GIRVAN DEMPSEY WAS promoted to academy manager last month but one more injury to the backline may have prompted a phone call from work colleague Joe Schmidt.
“You look at Leinster and say, jeez, if I was a few years younger and still had my boots I might get a chance in there,” Dempsey told TheScore.ie.
“The number of injuries has been just unbelievable, especially in the backs, for Leinster over the last few months.
“It’s incredible to see so many top players out, especially with Rob and the other guys; it’s leadership players as well.”
Dempsey played 67 Heineken Cup games for the province and scored nine tries in the process.
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His focus now, he says, is developing young players in ‘the Leinster way’ so they can slot into the senior team with the minimum of fuss.
Makeshift Madigan
Ian Madigan graduated from the academy as an outhalf of undoubted potential and backed up the beliefs, of many involved at Leinster, with fine Pro12 showings in Jonathan Sexton’s stead.
The 23-year-old is preparing for just his fourth Heineken Cup game in the fullback role but Dempsey backs the makeshift 15 to face down a fearsome Clermont challenge.
“I thought he had a superb game,” said Dempsey.
He really grew in stature and showed some superb attacking skills and looked very physical against a very, very big Clermont side. He was not put back in too many tackles and he managed to gain some yards.
“He performed really well and seems to be growing and growing.”
Madigan looked assured against Clermont’s high balls, tackled heartily and made two breaks to give Leinster forward momentum but one knock-out tackle by Aurelien Rougerie on the converted 15 highlighted the fallacy of constant inside passes.
Hard and fast
Leinster coach Joe Schmidt, speaking to TheScore.ie today, pointed out that a harder surface and wider Aviva Stadium pitch would ensure a much more open game than the one that resulted in a kicking-dominated 15-12 defeat.
Dempsey backs up Schmidt’s view but hushes talk of bonus points and four-try salvoes.
“I wouldn’t even venture that far,” he said. “I think, first and foremost, it’s about trying to get a performance to get the result. It’s a big ask. It’s going to be another tough, physical, combative game.
Clermont are going to come here and look to play as well. They’re not going to go down without a fight.
“If they go in with the mindset of going for the tries they could take their eye off the ball, not do the basics and not get the result.
“Clermont are five points ahead in the pool, it’s a tough ask but if they can put things together, they can cause them a lot of troubles.”
'If I was a few years younger, I might get a chance' - Girvan Dempsey on Leinster's injuries
GIRVAN DEMPSEY WAS promoted to academy manager last month but one more injury to the backline may have prompted a phone call from work colleague Joe Schmidt.
“You look at Leinster and say, jeez, if I was a few years younger and still had my boots I might get a chance in there,” Dempsey told TheScore.ie.
“The number of injuries has been just unbelievable, especially in the backs, for Leinster over the last few months.
“It’s incredible to see so many top players out, especially with Rob and the other guys; it’s leadership players as well.”
Dempsey played 67 Heineken Cup games for the province and scored nine tries in the process.
His focus now, he says, is developing young players in ‘the Leinster way’ so they can slot into the senior team with the minimum of fuss.
Makeshift Madigan
Ian Madigan graduated from the academy as an outhalf of undoubted potential and backed up the beliefs, of many involved at Leinster, with fine Pro12 showings in Jonathan Sexton’s stead.
The 23-year-old is preparing for just his fourth Heineken Cup game in the fullback role but Dempsey backs the makeshift 15 to face down a fearsome Clermont challenge.
“I thought he had a superb game,” said Dempsey.
“He performed really well and seems to be growing and growing.”
Madigan looked assured against Clermont’s high balls, tackled heartily and made two breaks to give Leinster forward momentum but one knock-out tackle by Aurelien Rougerie on the converted 15 highlighted the fallacy of constant inside passes.
Hard and fast
Leinster coach Joe Schmidt, speaking to TheScore.ie today, pointed out that a harder surface and wider Aviva Stadium pitch would ensure a much more open game than the one that resulted in a kicking-dominated 15-12 defeat.
Dempsey backs up Schmidt’s view but hushes talk of bonus points and four-try salvoes.
“I wouldn’t even venture that far,” he said. “I think, first and foremost, it’s about trying to get a performance to get the result. It’s a big ask. It’s going to be another tough, physical, combative game.
“If they go in with the mindset of going for the tries they could take their eye off the ball, not do the basics and not get the result.
“Clermont are five points ahead in the pool, it’s a tough ask but if they can put things together, they can cause them a lot of troubles.”
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