The internet after an Ireland game is truly a horrific place. The reactions are mostly so far over the top that it is bananas. This week’s reviews spoke about play-acting, Cooney v Sexton and having expectations that make no real sense.
So we roll into game three of this world cup campaign and the rollercoaster of emotions continues to rumble onwards.
As we sit here on a Monday morning, gutted and confused, I think it is time to kill some myths that have popped up since the match against a monster Japanese side.
Brought to you by The Couch Pundit website So after a settling performance against Scotland, Ireland now faces the hosts on Saturday morning at 8:15 (Bray standard time). So what should we expect? What is the general feeling ahead of the game and what way will Ireland play the game?
So now the trick is not getting carried away, even though it is really hard not to get carried away after the last 12 months. Coming into the match on Sunday morning, we all were sitting on the fence. Supporters wondered if Ireland still had it, would they be able to execute and strangle the … More Ireland bust some myths and Scottish hearts in RWC opener.
Brought to you by The Dugout – Live in D2 on Harcourt St – 6th September So another weekend of preseason is over. Ireland ventured to Cardiff with sore arses after having them kicked in all areas of their lives. If they went on twitter – arse kicked, when they got back to camp – arse … More Ireland oil the machine against Wales, but are there still skeletons in the mental closet?
Brought to you by The Dugout – Live in D2 on Harcourt St with Bernard Jackman and RALA! During the season you know there will be tough blogs to write. Where things go so spectacularly wrong that you are left pulling out what little hair you have left. I didn’t expect to be writing this in … More The Chariot runs over Ireland, but is it all doom and gloom?
The odd feeling of putting on the green jersey is back within my spirit. After a night screaming in front of the Foo Fighters in the RDS, it is a more serious time. Ireland plays the old enemy, I wish I was more mature to not mention that but I am not. England welcome (is … More Ireland v England, ego over process ?
After a self-imposed rugby break during the summer months to refresh and recharge after a tough season we find ourselves back in the old familiar green jersey, in the Aviva stadium welcoming our old friends Italy. This is a time of worry, complacency (new word for the new season) and even more worry coming off … More Ireland v Italy, expectations versus reality
Ok so I am going to level with you. I am still very upset. But not upset at the Irish team, management organisation. I am upset with the lazy narratives coming out of a really tough 6 Nations tournament. A tournament that has sent shockwaves through Irish rugby. A tournament that nothing went right and … More A journey through the psychology of Ireland’s 6 Nations campaign
I am just going to say it, I have 6 Nations fatigue. The 2 gaps in the tournament kill the momentum and kill me emotionally and spiritually. So the big question coming into this weekend and the welcoming of an unchanged France team to the Aviva was, would Ireland be in the same position as … More Work ons, bonus points and looking forward to the trip to Cardiff – Ireland vanquish an impotent France
So here we go. Ireland are over the half way mark in this year’s 6 Nations and I don’t think there has been an emotional rollercoaster like it since that year that we don’t need to mention. Wales on the other hand played rope a dope with England and are a great bet for the … More Wales play rope-a-dope with England while Ireland just play with the rope in Rome.
So here we go. Irish supporters are now holding their bums out of the bath for fear of getting scorched by a hungry Scotland. Every other week we would drop into the hot bath with confidence, but this week there is hesitation. So with that mental image, let’s have a look at Ireland’s trip to … More Back on the horse, the Shamrock v the Thistle, Ireland go to Edinburgh with pressure and expectation
So here we go. The provincial jerseys have been put away, the inter county rivalry has been put away and the green jersey is clean and ready to be worn and doused with Guinness. The 6 Nations is here and Ireland arrives as favourites, as expectant winners and with all the pressure.
So the end of the November series is upon us, the rugby on the pitch delivered, the supporters delivered in the stands and unfortunately Joe Schmidt delivered exactly the news we expected. So first let’s have a quick run through the games.
So the table was set, the lucky pub was visited, the nervous Guinness drinking was at a level seldom seen. Would Ireland be able to slay the giants of world rugby? Would Ireland be able to show that they belong at the top table and are to be feared by all around them? My nerves … More ‘Ireland baby! We did it!’,The world champions toppled in Dublin
So here we go! Ireland have an opportunity to take on the reigning and defending world champions, they have a chance to take a scalp and they have a chance to really put a marker down ahead of the world cup year.
Don’t forget to listen to The Couch Pundit Podcast Following on from our trip to Chicago, our decimation of Italy and our salivating over Jordan Larmour and his feet, we roll home into the Aviva stadium and welcome another old enemy. Argentina are here for a scalp; Ireland are here to exorcise a demon.
Don’t forget to listen to The Couch Pundit Podcast So we arrived in Chicago, left with a score line but did we leave with the performance? Did we leave with players putting the match day squad under pressure and did we see any improvement in the Italians? Well the answer to those questions are …. Kind … More The Irish in Chicago, Italy face the green machine.
Don’t forget to listen to The Couch Pundit Podcast So we roll into the opening game of the November series expectant like a woman who is 10 months pregnant. But what will we get? Much like the expectant mother, we are not really too sure.
Don’t forget to listen to The Couch Pundit Podcast So we are approaching the time of the year where we put our provincial jerseys back in the cupboard and take out our beautiful green jerseys, some still stained with the tears of another 6 nations win all over them. Or is that the celebratory Guinness? Either … More Ireland take on the world this November, with mind games.
Remember to check out The Couch Pundit for more. And so we reach the end of the most important summer series in recent memory. Ireland ventured down under hoping to show squad strength and take a scalp of a southern hemisphere super power.
Brought to you by The Couch Pundit Podcast – ITunes Podbean Stitcher Player FM Spotify So, any news over the weekend? Anything exciting happening? Anything surprising? Well for me the answer is yes, yes and no. Ireland marched into Twickenham and won easily. Well maybe comfortable is the better word (as corrected by the aul lad post-game on Saturday). There … More The Grand Slam, the how and the differences that lead to raising the cup.
So here we are, sitting on Friday morning on the edge of history. There are a few unknowns going into the Twickenham encounter of old enemies but there are also some known unknowns.
Brought to you by The Couch Pundit Podcast ITunes Stitcher Podbean Player FM This week there is only one piece of news from the weekend, no it is not round ball, not it is not politics, it is Ireland winning the 6 Nations championship with 1 game left and a grand slam at steak.
Brought to you by The Couch Pundit Podcast (Itunes link) (Stitcher – Link) (Podbean – Link) We are on the run in to the finish of the 6 Nations 2018. As we stand, Ireland are in the driving seat with the Scots coming to Dublin this weekend followed by a St Patricks day match against the old … More Ireland v Scotland – a preview
And so the business end of the tournament begins this weekend. For Ireland, the other old enemy arrives in Dublin to take a scalp and continue their own march to a title. For the home side the added pressure of slight misfires and injuries are mounting.
Brought to you by The Couch Pundit Podcast So we roll into round 2 of the 6 Nations and sitting here on a Monday morning I am a broken man. That is mainly from my K-1 fight yesterday, the rugby has been great to watch. Starting in Lansdowne/Aviva Stadium where the Italians made a welcome visit. … More 6 Nations round 2, the visiting Italians and not knowing how to feel afterwards
Brought to you by The Couch Pundit Podcast So now that we have finally gotten over the heart attack that was the final 41 phases of play and THAT kick in Paris, it is time to move on to the visit of Italy to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Brought to you by The Couch Pundit Podcast Are you not entertained? Was the opening weekend of the 6 Nations not exciting enough? If not, then I think your excitement-o-meter might be slightly different to mine. Concentrating on the match in Paris, Ireland went to take a win in a stadium that has been as … More 6 Nations tension, breaking ducks and never giving up.
Brought to you by The Couch Pundit Podcast So here we go! The 6 Nations Championship kicks off this weekend. Ireland and France have announced their team. The media on both sides is trying to keep the supporters calm. One side saying ‘it’s not as bad as it looks’, the other saying ‘calm down calm down’ … More The 6 Nations, Being favorites and playing a team with nothing to lose
Oprah for president? Drugs cheats in sport and social media bias. Podcast available on all platforms. https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-couch-pundit/id1315569500?mt=2
Sow with the promise of far too much turkey, ham and roast potatoes ahead of us we settle into a festive season of sport. The interprovincial games happen over Christmas and it is a great marker to show where the Irish provinces are, especially coming off a massive international series in November and a double … More Interpros, dissection of the old enemy and new ideas
Keego talks about driving in the rain, amendments and protocol for the office Christmas party. @nkeegan Thecouchpunditireland@gmail.com https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-couch-pundit/id1315569500?mt=2#episodeGuid=thecouchpundit.podbean.com%2Fepisode-15-drivijg-in-the-rain-amendments-office-christmas-party-protocol-and-shoutouts-24b00f90dd1700f333f1ee8f1a4eedd1
Happy Monday! Rugby v football , the Irish provinces in Europe and the homme kick https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-couch-pundit/id1315569500?mt=2&i=1000397055378
Brought to you by The Couch Pundit Podcast Sunday was an interesting sporting day of contrast. We had the ‘super derby Sunday’ of premier league football, the over marketed over hyped sporting let down that is the sky sports sponsored game. And we had another round of European rugby that had all of the Irish provinces … More Football v Rugby and a European clean sweep for the provinces.
Happy Friday! Welcome to episode 13! Do listen, like, share and subscribe Twitter.com/nkeegan Thecouchpunditireland@gmail.com Facebook.com/thecouchpunditireland https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-couch-pundit/id1315569500?mt=2#episodeGuid=thecouchpundit.podbean.com%2Fepisode-13-what-is-mtv-in-2017-brexit-transgender-power-lifters-and-time-magazine-24b00f90dd1700f333f1ee8f1a4eedd1
So in a saga that is dragging on longer than the ross and Rachel will they won’t they (90’s reference) the contract negotiations of the Munster / Ireland stalwarts CJ Stander and Peter O’Mahony is dragging on, a bit like the former saga did.
Happy Monday! Keego tackles god, Brexit, politicians, rugby and muses about motorways https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-couch-pundit/id1315569500?mt=2#episodeGuid=thecouchpundit.podbean.com%2Fepisode-11-god-brexit-tangents-rugby-and-the-familiar-ending-24b00f90dd1700f333f1ee8f1a4eedd1
Brought to you by The Couch Pundit Podcast Following on from a podcast opinion theory rant on The Couch Pundit podcast I have been asked to go into more detail on my thoughts on Conor McGregor. So here goes, and will be followed by many unfollows/unfriending and other general social media hatred.
Happy Thursday! Keego babbles on about dogs in restaurants, Conor McGregor, Munster rugby and needles a few opposition supporters https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-couch-pundit/id1315569500?mt=2&i=1000395465319
Brought to you by The Couch Pundit Podcast With a tear in my eye it is time to put the green jersey in the wash and it is time to switch back into provincial mode. My beautiful retro blue jersey with an extra starched, standing at attention collar is ready to be worn again with obnoxious … More Provincial bias, Contracts, Furniture and Pay Scales
Ladies and gentlemen, introducing our new podcast, three times a week. News , opinion, sport and general lunacy Like, listen, enjoy, share and subscribe https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-couch-pundit/id1315569500?mt=2
And so it with a tear in my eye that I say goodbye to the November internationals of 2017. My favourite part of the sporting year is over again. Last year we have the All Blacks initiating gang war on the turf of Lansdowne road to close it off, this year we had a professional … More November wrap up, the old old enemy and the future
And here we go! The final weekend of my favourite part of the rugby calendar is upon is and it has been massively positive for Ireland but we come up against the other old enemy this weekend, the 1 team that I cannot emotionally handle losing to anymore, the well-traveled Argentina. Argentina comes in … More November Internationals, The other old enemy, Sending a message and newbies.
Another emotional weekend of Irish sport is behind us. Ireland took on the mighty Fiji in Lansdowne road on Saturday night and it was a game of 3 halves. Don’t let my ordinary level maths confuse you. But it was a game of 3 halves. The team selected kept only 2 started from the previous … More Ireland v Fiji, New Faces and a frustrating weekend.
So there you have it. Being an Irish sports supporter is probably more emotional than a teenaged girl watching the notebook. It is just a rollercoaster that makes me wonder, should I just blackout all sport from my life. Just for the sake of my heart and my Guinness intake? We got through Saturday with … More Ireland v Denmark and things that need to be said
Well, that was unexpected. The might Springboks marched into Dublin with their heads up after running the All Blacks thisclose two weeks ago. They had the mind games going all week by talking up Ireland and being overly complimentary. Knowing that Ireland rarely stand up to the tag of favourites, the ‘Boks where needling through … More Springboks, New faces, results and Bright Futures
Welcome to a delayed episode 4 of ‘America from the outside, Ireland from the inside’. Coming to you from a raining Dublin that is recovering from the weekend. Starting across the pond again this week, there is a lot of craziness from El Prez, but this week let’s look at how it is covered.
I have come to a realisation as we say good bye to the 6 Nations championship of 2017. That realisation is, I cannot emotionally handle being an Ireland rugby supporter. It feels better to have said that out loud. Going into the final match against England, there was no title at steak. There was only … More Ireland, the 6 Nations, success and failure
