EVENTful Weekend

We had a sporti-licious weekend with so many highlights I just had to write about it. I want to share, but more importantly I want a record of everything that happened this weekend for months from now when the memories fade. It went something like this:
Rugby, rugby afters, rugby, rugby afters, rugby, rugby, rugby, rugby afters, rugby, football.

On Friday Glenn and I caught a bus north with some amazing ladies to see one of my rugby teammates play for the Irish Women's National Team against Italy in the first of the Six Nations Tournament. We were lucky enough to be around for Six Nations last year. The country gets worked up into a Super Bowl like frenzy for each of the five matches the Men's and Women's sides play against Italy, France, England, Scotland, and Wales. Last year the Irish Men's side got a grand slam (won every match and hence the entire tournament) for the first time in over 60 years. It was magical.

Nora was selected for the Irish squad this year after putting in a tremendous amount of training. She started and played incredibly for most of the match. She only went off at the end to give another rookie the chance at playing. A good number were there from our rugby club supporting Nora and the Irish women. Glenn is still star struck! Not able to believe that we can call one of the 22 best rugby players in the country our friend.

After the match we stayed at the club to celebrate Ireland's win and Nora's achievement. The atmosphere was so electrifying. Nora flies to France on Wednesday to prepare for her next international match against a tough French squad on Friday. Go Nora!

On Saturday a good friend gave us a pair of tickets for the Irish Men's match against Italy (Thanks, E). We went to Croke Park with 77, 846 other rugby fans and were rewarded with a great match and another Irish win. Go Ireland! I got to see all of my favorite players up close (from really high up in the stadium) and personal. Watching those tiny figures run around the pitch was truly inspirational. It was our first sporting event in Croke Park. We’ll be back again for the Ireland Wales match in March. Can’t wait
After THAT match we met up with friends who were also at Croker, for a few pints and to watch the England vs. Wales match. Nothing like a Saturday afternoon rugby double header!

We finally left the pub, grabbed a bite to eat and went to the movies. Can anyone guess what we watched? INVICTUS! It just came out over here and Glenn and I were both looking forward to seeing Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon speaking Afrikaans. Glenn was a little tuckered out from our long day and a late night before, so took advantage of the dark theater for some sleepy time. I was glued to the screen and really enjoyed Invictus. The rugby was class and the story was almost too good to believe. Before seeing the movie, a South African friend shared with me the feeling of community and single-mindedness that swept over her troubled country during the 1995 Rugby World Cup. I'll be interested to talk to her again after she sees the movie to get her impressions on Clint Eastwood's level of success in capturing that feeling.

On Sunday, I had my own rugby match to play. Glenn, ever the water carrier, tee holder, and most enthusiastic supporter, was there to cheer us on. We were playing another local club on their (very muddy) pitch. We've played St. Mary's RFC many times in the past. Last year they led our division and beat us solidly every chance they had. This year they are playing in a higher division and have beat us twice in friendlies (scrimmages). Yesterday, we held them to nil all! This was as good as beating them as far as we were concerned. Very exciting. After the match we cleaned up (not an easy task given the conditions of the field – did I mention the mud?) and shared some food and drink with the disappointed Mary's ladies. We then went to yet another pub to watch, you guessed it, yet another rugby match. This time it was France vs. Scotland.
It had already been a long day by the end of that match, but we Americans had hours to go before we slept! Not one, but TWO channels were showing the Super Bowl live last night. And in HD no less. Kick off was at 11:30 PM. American commercials were not shown. We saw the same, very uninspired Dominoes’ commercial at least 72 times. We met about 15 friends at a pub not far from our house and DID NOT eat any buffalo wings, nachos, dips of any kind, or burgers. Bless them, they were handing out sad looking hot dogs to hundreds of grateful NFL fans, but it just wasn't the same. The British sports announcers are really terrible. BUT - what a game! We screamed ourselves hoarse for those Saints along with 90% of the people in the bar. The Colts fans were few and far between. We didn't get home until after 3:30 this morning, but it was worth it to see Payton Manning denied a ring one more time.
Poor Glennie trying to make it through his work day now after one pint too many and too little sleep. His special treat when he gets home? A very healthy dinner of chicken wings, nachos, guacamole, spring rolls, and chips! I think we'll watch some Doritos commercials on You Tube, too.
Yours in Sports!
Jenny