Gerry Thornley
speaker
2,299 appearances
10 recordings
3 series
first heard Apr 2026
last heard 18 Sep
Gerry Thornley’s voice in public audio — every appearance, attributed to the second.
Trend
recordings per month · last 12 monthsRecordings per month over the last 12 months — 10 in all, peaking in May 2026 with 4.
Appearances
But be that as it may, that's what they're doing.
They're going right down to the grassroots of the game and the other three provinces.
And they've targeted schools in Munster and Ulster because it's where there's more ready-made access to young players.
than anywhere else it's just easier to coach in volume than it would be by going around the clubs and so that's the way they've gone it's an interesting development but it's kind of long term isn't it it's not going to bring immediately swift improvements but it might well be something that we look back on in five and ten years time yeah that was that really did something to salvage Irish rugby at a time when it needed I think it's something that should have been done a long time ago and I think
the more of this investment in the growth, in the underage systems around Ireland, outside of Leinster, the better.
Because Leinster have been the conveyor belt for too long, and almost single-handedly in some levels.
And the other provinces need to put their shoulders to the wheel as well, because Ireland's had a glorious time, but there's no guarantee that this will last.
When you look at the vast numbers coming in through France now, you look at the Team France...
don't have, and look at South Africa, the numbers they have.
Ireland are doing remarkably well to be punching them with those two in the All Blacks among the top four in the world, but it mightn't last forever.
Yeah, they were very up and down.
I mean, I do hear good things about Craig McMillan.
His impact in Munster has not been as sharp and profound as Stuart Lancaster's impact, and Connacht and Nick came more or less at the same time.
But I think, you know, coaches generally need two or three years to see the fruits of their labour before we can pass judging on them.
I think Lancaster's had an extraordinary impact, helped by the...
the new Dexcom Stadium and the stand there because it's, as he said himself, it's a game changer.
His timing to come in as Connacht coach was perfect and it's a great time to be Connacht player as Sean Jansen and Sam Illo and Billy Bone demonstrated last Saturday.
That's the thing, Nathan.
Things can change quickly.
You know what I mean?
Showing 741–760 of 2,299 · page 38 of 115
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