I couldn’t be more excited that the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament has begun.
When I played rugby in Cork at UCC, we went away to Galway for a tournament one weekend. On the way, we stopped by the Munster Rugby team’s practice, many of the players are members of the Ireland team.
We looked kind of ridiculous - a group of giddy adults, all dressed in the same warm up suit, plowing through a swarm of children who were running from player to player seeking autographs – we got a few looks. But, we also got some autographs, including one of scrum half Peter Stringer.
This is me in Galway…
And my team…
The are some major difference between college rugby in Ireland and the U.S.
In Ireland, the university provides things like locker rooms with showers – even for practice! In the U.S., aside from a handful, most universities do not recognize rugby as a sport, but rather, a club. We changed in our cars, didn’t shower after the game until we returned home and had to pay for our own supplies.
In both countries, each team gets together after the game. But…
In Ireland, the hosting team has nice sandwiches and a cup of tea waiting for you in a local pub. In the U.S., you walk off the field to a house of the hosting team where a keg, sometimes more, is waiting for you. You dive right into it and then rugby songs ensue. If you are lucky, there may be snacks lying around.
I recently found out that the Irish pubs in my neighborhood don’t have Setanta Sports, the channel that plays the games, so this season I will be finding myself back at the Green Briar.
Hey. Those pix bring back some good memories. I remember planning that visit to the pitch to see the players train – god everyone was so excited
you could totally kick my ass
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Sounds like fun! I had no idea that rugby was usually recognized as a club here in the U.S.
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Rugby season again! Not only has the six nations started up, but the Super 14 is getting underway here in the Southern hemisphere (you know, the hemisphere which wins all the games until the World Cup? That one).
And, for the first time in forever, I’m in a country where rugby is (sometimes) on the TV and people talk about it. Awesome.
This is my very game too!
It’s so addictive!
Super-Duper site! I am loving it!! Will come back again – taking you feeds also, Thanks.
Great blog here with a good grammar. I recently just Jumped here from another blog, My my grammar was pathetic.. Anyway Great post
[...] you haven’t heard, rugby sevens is officially an Olympic Sport. And as you probably know, I love rugby so this news makes me pretty [...]
[...] of the likes of Peter Stringer. I posted the above photo, and more details about the trip, about year ago. But I picked this picture today because lately I’ve really been missing my rugby days. [...]
Correction, we looked COMPLETELY ridiculous, bashing the little kids out of the way…it was all worth it.That was such a great trip.If you have any other photos of it, send them to me!Lovely post x