BOWE TO OSPREYS

[darkside lightside]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_u ... 209656.stm

For feck's sake

[aarons]

this is heartbreaking stuff. can't believe it.

didn't really feel that the other departures mattered - they sort of made sense to me. but tommy had everything going for him in Ulster, surely?

if tommy feels the need to leave, i'm more worried about the state of Ulster than ever

[darkside lightside]

I wonder if he was waiting to see if he would be picked for Ireland, or whether he wasn't picked because he was going?

[Shafted]

I wonder if he was waiting to see if he would be picked for Ireland, or whether he wasn't picked because he was going?

the timing is interesting, and i suspect there's something to it! very disappointed but i can't blame tommy. UR is a poor example of an organisation and needs to be overhauled to be effective in an increasingly professional, efficient and competitive marketplace.

Good luck to Tommy though!

[browner]

didn't really feel that the other departures matters - they sort of made sense to me. but tommy had everything going for him in Ulster, surely?

Is he on an Irish contract?

Can't blame him for maximising his earnings................still depressing all the same.

[darkside lightside]

if this isn't the kick in the ar$e that Ireland needs, I don't know what is - a young star deciding his best option is to go to another Celtic nation..

[fermain]

Can't believe the rumours were true. A massive blow for us. This is worse than an annus horribilus for Ulster, IMO the management hold a lot of blame for this!

[aarons]

and to sign for the Ospreys! ugh. I'd even rather he signed for Munster

[Ulster'99]

Didn't think things could get any worse for Ulster but here we are! How can we possibly be hopeful of bringing in big names if we're haemorrhaging the top players we already have! I fear this isn't the end of it! This departure will hurt us bad!

[Red Hand PD]

Can't blame TB, at least he has some ambition and pride! The whole thing stinks of more management incompetence ... how many disasters does MR need to create (or allow to happen) before we see a change at the top

[browner]

aaron wrote...............

am i the only one feeling very cynical about this wave of good news stories coming out of the branch?

and it came to pass...............

[Solid Air]

The timing isn't just interesting, I'd say it was fairly well placed, whilst I'm sure he didn't just sign this morning, I reckon his 'announcement' was released as a 'thank you' to Mr O'Sullivan.

Very, very sad news, two years with an option on three as well.

Ever feel you hear the word 'Next' being called and echoing up a corridor...................

Whois?

[browner]

Commenting on Tommy’s departure Ulster Rugby CEO, Michael Reid said “We wish Tommy much success in this new phase of his career, we would have hoped for Tommy to remain with us and trust he remembers the door is always open for a return”. Michael Reid went on to say “While a player of Tommy’s experience will be hard to replace it will give more regular opportunities for the fast emerging Mark McCrea and will allow us to bring other rising Academy stars into the Squad”.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/11_6397.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[aarons]

The timing isn't just interesting, I'd say it was fairly well placed, whilst I'm sure he didn't just sign this morning, I reckon his 'announcement' was released as a 'thank you' to Mr O'Sullivan.

all credit to Tommy for that, a well-orchestrated message. he's been treated terribly by EoS.

[Shafted]

Commenting on Tommy’s departure Ulster Rugby CEO, Michael Reid said “We wish Tommy much success in this new phase of his career, we would have hoped for Tommy to remain with us and trust he remembers the door is always open for a return”. Michael Reid went on to say “While a player of Tommy’s experience will be hard to replace it will give more regular opportunities for the fast emerging Mark McCrea and will allow us to bring other rising Academy stars into the Squad”.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/11_6397.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

jusitfying cheap replacements...good work mr reid. We are not competing in the market place anymore, and something, somehow will have to change or we will be make weights in the league from now on.