McLaughlin Focussing on PRO12

Posted on May 3, 2012 in Irish Rugby, Ulster

After Saturday’s historic Heineken Cup semi final win over Edinburgh, Ulster have turned their attentions back to the RaboDirect PRO12 and the trip to Thomond Park to take on Inter-pro rivals Munster.

Head Coach Brian McLaughlin said: “The mood in the camp has been fantastic this week. We are back in training and the standard has been high as we prepare for Munster on Saturday. It is always a difficult place to go and Munster will put everything into winning the PRO12. It is another vital match for us.”

Going into the last round of fixtures, Ulster need to register a bonus point win and hope Glasgow and Scarlets pick up nothing from their games, if they are to reach the PRO12 play off for the second successive year. McLaughlin is fully aware that the chances of progression are slim:

“We have to be honest; it’s a long shot now with one game remaining. But we did a great job in Limerick a few weeks ago in the quarter final and we will approach the game with the same mindset. We have proved Ulster can do a job no matter where we play. We need to get a win and hope that other results are favourable so it’s not ideal.”

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Munster’s Paul Darbyshire passes away

Posted on Jun 20, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Paul Darbyshire, the head of fitness and conditioning for Munster, passed away in his sleep peacefully this morning.

Diagnosed last September with motor neurone disease, Paul Darbyshire fought an inspiring battle against the illness before finally succumbing to it in the early hours of the morning.

News of his death was revealed to Munster players and management this morning at Thomond Park as they assembled for stage 2 of the Munster Rugby fundraising cycle.

The cycle began yesterday with the opening leg from Cork to Limerick which was attended by Paul’s wife Lindsay.

The cycle will continue to Roscrea RFC today and the final Irish stage will see the cyclists go from Portlaoise RFC to Trinity College (via Maynooth) tomorrow.

RIP

Magners League Grand Final Review

Posted on May 31, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

All that was good in the 2010/11 Magners League was on show for the Grand Final at a packed Thomond Park in  Limerick on Saturday.

The team that finished top of the table after the regular 22 match league phase hosted the side that came second, but this season, unlike last, the result went to form.

Top seeds, Munster, who had headed the table since Round 2 and were unbeaten at home during their entire campaign, recorded a second season’s victory over Leinster and in doing so claimed the Magners League Grand Final trophy.

Leinster, for the second season in succession, came away with runners up medals, and missed the opportunity of becoming the first Celtic team to hold a domestic and European double.

The exuberant supporters led to the sense of occasion with blue and red flags adorning Thomond Park, and a pulsating game was a fitting finale for the League’s title sponsors, Magners Irish Cider.

Magners League Grand Final Preview

Posted on May 25, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Munster earned the right to host the Magners League Grand Final  at their home venue after finishing as the top team in the regular season and then beating the Ospreys 18-11 in their Play-Off at Thomond Park.

Their opponents, Leinster, saw off the inter-provincial challenge of Ulster with a 18-3 victory in the Play-Off at the RDS to claim their second consecutive appearance in the Grand Final.

Despite the Munster’s impressive record in the Magners League this season, winning the title is not a forgone conclusion – the inaugural Magners League Grand Final was won by the second seeds, Ospreys, and when you include the English and French tournaments which have long been decided in this manner, in 15 previous finals the top seed has won just six.

Add to that mix the fact that Leinster will be  looking to create a unique Celtic double of winning both the European and domestic titles for the first time, and the age old rivalry that an Irish interprovincial match always brings out, there is all to play for at a sold-out Thomond Park on Saturday.

Magners League Grand Final

Posted on May 16, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The 2011 Magners League Grand Final will be played between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park, Limerick on Saturday, 28 May (Kick-off 5.05pm).

Munster earned the right to host the game at their home venue after finishing as the No 1 team in the regular Magners League season and then beating the Ospreys 18-11 in their semi-final at Thomond Park on Saturday, 14 May.

Tickets for the Grand Final are on sale now through the Munster Rugby Clubs and Munster Rugby Supporters Club – with prices remaining the same for the fans as in the Play-Offs

Any remaining tickets will go on public sale on Thursday, 19 May. Public tickets will be available from the following sources next week:
• www.munsterrugby.ie :
• Thomond Park Stadium ticket Office – +353 (0) 61421103
• Munster Rugby Ticket Office Tramore Rd. Cork
• Munster rugby stores in Limerick & Cork
• Ticketmaster outlets nationwide
• Ticketmaster 24 hour ticket hotline – +353 (0) 818 719 300
Tickets will be priced at:
Category A (Stand) – €40
Category B (Stand) – €30
Adult Terrace – €20
Junior Terrace* – €10
Family Terrace (2+2)* – €40
Adult & Child Cat B* – €40
Leinster’s Grand Final ticket allocation are on sale to Leinster Season Ticket holders and will be going on public sale at 10.00am on Monday, 16 May. For further details please log on to www.ticketmaster.ie/Leinster-Rugby-tickets/artist/952217?brand=ie