AHEAD OF SUNDAY’S final, we wonder whether Jack O’Connor or Dessie Farrell have slept the soundest this week as they roll over the various permutations of line-ups and team selections.
Fresh from his Tailteann Cup triumph, Colm O’Rourke made a point in his column that maybe the best way is to pick the team that finishes the game, and work back from there.
It’s a thought that Dublin and Kerry have long figured out, because of the almost uniformity in their approach this championship. There is the suspicion though that Dublin have the edge, having whipped the dust covers off Ciaran Kilkenny, Jack McCaffrey and Dean Rock – among others – in their last two games.
Here we look at the options available to both managers.
Dublin
The Dubs have played eight games in all this championship, and made 40 subs in all. Tallied up, they have gained 3-14 in scores from their substitutes.
It’s a decent figure off the bench, but Dessie Farrell has a dilemma to face in his forward line. It’s widely felt that Ciaran Kilkenny losing his place for the last two games was an effort to squeeze a bit more out of him in an offensive sense.
In the inside line, he will stick with Colm Basquel, who has impressed enough in substitute appearances in the Leinster final rout of Louth (where he scored a goal) and Roscommon, to earn a place on the starting grid, along with Paul Mannion (two times spring from the bench) and Cormac Costello (two from the bench).
The half forward line could be Con O’Callaghan, Ciaran Kilkenny and Niall Scully could keep his place. Leaving Paddy Small, Sean Bugler and Dean Rock (who came on in six of their eight games) to be the finishers in the forward ranks.
Further back, Tom Lahiff, Lorcan O’Dell and Cian Murphy are viable options, while Jack McCaffrey will come in soon after half time to offer a line-breaking option.
Kerry
Kerry have mirrored Dublin with an average of five subs per games, in their six games.
Where they differ is how much scoring they have garnered from the bench, with just 0-4 from 30 substitutions. It hasn’t stopped them reaching the final with some similarly lop-sided results in the games against Tipperary, Clare and Tyrone.
Jack O’Connor’s options are slightly weakened by the absence of Tony Brosnan with a respiratory problem, but he will be hoping that Killian Spillane can come through as a serious option.
Last year, Paul Murphy came on in the final for Brian Ó Beaglaíoch. That move will be reversed this time around with Ó Beaglaíoch coming on as a sub in all but the Cork game to shore up the defence.
Stephen O’Brien has been introduced in all six games, and Ruairí Murphy has been sprung four times. The half-forward line is well stacked with another buzzy wing forward in Micheál Burns (three substitute appearances). Barry Dan O’Sullivan could be used for his heft around the middle if occasion demands.
There will be slight concerns over the lack of back-up for inside forwards. But then again, two words; David. Clifford.
The fact it increasingly appears that POM gave up the captaincy and had an unresolved falling out with Rowntree over contract negotiations, despite it having been clearly telegraphed from the previous contract that it would be his last big paycheck, really makes me question the tag “leader” applied to the article. Rowntree was speaking just this weekend about the next match and how he planned to prep for the rest season, so it is clear he was pushed out. And there is no sense in the IRFU/Munster pushing out the reigning coach of the year if not for a player putsch. POM throwing his toys out of the pram and giving up the captaincy of his home team because he didn’t get enough money, despite being on a central contract for a decade, is not the actions of a leader. He is just a ch1t Sam Cane.
@JoeVlogs: Careful now, that will trigger a few people!! Interestingly though, did you hear about the POM/Rowntree pen story? Seems increasingly likely this was true and there was a fallout.
@JoeVlogs: O’Mahony has never lacked ego in his career, despite never winning a World Cup quarter final or even a Heineken Cup (he hasn’t even reached a final). Those comments about Sam Cane were absolutely deplorable. It’s clear Rowntree stood up to him and he has lost his job as a result. Maybe if Peter wasn’t spending so much time on Instagram posting about his stupid garden or drinking on camera at Garry Ringrose’s house, Munster might not be in the mess they are. Rowntree can leave with his head held high, a really honourable guy. A pity some of his senior players shafted him.
@Aidan Farrell: Dont follow him on Instagram – simple.
@JoeVlogs: what a crock of s56t based on absolutely no evidence whatsoever, but let’s pivot the story to POM and it being his fault. You literally have no idea why he was pushed or jumped but speak with authority.
@Aidan Farrell: it was hardly just O’Mahony though? Dude is 35 and his contract is up at the end of the season, troubling times indeed if he’s wielding that much influence.
@Aidan Farrell: but Sam cane is a shite Richie McCaw!!
@Aidan Farrell: Lads did POM steal your pocket money or what? I’ve seen more hot air in these comments that you would see out of porters bottom in a scrum on a winters evening!
@Aidan Farrell: He has a lovely garden, he’s right to show it off. And let the man have a few celebratory beers after winning a grand slam!! Goodness me.
@Aidan Farrell: plenty of other player were at Ringrose’s house but being the tool you are, single one player out.
@JoeVlogs: POM stepped down from the captaincy a year ago after a decade as captain, likely because he knew he was going to retire and to allow for a transition in the club. Additionally, he was asked to captain Ireland. A lot to do both. Wild to me that people are trying to blame POM for this.
@JoeVlogs: I think you are giving POM way too much credit there. I don’t believe for a second he has that much influence that at 35 he could be the reason a URC winning coach would get the bullet. Bearing in mind the quality of the squad he managed to win that title with.
@Brenda Collins: And he is not the first player to give up provincial captaincy to take on the Irish captains role. Rory Best did the same as far as I remember. BOD tried to do both for too long and his form suffered. He relinquished the Leinster captain role to Leo Cullen in 2008/09 (I think) after a period of decline and his career took off again.
@JoeVlogs: lad you could just say you are jealous of POM and his achievements. Rather than speculating about speculation.
@JoeVlogs: the opening 3 posts by anti-munster troll who have no idea what happens in the Munster camp. If you really think all that happened, you must think Rowntree is very weak that he deal with it.
@Aidan Farrell: Happy to be the bearer of bad news Aidan, you have no friends and no one likes you in real life, you sad sap troll.
@JoeVlogs: oh look, the Connacht clown talking out his hole…… again.
@Cian O: I have reported your abusive comments to the admin team so I hope you are banned for your bullying behaviour.
@JoeVlogs: lot of laying the blame with PoM, if it was contract negotiations, GR would have little influence on those, as they are done though IRFU and Munster CEO. Any falling out from that would have been resolved long ago, GR may well have lost the dressing room, there were no signs of it last season or over the summer though. I thinkbits more likely IRFU/Munster were concerned with results and maybe grumblings from senior players and or coaches and called a meeting with GR to clear the air. GR prob said current squad can’t challage for URC and last 8 in HCup without adequate replacements for Snyman and Frisch and new FR. IRFU said no NIQs and can shop for IQ in championship, GR most likily said thats impossiblewith those restrictions, IRFU disagreed and they agreed to part ways.
@Kingshu: This is the story direct from Munster fans’ forum, and the fact POM stepped down during contract negotiations, but after the season had started, leaving the club in the lurch, would indicate it wasnt a planned hand over. Then Rowntree had to publicly come out saying there wasn’t a fight over POM’s contract, albeit he didn’t quite dispel the rumour, just said “he didn’t raise his voice”. I find it unlikely that on Tuesday Rowntree walks out of the job, after having said at the weekend how he was prepping for the next few games. He is too proud and honourable to quit when the going gets tough.
@Kingshu: As good a hypothesis as any.
@Will condon: aidan Darrell is the latest negative goon that is probably just a dummy account for a previous negative goon. Wouldn’t pay much heed to him.
@JoeVlogs: yeah but all the PoM stuff was last season. Why would it raise its head again now. I dont doubt GR was planning on the next game and had no intentions of waking away. So what changed in the week that IRFU/Munster arranged a meeting?
@Kingshu: I think you may be on the money there ..you could see GR post match after the sharks game admitting in frustration it seemed certain areas his teams woes , ie ravaged by injuries , competing with powerful packs , having academy props on against that sharks front row, not taking opportunities . he comes across a s very passionate rugby man who wanted to take Munster to glory but he’s had his arm tied behind his back in certain ways with the players he’s lost /positions he’s not able to fill/ injuries etc ..I find it hard to believe a player revolt. He seems a right man manager.
@Aidan Farrell: what he said about Sam was true ..he is a sh!t£ Ritchie McCaw and they all blacks are renowned for their sledging…I would have thought you’d be proud of him standing up to them and not taking their s#!t. But then you’re a troll like Ray Ridge that spouts negative crap all the time for attention. I have never seen any of your comments show any bit of positivity. I’d say you’re great craic to be around :D
@Aidan Farrell: the only bulky around here is you attacking anyone that calls out your trolling
@Stuart: Fair. I just find it very surprising he would give up on Munster, as someone who was passionate about the province – literally had a tattoo of the stag. I also would find it strange the run of performances would have made IRFU/Munster pull the plug – he had a contract extension recent enough, no real public cry for his head, was reigning coach of the year and seemed committed to getting things back on track. If he felt his hands were tied behind his back, I could see him doing a Pat Lam – pointing this out, signing for a new club for the following season, but finishing up the current one. All the news reports indicate he was pushed as opposed to jumped, and when there was no reason from IRFU/Munster to push him, that leaves the other coaches and players as the alternatives.
@JoeVlogs: yes absolutely , I find all of this strange I dont even support Munster but have seen what GR has done at that club during his URC tenure and he comes across as very passionate rugby man (Munster tattoo says it all). Hopefully this all comes out in the wash soon weather he left on his own accord or was pushed , I do feel for Munster supporters , this is very confusing and doesn’t make sense with the information that has been released so far ..kinda casts a shadow over the Allblacks game this weekend and going forward I guess until more in know.
@Stuart: I find it hard to belive in aplauer revolt either esp having finished top last season, players have to concede coaches know what they are doing. Part of me does wonder if the IRFU wanted Felix Jones at Munster and are using the poor run of results now to remove GR, as they may not be able to remove him later, if results improve (which they should)
@JoeVlogs: direct from the munster fans forum….must be true so
@JoeVlogs: I enjoy trolling Munster from time to time but even I struggle to see POM throwing his toys out of the pram with GR
@Brenda Collins: I don’t know why you would even entertain him with a reply.
It’s just gossip trash as usual with with nothing behind it only his imagination. Nothing new on him singling out a 106 time international for abuse, no doubt the boot will be stuck into him again a few more times before Pete retires.
Really is kinda sad this need for attention
@Aidan Farrell: you’re the only one who needs banning and everyone agrees, sad case.
@Brenda Collins: oh stop talking sense !
@Patrick O’Sullivan: very true.
With internationals away Munster could field a team that would resemble this:
1.Ryan 2.Scannell 3.Archer 4.Ahern 5.Kleyn 6.O’Mahony 7.Hodnett 8.Coombes 9.Coughlan 10.Burns 11.Kilgallen 12.O’Brien 13.Farrell 14.Daly 15.Haley 16.Barron 17.K Ryan 18.Foxe 19.O’Connell 20.Quinn 21.Patterson 22.Butler 23.O’Connor/B Gleeson
Will be a really tough game for Munster. They do typically thrive in these conditions and if POM is really fit it gives them half a chance. If i was a betting man however i think it’ll be a 20pt win to the All Blacks. They have too much power and skill for a Munster 2nd string side. Also it could be a long night if Munster continue to cough up ball at lineout and scrum
Munster will win this, the drama continues
See where GR goes from here. If he lands in Bortwick crew I think that points to him jumping. If he’s on the shelf for a couple of months then he was probably pushed
@Declan O`Connor86: Could be a prisoner swap.
This on TV ..
@Gary Galligan: munster app
@Shawn: free? Fs virgin rte or tg4 are useless
@Gary Galligan: Munster acess mate few euros i think
@Gary Galligan: why- this only an exhibition. To be fair RTE and TG4 broadcast plenty of rugby. Much wants more it seems
@Shawn: I cant use access munster anyway sign on made an account but not working
@JJB: historical