which I suppose was marginally better than just being ignored by the UK press! ) as we flattered to deceive and embraced one false dawn after another.
In truth we were never that bad, but we did lack the confidence of our Southern cousins in Munster and then Leinster and we did not fulfil our potential.
Things are changing and changing at a surprising rate. Living and working in Galway the last six months I’m constantly surprised by the genuine warmth and respect from our provincial rivals that surrounds this current team. Everyone loves a winner, but they genuinely want Ulster to do well . . .
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