Rugby

[Bud Byrne]

Bud, you're a lucky man to have been there.

Only wish they'd played like that against France.

)

I was indeed priviledged to on e of the lucky few who had a ticket for that match. It was without doubt the most incredible sporting occasion I have ever been to. (And that includes last years Ryder Cup) It was pure passion. I have never heard Anthems sung like it before and I don't think I ever will again.

I had tried to explain to people all week that there would be no bother or booing in the ground during the anthems but I just could'nt get through to them. I was so, so glad I was right. Once again Irish Sporting Supporters have shown just how it should be done. (As at the Ryder Cup) You show respect for the opposition but you show raw, naked passion for you own country. Superb. I am still tingling thinking about it.

And yes it is a real pity we let the French off the hook but we will have a chance to reverse that result soon enough.......and the The All Blacks in the World Cup Final.......maybe, just maybe.

[firehazard]

And yes it is a real pity we let the French off the hook but we will have a chance to reverse that result soon enough.......and the The All Blacks in the World Cup Final.......maybe, just maybe.

Of course watching the tv wasn't anything like being there, but it certainly appeared that the atmosphere for the anthems was perfect. If only other supporters... and other sports... could learn to do it that way.

I shouldn't have mentioned the France match. Don't even want to think about it, really. Maybe they needed that defeat, in a way. Still a good chance of another Triple Crown, and the outside chance of winning the Six Nations if France slip up.

And once it's over, can't wait for the World Cup!

[Bud Byrne]

It really was outstanding. Each Anthem was sung right to the very last note before any clapping or cheering. Made me very proud I have to say.

I had a meeting with a fella today who went up on Saturday to try and buy a ticket outside. He was offered 1 just before kick-off for 1300 Euros.

And as you say bring on the World Cup. It will be six weeks of pure indulgence.

[Shaz]

it was a breathtaking occasion, even just viewed on TV. I'd have been surprised if the anthem had been booed -- rugby crowds tend to be fairly respectful of these, and presumably those who disagreed with Croke Park being opened up stayed away.

I videoed the whole thing and it has given me a wealth of material for a sports journalism module I am teaching -- I'll be using the GAA and Croke Park as a case study of sport and nationalism in a few weeks

The reaction in the English papers has been interesting, and I smell a trace of rugby union v rugby league snobbery coming into it. Blaming Andy Farrell for the defeat is crazy -- he played no worse than most of the others, and in some cases appreciably better. He may not be the answer to England's prayers, but I'd like a couple more games before that decision is made, particularly given the quality of his passing.

The pack pretty much lost England the match imo.

[philipchevron]

I videoed the whole thing and it has given me a wealth of material for a sports journalism module I am teaching -- I'll be using the GAA and Croke Park as a case study of sport and nationalism in a few weeks

Serendipity at its best.

[Shaz]

I videoed the whole thing and it has given me a wealth of material for a sports journalism module I am teaching -- I'll be using the GAA and Croke Park as a case study of sport and nationalism in a few weeks

Serendipity at its best.

Absolutely! Tomorrow's class on sports writing get to watch the first 15 minutes so that we can start to pick out the most striking incidents to focus a report on (shame I don't have the Scotland v Italy game on tape!) and then next week we use the anthems and the mini-feature on Croke Park at the start.

Interesting article here on one of those against letting in those foreign sports:
http://www.tribune.ie/article.tvt?_tick ... UBCATNAME=

[philipchevron]

I videoed the whole thing and it has given me a wealth of material for a sports journalism module I am teaching -- I'll be using the GAA and Croke Park as a case study of sport and nationalism in a few weeks

Serendipity at its best.

Absolutely! Tomorrow's class on sports writing get to watch the first 15 minutes so that we can start to pick out the most striking incidents to focus a report on (shame I don't have the Scotland v Italy game on tape!) and then next week we use the anthems and the mini-feature on Croke Park at the start.

Interesting article here on one of those against letting in those foreign sports:
http://www.tribune.ie/article.tvt?_tick ... UBCATNAME=

The incident at Croke Park in which the Black and Tans fired on the crowd in Croke Park is in the Neil Jordan movie Michael Collins though it is, famously or infamously, anachronistic to the period.

[Shaz]

The incident at Croke Park in which the Black and Tans fired on the crowd in Croke Park is in the Neil Jordan movie Michael Collins though it is, famously or infamously, anachronistic to the period.

I remember seeing the scene in the film. One of the articles at the weekend spotted the other hitch with it -- apparently the tank, or whatever it was, was outside the ground.

[firehazard]

So most of the likely England XV for next weekend's encounter with France are playing for their clubs this weekend. Even including Wilkinson this time.

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/sixnations2 ... 53,00.html

Ah well, after that worked so well last time, you can see why they'd be trying it again.

[Simon Maguire]

Did anyone see the prick standind outside Croke Park with the 'No Foreign Sports' sign whilest wearing a Celtic jearsey and tracksuit. Luckly though the sign was covering his face.

[Bud Byrne]

They had the picture in the papers over here. Tosser. It was the likes of him that caused all the bother at the parade in Dublin in the summer. Asshole.

[Shaz]

I see Gavin Henson's out of the Six Nations, not that I think he would necessarily have been picked. And his time primping and preening in front of the bathoom mirror will be severely curtailed when the sprog comes along

Story on the Beeb site with Phil Larder, the ex-RL bloke saying Farrell should be playing blindside flanker:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6404867.stm

[firehazard]

No, I think Gav's too much out of favour to be picked at the moment. And you're right, they'll have to clear all the hair gel and tanning lotion out of the bathroom to make room for the baby stuff.

Interesting article about Farrell. I agree, I don't think they should make him the scapegoat for all that's wrong with England. Think they have to work out what to do with him... but he wasn't a great success at flanker with Sarries. Though I see Larder does talk about that.

[Shaz]

No, I think Gav's too much out of favour to be picked at the moment. And you're right, they'll have to clear all the hair gel and tanning lotion out of the bathroom to make room for the baby stuff.

Interesting article about Farrell. I agree, I don't think they should make him the scapegoat for all that's wrong with England. Think they have to work out what to do with him... but he wasn't a great success at flanker with Sarries. Though I see Larder does talk about that.

I'm not sure he's a RU flanker. I know he's got no pace, but he can control the game from centre. In the past England have picked up enough big, crash-ball-type guys in that position. Relies, though, on having another centre who's faster.

[firehazard]

I'm not sure he's a RU flanker. I know he's got no pace, but he can control the game from centre. In the past England have picked up enough big, crash-ball-type guys in that position. Relies, though, on having another centre who's faster.

Yeah, Larder's observations on the role of flanker didn't seem to fit the game, perhaps.

And yes, I don't think Farrell + Tindall is the best combination.