Leinster Academy 2021-22

[Pilotman123]

Schools rugby has been played for 133 years and was played during the Spanish flu, World war 1, World War 2, the war of independence and the Civil War but yet they’re not letting it being played due to Corona Virus.. They should let it be played and it can happen safely due to the reasons I posted above

[mildlyinterested]

this has very little to do with the leinster academy.

[Pilotman123]

this has very little to do with the leinster academy.

It has a lot to do with the Leinster academy as our academy team is based off schools rugby, that’s why I’m nervous for the future academy due to the lack of schools rugby being played

[Pilotman123]

Will I just copy and paste what I said into the schools forum?

[joooooe]

Truly amazing

[Pilotman123]

Truly amazing

Isn’t it

[Jonny tight lips]

Children getting an education is a trade off against public health, so is sending essential workers like myself and my wife out to work and even allowing sport with a big public Interest. The ideal situation is nobody leaves the house for several weeks but that’s not possible but when we deviate from that there needs to be a decent reason.

I do feel bad for the lads who won’t get “their year” which of course they deserve and I know your thinking of them but if that’s allowed you have to allow every inter school sporting competition in the country and that would be too much. A mate of mine has had to reduce the number of people at his wedding dramatically, himself and more the wife arnt getting the wedding they want and the lads in 6th year arnt getting to play the senior cup. That’s just the way of things.
Sorry to call you “entitled”, I don’t know you but I was a bit shocked by your suggestion

[Longtimelurker]

Can feel for the boys but I have to say I was curled up cringing looking at the petition for the cup final to be played a few months ago and I had a redner watching the politician bring it up in the Dáil. Whilst I would prefer it be played going to politicians and getting petitions is the most Ross O Carroll Kelly esque thing I ever did see. And I don't think it bodes well for the image of the game. The academy won't suffer because of it because let's be honest most of the lads are earmarked prior to 6th year. Look at Blackrock last season. No competitive rugby all season until Cup first round and knocked out. So all these fellas that had big dreams like you said only got one game anyway. Along with 3 other teams. That one game was hardly going to get them a leinster contract. They'd have been on the radar before hand. And if they weren't they have time to shine in college or club rugby after school. In fact this will show who's serious or not. Any young lad in school, under 20s, college ect that has the determination and keeps up strength, fitness, training, bit of ball work themselves ect during this pandemic and lockdowns shows a lot about the young lads character. That's just my opinion though.

[erskinechilders]

What an utterly ridiculous suggestion. How can you genuinely be of the opinion that schools rugby be considered an elite sport? As a teacher & coach in a rugby playing school please try and answer the following questions..

1. Who pays for the testing of EVERY single student in all rugby playing schools across the 26 counties every 2/3 weeks?
2. If the Senior cup can go ahead, why can't the Junior Cup? or 1st and 2nd year rugby?
3. Why can't GAA, soccer, basketball etc. schools play in their top competitions? Why does rugby get preferential treatment?
4. While its obviously tremendously disappointing not to get to play in the cup competitions, to suggest its a mental health issue raises more questions. Playing in a particular in cup competition doesn't effect mental health, its disappointing and thats it. If 18yo students are still getting regular exercise, get to socialise on a daily basis with their friends and family then, for the most part, there won't be major mental health issues. Are the some schools creating mental health problems by putting pressure on students to play?
5. Our academy won't be effected in any way at all. No players go directly into the academy these days, all players in the cup & A league in 4th, 5th and 6th year are known to the gdo's and won't be missed. Please outline why you think our academy is going to go to the shitter?

I've about a thousand other questions, but I'll leave those for a later date. But the lack of common sense in your argument is startling. We're living through a pandemic, people have to make sacrifices. Cup rugby is a privilege for a few, not a necessity. Get real.

[erskinechilders]

I understand your point but if these young men are tested regularly I don’t see why they can’t play games because they are putting children going to school above public health anyway and they’re all with each other so I don’t see why they can’t play games if they get tested before each game? Even like one game every two/three weeks and every body gets tested. I’ve sent emails to local TDs to try and get the cup rugby to happen. Imagine being in school for 14 years dreaming of playing cup rugby a once in a life time opportunity and then suddenly that all has to be taken away from you but yet you’re allowed to see each other every day? Schools Cup rugby is the pinnacle of most of these young boys careers and it’s terrible for their mental health to get this once in a life time opportunity because if you’re in 6th year at the moment..there is no next year to play cup rugby again, must be heart breaking for these 6th years to get their dreams shattered and taken away from them like this, I really appreciate you replying to me, hopefully you can understand my point of view

They have put childrens' education ON PAR with public health, which is fair enough. Playing schools rugby would be an insult to all those who have suffered from this disease and all front line workers. And it would only serve to worsen the bad public image rugby playing private schools in Leinster already have!

[Ruckedtobits]

What an utterly ridiculous suggestion. How can you genuinely be of the opinion that schools rugby be considered an elite sport? As a teacher & coach in a rugby playing school please try and answer the following questions..

1. Who pays for the testing of EVERY single student in all rugby playing schools across the 26 counties every 2/3 weeks?
2. If the Senior cup can go ahead, why can't the Junior Cup? or 1st and 2nd year rugby?
3. Why can't GAA, soccer, basketball etc. schools play in their top competitions? Why does rugby get preferential treatment?
4. While its obviously tremendously disappointing not to get to play in the cup competitions, to suggest its a mental health issue raises more questions. Playing in a particular in cup competition doesn't effect mental health, its disappointing and thats it. If 18yo students are still getting regular exercise, get to socialise on a daily basis with their friends and family then, for the most part, there won't be major mental health issues. Are the some schools creating mental health problems by putting pressure on students to play?
5. Our academy won't be effected in any way at all. No players go directly into the academy these days, all players in the cup & A league in 4th, 5th and 6th year are known to the gdo's and won't be missed. Please outline why you think our academy is going to go to the shitter?

I've about a thousand other questions, but I'll leave those for a later date. But the lack of common sense in your argument is startling. We're living through a pandemic, people have to make sacrifices. Cup rugby is a privilege for a few, not a necessity. Get real.

+1
Well addressed. The proposal has no merit in current circumstances and it's suggestion is on a par with a golf dinner in Cliften.

[Pilotman123]

What an utterly ridiculous suggestion. How can you genuinely be of the opinion that schools rugby be considered an elite sport? As a teacher & coach in a rugby playing school please try and answer the following questions..

1. Who pays for the testing of EVERY single student in all rugby playing schools across the 26 counties every 2/3 weeks?
2. If the Senior cup can go ahead, why can't the Junior Cup? or 1st and 2nd year rugby?
3. Why can't GAA, soccer, basketball etc. schools play in their top competitions? Why does rugby get preferential treatment?
4. While its obviously tremendously disappointing not to get to play in the cup competitions, to suggest its a mental health issue raises more questions. Playing in a particular in cup competition doesn't effect mental health, its disappointing and thats it. If 18yo students are still getting regular exercise, get to socialise on a daily basis with their friends and family then, for the most part, there won't be major mental health issues. Are the some schools creating mental health problems by putting pressure on students to play?
5. Our academy won't be effected in any way at all. No players go directly into the academy these days, all players in the cup & A league in 4th, 5th and 6th year are known to the gdo's and won't be missed. Please outline why you think our academy is going to go to the shitter?

I've about a thousand other questions, but I'll leave those for a later date. But the lack of common sense in your argument is startling. We're living through a pandemic, people have to make sacrifices. Cup rugby is a privilege for a few, not a necessity. Get real.

All the money from the fees could easily pay for the testing and if not some multi millionaire past pupil of each school will probably donate the money. But the fees would pay for it anyway so that shouldn’t be a problem about money.
2nd of all, schools rugby is the feeder for the Leinster academy unlike other sports in Ireland schools rugby is the feeder conveyor belt for Leinster’s success and when I was in school my whole life purpose was to play senior cup it was the biggest thing ever, it’s something you dream about as a kid and for most sixth years it’s a once in a life opportunity. I do think Junior Cup should go ahead as most people only get one shot at that too but not 1st or 2nd year rugby because nobody cares about that. Senior Cup is the most important thing in school just as much as the leaving cert for the players.If you went to a private school and played schools cup you’d understand how much it means to these players. Also how would they pick sub academy? A lot can change from u18s and players who weren’t in the u18 squad now don’t have a chance to make the sub academy which therefore we could be losing out on talent.
I just think it’s a bit inconsistent when you can go see all your mates in school but can’t get tested and play games against other schools because they have the money. Money isn’t an issue here it’s just the inconsistent logic from the government when you’re in a school of 700-1000 but can’t have 23 players who get tested to play a match against each other? Bit ridiculous if you ask me

[Pilotman123]

Btw club rugby and GAA are allowed to be played at level 3. Would be fair if there was a bit of equality in this but there isn’t.

[Jonny tight lips]

I think the fact the fee paying schools could have their sports and not public schools have their sports is a terrible picture to paint. Best off we all go back playing sports together as soon as possible

[Pilotman123]

I think the fact the fee paying schools could have their sports and not public schools have their sports is a terrible picture to paint. Best off we all go back playing sports together as soon as possible

Fair enough I suppose, hopefully next year things will be back to normal

[Oldschoolsocks]

I think the fact the fee paying schools could have their sports and not public schools have their sports is a terrible picture to paint. Best off we all go back playing sports together as soon as possible

You put this a lot more politely than I would have tbh. Genuine thanks for that...

[mildlyinterested]

Moving on...

[joooooe]

Moving on...

No no no, I want to hear about the past pupils of private schools paying for testing that could otherwise go to the proles like nurses and teachers and Gardaí. God forbid that a non-fee-paying school might be able to put out a rugby team. Do Sections A and B of the Cup get played or are they ignored? How are travel restrictions dealt with (bearing in mind two schools from Kildare were due to play the final this year). The Leinster and all Ireland schools gaelic football and hurling finals attract larger crowds than their rugby equivalent - taking that as a proxy for public interest should they be allowed to be played, or does the dearth of school fees in (most, not all) of the participating schools undermine my argument? How about the FAI Junior Cup? You think you knew pressure as a 6th year wanting to play seniors? Try being a kid trying to get a move to an English professional football club. Should rugby and other sports be allowed at third level institutions?

By participating numbers, rugby is the TENTH most popular sport in Ireland. It is very hard to frame an argument for it to be prioritised over other sports...and yet it is being played at professional level. The hard work, planning and expense of even getting (and keeping) that going is incredible.

Don't stop with mere letter writing to TDs btw. This should be discussed at Cabinet and you could get the President to intervene.

I'm not sure our aviator contributor appreciates how ludicrous his argument sounds. Hence my comment above: "Amazing". As in, I am amazed someone is even thinking along these lines.

P.S. I was on the senior panel in school many years ago and got concussed in training the week before the cup. My school lost in the first round. Do you know what? I got on with sitting my mocks, like any normal-thinking 17 year old would have done.

[Jonny tight lips]

Mcbride mentioned props in the academy who haven’t been involved to date will be getting the involved with senior training this week. To me looks like all the academy props have played, do you reckon he’s talking about some guys in the sub academy and any idea who he might be talking about?

[mildlyinterested]

Mcbride mentioned props in the academy who haven’t been involved to date will be getting the involved with senior training this week. To me looks like all the academy props have played, do you reckon he’s talking about some guys in the sub academy and any idea who he might be talking about?

Marcus Hanan(U21), Hugo O'Malley(U20) and Jack Boyle(U19) at loose.

Over at tight, possibly Bobby Sheehan(U21), Ben Griffin(U20) or Sam Illo(U20).