Taking a Break

Instead of just letting this blog peter out like so many others, I thought I’d just give a short notification letting people know that it looks like I won’t be able to post very often during the coming season. Life is getting in the way and I won’t be able to dedicate the time to produce articles of a standard that would satisfy me. I have really enjoyed blogging since starting in November and I want to thank everyone who took the time to read the articles.

I’ll try my best to keep up some form of writing if I can, whether on this blog or for other sites. I’ll definitely be getting The Touchline back up and running full-time in the future so keep it in mind! Thanks again to those who have been reading and hope you enjoyed it as much I did! Cheers.

Recent Articles Elsewhere

(c) Angelo Failla.

On the off chance that you’re spared my daily plugging on social networks, I’ve rounded up some work that I’ve done on other sites in the last couple of weeks. Plenty of this stuff is outdated now, but some readers might still enjoy it!

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Currently enough, this piece on Back Page Rugby concerns the massive challenge facing Leinster this weekend against Clermont:

Leinster’s Biggest Test Awaits

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Also on Back Page Rugby, I had a look at the sometimes positive effects of a long-term injury, using the specific examples of Rob Kearney and Stephen Ferris:

The Positive Side of Injury

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Over on Talking Rugby Union, I discussed the extremely difficult nature of coaching an international side, with our own Declan Kidney the example:

International Coaching is a Fine Art

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I had a look at several possible reasons why Jonny Sexton produces more consistently excellent form for Leinster than for Ireland on Back Page Rugby:

Sexton a Different Beast for Leinster

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The original Exiled Irish piece was featured over on SportsNewsIreland:

Irish Rugby Stars Making Their Name Abroad

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And my first-ever column for Back Page Rugby was about the chance Ulster had to announce themselves at Europe’s top table by beating Munster!

Time for Ulster to Announce Themselves

Ivan O’Riordan Exhibition

An example of Ivan's brilliant work. (c) Ivan O'Riordan.

For anyone who enjoys the fantastic photography I’m lucky to be able to use on this blog, and is around Limerick or making their way there for the Munster vs. Leinster match, this is for you!

An exhibition of Ivan O’Riordan’s superb Munster Rugby photographs begins in Limerick tomorrow. All the details can be found over on Ivan’s Flickr page.

It’s a great chance to get your hands on some of the best rugby photography around and all proceeds go to really worthy causes. Best of luck Ivan!

Limerick Post Article: More Info

Ivan’s Website: www.ivanoriordan.com

Ivan’s Flickr Page:  Ivan O’Riordan

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog. I’m going to focus on Irish rugby here, at both international and provincial level.

This is an exciting time for Irish rugby, with all four provinces now in the Heineken Cup for the first time and a solid showing from the international team at the recent Rugby World Cup.

Many expect Declan Kidney to begin the process of blooding fresh faces into the Irish squad in time for the 2012 Six Nations with a view towards the 2015 World Cup. However, many of the more experienced players will feel they still have much to offer.

Munster will be aiming to regain ground on Leinster this season. Leinster themselves will be hoping to secure another Heineken Cup and dominate European rugby for years to come. Brian McLaughlin’s Ulster will attempt to build on last season’s run to the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup and a third place finish in the renamed RaboDirect PRO12. Meanwhile, Connacht have the excitement of their debut European campaign to enjoy. They will be out to prove themselves to both European and Irish rugby supporters.

It all makes for a potentially explosive season of Irish rugby and hopefully this blog will help you keep track of all these events.

Enjoy reading.