Danny Brosnan
As good as it seems and with certain supporters saying a fifth Irish club side equal to the provinces is a good idea. Like a battery there’s positives and negatives for having this type of team in place.
Through the looking glass
A combined provinces worked for the women’s team in the Celtic Challenge. Which later devided to become a Clovers and Wolfhounds squads. In the opening game of the refurbished Lansdowne Road a Munster and Connacht combined squad faced there Ulster and Leinster counterparts. But which one one suit here? For this article I’m going for a combined provincial side.
A place to call home.
Probably the best place geographiclly would be Dubarry Park in Athlone. Yet the fact it’s a decent drive from any airport would be an issue. Realistically it’ll probably be Musgrave Park, The RDS or the Sportsground in Galway used. But since this would be a new team Donnybrook park would probably be best choice.
Personally I’d be more in favor of Dubarry Park as it would be more central and enticing for players and supporters to go to for games.
Backroom staff and coaches.
Setting this up might be easier said than done. But we have people that would be available and have good knowledge on how to get this off the ground.
Coaching staff would be something we aren’t short on. But it’s a balance of getting the right people in the right places.
Field of dreams.
Another area we aren’t short on is players. Either born here or through qualification from a parent or grandparent or on residency. Add in the fact that players are released from provinces main squads or academy. This would give players a chance to stay in Ireland and ply there trade instead of moving abroad. Yes I’m aware the money wouldn’t be great but sometimes one step back can lead to two steps forward.
Cash flow concern’s.
This is one of the three key issues. It’s not going to that easy for the IRFU to get this setup on there own without some investment. Sponsors may not be willing to shell out big money on a new team. Private investors probably even less so. Simply because of viability in the market.
Support Base.
Another key area is will there be enough people to support the team. Yes, provided it’s not in the URC. We are all parochial with the provinces we support so having a fifth team in the URC wouldn’t be a good fit.
New or existing?
So if the were to get the green light where would they end up? The RE Super Cup? A mergered league with other teams Celtic countries and a championship or Premiership merger? There isn’t much to work with right now with in Europe. Unless a URC league two or developmental league starts up.
Needed or not?
Needed? Yes. But realistically it’s a halfway house for players to either AIL, a province or a better paying team. In saying that its part and parcel of the whole reason for having the team. Especially for late bloomers. I just hope players remember the saying “one step back, two steps forward”
In the end.
It’s 50/50 for this. Yes we definitely have the first three points on players, coaches and stadiums. Yet if the money, supporters and the right league aren’t in place then its just a pipe dream. Yet a good idea.
Reply
Forward
I believe we are loading to much good talent. I’m a massive Leinster fan and it annoys me when players are suggested to move preovences after they have come through our academy and are now quality players. My solution to this is Ireland u 20 has been a massive success and flying it last several years. Most academies are keeping there full places for after players have proved them selves at 20’s and very few players get a spot straight from school. I think there should be a center of excellence academy in the midlands that trains all the potential youths in Ireland and works with them as a pathway they go back and play AIL for there matches but if a Provence need a position filed in there academy this is the pool to get a developing player. I don’t think a draft works in the Provences as players want to play for the team they grew up supporting but if players miss out there should be a second route to another academy in Ireland. My other major change that’s a simple and ost effective one for the IRFU. If a young player goes abroad to get game time and develop that’s fine. If they become the best available option for Ireland they can get a cap while abroad. Only stipulation on next contract must sign for an Irish Provence or withdraw from being eligible for Ireland. Keeping the rule any capped player must play for a province to represent Ireland.