The Irish Times have opened the floodgates to the 'trolls' on Gerry Thornley's Tuesday rugby columns, and unsurprisingly, they're laying into GT for his unflinching support of Deccie Kidney's flailing regime. They picked a great column to open the comments for - this week is vintage Gerry, with Thornley getting in excuses early for the three defeats Ireland is likely to ship in New Zealand in the summer. 'You almost felt a little sorry for Kidney and, on either side of him, Gert Smal and Les Kiss,' Thornley writes. Yes, pity Kidney, burdened with coaching a team composed of the blazingly in-form repeat Heineken Cup champions featuring the last two ERC players of the year. Here's a sampling of the comments:
Brian Patrick Donnelly: Gerry you say "it’s decidedly unfair to level the supposed “failure” on Kidney and co." This is top professional sport, the buck should stop with the management yet, and this is simply a result-based example, we have failed to beat Wales, France and England in any our last 9 matches against them collectively. And that's before we even think about New Zealand. Who exactly do you think is responsible for the "supposed failure"?
Neil Evans: Thornley, people are saying that you are far too 'bedded' with the Irish management team and I am beginning to agree. Not once, have you ever criticized Kidney for his track record of the last 3 years which has been nowhere near good enough. The stark contrast in your treatment of Kidney compared to O'Sullivan is extraordinary. The fact is, Kidney has the bulk of players from one of the greatest teams in European rugby history and still has Ireland playing like a mid-table team.
Its not 2008/2009 anymore, yet Kidney still plays a territory kicking game, has the outhalf standing deep and setting up pods. He refuses to play Reddan and Sexton together despite our best performances (England in 2011, Australia in 2011) coming when those two played together. He still starts Donnacha O'Callaghan who doesn't even start for a poor performing Munster team. He doesn't pick on form, is playing an outdated game and doesn't get the results anymore.
I'm sure Hugh Farrelky's sent him a supportive text.
[h/t WOC]
