Cheers to the Irish (51)
- 9 Sep 07, 01:32 PM
Bordeaux - There are plenty of people in France who've written off the Irish World Cup challenge already - and have yet to take the field.
I was lucky enough to witness that that broke French hearts.
Now the optimists are all waiting for "Le Backlash".
There's not much room for error in Pool D and the talk when I left Paris was of how the men in green would be hammered by France when they meet on 21 September.
One short flight to the south of the country, though, and the chat is of Ireland rubbing salt in Bernard Laporte's wounds, catching the hosts when they're down, and bundling them out of the tournament.
One thing you can be fairly sure about is that the Irish will win the drinking contest.
Judging by the numbers spilling in and out of the , they're already gaining a healthy advantage over the rest. Famously, the craic knows no boundaries.
It should be close to a sell-out at the local stadium tonight when they tackle - Brian O'Driscoll et al will be delighted to see healthy numbers dressed in green up in the stands.
The players themselves seem relaxed, if not a little too much so.
Only four of the players had visited the before last night. The rest are happy to run through their drills at their designated training ground.
Watching Namibia yesterday, they looked a committed party, intent on enjoying their moment on the big stage.
Disappointingly, they haven't included their lion-tamer, , who provided such rich copy in 2003, but they do have a man with a sense of humour and perspective coaching them.
has first-hand experience of mis-matches and cricket scores at the Rugby World Cup.
Four years ago Down Under, he was the Namibian scrum-half as the Wallabies recorded a 142-0 victory, rather fittingly at the home of Don Bradman.
Given the nature of the pool, Ireland are determined to rack up as many points as possible.
The Africans fear the worst. "It's like asking me to play Roger Federer at Wimbledon" Husselman said.
Alastair Eykyn is a Radio 5 live reporter specialising in rugby union, tennis and hockey. He is covering Ireland at the World Cup and you can see 5 live's full broadcast schedule here.
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The French can be like that, very very full of themselves, this is grand with the Irish, we shall see on the day. They certainly did not "Hammer" us a few months back in Croke Park !
Let 21st September arrive and we should see a fantastic game of Rugby !!
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Maybe I am being over ambitious but I hope to one day see an article about Irish supporters written by a British journalist which doesnt paint them as a bunch of alcoholics.
Then again original thought is not British journalists strong point, is it?
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Blimey, I thought English sportsfans are usually as drunk as(and certainly worse behaved than) any other group.
Well done Alastair for keeping up the Ö÷²¥´óÐã tradition of resorting to stereotypes when you cant say anything worthwhile. You will go far at the Beeb.
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Alastair, do us a favour and try and avoid silly cliches abour craic and drinking in your blog will you please? It's tiresome.
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watch out for south africa,they will do great things in this world cup!!! go springboks go!!!!! make africa proud! i dont fancy namibia as having a great chnace as the game is still developing there,but good luck to them too.
brian makai, koh samui, thailand
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Make no mistake ireland will be in the final we will beat france people forget what we did to south africa and australia not long ago best centres in the world i know we will win!!!!
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I agree...as a Dub,this Pool D result worries me: France needing to recover face (this is a team and also a country that economically and socially, desperately needs good news) AND Argentina with an enhanced sense of self-confidence....they will be very dangerous too...why wouldn't they have their eyes set on topping the group now and aiming for an easier next stage tie? Both are nations with a warring history so they will have serious determination to clean us up.
Ireland will need to beware of both these teams to a much greater extent than if France had won the first tussle. Please God we will have the rub of the green...Ireland do have themselves to blame but we were unlucky too: God owes us something (doesn't he?) after the 6 Nations disaster against France!
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Lighten up guys for Gods sake. Irish supporters drink, and drink a lot. Big deal. So do most rugby fans. What is so wrong with writing about drinking and the craic? It's hardly a stereotype if it's true.
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Why cant we rate blogs like 606 content? Give the author some feedback as it were.
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Since Argentina's win Ireland's odds have now changed; paradoxically we have less chance of getting out of pool but more chance of making SF.
I reckon we have a 35% chance of been knocked out at pool stage, 25% at QF, 30% in SF, 6% in F, 4% chance of winning.
If we beat France we are through but can still lose to France and top pool, provided we lose by less than 7 pts and do not concede 4 tries.
To top pool we need 16pts minimum and to beat Argentina scoring 4 tries. 14 pts is not enough to get out of pool. 15 pts might mean countback on pts, tries etc.
Contepomi's late misses were unhelpful to Ireland's (and Argentina's) cause and France's BP could be crucial
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Catherine - yes, France and Argentina both have a warring history, but luckily for Ireland, neither's is very successful :)
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Why did the journalist feel the need to reinforce the negative stereotype about Irish people drinking to excess? Did it help strengthen his article in any way?
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Alistair,
You started some "craic" with the Irish now as far as stereotyping us, seriously though it can get a bit much and beyond the joke that the English have so called christened us as well as the good ould Americans !!
Let"s talk Rugby ?
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Its certainly time for Ireland to step up to the plate and show how good a team they really are. They are close - and with total belief and desire, anything is possible. One thing is for sure from the opening matches so far, the pack is going to have to front up big time if they are to progress.
Just watched an impressive Bok team totally dominate a very physical Manu Samoa (in the first half there was some rugby in between the fighting!).
For the Lads in Green, a controlled performance with whopping score against Namibia would be agood start.
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Its certainly time for Ireland to step up to the plate and show how good a team they really are. They are close - and with total belief and desire, anything is possible. One thing is for sure from the opening matches so far, the pack is going to have to front up big time if they are to progress.
Just watched an impressive Bok team totally dominate a very physical Manu Samoa (in the first half there was some rugby in between the fighting!).
For the Lads in Green, a controlled performance with whopping score against Namibia would be agood start.
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Pretty poor journalism really. As others have said the writer doesn't go in for any real background research and just resorts to the old "Alcoholic Irish" steryotype.
Very Shoddy journalism when really we should be concentrating on the Rugby.
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Yes, the Irish fans may have a few beers, but their behavior is ALWAYS impeccable.
I can't recall how many times Irish fans, both those of football, rugby et al, have been voted the best fans at the conclsuion of a sporting tournament. In contrast, not only do English drink as much, if not more than Irish fans, they then proceed to fight, wreck and destroy everything that comes into their path.
The idea of any English sporting fans descending on a local town in continental Europe is enough to strike fear into the hearts of the natives!!! Which country in Europe has always been notorious for enaging in riotous behavior?
Wonder what that's all about :)
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what has changed for Ireland? we still have to beat either France or Argentina to advance to the QF. all outcomes are still possible. we could come 1st, 2nd or 3rd. we lose to France and beat Argentina, it comes down to bonus points. the other way around and its 2nd place and a trip to Cardiff v NZ. after their demolition of Italy and the toleration of speartackles that is a not an exciting prospect.
Only question is whether France or Argentina is the harder proposition. when we play them it is do or die for France - wouldn't it be just great to pay them back for what they have done to us over the last 35 years! If the pack can play like Munster's did 2 years ago, we can take them both and march onto the semis before we would run up against South Africa.
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get over it guys, we do drink, and represent ourselves well. Stop having a go at this reporter as it's a blog, there are plenty of articles devoted to the rugby.
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Delighted to see the negative reaction to this piece. A pathetic ill researched waste of bandwidth. A career in tabloid journalism awaits you, Mr Eykyn.
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We will top the Group, we will avoid playing the "All Blacks" for the time being anyway and we ARE feared by the top teams because we are one of them.
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We (Ireland) have the players to win the Cup. I have the belief and I hope the rest of the fans do too. Eddie knows it, and after a few knockbacks in recent times, the players are developing the necessary mental strength to do the business. Memories of the match against France during the 6 nations when we gifted them the game at the death will hopefully remain with the players, as will memories of the poor discipline which cost us the pool game against Australia in 2003. We have a history of simple mistakes which cost us big games. After living through these silly errors I think the players are now strong enough as a team to unite and destroy.
As for the stereotypes of Irish fans as a bunch of drunken leprechauns doing Riverdance up and down the Champ Elysse whilst being happy just to be in the competition and maybe score a try...those days are long gone and it's up to the players now to demonstrate that by pummeling the opposition. Anyway we helped to build that stereotype so why get excited about it when there's great rugby to get excited about.
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We (Ireland) have the players to win the Cup. I have the belief and I hope the rest of the fans do too. Eddie knows it, and after a few knockbacks in recent times, the players are developing the necessary mental strength to do the business. Memories of the match against France during the 6 nations when we gifted them the game at the death will hopefully remain with the players, as will memories of the poor discipline which cost us the pool game against Australia in 2003. We have a history of simple mistakes which cost us big games. After living through these silly errors I think the players are now strong enough as a team to unite and destroy.
As for the stereotypes of Irish fans as a bunch of drunken leprechauns doing Riverdance up and down the Champ Elysse whilst being happy just to be in the competition and maybe score a try...those days are long gone and it's up to the players now to demonstrate that by pummeling the opposition. Anyway we helped to build that stereotype so why get excited about it when there's great rugby to get excited about.
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We (Ireland) have the players to win the Cup. I have the belief and I hope the rest of the fans do too. Eddie knows it, and after a few knockbacks in recent times, the players are developing the necessary mental strength to do the business. Memories of the match against France during the 6 nations when we gifted them the game at the death will hopefully remain with the players, as will memories of the poor discipline which cost us the pool game against Australia in 2003. We have a history of simple mistakes which cost us big games. After living through these silly errors I think the players are now strong enough as a team to unite and destroy.
As for the stereotypes of Irish fans as a bunch of drunken leprechauns doing Riverdance up and down the Champ Elysse whilst being happy just to be in the competition and maybe score a try...those days are long gone and it's up to the players now to demonstrate that by pummeling the opposition. Anyway we helped to build that stereotype so why get excited about it when there's great rugby to get excited about.
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Veronica: we're going to beat both.
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What a suprise to see myself on this blog. Taken at Murrayfield at this years RBS six nations.
Come on Ireland!
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Come on Ireland.. its the chance to gain a head start on France and rack up the points against Namibia.
This is Irelands year.. no longer will we be the bridesmaids..
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The reason people revert to the old alcoholic irish jokes is because the irish make a big show of telling everyone they're such big drinkers, even though they are in no way the biggest drinkers around.
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I have to say it. Damn it I was trying to keep it away from this tournament. I turn 40 on the 21 September. I am now in Italy and will back in France for the game. There is a dinner planned with non Rugby types.... OH MY GOD. I will miss Ireland winning by a point in the last 10 secs of the game. But once the meal is over and all the French have gone home, I will turn on the TV load the hard disk recording and settle down to watch. Then when the piss up starts for the same birthday the next night, I will have a double celebration :-)
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Right its true anonymous. I live in France, I have never seen so much alcohol drank in my life. They just spread it out more. Same for the Italians. They all love the wine and look down on the beer. Difference is we can talk about going out on the lash and in reality drink one or two. They talk about being resevered and drink a bottle or 3 at meal times. Okay so we all drink....now do we play rugby? Do we behave as supporters? Are we going further than any other "home" Nation.... I reckon a website that comments on the names of people as being strange, as it did in the soccer last night, is at least lacking in maturity..... If its journos are going to fall into steryotypes, well let them...its not our job to eductate...thats the remit of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã but its been taken over by Bush and American politics..... Now lets get back to Rugby will Ireland win ? yes ....Will they get to the final....Only if they get their act together...and I am afraid they seem a bit lax at the moment... OH and when some real journalists come on Board...let me know...by that time Namibia might win the WC.
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top of the european drinking league mate, get your facts straight.
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bad performance by the lads.. tho a win is a win.. need to sort out the handling and tempo for the Georgia game..
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oh how sick i am feeling just now,. i have just come upstairs after witnessing one of the most embarrassing displays by my native country. ireland tonight managed to make namibia look good and on their past history that takes some doing.hickie forgot to fill in the holes in his hands before the game started. darcy was also suffering from dropsy. one piece of individual skill is not enough by our skipper. o gara lacked conviction . young andrew trimble is about the only man who stepped up to the mark tonight. i didnt want to have to say all this. instead i wanted to be able to enthuse in mouth dribbling terms of wonderful irish play but in truth irland werent a million miles away from the worst of all results. hopefully tonights resut will make up osullivans mind for him - irelands out and out aim must be to win every remaining game as nothing less will do. the best of all irish squads (hard to believe)must win each game and tactics need to be devised by o sullivan to do just that. the results from here on are all important even if it doesnt make for pretty football otherwise the ireland squad will be watching the rest of the world cup from the comfort of their armchairs. the team didnt just let themselves down tonight but the whole irish nation and irish men abroad. god help us. someone needs to.
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I did not see the game - just followed highlighted on bbc webpage. were we as bad as score and match report suggest? France will be encouraged and Argentina will not be worried.
still we could surprise one or both of them them if we produce the form we showed against England at Croke Park and Italy in Rome. one more practice game before the crunch games - lets hope EOS is pacing the boys to do it when they need to!
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O'Sullivan go home. Bring Gatland back.
This year Ireland have lost twice to Argentina, Once to Scotland and also to Italy despite what the ref said. Now they have been lucky not to lose to Namibia. We are the only country whose game has deteriorated in the run-up to the World Cup.
We have fallen in the rankings almost, but not quite, to the level of minor Rugby nations like the current England team, Namibia and Portugal.
The players have saved O'Sullivan in the past but now they have been brought down to his level. All he could do after tonight's appalling display was to mutter his usual lot of nonsensical cliches.
Appalling performance by a multi-talented team.
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I did not see the game - just followed highlighted on bbc webpage. were we as bad as score and match report suggest? France will be encouraged and Argentina will not be worried.
still we could surprise one or both of them them if we produce the form we showed against England at Croke Park and Italy in Rome. one more practice game before the crunch games - lets hope EOS is pacing the boys to do it when they need to!
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Jees, after that poor performance against Namibia even Georgia have gotta be thinking that they´re in with a shout. However, despite the lack of penetration made by the back line, the lack of inspiring rugby that we have become use to seeing, the continious fumbling of the ball by some of the "best centres" I think theres still hope for us....it couldn´t get much worse!
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Firstly - I Love Ireland through thick and thin, I have put us down to win the world cup and will stick with my view however much it costs me. But, tonight was diabolical, I have never seen so many knock ons, we did not compete at line outs and were driven back so many times. The message we sent out beforehand could be misinterpreted as we are going to slaugher you as a sign of respect. Fair play to Namibia, very well done. We did get the bonus point. We need to beat France and Argentina and not rely on Luck or other results. People have spoken about doing things for the first time eg getting to the semi's. To me that is rubbish we need to beat France and Argentina not just lose by a few points in the last second .Lads I am fully behind you. We can do it we have to have belief and I will dream of Ireland winning the World cup tonight but wake up believing it is not just a fantasy. Come on Ireland. My sincere support to the team.
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Just watched the lads in green and have got to say I am not totally convinced - they looked rusty. Rugby is about being physical (at the breakdown), securing phase ball and most of all getting the basics right (especially set pieces). Ireland seemed to be more worried about the scoreline than getting their game right. If you get the game right, scores will come and confidence will grow - they need to eliminate errors. It almost seemed like individual performances over team performance tonight - the team should be set in stone already
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We were Sh**te. very bad performancce. One try that was a penalty try and another try that was very very iffy. I'm very worried that the lads are still making a lot of errors in the game and are lacking in cohesion as a team. I do think that it hasn't been goin right since the six nations with the Scotland match or the Italian match(which Italy should have won). If France and Argentina were watchin they deffinately won't be shaking in their boots. One good thing that came out the game was that Eddie is at least admiting that things arn't going right and need to be sorted out straight away. But again this should be sorted out before the world cup starts. What happens if it's down to points difference (etc). Argentina were savage and deserved the win and france will be wounded animals just waiting for us. People are talking about winning the final, I really don't think that we are even goin to get out of the group. As a Irish rugby fan I hope I am a 110% wrong.
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I agree with the comments criticising the negative stereotyping of Irish fans. Seems to me this correspondent had nothing to say about any technical aspect of the game or the players so resorted to an outmoded stereotype which is still rampant in the UK about the mythical drinking habits of the Irish in general. Irish fans like a drink as do their Welsh and Scottish counterparts but English fans always seem to be on a conquest assumimg superiority on whatever country is unfortunate to have to host them.
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What a gruesome display. Just dreadful. But looking at the positive. Maybe it will help us in the end, as all the semi final final chirping will now give way to our being written off ... which usually works to fire them up.
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The policy of picking old men - Dempsey and Hickie - doesn't look like it's working - although D'Arcy having an off day is a real turn-up. Let's hope Ireland can turn in one decent performance -
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Oh dear ... dire and abysmal
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Oh dear, very disappointing performance from what on paper should be a challenging world cup team. There are few positives that can be taken from this game as it is hard to get past what should be a evidential gap between professional and sprited, but mostly amateur, rugby players. Taking the errors aside, the Irish seem to be looking for a game plan. I feel we have seen evidence of this before where a sprited team turn up to disrupt the Irish and we lack the capacity to change our game plan to exert control, in other words dictating the pace of the game and playing to our strenghts. O'Gara as an out half needed to take control, kick to the corners and build a platform to settle things down as an example. Eddie clearly needs to get to the training ground fast and re-install the critical importance of getting the basics right in any game if we are to progress in this world cup with some sort of creditability. If this is not addressed in the next game against Georgia, I fear that other sides will be realishing a run out against Ireland.
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Pretty disappointing display but at least we have the win and our bonus point. Apart from Italy in this years 6 nations we never run up big scores against supposedly 'weaker' teams so i wasn't expecting us to last night. We have to take it one at a time and we have to win every game without relying on other teams results, simple as that. As long as we win against georgia withiut any major injuries i don't care. We always put up a fight against the French and Argies. Plus, if we're going to play badly, better to do it now before the big games during these 'practice' games. Anyway, i still think we have a good shot.
Come on Ireland!!!
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It seems I've managed to upset some of you with my comments about the Irish supporters here in Bordeaux. The large numbers of fans are adding enormously to the colour and fun surrounding the World Cup. Irish supporters always do, wherever they are, drink or no drink... and let's face it, we are in one of the world's most famous wine regions. Last night's game was a case in point. A terrible performance from their side, but the singing and the support never diminished. Bring on the Georgians.
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It's amazing how many of you Irish complain about stereotyping and then refer to English fans as troublemakers. When was the last time any English rugby fans caused any trouble in Dublin? We're not all football hooligans, much as you love to think so. Lose the chip and enjoy the rugby
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It's amazing how many of you Irish complain about stereotyping and then refer to English fans as troublemakers. When was the last time any English rugby fans caused any trouble in Dublin? We're not all football hooligans, much as you love to think so. Lose the chip and enjoy the rugby
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dont get your knickers in a twist. we irish do like a drink and we are very sociable people hence the craic. the author meant no offence. he did not suggest we are a bunch of alcos.he knows that the irish supporters abroad whether fooball or rugby are the best behaved and only wish to be sociable and enjoy ourselves with a good laugh. he didnt say he doesnt enjoy the same himself so lose the "chip". by the way you are invited to the alcoholic annonymous meeting tomorrow night at 8 o clock. admission by ticket only.
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I was at Lens last Saturday to see England limp to a victory over the USA and to my dismay there are no alcoholic beverages at any of the World Cup stadiums. I have been attending home and International Rugby matches for over thirty years now and this is the first time I have not been allowed to drink alcohol in a stadium. It wouldn’t have been so bad if they told us about it but we had to find out by noticing that we hadn't fallen over. I also object to the way we were escorted everywhere by heavily armed paramilitary style riot police. There was not and never is any trouble at a Rugby Union venue. Do they think we are all football supporters?
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