THOMOND PARK, originally uploaded by L09C.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Fortress Thomond repels Leinster - Munster 22 Leinster 5
There was a great atmosphere in Thomond Park on for the derby game between Munster and Leinster on Saturday evening. For Leinster, this was their best chance to defend their Magners League title. For Munster, it was a chance to pull away from their nearest rivals. For both teams, the most important thing was to get through the match free from injury, in advance of the Heineken Quarter finals next week-end.
I drove down to Limerick on Saturday afternoon. John and his fellow Leinster supporter, Paul travelled down with me - for them it was their first trip to Thomond. We arrived down in plenty of time. We left Dublin at 4 and were parked and inside the ground by 6.45 - very comfortable for a 7.30 kick off. The game was a complete sell-out and there was a great atmosphere in the ground as the teams warmed up on the pitch. The Celtic Tenors were there to provide the pre-match entertainment. They sang that Limerick anthem "There is an Isle" and were joined by songwriter Pete St John for a great rendition of "The Fields of Athenry". There was a strong Leinster contingent just beside where I was sitting and they were pretty vocal throughout. But the Munster fans easily made the most noise.
Munster V Leinster, Thomond Park, Uploaded by M+MD.
Leinster were the better team for much of first half. They were far superior to Munster in the breakdown. But Munster went in at half time 6-0 up with O'Gara scoring 2 penalties and Contepomi was seriously off form missing all of his kicks on goal.
That's a Second Row Forward!, Uploaded by M+MD.
In the second half Munster began to get the upper hand. First with 2 more penalties and then with a great try from Keith Earls, bringing the score to 17-0. Then D'Arcy scored a well worked try. Then Shane Horgan made a second defensive error to let Barry Murphy pass him on the wing and set up an easy pass to put substitute Fogarty over for a final try. That was it, game over, with the final score 22-5.
The biggest surprise of the night was Contepomi's failure to get even one kick over the bar. As an Argentinien and Leinster player each miss was gleefully applauded by the Thomond crowd! Rocky Elstrom was easily the best Leinster player but RoG was man of the match. Elstrom almost got in for a second consolation try at the end, but Stringer who had just come on as a sub appeared out of nowhere and toppled him.
That pretty much secures the Magners League for Munster. They have Scarlets Connaught and Ospreys at home and Cardif Blues away from home. Ospreys are the only real danger left in the Magners League, but they have to play both Munster and Scarlets away from home.
Bull Hayes replaced, Uploaded by M+MD.
The competition for places on both teams for next week-end will be intense. The Munster supporters behind me were roaring at the ref to blow up full-time for nearly ten minutes at the end of the game. They were worried about an injury to Bull Hayes. Buckley replaced the Bull in the 67th minute but Buckley had to go off again, injured, after just 4 minutes. Munster had no choice but to Hayes bring back on. This problem the only weak point in the Munster set up. If Buckley is back fit for next week-end it will relieve many worried Munster fans.
It was a late drive back to Dublin but the roads are getting better and we were all home before 1pm.
Next week-end we have a very busy Easter Sunday. First up at 1.00 is the Heineken Quarter-final between Munster and Ospreys. That is followed by the Quarter-final between Harlequins and Leinster in London. After the rugby is all settled we get the final day of the Masters in Augusta. Even if there is no Irishman in contention the return of Tiger will almost certainly be under discussion. We also have the final round matches of the National Football League to be settled that afternoon.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Sports Seasons
This Blog has become quite rugby centric over the past few weeks. That shouldn't be a surprise in the year that Ireland won the Grand Slam. Especially when me and my Nikon were at four of the five matches. The focus on rugby will continue I hope until the end of May as Munster try to retain the Heineken Cup. My Nikon (and me!) has tickets for that final in Murrayfield on the 24th of May.
Padraig Harrington, Uploaded by M+MD.
Next week I won't be at the next big Sporting event - the Masters Golf at Augusta. The Irish flags will be flown by Padraig Harrington and the not wonder Rory McElroy. Tiger is of course back on the scene after a 9 month lay-off and will want to retain the Masters to show that he is really back. Phil Mickleson has come very close to stealing his No 1 spot in the World Rankings which willl give Tiger the added incentive - not that he needs one. We can look forward to more golf during the summer when Harrington will be trying to win three British Opens in a row. That is something that hasn't been done since Peter Thomson (1954-56). Unfortunately my Nikon won't get to to many of those golf events.
Then we have the All Ireland Football and Hurling championships starting in May. We will certainly get to a few of those games this summer. Kildare have had a good run in the National League and so they are setting me up to have my heart broken again this summer.
Speaking of heartbreak I have stayed very quite about Leeds. Its not that I've given up - but as they have dragged themselves back into play-off zone again I just don't want to speculate about those possibilities after our play-off heartbreak in 2 of the last 3 years. Automatic promotion looks impossible now Peterboro beat Leicester City last week-end which was probably our best chance that the gap might close.
Of course those other heartbeak kids the Irish soccer team raised our hopes with a first minute goal against Bulgaria last week-end only to play rubbish for the rest of the game and conceed a own goal in the second half for a very unsatisfactory home draw. Then last Wednesday we had almost the direct opposite outcome in Bari when Italy scored in the first 10 minutes only to be caught by a last minute goal by Robbie Keane. Another 1-1 draw - but this time away to Italy - the World Champions!
The joys and heartbreak of sport. Its just what we need to distract is in these dreadful economic times in which we find ourselves.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Teams named for Munster V Leinster match
Munster have fielded all 8 of their Irish Internationals who started against Wales in Cardiff. Leinster have named 3 out of 5 with Brian O'Driscoll and Luke Fitzgerald not even on the squad. Its a little odd - maybe Leinster have resigned themselves to a loss and are placing all their hopes on the re-match that will result if tehy can beat Harlequins in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals. Of course I am assuming that Munster will beat the Ospreys! The trip to Murrayfield in May is looking even more hopeful!
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Munster V Leinster this week-end
With the Heineken Cup quarter finals the following week-end, the final teams selected, for this top of the table clash, will be interesting. Munster probably have the greater depth - it was the second string Munster team who almost beat the All-Blacks last November, although they were helped at that time by the number of players not eligible to play for Ireland. This factor doesn't help the coach's dilemma this time. Leinster have reasonably depth - the Magners League performance last week was not on the basis of the strongest possible selection.
Leinster 0 Munster 18, RDS, Sept 2008, Uploaded by M+MD.
The squads have been announced. The Leinster squad of 29 now includes Brian O'Driscoll; Jamie Heaslip; Luke Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney. The question is will they start and how long will they play. Cheika is keen to reverse the 18-0 drubbing which Munster gave Leinster at the RDS back in the Autumn. A loss for Leinster will probably close out their chances of retaining the Magners League Trophy, though there are four more games after next Saturday. However a seven point deficit is very hard to make up.
The Munster squad of 26 includes the Grand Slam. Again the question is who will start and who will finish. Ian Dowling is also back fit, he is a very welcome return.
The final 22 will probably not be named until Saturday morning.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
April Fools Day in the Media
Many media outlets in particular celebrated April Fool's Day today with spoof reports and advertisements.
The Irish Times reported that the Revenue Commissioners were planning an electronic tagging system for 'high net worth' tax exiles. The system would be provided by a US firm called 'Failproof'.
Herald AM featured no fewer than three spoof stories, two on the front page and one on the back.
For sports fans, the prospect of a high-profile addition to the resolution of the Cork hurling management saga was raised by a report saying Denis Walsh was poised to add Roy Keane to his backroom team.
On the news pages, US President Barack Obama was reported to have paid a surprise overnight visit to Co Offaly on his way to the G20 summit - to the annoyance of Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
And, in a report readers might be slow to dismiss as a phoney, the paper said graduates were to face a ban on moving overseas until they completed paying back their student loans.
A report on the Australian Herald Sun's website said the symbolic 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground would be bought by 'Mekong Industries, one of the largest companies in China', and renamed the Mekong Stadium. Victoria state Tourism Minister Tim Holding said Melbourne was bidding to hold the running of the bulls when the contract the Spanish city of Pamplona has held since the 13th century expires. Mr Holding said the bulls would run down the cafe-lined streets in the centre of the city, adding a new event to sit alongside the Australian Open tennis and the Formula One Grand Prix on Melbourne's sporting calendar.
Also in Australia, more than two dozen people in Melbourne woke to find their cars wrapped in cling wrap. he cling-film bandits striking at popular shopping precincts, outside railway stations and in sought-after residential areas, tightly wrapping cars in the plastic wrap. At least 28 cars were reportedly wrapped including one vehicle in Clarendon St in South Melbourne, another on Domain Rd, South Yarra, Church St, Richmond and again at Clifton Hill railway station.
Meanwhile Microsoft has revealed its latest blockbuster title for the Xbox 360, Alpine Legend. A variation on the popular Guitar Hero games, it would let players test their yodelling skills and, for a limited time, come with a free goat.
German FFH radio announced to listeners that Chancellor Angela Merkel was pregnant at the age of 54. Ms Merkel has always said she was 'too busy' to start a family.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Leinster Bonus - Leinster 32 Ulster 629th March 2009
Leinster beat Ulster at the RDS on Sunday. Leinster managed to do it in some style at the end - scoring a fourth try in the final minute. The Leinster tries came from Fergus McFadden; Rocky Elstrom; Leo Cullen and finally Simon Keogh.
Leinster V Ulster, Uploaded by M+MD.
The final try was on the back of five minutes camped on the Ulster line. The Ulster defence held solid as the Leinster forwards tried repeatedly to get over the line. Finally the ball was passed back deep to Simon Keogh who took the perfect diagonal line and made it over. Where we were sitting we could see his path to the line as soon as he received the pass. 4th try - bonus point!
Ulster are a much improved team and I saw them trounce Munster over Christmas. Matt Williams has done a lot with them since the start of the season. The second half was the best RDS performance by Leinster since their victory over Wasps at the start of the Heineken Cup campaign back in October.
The bonus point brings Leinster within 3 points of Munster who still too the table. Munster had a comfortable 26-13 win away to their bogey team Glasgow on Friday night. This is a great set up for the derby match in Thomond Park next week-end. Neither side can afford to field their very best team because of the Heineken Cup quarter-finals the following week-end. However with the Magners League at stake it should be a great match. Munster were never really interested in the Magners until Leinster won it last year. Its clear that it is a very important - even if secondary - objective this season. The league (and the Irish performances) have been better for than ambition.
An Irish Magners League and Heineken Cup double would be a great conclusion to a Grand Slam year!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Curragh Rugby Club
Town Cup Final Curragh V Kilkenny, Uploaded by M+MD.
My first memory of Curragh Rugby club is travelling to some far off place like Navan on a cold Sunday to a Towns Cup match. I was about 11 and had a developing interest in the game. I had even been to Lansdowne Road to “see” Ireland play England. I had travelled up with Barney and Joan and while they managed to buy a ticket I was hopped over the turnstile. I remember the crush in the terraces – occasionally I could see snatches of the game – but it was exciting to be there.
Navan in early spring was a different story for an eleven year old. It may have been the final and it may not have been Navan, but what I remember most is the full back playing for The Curragh. He was the star of the game kicking penalties and defending against all-comers. “Who’s he?” I asked. “Ssh” said Barney and then soto voce he said “That’s Dermot Earley, he’s going under the same Sean McDermott because of the ban”. Others will remember the outcome of that match, I don’t recall who won. I hope this revelation doesn’t embarrass General Earley or cause a tribunal of enquiry and a decision to reverse the result for the fielding an illegal player.
During the early seventies Curragh was around for us from time to time, but I don’t remember Barney being very involved. But then in 1977 I arrived home from college one week-end to be told that he had been elected President of the rugby club. Maybe others can remember why, but it was a strange appointment to me. I remember Gerry McMahon was Chairman and I think Donagh O’Keeffe was Captain. I think Donagh and Barney worked together in the A&Q school – maybe that’s the key to the mystery. But like all things Barney threw himself into the job wholeheartedly. I remember him explaining that the President was really an honorary position and that past presidents didn’t even attend committee meetings. But he was at committee meetings every week. There was a lot of activity and army politics associated with the development of the club house and facilities on the Green Road.
Then there was the trip to Ross on Wye. I only saw the photos and heard (some of) the stories. My strongest memory is that Barney arrived home with a hat. It was like something that Micheál MacLíammóir would wear. He called it the president’s hat. There is a photograph somewhere I hope I can find it. I know he made a big impression in Ross-on-Wye because in March 1981 just 5 months before he died I joined him on his one and only pilgrimage to Cheltenham (horse racing was his other sporting love). Joan and I travelled over with him and we stayed in Ross-on-Wye with friends from that rugby trip.
The other memories are following the team – especially through that Towns Cup campaign with Bob Cole in 1978. Joan knitted black and yellow scarves; monkey hats and made a great big Curragh banner as well as lots of flags. I believed for many years that we lost that match because of the case of champagne that Barney brought in the boot of his car for the post match celebrations. It was returned to the mess the following day for a full refund.
Towns Cup Curragh V Athy 1978, Uploaded by M+MD.
As a family we continued our association with The Curragh as supporters. Brian played with the team for a couple of years. But mainly the connection continued through the Dobey Cup. This was run as an underage blitz every January. The cup was ridiculously big for such a competition – larger than life you could say – just like Barney.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Grand Slam at Last - Wales 15 Ireland 17, Cardiff, 21st March 2009
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.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
An Irish Team to Win the Grand Slam?
15 – Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys) 13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) Captain )12 – Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 11 – Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)10 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)9 – Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster)1 – Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster)2 – Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)3 – John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)5 – Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)6 – Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)7 – David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Scotland 15 Ireland 22 Murrayfield Saturday 14th March 2009
It had been planned a long time ago - Mags and I were in Edinburgh to watch Ireland play Scotland on the 4th leg of their Grand Slam quest. We travelled over late Friday evening and return late on Sunday.
Saturday morning I collected the tickets - they were on the front row in the west stand. The match wasn't until 5 so we wandered around. It’s such a beautiful city with the hills and dramatic cliffs of Arthurs seat; the dramatic setting of the castle and royal gardens; the lovely old sandstone houses; the intriguing lanes and archways. And of course there were shops. They were a little hard to find but we managed to locate them in the end.
Our hotel was located on the Royal mile just up from Princes Street. We dropped off our purchases and got on our match gear and set off for the grounds around 3pm. As we walked past The Balmoral Hotel there was a small crowd gathered on the footpath and a Bus Eireann coach parked outside. It turned out at the team were due to leave for the grounds in a few minutes. In fact they kept is waiting 15 minutes before they appeared. I managed to get a good spot near the door and captured a picture of each team member as they passed. I nearly missed Drico - he was first and fastest of the main group onto the bus. They were all very much "in the zone" and walked through the crowd as if they weren't there.
We got a bus to Murrayfield which took us most of the way before it became faster and easier to walk! There was a great atmosphere and a lot of Irish fans. We got something to eat in the grounds and were in our seats by 4.40. Scotland started with a lot of intensity. Before long Ireland had conceded a penalty and Chris Paterson (who doesn't know how a miss a penalty!) slotted it over. Patterson continued to punish all kickable penalties all day. By half-time he had kicked four scoring all of Scotland’s points. But Ronan was back on form and he was successful in his three shots at goal in the first half. The second of these gave him the record for the most scores in the 6 nations.
O'Connell Dominates, Uploaded by M+MD.
After the initial Scottish pressure Ireland settled down well enough and when they took their 3rd penalty in the first half the Scots were very relieved to have escaped without conceding a try. As the half ended as Ireland were again applying the pressure. I was pretty sure at half time that Ireland could score a couple of tries or that Scotland would start to crumble.
Stringers Quick Pass, Uploaded by M+MD.
The second half continued as the first had ended with continued Irish attack. However the Scots had done their homework and they defended well against O'Connell and O'Driscoll. We had one heart stopping moment when Thom Evans kicked the ball ahead and collected a very kindly bounce to run past O'Gara only to be tackled by Bowe. Evans managed a great offload to Godman who looked like he could reach the line but a fantastic covering run and tackle by O'Driscoll saved the day for Ireland. Then in the 60th minute Stringer made a great break through the Scottish defence and after a great offload to Heaslip the Naas giant ran in with his arm up in celebration and nearly forgot to ground the ball properly. The try had to be confirmed by the TMO!
Fitzgerald tackles Godman, Uploaded by M+MD.
Ronan kicked the conversion and we were in the lead for the first time. Paterson kicked another penalty. Ronan managed one more penalty - though he missed 2. Then he made up for than with a lovely drop goal. Ireland really closed out the game by a constant attack on the Scottish line. We should have scored more tries against a weak Scottish side. But a win in Murrayfield is always difficult.
The dream continues and my trip to Cardiff next Saturday is full of hope and just a little fear and doubt.
Departure Meribel Sunday 22nd February 2009
No skiing today. We had breakfast at the usual time. We weren't leaving for the airport until 11.30 but we were supposed to be packed and in the sitting area by 10.00. We managed to collect everything and move the bags downstairs sometime around 10. Deirdre and Chris were ready to leave around 10.30. We wondered who would be home first. I was quietly confident that they couldn't make it before midnight. They were booked on the Eurotunnel at 9.30 pm and with the M25 to circumnavigate it seemed even ambitious. I reckoned we would be at home drinking tea by 7.30. We said our goodbyes. The snow was beginning to fall. We had no definite plans for next year - but recession permitting we would do something together again. They have another week planned in Les Gets this Easter! We're jealous already!
Ready to Drive back to Hitchin, Uploaded by M+MD.
After they left we had about an hour to kill. We were all packed and Sol made us tea. At 11.30 we loaded up the van and we all piled in. It was still snowing and the laneway out of the chalet is up a short steep hill. With the full load on board the Highlife van we didn't make it, it lost traction in the final 20 metres. Two attempts later we were kicked out and Chris, our driver tried another couple of times. No joy. Then the owner of our chalet, who lived next door tried. Expert? No luck! It was still snowing and it was now approaching noon. Finally the owner’s brother (chalet on the other side) got out his 4x4 jeep and towed the Highlife van up the hill. We all got back in and soon we were on our way to Lyon.
No further adventures. Our flight was on time and sure enough we were at home in Rathmines by 6.30. As we arrived in the door we got a text from Deirdre - "first wash in machine - drinking a cup of tea!" They must have had a very clear home run!
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