I’ve played rugby in the front row since the age of 12, and I’ve had my share of neck and back injuries – thankfully nothing very serious, but enough to keep me off the pitch for 6-12 months sometimes. In the past 3-4 years I’ve been seeing a chiropractor regularly, and I think he’s been good for me in a preventative manner (although he’s horrified that I still play rugby), but recently when I had an issue to resolve it didn’t work out so well and I reckoned I needed to look elsewhere.
A while back I built a website for Dene Hickey, a “qualified neuromuscular therapist”. I hadn’t a clue what ” neuromuscular therapy” meant at the time, but it sounded impressive. I recently met Dene about another website for his growing sports massage business.
read the rest of this post »
England 16-20 Ireland

Earls scores against England - photo from BBC site (linked)
After a disasterous visit to Paris and a very disappointing performance against the French, Ireland have got their 2010 Six Nations campaign back on track with a hard-fought victory in Twickenham.
It was by no means a classic performance, made more of grit and determination rather than a champagne performance. A huge amount of tackles put in by the Irish line, with the vast majority of possession to England.
read the rest of this post »
The evidence clearly suggests that Thierry Henry is a cheat, and a thief.
Video replays show that he controlled the ball with his hand at least twice, and possibly 3 times, in a split second incident 13 minutes into extra-time of the France-Ireland World Cup Qualifying Playoff.
Because of the resulting goal, France won, Ireland lost and won’t take part in World Cup South Africa 2010.
The referee missed the blatent (on replay!) handball at the time. Irish players, management and officials were incensed that such an obvious foul could be missed. Within 2 hours of the incident, 2000+ people had joined the Thierry Henry should apologise to Ireland Facebook group.
But is Henry a cheat and a thief? Well, honestly, I think that’s not relevant.
read the rest of this post »
Breaking news – it appears that Matt Williams is leaving Ulster Rugby!
A shock and total surprise. Sad news for Ulster and Irish rugby, Matt is a gentleman and a superb coach and will be greatly missed.
Sources: last few minutes of the Ruggamatrix podcast, transcribed by mikerob over on the UAFC board:
read the rest of this post »

Leinster beat Munster 25-6 in the 2009 Heineken Cup Semi Final, a reversal of the 2006 result
What a win! What a glorious, glorious win! Here’s some pictures from the wonderful occasion, and it certainly was a massive win for rugby and Ireland, as well as Leinster. After my previous post being a humorous response to the drubbing Munster gave Leinster, it’s a massive turn around.
read the rest of this post »
Some humour after Leinster’s humilitation in Munster last Saturday.
Limerick Leader News Headlines
Keith Earls was arrested after the Leinster match on Saturday for suspected theft and kidnapping after Gordon Darcy was reported missing.
read the rest of this post »