Replying To Doylerwex: "I actively try not to buy in to this but I'm listening to the news right now. Sports come up and it's, republic of Ireland will play Czech Republic.
Ireland prepare for massive November test against South Africa......
Seriously? Rugby is a tiny minority sport, why so much coverage?"
Replying To GreenandRed: "It's a collision sport. There were no kids playing. But it's a good sport for some kids who are too big and slow to play other sports."
And there's lots playing those other sports that have no place on a rugby pitch. They might have the physical attributes but they lack a key component.
Replying To supersub15: "S A, the best in the world they say. They took the game on a score line of 24pts to 13 pts. So we were beaten by the best team in the world by only 11 pts.
We were dished out 4 Yellows and a Red, they still only beat us by 11 pts.
We finished the first half with only 12 players on the field, they still only beat us by 11 pts.
We started the second half with only12 players on the field, they still only beat us by 11 pts.
At the second attempt Tommy O' Brien was taken out of the game, no yellow, no red, they still only beat us by 11 pts.
All the small margins over 72 mins went to S A, they still only beat us by 11 pts.
We couldn't keep up as when Snyman ? Was sent to the sin bin but was called back before Grant Williams became the first South African player to receive a yellow card with 1 minute to go.
Of the small margins and privileged discissions all went to SA.???
I'm not totally blaming anyone, but the laws in the book should be crystal clear or at least above doubt."
This is very one-eyed silly stuff. Are you saying that all of Ireland's card infringements were not infringements at all? You're ignoring any possibility that Ireland's yellow card infringements cost South Africa points too.
I think our backline needs a fresh infusion of young southern hemisphere talent to replace Bundee, Lowe and JGP, who are all getting on now. I wouldn't go looking in South Africa for backline flair, unless they can unearth a young Brian Habana type........with an Irish granny of course.
Replying To GreenandRed: "It's a collision sport. There were no kids playing. But it's a good sport for some kids who are too big and slow to play other sports."
Replying To supersub15: "S A, the best in the world they say. They took the game on a score line of 24pts to 13 pts. So we were beaten by the best team in the world by only 11 pts.
We were dished out 4 Yellows and a Red, they still only beat us by 11 pts.
We finished the first half with only 12 players on the field, they still only beat us by 11 pts.
We started the second half with only12 players on the field, they still only beat us by 11 pts.
At the second attempt Tommy O' Brien was taken out of the game, no yellow, no red, they still only beat us by 11 pts.
All the small margins over 72 mins went to S A, they still only beat us by 11 pts.
We couldn't keep up as when Snyman ? Was sent to the sin bin but was called back before Grant Williams became the first South African player to receive a yellow card with 1 minute to go.
Of the small margins and privileged discissions all went to SA.???
I'm not totally blaming anyone, but the laws in the book should be crystal clear or at least above doubt."
They still only beat us by 11 pts, when's the DVD out?
Replying To Doylerwex: "In terms of participation I think we've established that it is.
In terms of children's sport according to sport Ireland's data is as follows:
Gaelic football 30% Soccer 28% Swimming 14% Hurling 8% Basketball 7% Camogie 7% Martial arts 5% Dancing 5% Personal training 4% Gymnastics 4%
Rugby is too small to feature.
For adults according to esri by popularity:
Swimming Personal exercise Soccer Golf Jogging Cycling Gaelic football Hurling Dancing Rugby
I will say for Dublin only rugby moves up past hurling and dancing."
If, and its a big if, your assertion is accurate then rowing, athletics and boxing fall into the same category as rugby in terms of children participating. Three other sports where we punch above our weight. In terms of athletics, I suspect that some posters here will denigrate our recent improvement on that front. Plenty of rugby clubs around the country that are far removed from the lazy sterotypes perpetuated by people who are clearly insecure and uncomfortable in their own skin. Trust me, those involved in Irish rugby are just getting on with building their game. The attitude of some self appointed "true Gaels" will be to the detriment of the Gaa.