Sunday, March 07, 2021

Online comments after Ulster v Leinster

A selection of the “keyboard warrior” reactions after the full-time whistle of our featured matches of the weekend.

If you’d like to contribute stay tuned to our Facebook page for our “Feel free to leave your thoughts…” posts which show up around full time after Leinster & Ireland matches.

Paul Smith Crazy game of rugby with all the cards. I have mo love for Murphy but can't really argue with any of them except possibly Dev which was harsh. In the end Leinster always looked in control after the first 20 minutes or so. Brilliant to have another final secured and we can rest a lot of players over the next couple of weeks, but at the moment whatever 23 we put out still look pretty awesome. Delighted with a win at a tough stadium tonight.
Conor Cronin Conference winners with 2 games to go, it's so impressive to see a team missing what would be considered nailed on starters doing so well. Great performances by a lot of players who will expect to keep their Jersey no matter who comes back from Ireland camp.

On the red card, another ref would call it a rugby collision, and I'd say the same about OBrien yellow. (worth saying now that I expect OBrien to be cited) while the card killed ulster's opportunity it didn't stifle their commitment or drive, and they had started very well.

Leinster owe a huge amount to Michael Bent, he spent his evening demolishing ulster's scrum and going about the rest of his work in his usual way, quiet, efficient and constant. As a nation we should be worried about our loosehead situation as leinsters 3rd choice tight head did a number on an Ireland squad member. There needs to be some serious work put into some of the young lads across the provinces
Peter Tracey Bent was immense as was VDF but he must be in consideration for Ireland next week with being subbed at half time. Max O’Reilly wasn’t bad either and Penny must be in the mix to be training with Ireland now.
Brian Corr I was raging when Toner got yellow and then O’Brien but he definitely wasn’t playing favorites as he gave out 5 through the game and a red. Leinster 3, Ulster 2 & 1 red.

Both teams still gave lots of effort and as much as they could with the disruptions played hard.

Leinsters line defence was unreal, Ulster would have gotten more scores against most other PRO14 sides.

Great to see Stockdale fit, and Baloucoune looks like he’s used his time to bulk up and scored a great try.

Thought this game showed why McCloskey doesn’t get so many Ireland caps, undoubtedly an excellent player with a great skill set but his mistakes are always obvious and can be costly.

I felt Leinster home game against Ulster showed why Burns and Lowry were not called into Ireland cap so much, felt this game was the same for Lowry, usually a spark for Ulster his contribution today was getting a tall man sent off, wasn’t up to much else.

One thing I should say is I was looking forward to this game after the RDS one, as I wanted to see how Leinster would handle a strong side away from home, then I start getting nervous because of the 6N impact on our squad. The actual game bar the result is just a massive disappointment.
Richard Mifsud Really not sure where to start with this one and I rather think you’ll spend a great deal of your write up focusing on the officiating which is an absolute shame. A contest that will be overshadowed by the cards. To the game: I think that despite the early cards we had turned the tide on the Ulster momentum and looked set to push on. The lessons from last week had clearly been learned so we were playing with greater intensity and our D was improved as was discipline (viz. the defensive set in the final quarter). Then came the Warwick red card which changed the game’s complexion but where last week we didn’t capitalise on that this week we did. I really do think that XV v XV we would’ve won today but the degree of the victory would most probably have been tighter. I thought our pack was immense and our halfbacks got the balance just right. Backs played with great speed and incision. Standouts for me Scott Penny, Rhys, JvdF and Michael Bent. Special mention for Ross Byrne whose overall play was on point but whose strength in D and carries is coming along very nicely. A word too about the Ulster lads. Impressed by Baloukoune, Hume, Lowry and the new lad Cormac Izuchukwe. I think we’ll be seeing him in green at some point. Anyway I’ll let you pick the numerous bones out of that one. On to the final #COYBIB
Sean Michaels 8 tries, 5 yellows, 1 red what a tumultuous game. Thought Leinster were gradually taking control of the game even before all the controversial decisions by Murphy. Big shout out to Leinster’s forgotten heroes, Bent in particular had a storming game. Ross Byrne controlled the line fairly well, McGrath was at his usual high standard and IMO should be ahead of JGP in the Ireland squad. Through to another Pro 14 final but with such a hectic schedule facing Leinster in the next few weeks our “strength in depth” will be severely tested
Henry Sellars Pack that destroys. Ulster tried same, not as effective. Monsters and Men. 2 Yellows in first 10 disrupted the flow. Say Franko is great craic at the Poker....
Colm Cunningham Yet again leinster playing fantastic rugby without our internationals. Like a well oiled machine. 💙
Ian Frizzell (reply to Colm Cunningham) 10 Internationals started for Leinster. That is some depth when you list those that weren’t available.
Kevin Kelehan Does any team outside Ireland take the tournament seriously? League needs a higher standard to push these teams harder
Dáithí Browne (reply to Kevin Kelehan) with the SA teams next year there will be an increase in competition.

They do care but leinster are the benchmark in the league
Alan Eastwood Good game as was last night's (MUNvCON).

Red ( harsh but was a red ) ruined the result as ulster were never going to win it from there.

Fair play to Leinster the conveyor belt is still in full flow.

Happy Connacht only team that will probably beat them in this year's competition
Many thanks to all who offered opinions.

Look out Monday for our match writeup JLP
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Taken by JLP from RDS press box on Nov 16, 2019