The decision to go to Cardiff was made 10 days ago before the Scotland game. The round trip including match ticket was extravagant at €500, but now I can say that to be there was priceless. Millennium Stadium is the best rugby arena I have been in – I haven't been to Parc de France (yet), but Wales should really be the home of rugby. There are only 2 countries in the world where Rugby has the status of being the national sport – New Zealand and Wales. The atmosphere was fantastic – the Welsh are such fair supporters.
Before the Match, Uploaded by M+MD.
O'Connell Steals Welsh Line-Out, Uploaded by M+MD.
The game was just unbelievable. While we lived through every nail biting minute, I didn't really appreciate what a great contest it was until I watched on the television at home the next day. The drama of the last 5 minutes would be totally unbelievable if it was scripted. It was almost another "nearly did it" Irish story. Stephen Jones could have stolen it with that last kick. But it would have been robbery – there is a great rugby god in the sky who watches over these things – I think he tugged Jones' shirt was he was kicking! Thank goodness Gavin "prepare to party" Henson missed a long range penalty earlier – otherwise he would have been given a shot and I fear he wouldn't have missed.
Just before O'Driscoll's Try, Uploaded by M+MD.
But those "what might have beens" belong to Wales this year. Last year in Croke Park Wales won the Triple Crown. They went ahead with just five minutes to go and held out to the end. A week later they defeated France to win Grand Slam in 2008. This year they might have done the same when Stephen Jones kicked that drop goal with five minutes to go. But Ireland managed to work themselves into a drop goal position with just 2 minutes to go and apart from the heart-stopping final penalty, the rest is history.
Welsh line break, Uploaded by M+MD.
On the plane going out we were honoured by Jack Kyle's company. On the way home he sat beside Paul in the lounge. Paul asked him to sign his match ticket and I got a photograph from 1948 signed. Jack Kyle has been considered Ireland's best ever player for more than 60 years. Perhaps he will have to give that up – I'm sure he won't mind.
The great part about it all is that the rugby season isn't over yet. We have Munster playing the Ospreys in Thomond Park and Leinster playing Harlequins at The Stoop on Easter Sunday. Before that we will have Leinster playing Munster in Thomond park – although that will be both their second string teams. We have the prospect of another all Ireland Heineken Cup semi-final if they can both win. That gives me the added bonus of a trip to Edinburgh again as I already have 3 tickets for the Heineken Cup Final bought and paid for!
Moment of Joy, Uploaded by M+MD.
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