hi lads just looking for bit of help im 27 havent played in 9 years would love to play again iv never played club rugby only schools am i too old to go back playing? thoughts/help?
hi lads just looking for bit of help im 27 havent played in 9 years would love to play again iv never played club rugby only schools am i too old to go back playing? thoughts/help?
Not at all. I've known many guys in their late 20's early 30's who never held a rugby ball in their lives and took it up at J2 or J3 level and did quite well, played lots of games etc... and really enjoyed it. My advice would be to concentrate on the specifics for your position rather than trying to develop your all round game . i.e. if your a back just concentrate on improving your passing and kicking out of hand etc.. if your a forward dont bother with that just concentrate on ball carrying ect... Hooker- Darts etc etc etc.... At our age we have to play to our strengths and if you do that and train away then theres no reason why you couldn't get what you want out of it.
"We've got to be really careful we get our backyard right before we start looking over the fence."
Rob Penney - Rugby coach and Philosopher
Absolutely go for it. I didn't play for a few years and went back with no problem. The only thing I'd recommend is to build up a bit of strength/fitness before you go back. Also the contact will take a little time to get used to but that'll come in time. Your core skills will be good from your time at school so that'll be like riding a bike.
Finally join a junior club.
\"There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness\".
Dalai Lama
Yep, getting used to the contact is the hardest thing.
retired about ten years ago to become a ref and got quite fit without any of the impact injuries common when playing.
made an appearance in a charity match a few years after retiring, and I remember making the first tackle and my brain telling me get up off the ground but my body didn't agree.
I felt like a car crash the next morning .
aside from that I really enjoyed it
There'll definitely be a club somewhere that will give you a run at some level. You're looking at the right time - pre-season is starting in a lot of places and it's an ideal time to get the fitness up and get to know a few faces.
The main thing for me whenever I've come back from long term injuries hasn't been the contact as such, but the speed of thought and decision making that's required even at a fairly junior level. That only comes with playing, and things becoming muscle memory again.
I'd agree to an extent with John on the fitness thing - conditioning is important in avoiding injury - but I wouldn't get too fixated on trying to hit a certain level of fitness before playing. You'll put it off forever.
Get on the pitch as soon as you can, take the lumps and you'll see your fitness coming up to scratch pretty quickly.
My principle piece of advice would be to train and train regularly - even if you do little or no fitness. Lads who come back and have a social run out at the weekend without training spend more than half the season injured, in my experience.
I'm 36 and about to go into pre-season again. With a fair wind and injuries permitting I reckon I've got another four seasons in me before I have to think seriously about it - but staying injury free is the key.
With a bit of luck and a bit of training, you have a good ten to fifteen years rugby in front of you - more with vets or if you're front 5.
Best of luck with it!
"We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven into an age of unreason if we dig deep into our history and remember we are not descended from fearful men" Edward R Murrow
"Little by little, we have been brought into the present condition in which we are able neither to tolerate the evils from which we suffer, nor the remedies we need to cure them." - Livy
ya not worried about fitness have been playing sport g.a.a/soccer up to now decided no more soccer and play rugby again iv been googling about junior rugby but nothing really about it on web when does season start?
Where do you want to play G.A.A. man? i.e. what province or county? Junior rugby usually starts in the Autumn and runs up to late spring early summer depending on cup competitions etc. My reasoning for asking where you can play is it may govern what level you want to play. Some may only have a j1 team which would in fairness be too high a level to be starting at. If you could find a j3 team or possibly even j4 or j5 if based in Dublin. it would be a lot more bearable. I would strongly advice you to do some strenght and conditioning specific training before going back to build up your core and stability as this is vital just to be able to cope with hits in training and games. Not a bad ida either to get involved in some of the tag rugby competitions going on around during the summer just to get used to movement within the game and throw a ball around again.Hope this helps.
Last edited by Jollygreengiant; 24th-July-2012 at 00:17.
\"If you can dream it, you can do it\".
\"To the cowardly and unfaithful, nothing is possible\"
Well GAAman! Like yourself I spent most of my twenties playing GAA after 2 years of injuries I gave up at the ripe old age of 27 and did NOTHING (and i do mean NOTHING) but puff away, drink pints and talk about the good auld days until I was 34.
After a lot of "High Stool" chat I was convinced to join a local Junior side, even though I've never played the game in my life. I am now about to enter my 3rd Pre-season playing J2/J3 and I love every minute. The Fags are gone the body feels great and I'm hoping, after spending a lot more time in the Gym, this will be my best season so far.
Go for it lad You'll be grand!
where are you? Ill point you in the right direction of a nearby Junior clubOriginally Posted by g.a.a man
Im here to spread the word..common sense is not just for animals
27!! maan you are still young! There is still years in there for the game! I suggest you start getting your cardio up. So that when you train with the squad, your fitness level will be better. Most importantly, to get the machine up and running again.
I wouldn't recommend St. Senan's in Shannon...
Seriously though, you may well be good enough to play J1 if you're good enough. Beyond that preseason is back for junior clubs in July and August depending on the club. Best of luck.
\"There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness\".
Dalai Lama
I'm living close to limerick city
I first picked up a rugby ball when I was in final year in UCC and it was just to get fit more than anything. I loved it and have played J4 and J5 since though I am not too committed. If you've been playing any team ball game up to now you be flying. As you've fitness nailed the rest will fall into place very easily.
Aim to play Gleeson League first, you can do that by joining any thirds team from any of the senior clubs around town but if you want to become a better player eventually and aim for a higher standard join a Junior club,that way you will be training to a higher standard each week, Richmond and St Marys both J1 clubs in the premier junior division have J3 sides and if you are more towards Clare St Senans in Shannon also have a J3 side that play Gleeson League.
If your out towards Cork or Tipp side you are **** out of luck for a Junior club, the J3 teams barely play out there. You would be better off coming in to Old Cresent or UL Bohs depending on location. Both have good thrids set up but seperate from the senior squads, and if your out towards Bruff well Bruff RFC have a thirds team as well.
Senans train Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings if you are interested, dont mind John123, he is just a bitter Ennis fkr because they cant scrape enough lads together to play a bit of J3, shame really, would love to play the useless feckers in a thirsty thirds game
Im here to spread the word..common sense is not just for animals
Isnt Gleeson League not j2 level?
None of the tipp sides(or limerick) field at j3 level.
I agree with Duffman if you are close to the city go play in a city club as you will get more opportunitys to play matches
J3 Ormond Lad, it gets closer to J1 when finals are to be played though ...not mentioning any names....All Senior Clubs
Im here to spread the word..common sense is not just for animals
But its j2 level. junior clubs 2nds and senior clubs 3rds
all clubs will drop players from higher sides as you get to finals to make winning trophy easier
I have aspirations of playing for Munster or one of the provinces, how does the ladder work that side? Or better yet, which teams compete at the level just below?
Junior Clubs 2nd's or Senior 3Rd's does not mean J2, it just means the 2nd or 3rd team in the club. They could be J4 or J5 even
You need to go play for Clon,if thats the case.
Otaga Daily Times 2/5/2012
Taz-Where did you get that information as I have seen nowhere that he(Penney) was ruled out?
Editor - The writer stands by the Penney information.
Otaga Daily Times 3/5/2012
Editor-- This article originally said Rob Penney had missed out on the Munster coaching job. That information was incorrect.
Thanks for the feedback, I am on the Irish rugby website right now and I cannot seem to find, Clon.
oH I see, Clontarf.
AIL Div1A, 4 Senior Clubs in Limerick, 2 in Cork and and 4 in Dublin
Shannon, Young Munster, Garryowen, UL Bohs all in Limerick
Dolphin, Cork Con, in Cork
St Marys, Clontarf, Old Belvedere and Lansdowne all in Dublin
Good luck with it bud
Im here to spread the word..common sense is not just for animals
OP, good luck with it.... Fair play. Im sure you will love being back, Especially when the cold winter nights training kick in....
What position are you?
Seems like your best bet is to play Gleeson League as Duffman has mentioned previously. Its a good standard that most people can slot into.... In that league you'll come accoss the occasional 'ledrendary 3rds player' with a nuclear boot and a massive beer belly to go with it.... (just think of Andy Goode) which is always good craic... and its a pretty good league.
Being a member of a junior club myself (Richmond), I would be of the opinion that you are better off joining a junior club...
I think the quality of training will be better than a senior club 3rds team. The reason being is that typically junior clubs 1st's and 2nds team's train together... That way you will be training with players playing Munster Junior 1sts... That will help you improve your game and also give you chances to prove yourself and push into the 1st team.... Mind you I am not 100% sure if all senior 3rds teams train alone, but I think they do AFAIK....
I think its also good to get involved in a smaller community based junior club as they often dont seem to have the same appeal as the senior clubs...
I'd recommend St. Mary's, Porky will spot you if you have Munster junior aspirations
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a pint in one hand, wine in the other totally worn out and screaming \'WOOO HOOOO\' what a ride! I wanna go round again.
Thanks Duffman, that is very insightful infomation.
Darkser,what level are you playing at in SA?
Otaga Daily Times 2/5/2012
Taz-Where did you get that information as I have seen nowhere that he(Penney) was ruled out?
Editor - The writer stands by the Penney information.
Otaga Daily Times 3/5/2012
Editor-- This article originally said Rob Penney had missed out on the Munster coaching job. That information was incorrect.
In cork/dublin it doesnt but in Tipperary and Limerick(where the OP is based) a junior clubs 2nds or senior clubs 3rds is J2 as there is no j3/j4/j5 rugby in the limerick area
I play Super league A, It would be the equivalent to the AIL DivA.
so a bit different, last time I played I was 22/23 and playing AIL Div1, havnt played in about 5 years due to long injury when 23. I trained away and only about a stone overweight, serious training would knock that off in a month. Half thinking of going back playing but how much has div 1 jumped in 5 years. will I just get a complete battering or is it possible to take that much of a break and come back playing at that level.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote