The UAFC

Realistically, what are the chances of Cochrane overtaking Bowe, Trimble and Gilroy in a HEC team? Pretty slim, unless there are lots of injuries.

He is really battling it out to be fourth choice winger with Allen, and Allen is 2 years younger and can play at centre as well.

If he takes the chance and scores a bucketload, great. But its been mentioned already that he has already been leapfrogged by younger players a couple of times, and if there is another up-and-coming academy prospect 4 or 5 years younger, UR will likely favour them as well.

I remember seeing Cochrane playing for the Ireland under 20s (21s?) and thought he was gonna be the next "big thing". That seems like years ago!

by gannonman » Thu Nov 01, 2012 5:06 pm

You are speaking for about 5 people who have commented on this page.

Indeed I am, because your first post talked about the people above you agreeing with your post... (which they didnt)

You wern't talking about what has been said at other time in other threads ... and neither was I.

mikerob wrote:Realistically, what are the chances of Cochrane overtaking Bowe, Trimble and Gilroy in a HEC team? Pretty slim, unless there are lots of injuries.

He is really battling it out to be fourth choice winger with Allen, and Allen is 2 years younger and can play at centre as well.

If he takes the chance and scores a bucketload, great. But its been mentioned already that he has already been leapfrogged by younger players a couple of times, and if there is another up-and-coming academy prospect 4 or 5 years younger, UR will likely favour them as well.

I think in fairness to Cochrane, and gannonman can correct me if I'm wrong, I think he has had a number of long-term injuries which has kept him out for large parts of a couple of seasons - which undoubtedly held back his progress through the academy. Every time I've seen him I must say I've been impressed, he is good at slipping contact, or taking it on his terms, he's quick, and he's a heck of a finisher.

I think that before any of us have seen much of any given player, it's hard to imagine him overtaking the incumbent - it appears unlikely in advance, but very obvious and logical in hindsight. Over the last few years, while he has been in the academy, Ulster have released back 3 players Seymour, McCrea, Smith, McIlwaine, McKenzie and Quinn - but they've kept him on and given him a development contract, so they must see something in him..

darkside lightside wrote:

mikerob wrote:Realistically, what are the chances of Cochrane overtaking Bowe, Trimble and Gilroy in a HEC team? Pretty slim, unless there are lots of injuries.

He is really battling it out to be fourth choice winger with Allen, and Allen is 2 years younger and can play at centre as well.

If he takes the chance and scores a bucketload, great. But its been mentioned already that he has already been leapfrogged by younger players a couple of times, and if there is another up-and-coming academy prospect 4 or 5 years younger, UR will likely favour them as well.

I think in fairness to Cochrane, and gannonman can correct me if I'm wrong, I think he has had a number of long-term injuries which has kept him out for large parts of a couple of seasons - which undoubtedly held back his progress through the academy. Every time I've seen him I must say I've been impressed, he is good at slipping contact, or taking it on his terms, he's quick, and he's a heck of a finisher.

I think that before any of us have seen much of any given player, it's hard to imagine him overtaking the incumbent - it appears unlikely in advance, but very obvious and logical in hindsight. Over the last few years, while he has been in the academy, Ulster have released back 3 players Seymour, McCrea, Smith, McIlwaine, McKenzie and Quinn - but they've kept him on and given him a development contract, so they must see something in him..

Who is the ''Quinn'' who was either in the Academy or on a contract with Ulster and was released ?

by darkside lightside » Tue Nov 06, 2012 4:27 pm

Ulster have released back 3 players Seymour, McCrea, Smith, McIlwaine, McKenzie and Quinn

Of the above 6 players.

Seymore left for a full contract in Scotland rather than take a one year extension here

McCrea was offered a poor deal here and advised to go to Connacht

Smith again was offered a contract here, but was offered a better one in Wales and advised to take it

McIlwaine was offered an extension to his academy contract but chose to seek out first team rugby in England

McKenzie, I have no idea

Quinn - Im not sure anyone here has ever heard of him

I assume he is talking about Chris Quinn, think he now plays for hinch

McKenzie was released in the middle of a season a few years back to go to I think Exeter when they were in the championship.

At the time Jonny Shiels had started to be selected ahead of him

Paul McKenzie? Played at Dungannon last season now player/coach at Donaghadee?

UlsterNo9 wrote:Paul McKenzie? Played at Dungannon last season now player/coach at Donaghadee?

Yep

Poor old gannonman..... Left the board at the same time as Cochrane left UR.