What the Papers Say 2015/2016

[Rooster]

Dream Job Opportunity for Rooster.........
http://www.sportsjobs.ie/VolunteerVideo ... -Rugby.asp

I have the software but not the time to take it on.

[Setanta]

Wales Online have listed the 23 best grounds in the world. The Millenium Cardiff is number one (no surprise there then) and Kingspan is twentieth while Thomond is tenth.

[Russ]

Any chance of the list Setanta?

I'm boycotting anything Welsh until they catch themselves on, so one clicks worth of advertising revenue is one click too many

[BR]

Wales Online have listed the 23 best grounds in the world. The Millenium Cardiff is number one (no surprise there then) and Kingspan is twentieth while Thomond is tenth.

Where is Ravenhill?

[damianmcr]

In Belfast

[Setanta]

Best I can do Russ -

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... ld-9686461

[Russ]

Best I can do Russ -

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... ld-9686461

It's ok I read it on an adblocked browser

Good to feature

[Mac]

Tuesday 21st July 2015

Very best of luck Brian




Brian McLaughlin to leave Ulster Rugby

Ulster Schools’ Academy Coach and former Ulster Head Coach, Brian McLaughlin, has confirmed that he is to leave Ulster Rugby to set up his own rugby consultancy business.

McLaughlin joined Ulster in 2009 having been Skills Coach to the Ireland senior side between 2005 and 2008 under Eddie O’Sullivan. He had also coached Ireland U21s and been successful at school level, taking teams to nine Schools Cup Finals, winning five of them.

As Ulster Head Coach, he most notably led Ulster to the 2012 Heineken Cup Final and was in charge as the province won their first ever European away match in England. The province recorded nine home wins out of nine in the competition during his tenure and qualified for the knock out stages in two out of his three years in charge. He also helped Ulster reach the semi-finals of the PRO12 in 2011.

Since 2012 he has worked as Academy Schools Coach, passing on his renowned technical knowledge of the game and working with the next generation of Ulster and Ireland players.

Commenting on McLaughlin’s departure, Ulster Team Manager, Bryn Cunningham, said:

“Brian has made a significant impact on all aspects of rugby in Ulster. As Head Coach he was part of the team that helped re-establish the province as one of Europe’s major players. In the past three seasons he has also been hugely effective in his specialist role in the Academy, sharing his experience at schools, provincial and international levels with young players across the province.

“Personally, I have very fond memories of Brian coaching me at Ireland U21 Level where we had great success under his tutelage.”
“I would like to thank him for his contribution to Ulster Rugby and to wish him well in his new venture.”

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... ugby-.aspx



McLaughlin takes up new role at Armagh

Former Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has cut his ties with the province three years after being moved aside from the top job and is returning to club rugby where he has hooked up with City of Armagh RFC as their coaching consultant.

McLaughlin, who led Ulster to the 2012 Heineken Cup final in his last season in charge, after being brought on board in 2009, remained on in the provincial structure where the former RBAI teacher was the Ulster Schools' Academy coach.

A widely known figure in the local game - who also had a previous stint as Ireland skills coach under Eddie O'Sullivan -McLaughlin's removal ahead of Mark Anscombe's appointment caused huge controversy at the time with the flames being fanned by an infamous Press conference where then Director of Rugby David Humphreys attempted to explain why the Ulsterman was not having his contract renewed.

Now, the Newtownards-born coach has resigned from his role at the Kingspan Stadium to move into coaching consultancy following three years working at schools' level. He will join the off-field structure at the Palace Grounds - for what is thought to be a long-term deal - where Alex McCloy is taking charge for the coming season. Newly returned Ulster flanker Willie Faloon will also be helping out at City of Armagh.

"I'm delighted to take up this new role at City of Armagh RFC," McLaughlin said. "I have been impressed by the current set-up at the club on and off the pitch and I look forward to working with the team of coaches and all the players as we prepare for the season ahead."

Ulster Team Manager, Bryn Cunningham said: "Brian has made a significant impact on all aspects of rugby in Ulster. I would like to thank him for his contribution to Ulster Rugby and to wish him well in his new venture."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 91344.html



Brian McLaughlin leaves Ulster Rugby to set up consultancy business

Brian McLaughlin who led Ulster to the Heineken Cup final in 2012

Former Ulster coach, Brian McLaughlin, has taken up a coaching consulting role with City of Armagh RFC on a five-year arrangement.

Ulster Rugby confirmed on Monday night that McLaughlin had left his role as Ulster Academy Schools’ Coach to set up his own rugby consultancy business.

McLaughlin joined Ulster in 2009 having been Skills Coach to the Ireland senior side between 2005 and 2008 under Eddie O’Sullivan.

He had also coached Ireland U21s and been successful at school level, taking teams to nine Schools Cup Finals, winning five of them.

As Ulster Head Coach, he most notably led Ulster to the 2012 Heineken Cup Final and was in charge as the province won their first ever European away match in England.

The province recorded nine home wins out of nine in the competition during his tenure and qualified for the knock out stages in two out of his three years in charge. He also helped Ulster reach the semi-finals of the PRO12 in 2011.

Since 2012 he has worked as Academy Schools’ Coach, passing on his renowned technical knowledge of the game and working with the next generation of Ulster and Ireland players.

Cunningham said: “Brian has made a significant impact on all aspects of rugby in Ulster.

“As Head Coach he was part of the team that helped re-establish the province as one of Europe’s major players.

“In the past three seasons he has also been hugely effective in his specialist role in the Academy, sharing his experience at schools, provincial and international levels with young players across the province.

“Personally, I have very fond memories of Brian coaching me at Ireland U21 Level where we had great success under his tutelage.”

“I would like to thank him for his contribution to Ulster Rugby and to wish him well in his new venture.”

On Monday morning, Armagh announced that McLaughlin would join up with their new coaching team of Alex McCloy and Ulster player, Willie Faloon, at the progessive All Ireland League club.

For the upcoming season, Armagh will be playing in All Ireland League Division 2B.

The Club also finished runners-up in the Ulster Senior League capping a highly successful season.

Armagh currently field four adult teams along with ladies and youth teams plus a very strong minis section.

The forward thinking club have also appointed Shirely Ann Donaldson as new club president, the first female president since the Club was established in 1875.

She said the appointment of McLaughlin was a huge boost for the club to have someone of his calibre coming on board.

“He will use his vast experience to improve our coaching structure not just at senior level, but throughout the whole Club and we are all looking forward to the new season.”

McLaughlin is committed to Armagh for a five year term and will greatly assist the long-term aspirations of Armagh to be a leading Ulster club in the All Ireland League and to have the best structures in place right down the club.

He said: “ I am delighted to take up this new role at City of Armagh RFC.

“I have been impressed by the current set-up at the Club on and off the pitch and I look forward to working with the team of coaches and all the players as we prepare for the season ahead.”

McCloy and Faloon have replaced Andrew Hughes and Seamus Mallon on the coaching front at the club.

Hughes has moved to Dungannon and the clubs are due to meet this season in the All Ireland League.

The new domestic season gets underway at the end of August with the Ulster Senior League.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-6859609



Brian McLaughlin leaves Ulster Rugby coaching position

Presseye

Former Ulster Rugby Head Coach Brian McLaughlin is to leave his position with the provincial set-up to start his own rugby consultancy business.

McLaughlin has been working as Ulster Schools' Academy Coach since 2012 but will now act as a coaching consultant with City of Armagh RFC.

He has agreed a five-year arrangement with the All-Ireland League club.

McLaughlin led Ulster to the Heineken Cup final in 2012 and helped them reach the semi-finals of the Pro12 in 2011.

The ex-RBAI teacher joined Ulster in 2009, having been Skills Coach to the Ireland senior side under Eddie O'Sullivan between 2005 and 2008.

He had also coached Ireland Under-21s and been successful at schools' level, taking teams to nine Schools Cup Finals, winning five of them.

He was in charge when Ulster won their first ever European away match in England and the province recorded nine home wins out of nine in the competition during his tenure, qualifying for the knockout stages in two of his three years in charge.

McLaughlin will join up with a new coaching team of Alex McCloy and Ulster player, Willie Faloon, at Armagh.

Ulster Team Manager Bryn Cunningham paid tribute to a coach who "has made a significant impact on all aspects of rugby in Ulster".

"As Head Coach he was part of the team that helped re-establish the province as one of Europe's major players. In the past three seasons he has also been hugely effective in his specialist role in the Academy, sharing his experience at schools, provincial and international levels with young players across the province.

"Personally, I have very fond memories of Brian coaching me at Ireland U21 Level where we had great success under his tutelage."

"I would like to thank him for his contribution to Ulster Rugby and wish him well in his new venture."

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/33606847

[Setanta]

Hear! Hear!

[Mac]

Tuesday 21st July 2015

PART II



Craig Gilroy collects Bank of Ireland Player of the Season Award

Ulster and Ireland winger Craig Gilroy has collected his Bank of Ireland Player of the Season Award.

Young Ulster fan, Luke Jervis, presented Craig with vouchers after a team training session at Kingspan Stadium.

His mum had voted in the online poll and was randomly selected from the more than 600 fans who took part to come and meet Craig. She however, gave the honour of presenting the coveted award to Luke who plays club rugby in Belfast!

At the presentation he got the chance to chat with Craig and some of the other players about last season and the campaign ahead.

The Ulster coaches nominated Rory Best, Darren Cave and Gilroy for the award and the Ulster and Ireland winger polled just under half of the 600 votes cast.

The award comes after a season in which the winger finished joint top of the PRO12 try scoring charts with 11 tries. He also won the PRO12 try of the Year award for his try against Scarlets in February.

Bank of Ireland ran a monthly competition throughout the season for ‘player of the month’ and the winners included Cave, Rob Herring, Stuart McCloskey and Stuart Olding.

Thanks to everyone who voted!

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... ward-.aspx

[Mac]

Wednesday 22nd July 2015



Andrew Trimble aiming to be part of exciting Ireland squad

Ireland and Ulster winger Andrew Trimble

Andrew Trimble capped 2014 by being voted the IRUPA Players Player of the Year and the Irish Rugby Writers Player of the Year.

The winger had started seven consecutive internationals but then suffered a toe injury in Ulster’s home victory over Glasgow last October and hasn’t played any rugby since.

In spite of his heroics in Ireland’s 2014 Six Nations win Trimble admitted he was nervous to see whether he would be included in the extended world cup squad.

“I was relieved to see my name in that squad,” admitted Trimble. “The standard is so high.

“There are eight wingers in the squad at the minute and you couldn’t look at any of them and say every single winger in that squad is quality and playing good rugby.

“They’re serious athletes and their skills are good so you’re looking at them going, where can I get the edge on some of these guys and you’re struggling to work it out.”

“There’s a lot of quality there, there’s a lot of quality in Irish rugby at the minute, it’s going in an unbelievably good direction at the minute and I want to be a part of that.”

“The standard has moved on in the last six or seven months and I haven’t been on the pitch so in some ways I’ve got to play catch-up and try to get in there and try to impress, I’ve to try to get a jersey on and try to impress.”

Trimble had to sit out Ireland winning back to back championship but no Ireland winger managed to score in the 2015 Six Nations.

“Gilly (Craig Gilroy) is scoring a lot tries here at Ulster, Tommy (Bowe) has scored a lot, the boys are all playing well for their provinces, scoring a lot of tries,” added Trimble.

In the Six Nations, apart from the wingers, Joe (Schmidt) talks about how we’re systems driven and that’s something that everybody takes into account.”

“Every little bit that you contribute towards a performance is really important, Joe more than most people, more than anybody I know, looks at the small little details and that wouldn’t be the stuff that maybe the commentators are picking up on.

“They’re maybe not getting the headlines in the Six Nations but Joe appreciates the small things and that’s something that I have to keep in mind.”

Ireland have four warm up games with the cut for the final world cup squad coming after the third and for Trimble who’s last appearance came in the summer tour of Argentina in 2014 they are vitally important.

“It’s a good squad of 45 at the minute so realistically you might get one game, maybe a 60 and a 20, I don’t know but hopefully I’ll get an opportunity, if I don’t get an opportunity I’ll feel disappointed.”

“If I do, it’s down to me and I’ll have to take that chance, I’m looking forward to it, it’s going to be difficult I think, going from not playing any rugby and having to perform on my first time out on the pitch again is a big ask, but I’m up for it.”

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-6862449

[Mac]

Friday 24th July 2015



Consistent Piutau boosts World Cup chances

From the low of being told his World Cup chances were at risk after he signed with Ulster, a blow made worse by a knee injury at the Blues, things are suddenly looking a lot more positive for Charles Piutau.

After a good performance against Manu Samoa in which he looked busy and energetic while many of his All Black teammates looked flat, to another consistent effort against Argentina in Christchurch during which he made the most of another start, Piutau has every right be happy with his lot.

He has another chance to press his claims for a place on the All Blacks' plane to London in September when he starts on the left wing against South Africa at Ellis Park tomorrow.

With Julian Savea, who has yet to play for the All Blacks this year, Israel Dagg and Ben Smith the front runners for the back three spots, Piutau is in a highly competitive position. And with Steve Hansen able to select only 31 players for the World Cup, the All Blacks selectors might decide to gamble and take only Savea, Dagg and Smith, in the knowledge that Colin Slade and Beauden Barrett can cover wing and fullback.

All Piutau can do, of course, is control the way he performs, and he is certainly doing that. He led the way with the highest metres with the ball at Apia Park (57m) and carried most often (9). He was equal best in terms of defenders beaten with four alongside George Moala.

In Christchurch against the Pumas, a test in which he scored a try, he ran 76m with the ball - second best behind Waisake Naholo's 81m - and was the second best ball carrier with 13 behind Sonny Bill Williams' 15.

Naholo's broken leg suffered in that test helps Piutau's claims, as does Cory Jane's continued problems with an ankle problem. Nehe Milner-Skudder is also in the mix and could get an opportunity against Australia in the coming weeks, but in the meantime Piutau is making the most of his opportunities. Comfortable on the left wing, he is also equally effective on the right wing or fullback.

"It's pretty obvious that there are a lot of outside backs in this Championship team, so [we have to make the most of] every opportunity we get, and it's not only on the field, it's off the field too - what we do in the environment," Piutau told the media in Johannesburg after his selection.

There are no guarantees in terms of a World Cup place, of course, but it's all a far cry from his decision in May to sign a lucrative contract with Ulster, which put his All Black future very much in the air. New Zealand Rugby's decision to block him from representing the Blues next season before he travels to Ireland was another blow, but he responded to the challenges put before him in terms of a lack of form at a struggling Blues and a knee injury which he recovered from extremely quickly.

In the black jersey he has shown the qualities the selectors want - a high workrate, ability to link with his back-three partners and an energy with the ball which makes him extremely hard to stop.

One of the main reasons for his move to Ulster was the opportunity to forge his own path away from Auckland. Asked in Johannesburg about his move offshore after initially agreeing to re-sign with New Zealand Rugby - and Piutau was in no doubt about where his priorities lay.

"I haven't really thought much about that. There's so much happening now in this team - that's where my focus has been at."

Piutau power:
v Manu Samoa
57m with ball - highest for All Blacks
9 carries - highest
4 defenders beaten - equal highest with George Moala

v Argentina
76m with ball - second highest behind Waisake Naholo's 81m
13 carries - second highest behind SBW's 15

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/ar ... d=11486326

[Mac]

Friday 24th July 2015

PART II



Black: First five games present a big opportunity for us

Callum Black feels pre-season preparations are going well and he is confident that Ulster can make good headway during the World Cup.

The loosehead prop, like many of his teammates, enjoyed a four-week post-season break in June, spending time with his young family, catching up with friends and attending the weddings of Messrs Williams (Nick) and Bowe (Tommy).

But that now seems like a distant memory, with four weeks of pre-season training already under his belt. “It’s been pretty grueling,” declares the 29 year-old. “The coaches have pushed the boys hard. We’ve done a lot of power work in preparation for the new season.”

Detailing the punishing schedule, Black says:

“At the moment we’re training Monday to Saturday and we’re fitting in seven weights sessions throughout the week. A typical day would be a weights session and a speed session with the prowlers in the morning and a Brazilian Ju-Jitsu grappling session in the afternoon.”

The physical nature of rugby demands such power-based training, but there is also a big emphasis on skill development and learning the systems:

“We’ll start to spend a lot more time on the pitch, playing small-sided games and going through our patterns to make sure everyone is comfortable,” explains Black. “We’ll do a lot of unit work and team plays as we approach the first few games.”

With a World Cup looming, many of the squad’s new signings and more than a just few players from the Hughes Insurance Academy will have a key role to play at the start of the campaign. Black is confident that they can do the business:

“The new players have settled in really well and the Academy guys have stepped up to the plate in training. We’ll have a lot of boys involved in the World Cup, and we wish them all the best, but Doaky (Neil Doak) has said from the off that this is the group that will take us through the start of the season. We’ve got a lot of confidence within the squad.”

While, Ulster will be affected by World Cup participation over the next two or three months, the likes of Leinster and Glasgow are likely to be missing upwards of 15 internationals. A great opportunity, insists Black:

“We know that a lot of teams are also going to have players missing so it’s a key opportunity for us to get a good start. We’ve targeted the first five games - if we can get five wins that will put us in a good place to finish in the top two at the end of the season and that is a minimum requirement for this squad.

“When the boys come back from the World Cup hopefully we’ll be in a good place and they can add to that on their return.

“The way last season finished was hard to take and it took a while to get over it. But it has added motivation for us to come back again this season and really take it a step further, because we know we’re good enough,” claims Black.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... or-us.aspx

[Mac]

Tuesday 28th July 2015



Andrew Trimble ready to make his long-awaited return

Having not played any rugby since October, Andrew Trimble may joke that he's the only person who remembers the 2014 Six Nations but the Ulster winger is serious when he says the tournament can provide the confidence to propel him towards the upcoming World Cup.

After coming in from the international wilderness following Joe Schmidt's ascension to head coach, Trimble was a star performer during the championship last year but, after adding two more caps on last summer's tour to Argentina, he has been kept out of the side since after suffering a toe injury on the eve of the Autumn Tests.

A setback in February ensured he would play no further part last season but he is now back to fitness, albeit lacking in game time, ahead of Ireland's World Cup warm-up series that begins against Wales next weekend.

While admitting to a feeling of relief after being named in the 45-strong extended panel last month, the 30-year-old never felt in danger of missing the tournament through injury.

"I'd not quite ever reached the point where I was rushing or thought I was really tight for time," he said.

"Just the way I was never going to be fit for the end of the season, so to make sure I had that window of four weeks to make sure I was fit for the start of pre-season and then five weeks of that to make sure you're there.

"I always had plenty of time, I just had to make sure I used that time wisely and be in as good a position as I can."

With the squad set to be trimmed to 31 names ahead of an August 31 deadline, Trimble knows that now is the time when he really has to prove to Schmidt that he is ready for the rigours of Test rugby, especially with such strong competition for the wing berths.

"The standard is so high. Every single winger in that squad is quality and playing good rugby.

"They're serious athletes and their skills are good so you're looking at them going, where can I get the edge on some of these guys and you're struggling to work it out.

"There's a lot of quality there, there's a lot of quality in Irish rugby at the minute. It's going in an unbelievably good direction at the minute and I want to be a part of that.

"The standard has moved on in the last six or seven months and I haven't been on the pitch so in some ways I've got to play catch-up and try to get in there and try to impress. I've to try to get a jersey on and try to impress."

The first chance to do so could come with the trip to Cardiff next Saturday but with so many vying for minutes on the field, opportunities to make a mark will be limited during the three fixtures before Schmidt is forced to cull 14 names.

"The squad is picked after the third one, and it's a good squad of 45 at the minute, so realistically you might get one game, maybe a 60 and a 20, I don't know but hopefully I'll get an opportunity.

"If I don't then I'll feel disappointed but, if I do, it's down to me and I'll have to take that chance.

"I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be difficult I think, going from not playing any rugby and having to perform on my first time out on the pitch again is a big ask but I'm up for it."

Any fear of rustiness can be offset by his most recent form in a green jersey while the 57-times capped Coleraine man has already been relatively pleased with his return to the paddock.

"For me personally, I know I can do it again. It was a big challenge for me in 2014 because it was the first time I thought I was a part of the centre of what we were doing and what we were achieving.

"I was contributing and I was doing my bit, and for me to go from having not done that to doing that, it's important that I have that to look back on.

"When something big is asked of me, when I need to execute roles and tasks, I can do it because I've done it before."

The question now for Trimble is, will he be doing it for Ireland come September?

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 07963.html



Leinster underage product Timoney heads north to join Ulster
The Ireland U20 international back row has signed an academy contract with the northern province.

Timoney carries the ball against Argentina at this year's World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy Inpho

IRELAND U20 BACK row Nick Timoney has signed for Ulster on a two-year academy contract.

Timoney was impressive as a ball-carrying number eight in Blackrock College’s 2013 Leinster Schools Senior Cup-winning team and then captained the Dublin school’s 2014 success.

The 19-year-old played his representative underage rugby with Leinster up to U20 level.

Timoney, capable of playing across the back row, was one of those overlooked for a place in Leinster’s academy intake this summer, although his potential meant he drew interest from outside his home province.

The St. Mary’s man, who turns 20 this weekend, had at least one offer from a Top 14 club, but has made the decision instead to stay in Ireland by making the move north to join Ulster’s academy.

The competition for back row places and playing opportunities in Leinster is famously fierce, with Ireland U20 international Josh Murphy the only back row player brought into the province’s academy ahead of the 2015/16 season.

Josh van der Flier and Dan Leavy were both promoted from the academy onto professional contracts, while Jordan Coghlan has joined Anthony Foley’s Munster on a one-year deal.

Ulster, meanwhile, will look to the likes of Frankie Taggart, Conor Joyce, Lorcan Dow and Joshua Atkinson to push into their senior set-up in the coming seasons under director of rugby Les Kiss.

The signing of Timoney, who is part of Niall Woods’ Navy Blue client list, adds another player of rich promise to their future back row options.

Timoney won eight caps for Ireland at U20 level last season, playing in their Six Nations and World Rugby U20 Championship campaigns, starting games in each of the three back row positions.

IRFU performance director David Nucifora has spoken positively about the movement of players between provinces since taking up his position last year. Although Timoney was never contracted to Leinster, Nucifora is likely to view this move as an encouraging one.

Indeed, the prospect of more inter-provincial transfers in order to ensure a more even spread of the strength in depth in certain positions, both at academy and senior level, would appear to be the way forward for Irish rugby.

http://www.the42.ie/nick-timoney-ulster ... 4-Jul2015/



Go Power announces new partnership with Ulster Rugby

Go Power, recently rebranded from LCC Power, is delighted to announce a new two year partnership with Ulster Rugby.

The agreement, which will see Go Power become one of the main jersey sponsors, with the logo prominently featured on the back of the Ulster Rugby shirt and branding visible around Kingspan Stadium, is a testament to the rapid growth of the company.

Go Power, which is part of the LCC Group, now enjoys circa 20% market share within the Northern Ireland business market. The LCC Group, is now established as one of Northern Ireland’s top performing firms across all sectors of business, and came in at the number 21 spot in the Belfast Telegraph's ‘Top 100 Companies list’.

The Cookstown based business has enjoyed a period of continuous growth within its gas and electricity provision. Furthermore, the company continues to grow its ‘Go’ brand of petrol stations, with more than 35 scattered across Northern Ireland and the Republic, having recently opened a new Go Station in Dublin City.

Speaking after agreeing the two year deal with Ulster Rugby, Daniel Loughran of Go Power said the companies’ management team were delighted to be associated with Ulster Rugby: “This is a big announcement which we are delighted to make. Over the past few years LCC Power has grown rapidly, and we are delighted that the newly rebranded Go Power logo will be prominently positioned on the back of next season’s Ulster Rugby jerseys and around the Kingspan stadium. We believe that the rapid growth of Ulster Rugby mirrors our own, and we look forward to a period of partnership with everyone at Kingspan Stadium. We hope to be able to help Ulster light up the Kingspan stadium over the foreseeable future.”

Phil Polack, Business Development Manager, Ulster Rugby said, “LCC Group is a great local business success story and Ulster Rugby is proud that LCC has identified our sport and loyal supporters to associate its new brand Go Power with for at least the coming two seasons. As the leading professional sport in Ulster and a leading brand in Ireland, Ulster Rugby is perfectly positioned to assist Go Power in developing its brand and business opportunities within Ulster, Ireland, the UK and Europe. Our reputation of delivering ambitious returns for our sponsoring partners is well known through long standing partnerships with many local and global brands and we're very much looking forward to working with Go Power over the coming seasons.”

Go Power boasts some of Northern Ireland’s biggest companies as clients including the likes of Fane Valley, Moy Park, SDC Trailers and Stormont buildings. The company prides itself on customer service excellence and has recently extended its workforce in order to maintain high standards of service provision.

The achievements of the company, combined with a growing portfolio of business power supply contracts show massive progress, given the fact that the company only began trading in Northern Ireland in April 2012.

At present, Go Power supplies electricity exclusively to the business market, and has not, as yet, entered the domestic market.

The LCC Group was established in 1986, and is the leading solid and liquid fuel importer and distributer on the island of Ireland. The company established LCC Power in April 2012, and in the past year has experienced a period of rapid growth. In the last 12 months alone, it has went from employing just seven people at its Cookstown base to now employing 55, following the opening of a new office in Belfast.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... Rugby.aspx

[Mac]

Wednesday 29th July 2015



Pre-season Q&A with Neil Doak

"One Direction"....... DicksonDigital

As we move into week five of pre-season training we caught up with Neil Doak to get his thoughts on how things have been going so far…

Q: How is pre-season progressing for the players?

A: It’s going well, we’re into our fifth week and the boys have been putting in a good shift. We started conditioning games and more rugby specific stuff last week and I think it’s definitely a lift in intensity. A few of the boy’s bodies are definitely feeling it, but we knew the work load would transition around the fourth and fifth week. The players have been going pretty hard in conditioning games and running and obviously that progression leads us into this week before camp. We try to get a little bit more rugby work done so that when we’re in camp we’re really only topping up and then after that we only have one week back in Belfast and then we’re into our first pre-season game against Leinster. So it’s not going to be long in turning around and I think the boys are in good shape physically. We’ve a few new faces in and obviously with guys coming in from the Academy on development contracts and a few guys coming in from overseas, we’re trying to make sure that everybody is on the same page and at the moment it’s going well.

Q: How are the new guys settling in?

A: They’ve settled in really well and we haven’t even played a lot of rugby, so it’ll be interesting to see when we actually get into those first couple of pre-season games how they come on board. I think coming in to a new team, one of the challenges is simply the terminology. A lot of teams are doing quite similar stuff so just a little bit of tinkering here and there and trying to get the terminology engrained in their minds is important so that calls become second nature and players are not having to compute and translate it on the hoof which then reduces their timing and puts them under less pressure. They’ve all started pretty well.

Q: The summer months must provide a good opportunity for you to look at younger players and for them to show you what they can do?

A: Some of the guys don’t realise how big the jump is to senior pre-season from what they’ve done coming out of school and in the 20s program, the intensity is definitely up another level and the speed of the game is something that some of those guys will have to get used to. They won’t have the same space and same time on the ball but over the last few years we’ve had a few guys move up and play really well who have stayed with us and that’s the opportunity that they’ve got for the foreseeable future until the world cup players return.

We’re going to utilise most of the guys that are training with us at the moment and everybody will be getting an opportunity during the two warm-up games and first three PRO12 games, so its exciting times for them. Those young guys are just trying to make sure that they put their best foot forward and get on top of the detail and terminology that some of them will have heard from last year and some of them will just have to pick up fresh, so it’s a learning curve, a fairly steep one.

Q: It’s also a great time for the Academy guys to step up and compete for places?

A: Yeah there will be opportunities for guys but I don’t really see them as Academy players at the minute because we’ve got so many guys away with Ireland that they’re part of the squad now and we’re only a couple of injuries away from them being in the starting fifteen. It is great for us having such a good representation in the national setup at the moment and hopefully they will all stay there. Obviously it leaves us a little bit skinny in certain positions but that means those guys who are working hard here have got to step up and be the forerunners for the season. This is going to be the foundation that we’re going to build the rest of the season on, so we have got to make sure that it’s a strong one for us to kick on post-RWC.

Q: How challenging will that world cup period be, having key players away?

A: At this stage it’s like most of the teams in the league, no world cup squads have been finalised and there’s a lot of rugby to be played before then. Before the world cup, Ireland have got four games so there will be a few bumps and bruises along the way and we will just have to cope with that accordingly. While the guys are away there are opportunities for other players and it’s about making sure they take those opportunities and if a door opens up – they have got to make sure they’re ready to push through it and say, “Listen I’m here to stay, I’m not here to make up the numbers, this is where I want to be and I’ll relish the opportunity and take it with both hands.”

Q: Joe Barakat arrived in Belfast a few weeks ago, how is he settling into the coaching set up?

A: He’s settled in well and he gets on really well with the players. I think it’s been good to have a change in voice and change of focus. He’s obviously passionate about what he does, you’ve seen his interviews and he’s passionate about the squad we have and what we can do. Ultimately he’s come on board to help us win trophies and I think hopefully when we get into the games and get used to his structures and some of his philosophies, they will become second nature to us. We’ve got to make sure we’re working hard on both sides of the ball in defence and attack and I think he will come in and complement the existing set up really well.

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