Who made qualifier-Cape Fear call?

Whose responsibility is the controversial siting of this weekend's World Cup qualifier in Charleston, South Carolina, which is competing with the nearby Cape Fear 7s tournament?

In reply to an open letter from the tournament director, USARFU chief executive Nigel Melville Friday indicated that unnamed Eagle coaches and players lobbied for the venue, and that the union's failure to communicate its decision is attributable to a departed employee.

A day earlier, Ray Funderburk wrote to Melville to reiterate that no one had alerted tournament organizers of the decision, much less consulted with the 35-year-old event, and so the clash pits rugby against itself in competing for regional sponsorship dollars. Funderburk also pointed out that the Cape Fear 7s is part of a fledgling effort by the USA 7s tournament to provide elite regional tournaments with prize money, in an effort to seed the grassroots of the 'abbreviated game'.

The venue for the July 4 was announced in February, prior to Eddie O'Sullivan's March signing, and O'Sullivan's staff was not named until April. Over the past year, USARFU's Eagle scheduling has been under fire for playing an optional match against Ireland in Santa Clara on the same date as the national club championship in Denver, and for playing a French club in Charleston on the same weekend as the 7s national championships in San Francisco.

USARFU's test strategy would be more easily defended if revenue were outstripping costs, but no money appears to be falling to the bottom line. In fact, player dues and sponsorship monies ostensibly intended for the collegiate ranks look to be required by the Eagles, while Boulder staff are shifted to event management.

With this month's Churchill final falling almost 50 percent shy of its break-even attendance mark of 9,000, the USA's inaugural staging of the tournament lost some $450,000, according to people familiar with the matter. USARFU is a partner in the venture with England's Rugby Football Union and Rugby Canada.

The World Cup qualifying date was determined by the International Rugby Board. In his reply, Melville also indicates that the union hasn't been looking for regional sponsorship, which prompts questions about the saleability of the Charleston event and is likely to raise eyebrows in Dublin, which is footing the bill for the qualifiers.

The compete text of the two letters is below.

June 25, 2009

Mr. Nigel Melville
CEO and President
USA Rugby Operations

An Open Letter

Dear Mr. Melville:

My name is Ray Funderburk and I am the tournament director of the Cape Fear Sevens.  On July 4th of this year we will kick-off the thirty-fifth annual Cape Fear Sevens tournament.  For thirty-five years we have played our tournament on the weekend closest to the Fourth of July.  For thirty-five years my club has put on an event that has attracted all levels of rugby
clubs, both men's and women's, to compete in Wilmington , North Carolina.

Our tournament has given small regional clubs the opportunity to play against and watch some of the best sevens teams in the US; it has provided premier clubs the opportunity to test themselves against high-level US clubs and teams from Great Britain, Canada, and Trinidad.  The Cape Fear Sevens has provided a stage for US Eagles, England and Trinidad National players, and in 1997, the centerpiece of our tournament was the US vs Wales 15s test match.  We have not only been a constant fixture on the summer sevens circuit, an argument could be made that we have been the premier event of US sevens tournaments.

So, you might understand my anger, my frustration, my consternation when USA Rugby scheduled the USA Canada test match in Charleston on July Fourth.  We could not, and we would not change the date of our event.

USA Rugby has shown a complete lack of business acumen and basic communication ability. No one from USA Rugby contacted anyone at the Cape Fear Rugby Club.  No one showed the business sense or the common courtesy to
give us a call to talk about the schedule and location of an event that could have a serious impact on our existing event.  And, communication skills aside, it seems that USA Rugby has little understanding of the business and promotional aspects of this decision. Regional rugby events compete for sponsorship dollars and publicity with regional soccer, baseball, lacrosse, MMA, and too many events and organizations to list here.  We should not compete with other rugby events for those dollars and spectators.

This year is critical because USA Sevens is attempting to initiate a USA Sevens circuit with generous prize money for premier US teams at selected regional events, and a final tournament with those teams playing for the largest purse in US Rugby history.  USA Rugby has shown either ignorance or arrogance in scheduling the Canada test in direct competition with this attempt at establishing a US Sevens circuit.  I expect better planning, communication, and scheduling from USA Rugby, and US Rugby clubs and players deserve better.

Ray Funderburk, III
Director, Cape Fear Sevens

----------

[June 26, 2009
to Jeff Mundie]

Jeff,

Thanks for copying me on the letter below [above], it wasn't sent to me directly, so I thank you for doing so and hopefully you can pass this message to Ray Funderburk III.

Firstly, the reason the Rugby World Cup Qualifier is in Charleston is because the Eagles coaches and players wanted the game to be played there. They played against Clermont in Charleston a year ago and found it to be an excellent venue and wanted to return to play this extremely important international fixture.

The dates for the game were the 4th and 11th July, this was predetermined by the Rugby World Cup, the home and away options were then agreed, Canada having first pick as higher seed from the previous RWC. We therefore had to play on 4th July weekend.

I was under the impression that Court Jeske, USA Rugby had met with the Cape Fear Sevens organizers to discuss the situation. If this meeting did not happen I can only apologize. Court has now left USA Rugby.

I realize that this is an inconvenience for the Cape Fear organizers, in terms of local sponsorship dollars, we have not, and will not be engaging with local sponsors for this event.

Having played in the Cape Fear event myself, I know what a wonderful everyone does to put on this event, with the game being played live in HD on ESPN, I am sure that many supporters will choose to attend the Cape Fear weekend and watch the game on TV. It is an unfortunate position, it was not planned to in anyway undermine the sevens event, and in the future I will ensure that our events staff fully communicate with local event organizers before agreeing venues.

Kind regards

Nigel Melville
CEO
USA Rugby

Related:
    Barclays backs away from Churchill; tournament to Denver for 3 years
    On the World Cup qualifier: correspondence
    Heavy costs in 2009 test schedule

Comments

[Eleventh Hour]

This topic was discussed on this blog months ago. Why would Funderburk wait until a week and a half before the event to lodge his complaint? Also, the RWCQ was scheduled well in advance of the USA Sevens putting backing behind the Cape Fear event. Not that Nigel's response is much better. Throwing Jeske under the bus is pretty bush league.

[as you go]

As great as the Cape Fear 7's is, the management may or may not have even thought about the threat of the qualifier, but as most touraments go, you are chasing the teams 2-3 weeks out, and probably some that have come reguarly and others said, we are going the Charleston.

This most likely caused Funderburk to act.

Now, having said all of that, no contact, really no contact, coaches and players wanted this, Court's fault, we have no business plan so we won't be going after sponsorship...this all proves the signs of we don't have a clue what we are doing!

Don't bring the 7's into it, this is about attendance, etc. Don't worry, you can watch it on ESPN HD rather than show up...this move was meant for people around the country, a general rugby media build, not for those in the region...PPP = PPR

[Nigel got this one right.]

This is one of the few times I agree with Melville. The Eagles should be playing rugby on the 4th of July weekend.

For the experienced social rugger, Wilmington on the 4th is a great venue. The competition is competitive and the nightlife is fantastic that weekend.

For the casual fan, it is pretty much a standard balloon park affair.

Nigel has to protect his interests from direct and indirect competition. He has to stay on plan, backing up over Jeske was easy. Remember the plan:
1.Hire or eliminate all threats.
2.Distance yourself from critics
3.Associate only with those who can further your interests.
4.Continue to devalue domestic Rugby competitions
5.Legalize gambling and prostitution within the scope of rugby
5.

[FAIL]

This match is going to be poorly attended. Having it on the 4th of July is just stupid. Do you really think that people are going to change their historic plans to go to a rugby match? People are going to go to grandmas, go to the lake, go to the fireworks show, go to the beach, etc as they do every year.

As a rugby spectacle it will be average. The Churchill Cup produced a few good moments and one good match, which was the Saxons v Ireland A. I think Canada wins because they showed they can convert pressure into points, where the Eagles were loose in defense and attack for the whole tournament. Canada has their systems in place for the last year and they have the squad settled. Canada by 10 to 15 points after the Eagles breakdown about 60 minutes into the match.

[Eleventh Hour]

Funderburk brought the 7s into it, not me.

[Counselor]

Thanksgiving- football
Christmas- basketball
New Years- football
Easter- baseball
July 4th- rugby

It is good that Nigel makes an association with this day, in a historic city. Wilmington is only historic for the movie with Nolte and Deniro, and for being the place where Michael Jordan's father was a legend with the ladies.

[bruce mclane]

I am not sure that the Eagle coaching staff had much to do with choosing the venue since none of them aside from Bill LeClerc and Dave Williams were on the staff last year and I doubt they decided where to play.

I am not commenting one way or the other since I have been to neither venue or event, but as far as the excuse of the coaches deciding it and the players deciding it, my guess is that it is nonsense, I can't imagine that there was a player poll and that they decided that it was best to play on July 4 in SC in July in heat and humidity, but I could be wrong.

There is no harm is saying USA decided it because we liked the place, why pass the buck. Just say you picked it either for financial reasons, or any reason for that matter, I am almost certain that it was not up to the players or the current coach, but I could be wrong, would love to see that email chain and coach and player survey.

[Flynn Hagerty]

"I can't imagine that there was a player poll and that they decided that it was best to play on July 4 in SC in July in heat and humidity, but I could be wrong."

I thought USA Rugby specifically picked a venue that would derive maximum advantage over the Canadians. The Canadians are going to be much less comfortable in the muggy heat than the Eagles.

"Do you really think that people are going to change their historic plans to go to a rugby match? People are going to go to grandmas, go to the lake, go to the fireworks show, go to the beach, etc as they do every year."

People go to sporting events all the time on July 4th. There are hundreds of major and minor league games and tens of thousands of people go to Coney Island to watch people eat hot dogs. why should this be any different?

[melting away in sc]

I can't believe EITHER team is going to fare well in the heat and humidity of the match.

Don't you think the Eagles should be training down there to get used to it? 90 in Glendale is a lot different from 90 in Charleston.

If US Rugby had ANY common sense they would have had this match at Glendale where a small crowd does not get lost in a sea of empty seats. Like it our not rugby is not a draw for the average American. The attendance at the Cleremont game was poor. It will not show well on ESPN.

Tickets best be VERY cheap to lure some casual observers ...

Given that the match is being played in Charleston why not do it at night when it will at least be a little cooler. Heck - put on a fireworks display after the match to celebrate the 4th.

This is bad planning all around even without taking into account the Cape Fear 7's.

To be honest - I would have had the match staged in Aspen with the players training there to acclimate to the altitude. THAT would have been a competitive advantage. So what if there is no stadium.

All we are going to get in SC is a match that gets interrupted by water breaks and players melting away as the day goes on .... not good for rugby or the Eagles.

[Flynn Hagerty]

Blackbaud Stadium has 5,100 seats, if the crowd gets lost in there it's because USAR did a piss-poor job promoting a Can-Am World Cup qualifier on July 4th. By no means am I ruling out that they have, in fact I figure they probably will do a piss poor job promoting the game.

Balboa Park has 4,100 seats plus room for another thousand on the grass berms. It costs about 2 beans to rent for the day and at $15 a pop you'll fill the place up for a Can-Am game on the 4th. Why did we stop playing there again?

[Dr. Jekyll]

The only question I have is, if Nese Malifa bites you, do you suddenly gain the ability to kick the ball 25 meters directly down the throat of the fullback?

In that case, the Georgian victim just found his way off of the National team.

[Rugby Mom]

Article on the Eagles in today's USA Today paper.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2009-06-29-us-rugby-cover_N.htm

[AA]

Great article. Unfortunately, I think I read the same one about 10 years ago. It is still a huge sacrifice for these guys to play for the US. On the plus side - at least the game is on ESPN.

[Marty Bradley]

Interesting comment by Petri about players not having health insurance. It echoes some of the things that Johnson was harping on in his final days in the US.

USA Rugby members are required to have $100,000 in medical coverage.

That needs to be fixed. Either provide the national team players with insurance or drop the requirement for general membership.

Better yet, provide a limited supplemental accident policy for all registrants along with that general liability that we always are reminded of - at least for youth through college...

[ISP8]

Game should be played on July 4th.

I agree about folks not changing travel plans, somewhat.

All the more reason to have the game near a big metro area.

People WONT change plans to go to Charleston, unless they live nearby.

Have the game near a rugby population, like in DC-BOS area or Bay Area. People can then choose to stay locally (rather than going to grandma's) and catch the match.

Having the game at a vacation destination during a long weekend simply makes it harder to draw a crowd, when compared to finding a good venue within a 1-2 hr drive of thousands of ruggers & expats.

[SD Hitman]

"We're on the same level as other international players, because, realistically, you are," says Petri, who made his U.S. national team debut in the 2007 World Cup. "We spend 40 hours a week working. They spend 40 hours a week playing rugby."

....huh????

[AP]

Baseball teams are hungry to get July 4th as their home games, guarantees huge numbers. I don't know about fan support in Charleston, but the Bay Area put 10,000 fans in the stands to see Ireland, if the Canada game was here I would go see it. I think that USARFU got this one right.

[MP.SR.]

I believe he was misguoted . Should have written we are not on the same level

[The Babe]

I have no idea why people are complaining about this event.
Attendance figures are nothing compared to what this event looks like on TV. This administration needs a home run this weekend.

Having the game at a vacation destination (if promoted properly) has all the makings of a home run (or whatever they call homeruns in England) for those who are there.

There is NO excuse for Blackbaud to appear empty. There are no more excuses for USA Rugby, on or off the field.

USA Soccer, coming off a 2nd place FIFA finish in SA, is on Fox Soccer channel 6pm PT. Quest Field should have a 30k+ in attendance and a fireworks show lighting up the sky.

ESPN is probably kicking themselves right now....

USA Rugby, coming off a 5th place (of 6) Churchill Cup finish, is on ESPN 4pm ET. Blackbaud will should have 3k+ in attendance, and an Eagle mascot waving a flag while being interviewed by some idiot sideline comentator.

ESPN is probably kicking themselves right now...

We need a "Ruthian" performance on the day, otherwise it is back to the woodshed for these USARFools.

[Bonzai]

As expected, Japan won the bidding to get the Bledisloe Cup this October. Another pipe dream by the current leadership of USA Rugby.

[Ray Viers]

Japan was always going to get the Bledisloe Cup test over Denver. After what happened last year in Hong Kong, the NZRFU and ARU demanded guarantees on attendance and money. No one in there right mind was going to do that with IVESCO Field in Denver. This they got in Japan.
It was a no brainer.
Petco Park in San Diego would be a more appealing destination in any event and is a considerably smaller stadium.
Maybe next time - and not for at least three years.

[Ouch!]

So what was Nese Malifa thinking when he is a late replacement in a match and decides to bite the opposition in a ruck? Basically his suspension gifted our weakest kicking and attacking flyhalf the 10 jersey for the qualifiers.

EOS must be taking long looks into the mirror each day and wondering what he has gotten himself into.

[Dirty rugby is just that.]

What I find amazing is the BYU fullback bites the Cal outside center in the first half of the national finals, it is shown to the referee at halftime and no action is taken.

[Trend]

Biting and eye gouges are more and more common. Last weekend in the NZ v Italy match and the Boks v Lions match there were eye gouging incidents. Prior to the professional era, removal of rucking from the game and the television official, guys would get to ruck someone (put the boots in) or get away with a punch. Now that is gone and it looks like bites and eye gouges are attempts to stamp some intimidation on the game or stop teams from using slow ball tactics. Sounds like that is what Nese Malifa was doing as it happen when he was attempting to present the ball after a tackle. The guy tried to slow it down and he decided to take a bite. It was caught on tape and now he is done or the qualifiers. Seems stupid to me, and maybe the boots in the ruck have to come back into the game.

[Live @ the Four Seasons]

Japan's bedding is far superior to Denver's 600 bloody thread count. The silk sheets are absolutely heavenly, not to mention the finest sashim and superior "in call" services.

[Rabid flyhalf]

I have seen more boots allowed lately. The breakdowns are so dirty these days.

One boot is like having 8 little referees under your foot, it speeds up the game.

Punching, biting, gouging and kicking are a different story. Having been on the receiving end of all 4 on the donor of two, they have no place in the game.

The penalties for these offenses need to be elevated.

[Socal]

Perhaps a mistake by USA rugby but this games success means EVERYTHING to rugby in the USA both in terms of exposure and getting us into the world cup. A sevens tournament and a club one at that means relatively nothing. It's an unfortunate situation but the 7's tournament should no doubt be moved to another date. We NEED this eagles game to be a complete success both in the play on the field, the outcome of the game, the attendance, and the t.v. ratings.

[SoCal]

Socal, let's assume you have a point, it means EVERYTHING - we live on a continent, this tournament has been around for over 35 years, draws a hundred teams or more - so you get this deal (I can only assume) to play in remote Charleston and you decide to go there - would it be in your expectations that someone from USA Rugby would get in touch with the organizers and create a plan - or place it where we can draw more, train nearby etc? Especially since the CEO himself played in this tournament way back when.

If we NEED to get behind it and it means EVERYTHING a little more thought would be nice!

By the way, why does it mean EVERTHING?!

[ISP8]

Should have hosted the test match at UNC-Wilmington on Saturday night, say 8pm kickoff.

Cape Fear RFC co-hosts.

Instead of charging $300/team for the tournament another $200 bucks. Bundle in 10 or 12 general admission tickets into the tournament entry fee.

If the "100 teams" materializes (which I've been to Fear and sounds a bit of an exaggeration), you've then got 1000 tickets sold.

The USARFU needs to find ways to create synergy with the domestic club scene, not to continually compete against it.

[ISP8]

I meant to say:

Instead of charging $300/team for the tournament [RAISE THE PRICE BY] another $200 bucks. Bundle in 10 or 12 general admission tickets into the tournament entry fee.

[ISP8 = crazy]

ISP8, man hold on there, you mean actually work with them, talk to them, discuss things with them - but they are not professional rugby people, just club people, why would you want to do that...logic on this subject, you went out on a limb there ISP8 - but that is what I dig about you man!

[typical]

I think there are almost 60 teams for this years Cape Fear 7s. I have been there in the past when there have been more than 90 teams.

http://www.fearrugby.com/sevens.html

[fingers crossed]

sp8,
A few thousand in ticket sales means nothing. Its more important to create a showcase for the game and brand the 4th as rugby day.

The concern is that ESPN has made rugby feel like a softball game rather than a athletic/cultural event in the past. I'm sure Nigel has addressed this.

The 4pm kickoff is not ideal (see USA Soccer 6pm) if you seek a larger gate and don't want to compete with the beach and the barbie, but a 4pm time slot on ESPN is incredible.

If ever Nigel ever needed to connect, it is now. We'll know within the first 3 minutes of the program if ESPN and USA Rugby is capable of maintaining a connection with the viewer.

[UNC-W]

Good luck getting the match played at UNC-Wilmington. That administration hates everything about rugby and their former team is currently on indefinite suspension.

[DaTruth]

Wasn't the '97 Eagles - Wales match held at UNC-Wilmington, in conjunction with the Cape Fear tournament? Seemed to be a decent crowd there too, if memory serves.

[Olympic participation is the key!]

For general public popularity purposes I don't think a win by the USA this Saturday really means much. While we love to root against Canada just for the hell of it, in USA sports there is nothing magical on beating up on the Canadians.

I think the critical elements are as follows: quality production by ESPN (or whoever is actually producing); excited fans in stands; exciting offensive game.

If ESPN can sell a spelling bee, and some of their other alternate programing, they can sell this. If ESPN is producing, this element is handled.

As for excited fans in stands, I'm not beyond putting shills in the stands. Offer free beer and a wet t-shirt contest in the parking lot if that is what it takes to fill the stands with loud and excited twenty somethings. Make it appear something to be fun to go to. Watching empty seats and hearing crickets chirp in Denver or Chicago doesn't entice anyone out.

Finally, for promotional purposes I don't care who wins as long as it is competitive, and at least 50 points are scored. An amazing kick by the USA at the hooter would obviously help matters, but please no slow ball defensive game!!! That will have people comparing to soccer, or god forbid even cricket.

[koooothy]

Koothy MAN to the RESCUEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[spinning our wheels]

DaTruth, the Wales v USA match as part of Cape Fear 7's was fairly well attended about 4-5k, the crowd was on one side of the stadium and it looked pretty good for TV. The match was shown nationally on Fox Sports Net. Wales defeated the Eagles by 10 points in a competitive match.

[DaTruth]

Thanks, Spinning. I was actually there, but couldn't remember if it was televised, or if it was actually on the UNC-W campus. the whole weekend was a pretty good time, from what I recall (other than trying to play 7's in about 95F/90% humidity!).

[red card]

Hear is a take on biting.

Bin the coach as well as the player. For an Eagles' player to bite during a match then plead "I'm not-guilty", before being found guilty on the reverse angle camera is a team management issue.

Same with the BYU coach who allows his players at BYU to bite and short arm tackle to the neck.

The only way to drive this out of the game is to get coaches on board. If they were receiving a band as well, they would do their best to make sure their players tow the line.

Ref's need to also be consistent. The US ref who did the college final should be dropped a rank for his handling of the final. He allowed BYU to get away with several very dangerous tackles (tackles where no yellow cards were given) and was shown a bloody bite mark and chose to do nothing about it.

[Sitton TV]

If the broadcast has Dave Sitton talking about the match being a real Donnybrook, making gridiron references or saying other grandpa-ish things, the broadcast is a failure. Let's see some young vibrant person in the booth.

[bruce mclane]

Dave Sitton is a capable announcer who understands rugby. He relates it to football so that non rugby viewers understand the game better.

Non-rugby people that I know who have watched games announced by Sitton have enjoyed his calls. They felt that he made the game clear and easy to understand.

I am not sure if Sitton is doing the game, but I don't understand why he keeps getting crushed by people on this board.

Just because he is older doesn't mean he lacks talent. He is very talented. If you want someone else, make a suggestion and see if they will take a job for the same pay and see if that person would be as talented as Sitton.

You will find that in sports many older announcers are quite good and quite professional, while many young announcers are quite intolerable.

Finding someone with Sitton's pedigree in announcing coupled with his understanding of rugby is not easy, live TV demands that the announcer be very talented and Sitton is.

[Broadcast School]

It is common sense that a producer of live sport for TV has a lot of things that he/she can not control. The weather, crowd size, crowd enthusiasm, quality of competition, referee performance, player performance, score, etc. What they can control is who has the microphone and to what audience they wish that announcer to appeal and speak to. Let's get a guy that the potential audience of approximately 500K people that played or play rugby in this nation (expats and nationals) want to see and hear. I would suggest Brian Vizard and Gareth Rees call the game with someone like Keith Wood or Austin Healey being the color commentator. Surely Nigel can call in a favor and just have USA Rugby pay the expenses. That would be an appropriate team.

I am sorry, but Dave Sitton is the man that I want sitting next to my Mom at a HS match as she watches her grandson play. He is not the man that I want to comment on a World Cup Qualifier.

[bruce mclane]

School,
Your ideas are OK

Viz is generally the color guy as is Rees. (if Sitton is doing the game, my guess is that Viz is with him)
Keith Wood and Healy generally do video or in studio stuff with rugby, but maybe they would be good, haven't seen them do play by play.

Play by play is not easy, the IRB uses Nigel Starmer Smith for IRB 7's and U-20's.

Sitton is by far better.

I can't think of someone better than Sitton as a play by play who can relate to the youth as people seem to want (I am also not sure exactly what that means).

Sitton does PAC 10 basketball back in Arizona, he is a real announcer. He happens to coach rugby and love rugby, so we are lucky to have him.

[Depends]

Do they have an adult diaper in the booth for grandpa Sitton?

[Sitton Fan]

I agree with Bruce, Sitton is a pro and we're lucky to have him. BTW, "Donnybrook" is a legit rugby phrase. Why don't you like it? He brings some authentic rugby phrases to the game and mixes them in with some grid-iron talk to help the new viewer follow the action. Smart.

Sitton does need to do some work on names though. He makes to many name errors.

Hey Bruce I see you corrected yourself on the million dollar qualifier, good for you. Old Ray just couldn't bring himself to do it. He sees himself as Mr International and the thought of being so uninformed must be tough on his ego. It was a LOL moment when he told the listeners he had sent off an note to the IRB.

The thought that came to mind is a guy from SoCal would rather send an email across the ocean to the IRB than ring USAR in Boulder. Its the great trust we have in Boulder at work!

Airfare, ground transport, lodging and meals is provided for all teams in every one of these RWCQ.

Didn't you read the $275K CEO's letter? USAR isn't even selling sponsorship. Easy street, this IRB welfare stuff.

[Huh?]

Donnybrook - site of the original Donnybrook Fair, which earned a reputation for drunkenness and disorder.

Great rugby phrase!

[yes its a rugby phrase]

Or Donnybrook, home for many many years to Lenister rugby.

[Diaper Man]

Sorry, but Sitton likes to use the non-rugby reference of the phrase to describe the match as, "It is going to be a real Donnybrook" when he should be saying that it is a "local derby" or just "a derby" if he wants to use a UK/Irish expression. A match can turn into a Donnybrook if it gets out of hand, but to imply a match is going to be disorderly or violent before it starts is ignorant. The guy is past his sell by date.