So here’s the question I put to the 2005 twin spear tackling duo, Tana Umaga and Kevin Mealamu (the latter has just been banned), and to the infamous 1978 diver (former World Rugby Cup ambassador), Andy Haden – would you want your child to behave similarly? Would it make you proud of your children? That [...]
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A Virtual Tour of the Newest Stadium in the Oldest Venue
The oldest international rugby venue in the world, Lansdowne Road, and its brand new 51,700 all-seater Aviva Stadium opened its doors to the world on Saturday 31 July 2010. Here is my virtual tour as I sat in awe of this wonderful new stadium. One wonders what historic moments in rugby and football (soccer) will [...]
The Sacred Venue Bears No Crown But Just The Mantle Of Nobility
And so the dream was taken away by the better side on the day, Scotland (20-23). It was interesting, when I asked Scottish fans before the game to forecast the result, all but one said ‘A Win!’. The other singular Scottish voice said he forecasted ‘a good weekend!’ Whilst most of our Welsh friends the [...]
Welsh Fans Are Amazing
Welsh fans are amazing. Last year, when Ireland finally won our long awaited Grand Slam in Cardiff, I couldn’t help feeling that the Welsh celebrated it as much as we did. A year later I’m back in Dublin for Wales’ last international rugby match …. …to be held in hidden jewel in the crown which [...]
A Maori Prayer for Donal Caniffe’s Dad
I recently learned something wonderful about the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team from 31 years ago. It was kindly sent to me by former Ireland and Lions sensational wing forward, Fergus Slattery whom I met in South Africa during the Lions tour this summer. Munster made history when they beat the mighty All Blacks [...]
Lions Tour Ends Honourably
I was personally thrilled to see the Lions win the third and final test match with the Springboks. And mathematically ……….. score more points than the Springboks over the three test matches – sorry Springbok fans – I can’t resist the stats. Fantastic series and congrats to the Springboks on winning it overall. In fact, [...]
South African Sportsmanship
I’m in Joburg wondering how the Lions will do on Saturday in the third and final test. I caught the Emerging Springboks game in Capetown and witnessed one of the finest conversions ever kicked in the dying moments to give the youngish Springboks a draw. Then I witnessed another killer kick in the Second Test [...]
Opposition Fans Sing Our Song
I went to the wonderful 74,500 seater Millennium Stadium in Cardiff last Saturday to watch the Irish rugby team take on the 6 Nations champions, Wales. Both sides were going for glory. Before the kick-off I witnessed a fantastic moment of sportsmanship. It was, in fact, more than a moment, it was several minutes. [...]
The mighty All Blacks march as Snow White’s dwarfs
As rugby is very much on my mind with the 6 Nations in full motion and, Ireland looking for their first Grand Slam since 1948, a magical moment of sportsmanship was revealed only two weeks ago from a a match that was played over 30 years ago. I was in Cork visiting Marian Ormond the widow of Dennis to whom [...]
RTE Radio 1 Sportsmanship Chat with Ryan Tubridy, George Hamilton & Me
I was totally engaged by RTE’s Ryan Tubridy’s warmth and George Hamilton’s lovely sportsmanship stories, and I have to say, delighted by the response from listeners who sent in some new stories about sportsmanship. To listen to the Irish Radio interview click on the play button (arrow button) below: Or if you prefer click the link below to [...]
