The all new & improved "worst Irish team of the 90's" thread

Uncle Fester · Post by **Uncle Fester** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 1:11 pm

The old thread was a blast while we reminisced about some of the godawful shite that got capped during that very forgettable era. It was a decade where we had a lot of honest toilers but very little class. However, some absolute shockers got capped during that period.

Here's one team completely from memory:
15. Kevin Nowlan (very competitive position this. Cases to be made for Kenny Murphy and Colin Wilkinson too)
14. John McWeeney (converted forward who dominated like a boss at club level but woefully inept at international level
13. Brian Glennon (one of those players that you actually have to check the records to confirm that, yes he did actually play for Ireland)
12. Kieran McQuilkin (decent coach and nice footballer he might have been but the nightmares of him being outpaced by forwards cannot easily be washed away. I know DOB will be on my back for not picking Danaher but at least he got to the position to be able to make/miss the tackle. Sean MacCahill deserves a mention too)
11. Matt Mostyn (O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee!)
10. Nicky Barry (Namibia - need I say more. Honourable mention to Alan McGowan)
9. Niall Hogan (easily the most competitive position on the team but Hogan the epitome of everything that was wrong with us in the nineties. He was 5'8" and had a pass that would make TOL look good. He had no break and but he did tackle a lot and gave good speeches so they made him captain)
8. Ben Cronin (the original beanpole number 8, his debut against Scotland was so traumatic that picking him against the same opposition two years later should have seen a phonecall made with the ISPCA)
7. Gordon Hamilton (maybe slightly contentious one this but after scoring that try against Oz in 1991, everyone thought he was great. His next and final cap against the same opposition was a return to reality. Honourable mention for Ken O'Connell)
6. Dylan O'Grady (as long as Brian Ashton is a coach, he needs to be reminded of this insane selection)
5. Brian Rigney (like Damian Browne, a big lump and similarly useless)
4. Richard Costello (the very definition of a one-cap wonder)
3. Paul McCarthy (so shit he couldn't even get the better of a converted second row)
2. John "Spud" Murphy (Greystones legend but a paraplegic would have
1. Henry Hurley (got mangled against Samoa and was never heard from again)

I'm sure others will have entirely different teams due to the rich pickings available at the time. Add comments on why they should be included.

Despot · Post by **Despot** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:17 pm

The memories!!

When people complain about current selections they should be made to look at some of these to see what really bad selection was like.

Luckycharmer · Post by **Luckycharmer** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:30 pm

Mcweeney wasn't a converted forward he was always a back he got moved into second row in 6th year for the SCT as he was big and we always had plenty of good backs but midget packs so needs must. I played Prop in 4th year even though quicker then most of the backs

Uncle Fester · Post by **Uncle Fester** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:34 pm

They must have been really really slow then LC.

Luckycharmer · Post by **Luckycharmer** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:37 pm

Uncle Fester wrote:They must have been really really slow then LC.

how come you haven't been showing off your pace Wed nights?

Uncle Fester · Post by **Uncle Fester** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:59 pm

Luckycharmer wrote:
Uncle Fester wrote:They must have been really really slow then LC.
how come you haven't been showing off your pace Wed nights?

Been busy working for most of the summer and then doing this in my spare time. Need to get back out on the pitch or my fitness is going to be awful.

hotdog · Post by **hotdog** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 3:21 pm

Chris Saverimutto

Demo · Post by **Demo** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 3:22 pm

Colin Wilkinson at Full Back. No one else comes close

Timster · Post by **Timster** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 3:27 pm

Fergus Dunlea and Chris Saverimutto (spelling?) for subs' bench - and Rob Saunders (purely on the basis the numpty didn't make touch with that kick against Australia in the 1991 quarterfinal.

Edit: Echo on Saverimutto as already posted.

earl the beaver · Post by **earl the beaver** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 4:05 pm

Uncle Fester wrote: 7. Gordon Hamilton (maybe slightly contentious one this but after scoring that try against Oz in 1991, he pretty much became a fixture in the team despite actually being rubbish. Honourable mention for Ken O'Connell)

What f**king nonsense.

He only played 1 game post world cup for Ireland and then was somewhat harshly discarded.

Miguel Indurain · Post by **Miguel Indurain** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 4:24 pm

There were some duds alright.

Don Whittle? This was the American-football loving Ulster loose forward who was going to bring "physicality" to Parc Des Prince much like that other great loose forward Paul Hogan.
Died a death.

Gary Longwell.
Prop Paul Flavin. Prop Tom Clancy.
Scrumhalf Niall Hogan.

edit : I see Hogan is on UF's list. So I'll nominate Fergus Ahearne for scrum half instead

Niall Woods?

Jeff the Bear · Post by **Jeff the Bear** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:04 pm

We could put a team together that could beat (i.e. lose) to that set.

Dougie · Post by **Dougie** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:08 pm

I remember watching Ireland v NZ in around '97. Christian Cullen was pretty much at his peak around then and was making idiots out of plenty of green-shirted would-be tacklers. Then Kevin Nowlan tried to run a kick back a la Cullen and looked like a retard running in quicksand. Got absolutely smashed.

iarmhiman · Post by **iarmhiman** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:08 pm

Miguel Indurain wrote:There were some duds alright.

Don Whittle? This was the American-football loving Ulster loose forward who was going to bring "physicality" to Parc Des Prince much like that other great loose forward Paul Hogan.
Died a death.

Gary Longwell.
Prop Paul Flavin. Prop Tom Clancy.
Scrumhalf Niall Hogan.

edit : I see Hogan is on UF's list. So I'll nominate Fergus Ahearne for scrum half instead

Niall Woods?

Really??? I thought he was a very good player

earl the beaver · Post by **earl the beaver** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:10 pm

iarmhiman wrote:
Miguel Indurain wrote:There were some duds alright.

Don Whittle? This was the American-football loving Ulster loose forward who was going to bring "physicality" to Parc Des Prince much like that other great loose forward Paul Hogan.
Died a death.

Gary Longwell.
Prop Paul Flavin. Prop Tom Clancy.
Scrumhalf Niall Hogan.

edit : I see Hogan is on UF's list. So I'll nominate Fergus Ahearne for scrum half instead

Niall Woods?
Really??? I thought he was a very good player

The Boat was much too Protestant for Von Duggan.

Luckycharmer · Post by **Luckycharmer** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:13 pm

Dougie wrote:I remember watching Ireland v NZ in around '97. Christian Cullen was pretty much at his peak around then and was making idiots out of plenty of green-shirted would-be tacklers. Then Kevin Nowlan tried to run a kick back a la Cullen and looked like a retard running in quicksand. Got absolutely smashed.

That was the game we went into an early lead from 2 woody tries only to lose 63-14. I think it was maybe a big step up for Kevin who I had played with in a J6 final just over 2 years previously - biggest rise ever which I doubt we will see again it would be like Fester getting capped

Uncle Fester · Post by **Uncle Fester** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:18 pm

Luckycharmer wrote:
Dougie wrote:I remember watching Ireland v NZ in around '97. Christian Cullen was pretty much at his peak around then and was making idiots out of plenty of green-shirted would-be tacklers. Then Kevin Nowlan tried to run a kick back a la Cullen and looked like a retard running in quicksand. Got absolutely smashed.
That was the game we went into an early lead from 2 woody tries only to lose 63-14. I think it was maybe a big step up for Kevin who I had played with in a J6 final just over 2 years previously - biggest rise ever which I doubt we will see again it would be like Fester getting capped

I live in hope LC!

Uncle Fester · Post by **Uncle Fester** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:19 pm

Jeff the Bear wrote:We could put a team together that could beat (i.e. lose) to that set.

Go for it. I'll be happy to contribute/comment.

iarmhiman · Post by **iarmhiman** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:19 pm

Maurice Field was pure shite at centre and James Topping at 14 was the big hope to succede Simon Geoghegan but he was crap as well.

Niall Woods couldn't tackle

suonish · Post by **suonish** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:22 pm

Luckycharmer wrote:
Dougie wrote:I remember watching Ireland v NZ in around '97. Christian Cullen was pretty much at his peak around then and was making idiots out of plenty of green-shirted would-be tacklers. Then Kevin Nowlan tried to run a kick back a la Cullen and looked like a retard running in quicksand. Got absolutely smashed.
That was the game we went into an early lead from 2 woody tries only to lose 63-14. I think it was maybe a big step up for Kevin who I had played with in a J6 final just over 2 years previously - biggest rise ever which I doubt we will see again it would be like Fester getting capped

Longwell is a bad call, Willie. Limited, but played some good Tests.

Luckycharmer · Post by **Luckycharmer** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:34 pm

Uncle Fester wrote:
Luckycharmer wrote:
Dougie wrote:I remember watching Ireland v NZ in around '97. Christian Cullen was pretty much at his peak around then and was making idiots out of plenty of green-shirted would-be tacklers. Then Kevin Nowlan tried to run a kick back a la Cullen and looked like a retard running in quicksand. Got absolutely smashed.
That was the game we went into an early lead from 2 woody tries only to lose 63-14. I think it was maybe a big step up for Kevin who I had played with in a J6 final just over 2 years previously - biggest rise ever which I doubt we will see again it would be like Fester getting capped
I live in hope LC!

He actually played for the vets a couple of years ago - he didn't want to know

KermitFrog · Post by **KermitFrog** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 6:08 pm

Uncle Fester wrote:The old thread was a blast while we reminisced about some of the godawful shite that got capped during that very forgettable era. It was a decade where we had a lot of honest toilers but very little class. However, some absolute shockers got capped during that period.

Here's one team completely from memory:
15. Kevin Nowlan (very competitive position this. Cases to be made for Kenny Murphy and Colin Wilkinson too)
14. John McWeeney (converted forward who dominated like a boss at club level but woefully inept at international level
13. Brian Glennon (one of those players that you actually have to check the records to confirm that, yes he did actually play for Ireland)
12. Kieran McQuilkin (decent coach and nice footballer he might have been but the nightmares of him being outpaced by forwards cannot easily be washed away. I know DOB will be on my back for not picking Danaher but at least he got to the position to be able to make/miss the tackle. Sean MacCahill deserves a mention too)
11. Matt Mostyn (O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee!)
10. Nicky Barry (Namibia - need I say more. Honourable mention to Alan McGowan)
9. Niall Hogan (easily the most competitive position on the team but Hogan the epitome of everything that was wrong with us in the nineties. He was 5'8" and had a pass that would make TOL look good. He had no break and but he did tackle a lot and gave good speeches so they made him captain)
8. Ben Cronin (the original beanpole number 8, his debut against Scotland was so traumatic that picking him against the same opposition two years later should have seen a phonecall made with the ISPCA)
7. Gordon Hamilton (maybe slightly contentious one this but after scoring that try against Oz in 1991, he pretty much became a fixture in the team despite actually being rubbish. Honourable mention for Ken O'Connell)
6. Dylan O'Grady (as long as Brian Ashton is a coach, he needs to be reminded of this insane selection)
5. Brian Rigney (like Damian Browne, a big lump and similarly useless)
4. Richard Costello (the very definition of a one-cap wonder)
3. Paul McCarthy (so shit he couldn't even get the better of a converted second row)
2. John "Spud" Murphy (Greystones legend but a paraplegic would have
1. Henry Hurley (got mangled against Samoa and was never heard from again)

I'm sure others will have entirely different teams due to the rich pickings available at the time. Add comments on why they should be included.

Fester

Ralph Keyes is a shoe in at 10

themaddog · Post by **themaddog** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 6:39 pm

No love for Neville Furlong?

earl the beaver · Post by **earl the beaver** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 6:44 pm

earl the beaver wrote:
Uncle Fester wrote: 7. Gordon Hamilton (maybe slightly contentious one this but after scoring that try against Oz in 1991, he pretty much became a fixture in the team despite actually being rubbish. Honourable mention for Ken O'Connell)
What f**king nonsense.

He only played 1 game post world cup for Ireland and then was somewhat harshly discarded.

Oi

I want to see this injustice properly addressed.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 6:48 pm

iarmhiman wrote:Maurice Field was pure shite at centre and James Topping at 14 was the big hope to succede Simon Geoghegan but he was crap as well.

Niall Woods couldn't tackle

Field has no business being mentioned in this thread. He was no world beater, but he came in for Danaher and was a big step up in quality. His tackling was a big part of the win in Twickenham in 94, and he marked Scott Gibbs out of the game in Cardiff in 95 (or was it 97?)

Jeff the Bear · Post by **Jeff the Bear** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 6:56 pm

Uncle Fester wrote:
Jeff the Bear wrote:We could put a team together that could beat (i.e. lose) to that set.
Go for it. I'll be happy to contribute/comment.

In fact, I don't even need to go searching for different players, this team played together, and apart from about 2 players, it's still worse that that Irish one:

15 FB
Kevin Morgan
14 W
Wayne Proctor
13 C
Neil Boobyer
12 C
Leigh Davies
11 W
Gareth Thomas
10 FH
Neil Jenkins
9 SH
Rob Howley (c)
1 P
Andrew Lewis
2 H
Garin Jenkins
3 P
Dai Young
4 L
Mike Voyle
5 L
Andy Moore
6 F
Rob Appleyard
7 F
Colin Charvis
8 N8
Stuart Davies

Replacements
16 H
Jonathan Humphreys
17 P
Lyndon Mustoe
18 C
Dafydd James
19 F
Kingsley Jones
20
Byron Hayward
21
Paul John
22
Stuart Roy

This team took a pasting off France in 1998...Stuart f**king Roy!

Hippopotamarse · Post by **Hippopotamarse** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 6:08 am

Jeff the Bear wrote:
Uncle Fester wrote:
Jeff the Bear wrote:We could put a team together that could beat (i.e. lose) to that set.
Go for it. I'll be happy to contribute/comment.
In fact, I don't even need to go searching for different players, this team played together, and apart from about 2 players, it's still worse that that Irish one:

15 FB
Kevin Morgan
14 W
Wayne Proctor
13 C
Neil Boobyer
12 C
Leigh Davies
11 W
Gareth Thomas
10 FH
Neil Jenkins
9 SH
Rob Howley (c)
1 P
Andrew Lewis
2 H
Garin Jenkins
3 P
Dai Young
4 L
Mike Voyle
5 L
Andy Moore
6 F
Rob Appleyard
7 F
Colin Charvis
8 N8
Stuart Davies

Replacements
16 H
Jonathan Humphreys
17 P
Lyndon Mustoe
18 C
Dafydd James
19 F
Kingsley Jones
20
Byron Hayward
21
Paul John
22
Stuart Roy

This team took a pasting off France in 1998...Stuart f**king Roy!

The weakness with your team is that it includes quality individuals like Howley and Neil Jenkins (limited but brilliant at what he could do). Im sure in 1998 Leigh Davies was seen as quite the up and coming player.

earl the beaver · Post by **earl the beaver** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:28 am

earl the beaver wrote:
earl the beaver wrote:
Uncle Fester wrote: 7. Gordon Hamilton (maybe slightly contentious one this but after scoring that try against Oz in 1991, he pretty much became a fixture in the team despite actually being rubbish. Honourable mention for Ken O'Connell)
What f**king nonsense.

He only played 1 game post world cup for Ireland and then was somewhat harshly discarded.
Oi

I want to see this injustice properly addressed.

Hey Fester do you want to explain how after that try against Aus he became a feature for a whole 1 game in November 92, not even being picked for the 92 5N?

Uncle Fester · Post by **Uncle Fester** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 2:24 pm

themaddog wrote:No love for Neville Furlong?

He hopped over the line on a broken ankle against Auckland on that nightmare tour to score a try. I'm going to give him a pass for that level of physical commitment.

KermitFrog wrote:Fester

Ralph Keyes is a shoe in at 10

Think only DOB will agree with you re the top scorer at the 1991 RWC.

Earl
I mixed him up with somebody else and will amend my post accordingly.

Hellraiser · Post by **Hellraiser** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 2:28 pm

Miguel Indurain wrote:There were some duds alright.

Don Whittle? This was the American-football loving Ulster loose forward who was going to bring "physicality" to Parc Des Prince much like that other great loose forward Paul Hogan.
Died a death.

Gary Longwell.
Prop Paul Flavin. Prop Tom Clancy.
Scrumhalf Niall Hogan.

edit : I see Hogan is on UF's list. So I'll nominate Fergus Ahearne for scrum half instead

Niall Woods?

Longwell was capped in the 00s and he was a decent player.

Uncle Fester · Post by **Uncle Fester** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 2:30 pm

He was a solid enough player alright.

Also Willie, no problem with Gus Aherne. You could even make a case for Rolland if you wanted to.

camroc1 · Post by **camroc1** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:13 pm

themaddog · Post by **themaddog** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:18 pm

earl the beaver wrote:
iarmhiman wrote:
Miguel Indurain wrote:There were some duds alright.

Don Whittle? This was the American-football loving Ulster loose forward who was going to bring "physicality" to Parc Des Prince much like that other great loose forward Paul Hogan.
Died a death.

Gary Longwell.
Prop Paul Flavin. Prop Tom Clancy.
Scrumhalf Niall Hogan.

edit : I see Hogan is on UF's list. So I'll nominate Fergus Ahearne for scrum half instead

Niall Woods?
Really??? I thought he was a very good player
The Boat was much too Protestant for Von Duggan.

Five years on and some posters are yet to evolve their posting style.

Winnie · Post by **Winnie** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:20 pm

Derek McAleese played 10 in Paris in 92
We were gubbed and I was fortunate enough to be there to see it

God the 90s were grim

Darth_Quinlan · Post by **Darth_Quinlan** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:09 pm

themaddog wrote:No love for Neville Furlong?

He;s still floating around limerick
His personality is as strong as his rugby acumen.....

The Sun God · Post by **The Sun God** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 3:56 pm

Uncle Fester wrote:The old thread was a blast while we reminisced about some of the godawful shite that got capped during that very forgettable era. It was a decade where we had a lot of honest toilers but very little class. However, some absolute shockers got capped during that period.

Here's one team completely from memory:
15. Kevin Nowlan (very competitive position this. Cases to be made for Kenny Murphy and Colin Wilkinson too)
14. John McWeeney (converted forward who dominated like a boss at club level but woefully inept at international level
13. Brian Glennon (one of those players that you actually have to check the records to confirm that, yes he did actually play for Ireland)
12. Kieran McQuilkin (decent coach and nice footballer he might have been but the nightmares of him being outpaced by forwards cannot easily be washed away. I know DOB will be on my back for not picking Danaher but at least he got to the position to be able to make/miss the tackle. Sean MacCahill deserves a mention too)
11. Matt Mostyn (O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee!)
10. Nicky Barry (Namibia - need I say more. Honourable mention to Alan McGowan)
9. Niall Hogan (easily the most competitive position on the team but Hogan the epitome of everything that was wrong with us in the nineties. He was 5'8" and had a pass that would make TOL look good. He had no break and but he did tackle a lot and gave good speeches so they made him captain)
8. Ben Cronin (the original beanpole number 8, his debut against Scotland was so traumatic that picking him against the same opposition two years later should have seen a phonecall made with the ISPCA)
7. Gordon Hamilton (maybe slightly contentious one this but after scoring that try against Oz in 1991, everyone thought he was great. His next and final cap against the same opposition was a return to reality. Honourable mention for Ken O'Connell)
6. Dylan O'Grady (as long as Brian Ashton is a coach, he needs to be reminded of this insane selection)
5. Brian Rigney (like Damian Browne, a big lump and similarly useless)
4. Richard Costello (the very definition of a one-cap wonder)
3. Paul McCarthy (so shit he couldn't even get the better of a converted second row)
2. John "Spud" Murphy (Greystones legend but a paraplegic would have
1. Henry Hurley (got mangled against Samoa and was never heard from again)

I'm sure others will have entirely different teams due to the rich pickings available at the time. Add comments on why they should be included.

Oh the pain....the pain.

Chuckles1188 · Post by **Chuckles1188** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 4:01 pm

Easily the most important thing to come up in this thread so far is that Wales have capped a player named Neil Boobyer

penguin · Post by **penguin** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 4:06 pm

Hippopotamarse wrote:
Jeff the Bear wrote:
Uncle Fester wrote:
Jeff the Bear wrote:We could put a team together that could beat (i.e. lose) to that set.
Go for it. I'll be happy to contribute/comment.
In fact, I don't even need to go searching for different players, this team played together, and apart from about 2 players, it's still worse that that Irish one:

This team took a pasting off France in 1998...Stuart f**king Roy!

The weakness with your team is that it includes quality individuals like Howley and Neil Jenkins (limited but brilliant at what he could do). Im sure in 1998 Leigh Davies was seen as quite the up and coming player.

He was, the bastard. he had me fooled.

Yeah, 6 lions players in that welsh 22. The drop off in quality is quite something to behold though.

To be fair any Welsh XV of the 90s needs Derwyn Jones at 5, and as captain. Height 6'10, crapness? Immeasurable.

lorcanoworms · Post by **lorcanoworms** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 4:10 pm

Philip Danaher.

A5D5E5 · Post by **A5D5E5** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 4:11 pm

Jeff the Bear wrote:
Uncle Fester wrote:
Jeff the Bear wrote:We could put a team together that could beat (i.e. lose) to that set.
Go for it. I'll be happy to contribute/comment.
In fact, I don't even need to go searching for different players, this team played together, and apart from about 2 players, it's still worse that that Irish one:

15 FB
Kevin Morgan
14 W
Wayne Proctor
13 C
Neil Boobyer
12 C
Leigh Davies
11 W
Gareth Thomas
10 FH
Neil Jenkins
9 SH
Rob Howley (c)
1 P
Andrew Lewis
2 H
Garin Jenkins
3 P
Dai Young
4 L
Mike Voyle
5 L
Andy Moore
6 F
Rob Appleyard
7 F
Colin Charvis
8 N8
Stuart Davies

Replacements
16 H
Jonathan Humphreys
17 P
Lyndon Mustoe
18 C
Dafydd James
19 F
Kingsley Jones
20
Byron Hayward
21
Paul John
22
Stuart Roy

This team took a pasting off France in 1998...Stuart f**king Roy!

Howley would be good enough on his own. Milk a few penalties for offside at the ruck (could they still do that back when he played?) and Jenkins would have the scoreboard ticking over nicely.