A bit of discussion at the moment about Munster moving out of Cork altogether to be based in one location, and the possible effects of that on creating a disconnect between Cork and Munster Rugby.
Got me thinking - if it came to it down the line, could Cork put out it's own pro-rugby franchise? What would it look like? How good could it be?
As a start off, how about a 'Cork' selection (Including Cork players currently playing away from Munster)
15: Deasy
14: Cian Bohane
13: Gleeson
12: Ivan Dinenn
11: Zebo
10: O'Gara (Deasy)
9: O'Leary (Stringer, Williams, Frank Murphy)
8: James Coughlan
7: Peter O'Mahony
6: Dave O'Callaghan (Billy Holland)
5: Mick O'Drisscoll (Nagle)
4: Donncha O'Callaghan (Hayes)
3: Mike Ross (Buckely, Archer, Timmy Ryan)
2: Denis Fogerty
1: John Ryan (Dave Ryan)
Not a terrible return, and doesn't take into account what could be brought in from abroad or other provinces, and doesn't take into account guys like Denis Hurley, Danny Barnes who went to UCC and based themselves in Cork. Also doesn't take into account a good few Cork players that fell off the radar over the past 10 years.
Personally, i reckon such a side could be a good success. Much work would need to be done at underage level, a few more rugby schools would need to be developed around the City and much tidier academy than what Munster have at present. But i would say Cork people would respond well to a Cork rugby team, and would fill a 20'000 stadium for HEC games at any rate if you could develop Musgrave Park that way.
Both McGahan and Shaun Payne have spoken about it in the last week or so, and that follows up on Jim Williams making a massive long and dance about it a while back. Also you'll hear Thornley, Fanning, etc, regularly cite it in articles in trying to depict what a mess the set up is. Big discussion on Munsterfans about it at present.
Both McGahan and Shaun Payne have spoken about it in the last week or so, and that follows up on Jim Williams making a massive long and dance about it a while back. Also you'll hear Thornley, Fanning, etc, regularly cite it in articles in trying to depict what a mess the set up is. Big discussion on Munsterfans about it at present.
Interesting.
Tbh, in one way it makes sense. One home ground etc.
But no way the Cork fans would accept it tbh, and in the long term the old amateur rivalry between the cities would start to re-surface.
__________________
Delicious Mix Sessions Every Tuesday 6-8 & Friday 5-7 www.powerfm.org 99.5FM In Dublin
Tbh, in one way it makes sense. One home ground etc.
But no way the Cork fans would accept it tbh, and in the long term the old amateur rivalry between the cities would start to re-surface.
It's not that Cork fans wouldn't accept it first off and throw a strop about it. It's that over time it would build up a clear Limerick identity. The rest of the province wouldn't bat an eyelid at that, but Cork has always been an equal in thing and is the biggest City in the province. If Munster creates an identity as a Limerick team, then Cork people, even Cork rugby people, will feel no affiliation with it.
A Cork Pro Rugby side
Linear Mode
