Playing numbers Ireland

[corkonian77]

Reports on rugbyleague.com radio says that Irish player numbers are understated. 

True players numbers are as low as 150 according  to one summary  of an article.  It says that Cork Bulls have to borrow  players to play games.

If it was a company we would  call it a shell company. 

[Damien]

There are very few, if any true RL players. They are almost all RU players, or clubs by a different name, playing in the RU off season to do something and keep fit. Once the RU clubs start to train and play games these players disappear and the RL clubs struggle just to field and keep going. Most of the RL clubs are also just a change of RU coach or committee away from the RU club just putting a stop to the lot.

Edited December 5, 2024 by Damien

[corkonian77]

3 minutes ago, Damien said:

There are very few, if any true RL players. They are almost all RU players, or clubs by a different name, playing in the RU off season to do something and keep fit. Once the RU clubs start to train and play games these players disappear and the RL clubs struggle just to field and keep going. Most of the RL clubs are also just a change of RU coach or committee away from the RU club just putting a stop to the lot.

Absolutely  true.

The Cork Bulls are closely connected  to Douglas  Rugby Club a Junior  Rugby Union  club. 

[Dullish Mood]

Our small sport is getting smaller isn’t it.  Grim future unless something VERY different is done and damn soon.

[OriginalMrC]

The league season now is just 3/4 games. It's never been in great health in Ireland but it is virtually extinct now. This should be a wake up call for those in charge of the sport in Ireland that reform is needed urgently. It won't be though, they'll continue to stick their heads in sand while running 'pathway' training camps in England. 

[corkonian77]

13 minutes ago, OriginalMrC said:

The league season now is just 3/4 games. It's never been in great health in Ireland but it is virtually extinct now. This should be a wake up call for those in charge of the sport in Ireland that reform is needed urgently. It won't be though, they'll continue to stick their heads in sand while running 'pathway' training camps in England. 

They must know how bad the numbers are.

But it probably it  is a lot easier  to work with heritage  players  in England and post a twitter post about a win against  Scotland. 

 

[corkonian77]

Article  for those interested. 

https://www.patreon.com/posts/figures-are-off-117276176

[gingerjon]

Don't worry, those players who made the long journey from Yorkshire to Newcastle for a jolly are Irish through and through and will save the day.

[OriginalMrC]

It's a massive shame the sport has gone backwards. Rugby league is always going to struggle up against other sports in Ireland but I am convinced there is a niche the sport could occupy. 

[corkonian77]

Just now, OriginalMrC said:

It's a massive shame the sport has gone backwards. Rugby league is always going to struggle up against other sports in Ireland but I am convinced there is a niche the sport could occupy. 

Of course there is a niche. 

The drop off in Rugby Union after age 18 is something  like 75%. Many in Munster  and Leinster  School Rugby system  go from playing  in front of thousands  to men with dogs.  

 

[Stainesrover]

Rugby League has never been big in Ireland, never will. Since the 2000 world cup there have been 2 Super League players from the Isle. There is simply not enough interest, so I would just write the idea of it ever been a sport there off.

There has been ample time to create foundations there and it's laughable they have a national team competing in World Cups. I wouldn't waste another penny (if any is put in) in trying to make a go of it.

[gingerjon]

1 minute ago, Stainesrover said:

Rugby League has never been big in Ireland, never will.

It doesn't need to be big.

[Stainesrover]

Just now, gingerjon said:

It doesn't need to be big.

It needs to be big enough to produce players to play international 

[gingerjon]

3 minutes ago, Stainesrover said:

It needs to be big enough to produce players to play international 

So, doable.

Not with the current Rugby League Ireland-in-the-UK set-up, obviously.

But eminently doable with the right people and persistence. Rugby league is a tiny sport globally - you don't need that many players to have an impact internationally.

[John Drake]

Couple of posts removed to avoid this topic disappearing down an IMG black hole.

[Keith989]

23 hours ago, corkonian77 said:

Of course there is a niche. 

The drop off in Rugby Union after age 18 is something  like 75%. Many in Munster  and Leinster  School Rugby system  go from playing  in front of thousands  to men with dogs.  

 

But they get good deals with their AIL clubs, good job, apartment etc. They aren't just gonna leave that.

[Damien]

23 hours ago, corkonian77 said:

Of course there is a niche. 

The drop off in Rugby Union after age 18 is something  like 75%. Many in Munster  and Leinster  School Rugby system  go from playing  in front of thousands  to men with dogs.  

 

Same in Ulster, the overwhelmingly majority of lads that play RU at school never play RU again after school and don't go on to play for a club.

[corkonian77]

33 minutes ago, Damien said:

Same in Ulster, the overwhelmingly majority of lads that play RU at school never play RU again after school and don't go on to play for a club.

Absolutely  true.  

[corkonian77]

52 minutes ago, Keith989 said:

But they get good deals with their AIL clubs, good job, apartment etc. They aren't just gonna leave that.

I assume  in 1A and 1B  that applies. 

I doubt it goes down to 2 C.

[Dunbar]

On 05/12/2024 at 11:04, Dullish Mood said:

Our small sport is getting smaller isn’t it.  Grim future unless something VERY different is done and damn soon.

Is that right?  The last IRL report (2023) showed that participation in Rugby League across the top 5 countries had increased by almost 32,000 on prior year to 334,401.

Where is the significant fall taking place that will take this positive 32,000 and turn it negative?

[Keith989]

1 hour ago, corkonian77 said:

I assume  in 1A and 1B  that applies. 

I doubt it goes down to 2 C.

I'm not sure, I know that my club in 2B were offering perks such as cushy paid jobs to south Africans believe it or not. But you'd imagine most Leinster and Munster academy lads would end up in 1A or 1B.

Edited December 6, 2024 by Keith989

[corkonian77]

1 hour ago, Keith989 said:

I'm not sure, I know that my club in 2B were offering perks such as cushy paid jobs to south Africans believe it or not. But you'd imagine most Leinster and Munster academy lads would end up in 1A or 1B.

Plenty of 1A and 1B in Cork and Limerick alone for Munster.

[Eddie]

On 05/12/2024 at 10:43, Damien said:

There are very few, if any true RL players. They are almost all RU players, or clubs by a different name, playing in the RU off season to do something and keep fit. Once the RU clubs start to train and play games these players disappear and the RL clubs struggle just to field and keep going. Most of the RL clubs are also just a change of RU coach or committee away from the RU club just putting a stop to the lot.

You’re describing the game in East Anglia there, and probably everywhere else outside the heartlands. 

[langpark]

I think @Barry Coade posts on here sometimes

[Stainesrover]

Let's just lock this thread, like this thread Rugby League in Ireland is dormant, no need for any more input, either on the keyboard or actual people's time.