Danny Brosnan
As mentioned in the previous article about Munster. How do rebuild a team that encapsulates the grit from teams gone by for the new age.
What’s got to change?
For some it’s the board. Not something I’m going to argue with on the surface. But would a change of the guard change the culture completely? It’s possible. But then theres the possibility of going to the other extreme and still ending up in the same predicament.
Do we abandon the schools for the clubs and clubs only? We’ve a share of both and honestly need to cast our net to both.
Does the culture or group mentality within the province need to change? Absolutely.
Neighbors being noisy and rightfully so.
Looking at how the other three provinces have been going this season. It compounds our issues even more.
Ulster until Dan McFarland left showed promise before Dan Mac hit the self destruct button and went on his way. Richie Murphy came in and has worked wonder’s. Partially because of his philosophy of giving young guys time, having a positivity and ethic that gets the best from all involved.
Connacht have had issues. Andy Friend got Connacht back on track after somewhat of a derailment by Kieran Keane and some continued good work by Peter Wilkins. But the master stroke of signing Stuart Lancaster brought them to another level.
These two provinces had a few things in common. One, board unity and support with getting the best for there respect provinces. Now don’t get me wrong I’m sure supporters of both have issues with there respective boards. Two, they went from making fans wonder which half they would turn up for and which they would self destruct to a team that can play more consistently. Three, mind you this is an outsider looking in, but they seem to have a better way of getting players through the academy system they we do. Albeit with provincial transfers to senior squad.
And let’s not forget the current gold standard bearers Leinster. With everything looking like it’s running smoothly. With an overflow of academy prospects, regularly contending in the business end of the season. They did the two things we should have done.
Driven to success.
With one empire’s slow decline an another comes up on the rise. Which is what has happened with these provincial rivals. Each part of the Leinster machine since 2007 has been adapted to success, support, gain involvement and stay that way.
I say that with upmost respect as this is where we failed to capitalize on our two champions cup victories. We had young lads wanting to be the next big player. The next ROG, Paulie, Wallace et all. But whether it was tribalism, politics or sheer lack of foresight it never materialized. We still live on that glory.
We’re still paying for Thomond, but Connacht even with there limited budget are doing better than us. Leinster put plans in place to keep success. Ulster got there board together and everything else together.
The great unknown.
It’s the darkest time with more uncertainty than anything else. But it’s a time for finding ourselves.
We can learn from our neighbors. But put our twist on it. But we will not do anything good for our province until we have reached our darkest point and our backs are to the wall. Whether we fall into ruins or rise from the ashes is on us.
I’ll leave you with this.
“Winning? Is that what you think it’s about? I’m not trying to win. I’m not doing this because I want to beat someone, or because I hate someone… I do what I do, because it’s right! Because it’s decent! And above all, it’s kind… Who I am is where I stand. Where I stand is where I fall.”
a quote from Peter Capaldi’s Doctor Who.