Visit Ireland the home of Cricket?

The Irish Cricket Team victorious over England

It seems that Michael O'Leary, the CEO of Ireland's budget airline, Ryanair, couldn't resist buying full page advertisements in the British newspapers today following Ireland's amazing victory over the English team in the Cricket World Cup in Bangalore, India. Ryanair does all its advertising in house and in its time has probably offended everybody with its “no holds barred” approach but this time even I had to chuckle at this advert celebrating the amazing win by an amateur Irish team over England on the 2nd March.



So warmest congratulations to Kevin and Niall O'Brien on Ireland's amazing victory over England in the Cricket World Cup. Kevin O'Brien blazed the fastest century in Cricket World Cup history as Ireland pulled off an astonishing victory over England in Bangalore. He smashed 113 off 63 balls as Ireland recovered from 111-5 to overhaul their target of 328 with five balls to spare and three wickets in hand. Earlier, fifties from Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell had driven England to an imposing 327-8. But O'Brien's stunning assault powered Ireland to a famous triumph. Only three days after England's thrilling tie with India, Bangalore's M Chinnaswamy Stadium played host to another of one-day cricket's most dramatic encounters as Ireland produced the highest run chase ever at the World Cup.


Kevin O'Brien doing the business in Bangalore, India

Now, for those who don’t know, and the point of the Ryanair joke Cricket has a very limited following in Ireland as it was traditionally seen as a “foreign game” and is not widely played. I'm proud to point out the O’Brien brothers are sons of my former boss Brendan "Ginger" O'Brien, an Irish Cricket International of some note himself and members of my former club, Railway Union in Sandymount, Dublin.


Sandymount Green with Ryan's Pub. I worked in the office on the left and lived by the DART in Oaklands Park



Sandymount Strand

Indeed I both lived and worked in this charming urban village which is by the sea only 2 miles from the centre of Dublin. Sandymount is a quaint suburban village huddled around an old-fashioned green and despite the encroachment of various multinationals and franchises; Sandymount is still essentially a seaside village full of quirky owner-run businesses.


Jimmy Joyce

For more on James Joyce and Dublin see;

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2009/06/james-joyce-and-me.html

James Joyce referenced Sandymount in Ulysses, indeed Bloomsday is meant to be the anniversary of his first date with his inamoratas, Nora Barnacle, on Sandymount Strand. The first official Bloomsday celebration took place in 1954 when Paddy Kavanagh, Flann O’Brien and the publisher John Ryan, among others, met at the Martello Tower to re-enact scenes from the book. The ensuing pub-crawl ended, rather messily, in the Bailey much later that same day. Revellers still come to the strand every June 16th. You’ll also find raucous singing and colourful costumes at the annual Wren Boys celebration at Sandymount Green on December 26th: one of the few remaining enactments of this ancient rite.




The Wren Boys at Sandymount Green on St. Stephen's Day, 26th December


For more on the first official Bloomsday celebration see;

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2010/07/on-raglan-roag.html

The local pubs are very much part of village life. O’Reilly’s, established in 1922, is popular with locals and interlopers alike and is a favourite gathering place for barstool sports enthusiasts. Star batsman/wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien used to work here and an enthusiastic bunch of local fanatics took up residence in front of the TV during last year’s Cricket World Cup. Indeed when I lived here Tommy O’Reilly had the pub comprehensively refurbished – nothing too special about that except Tommy was 78 at the time! Ryan’s Sandymount House, with its multifarious nooks and crannies, is an ideal spot for an afternoon pint and I remember Gussie Ryan as a real gentleman, indeed once I bumped into him in Searsons in Baggot Street and after he left the barman sent over a drink “compliments of Mr. Ryan.”




Railway Union's grounds at Park Avenue


Railway Union is a mixed Sports Club which as well as Cricket hosts Rugby, Hockey, Soccer, Tennis and Bowls from its fine base at Park Avenue, Sandymount. Originally set up by Railway workers as the established clubs wouldn't let the working class "scruff" join it is now very much part of the life of this charming seaside suburb where I have many happy memories. Before you get too carried away with my sporting prowess I must confess I was (at Brendan O’Brien’s kind nomination) a mere “Pavilion” member and Railway Union provided an excellent late night drinking den and an alternative banking facility!

http://www.railwayunion.com

A special for all you Tamil speakers!

Visit Ireland the home of Cricket?

The Irish Cricket Team victorious over England

It seems that Michael O'Leary, the CEO of Ireland's budget airline, Ryanair, couldn't resist buying full page advertisements in the British newspapers today following Ireland's amazing victory over the English team in the Cricket World Cup in Bangalore, India. Ryanair does all its advertising in house and in its time has probably offended everybody with its “no holds barred” approach but this time even I had to chuckle at this advert celebrating the amazing win by an amateur Irish team over England on the 2nd March.



So warmest congratulations to Kevin and Niall O'Brien on Ireland's amazing victory over England in the Cricket World Cup. Kevin O'Brien blazed the fastest century in Cricket World Cup history as Ireland pulled off an astonishing victory over England in Bangalore. He smashed 113 off 63 balls as Ireland recovered from 111-5 to overhaul their target of 328 with five balls to spare and three wickets in hand. Earlier, fifties from Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell had driven England to an imposing 327-8. But O'Brien's stunning assault powered Ireland to a famous triumph. Only three days after England's thrilling tie with India, Bangalore's M Chinnaswamy Stadium played host to another of one-day cricket's most dramatic encounters as Ireland produced the highest run chase ever at the World Cup.


Kevin O'Brien doing the business in Bangalore, India

Now, for those who don’t know, and the point of the Ryanair joke Cricket has a very limited following in Ireland as it was traditionally seen as a “foreign game” and is not widely played. I'm proud to point out the O’Brien brothers are sons of my former boss Brendan "Ginger" O'Brien, an Irish Cricket International of some note himself and members of my former club, Railway Union in Sandymount, Dublin.


Sandymount Green with Ryan's Pub. I worked in the office on the left and lived by the DART in Oaklands Park



Sandymount Strand

Indeed I both lived and worked in this charming urban village which is by the sea only 2 miles from the centre of Dublin. Sandymount is a quaint suburban village huddled around an old-fashioned green and despite the encroachment of various multinationals and franchises; Sandymount is still essentially a seaside village full of quirky owner-run businesses.


Jimmy Joyce

For more on James Joyce and Dublin see;

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2009/06/james-joyce-and-me.html

James Joyce referenced Sandymount in Ulysses, indeed Bloomsday is meant to be the anniversary of his first date with his inamoratas, Nora Barnacle, on Sandymount Strand. The first official Bloomsday celebration took place in 1954 when Paddy Kavanagh, Flann O’Brien and the publisher John Ryan, among others, met at the Martello Tower to re-enact scenes from the book. The ensuing pub-crawl ended, rather messily, in the Bailey much later that same day. Revellers still come to the strand every June 16th. You’ll also find raucous singing and colourful costumes at the annual Wren Boys celebration at Sandymount Green on December 26th: one of the few remaining enactments of this ancient rite.




The Wren Boys at Sandymount Green on St. Stephen's Day, 26th December


For more on the first official Bloomsday celebration see;

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2010/07/on-raglan-roag.html

The local pubs are very much part of village life. O’Reilly’s, established in 1922, is popular with locals and interlopers alike and is a favourite gathering place for barstool sports enthusiasts. Star batsman/wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien used to work here and an enthusiastic bunch of local fanatics took up residence in front of the TV during last year’s Cricket World Cup. Indeed when I lived here Tommy O’Reilly had the pub comprehensively refurbished – nothing too special about that except Tommy was 78 at the time! Ryan’s Sandymount House, with its multifarious nooks and crannies, is an ideal spot for an afternoon pint and I remember Gussie Ryan as a real gentleman, indeed once I bumped into him in Searsons in Baggot Street and after he left the barman sent over a drink “compliments of Mr. Ryan.”




Railway Union's grounds at Park Avenue


Railway Union is a mixed Sports Club which as well as Cricket hosts Rugby, Hockey, Soccer, Tennis and Bowls from its fine base at Park Avenue, Sandymount. Originally set up by Railway workers as the established clubs wouldn't let the working class "scruff" join it is now very much part of the life of this charming seaside suburb where I have many happy memories. Before you get too carried away with my sporting prowess I must confess I was (at Brendan O’Brien’s kind nomination) a mere “Pavilion” member and Railway Union provided an excellent late night drinking den and an alternative banking facility!

http://www.railwayunion.com

A special for all you Tamil speakers!

NOTES FROM DOWN UNDER -- PART 1

I've just returned from a quick trip home to Australia.

I feel I should use this opportunity to compare and contrast the Aussie and U.S. cultures, and otherwise make some general observations and share some of the highlights of my trip. A bit of fun and make a point or two as well.

Let's do the fun stuff first.

It's always good to get back to the things I knew growing up: meat pies and lamingtons; gum trees and kookaburras; "G'day" and "How ya goin?" Being away from your homeland for an extended period makes you see it anew and appreciate it more.

Australia really is The Lucky Country (that's what we call it -- we don't presume to say it is "God's Country"). It's not perfect. There are pluses and minuses. And yes, sadly, it's gradually losing some of its uniqueness to Americanization. But there's no arguing that it's a great place.

Let's talk football. Since I was a young boy I've followed rugby league -- one of our football codes and certainly the most violent (in a good kinda way, y'know). I used to write about it for Inside Sport and even played it a bit when I was younger. The team I love in the pros is Wests Tigers (formed in 2000 when battling Sydney clubs the Western Suburbs Magpies and Balmain Tigers merged).

Some of the most exciting times of my life have been watching the Tigers play. In the early '90s I did a behind-the-scenes book on the team which gave me a whole new insight and got me a call from Inside Sport. Hence, I've been lucky enough to see the sport from the grandstand and the dressing room.

So I was pretty happy when my brother told me he'd scored a pair of tickets to the boys' big game against the Penrith Panthers, to be played deep in Sydney's west at Campbelltown Stadium. (To be honest, "stadium" is a tad hyperbolic for the cozy confines of the place -- but therein lies the charm.)

It was a slashing game. Close for a while before the Tigers ran away with it 43-18 and jagged a spot in the finals -- the first time they've been there since they won it all after an incredible end-of-season run in 2005. These days the Tigers are a very fast, mobile team that throws the ball around more than most and rattles up points at a rate of knots when they're on a roll.

And while rugby league has changed in certain ways since the "old days," some things have stayed the same. Very little padding and definitely none of those silly motorcycle helmets that the lads of ye olde gridiron wear. (If nobody bleeds, is it really a sport?) And the physical nature of the game is incredible. No long pauses between tackles; just get up and go again. So the whole defensive line goes up and back, up and back. And between each "up" and each "back" there's a "smash" when the defense hits the player in possession. It's serious stuff to be sure and certain.

But not as serious, perhaps, as the intensity of the fans. Aussie rugby league fans are a special breed. They range from very down to earth, to downright atavistic. This is, after all, a tribal pursuit.

At every game there will be a chorus of fans from the losing side who are absolutely welded to the idea that the referee gutted their team and he should be immediately lynched from the goal posts by his testicles -- if indeed he has any. He's a "mug," a "cat" (I'm not going to explain that one, sorry), a "galah," a "cheat," an "idiot," and a man who was not produced by parents in wedlock. (The slander can actually be a lot worse but I try not to be too profane in this blog. Besides, it's hard to recall exactly what I said.)

These fans also wonder out loud why -- if the referee is going to give ridiculous, undeserved penalties to the enemy -- well, "Why don't you just kick the bloody thing for them too?!" Their pain is being caused by an imbecile who is obviously only on the field for the sole, grubby purpose of making them suffer.

All of this non-creative criticism naturally leads to baiting from the winning fans. Sometimes it's clever, sometimes cliche. Occasionally it leads to bloodshed. But everyone is careful not to bleed on women or children. This is, after all, a family day out.

And the good thing about footy Down Under is that you are always liable to run into old mates. And so it was that I turned around after the game to see my old Tiger buddy Robbo: a great gentleman with a sense of humor as dry as a creek bed in the outback. The long walk back to the car was a great opportunity to reminisce about The Snake, Tony "Hulkamania" and other colorful identities from our shared past.

Anyway, it was a top day. And even though I've aired some of the "rougher" aspects of the whole thing, such sporting gatherings are actually an integral part of the fabric of a unique culture. And a bloody lot of fun!

When you're at a footy game it's like the old saying goes: Ya wouldn't be dead for quids.

Take care,
Adrian Zupp
PS: Robbo, I would have posted the photo of us but I can't find the cord that goes from the camera to the computer. As you probably know, I'm a really techie bloke so this is a bit of an upset. :-)
PPS: Tomorrow I'll be back on the social change horse, discussing Aussie politics, the upcoming Federal Election, and the state of the Australian mass media.

Je ne regrette rien?

Thierry Henry

After France won their World Cup qualifier against Ireland last Wednesday at the Stade de Fraud, Paris, with Thierry Henry’s handball the cry went up around France’s former Republican ally “Liberté, égalité, fraternité et replay!”

But now it's all over for Ireland in World Cup 2010. FIFA has refused a replay against France so the country will now have to return to discussing its bankrupt economy and incompetent dishonest politicians. Pity, they could have done with the distraction.

Depression about being cheated out of a place in World Cup 2010 by the French Handball team means I'm back on the drink! Still, we must now look for the positives, think of all the Irish fans who now won't get murdered in South Africa!

The BBC reports that for a nation not particularly known for its moral qualms - it once hailed a head-butting footballer as a hero - the French feel surprisingly chastened about their questionable qualification for next year's World Cup. Reactions to Thierry Henry's handball, which led to the goal that sent the national team to the South African finals at the expense of the hapless Irish, have ranged from embarrassment to outrage.

The incident in Wednesday's game has been commented on in newspapers, on websites, and in cafes up and down France. It has even become of affair of state, with politicians weighing in. President Nicolas Sarkozy felt obliged to tell Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen that he felt sorry for his people. In an online poll for Le Monde, almost two-thirds of respondents agreed that the handball "discredits France's qualification".

Le Parisien newspaper summarised the national mood: "The handball of Henry has brought a decisive contribution to the theme 'being French is being ashamed of one's national team'." So perhaps for Les Bleus, the French cockerel is not crowing too loudly?

Enfin, répétez après moi;

“Non! Rien de rien...
Non! Je ne regrette rien...
Car ma vie, car mes joies
Aujourd'hui, a commence avec toi!”

Je ne regrette rien?

Thierry Henry

After France won their World Cup qualifier against Ireland last Wednesday at the Stade de Fraud, Paris, with Thierry Henry’s handball the cry went up around France’s former Republican ally “Liberté, égalité, fraternité et replay!”

But now it's all over for Ireland in World Cup 2010. FIFA has refused a replay against France so the country will now have to return to discussing its bankrupt economy and incompetent dishonest politicians. Pity, they could have done with the distraction.

Depression about being cheated out of a place in World Cup 2010 by the French Handball team means I'm back on the drink! Still, we must now look for the positives, think of all the Irish fans who now won't get murdered in South Africa!

The BBC reports that for a nation not particularly known for its moral qualms - it once hailed a head-butting footballer as a hero - the French feel surprisingly chastened about their questionable qualification for next year's World Cup. Reactions to Thierry Henry's handball, which led to the goal that sent the national team to the South African finals at the expense of the hapless Irish, have ranged from embarrassment to outrage.

The incident in Wednesday's game has been commented on in newspapers, on websites, and in cafes up and down France. It has even become of affair of state, with politicians weighing in. President Nicolas Sarkozy felt obliged to tell Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen that he felt sorry for his people. In an online poll for Le Monde, almost two-thirds of respondents agreed that the handball "discredits France's qualification".

Le Parisien newspaper summarised the national mood: "The handball of Henry has brought a decisive contribution to the theme 'being French is being ashamed of one's national team'." So perhaps for Les Bleus, the French cockerel is not crowing too loudly?

Enfin, répétez après moi;

“Non! Rien de rien...
Non! Je ne regrette rien...
Car ma vie, car mes joies
Aujourd'hui, a commence avec toi!”

The Hand of the French

Le French Hand job! Merde!

Feelings are running high in Ireland after the country failed to qualify for World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The only topic of discussion in Ireland today is the French Hand job! Merde!! Ireland suffered the cruelest of World Cup exits as France went through with a goal with a goal which should have been disallowed for handball. Thierry Henry clearly handled before playing the ball for William Gallas to score the equaliser which saw France win the play-off 2-1 on aggregate at Stade de France, Paris. In fact Henry handled the ball twice, which would have been a foul in Volleyball let alone Soccer!



Thierry Henry admitted that he had intentionally handled the ball to set up William Gallas’s decisive goal against Ireland in Wednesday night's World Cup play-off in Paris. With cries of “cheat” ringing in his ears from furious Irish fans, the Barcelona and former Arsenal forward emerged from the dressing room to say: “I will be honest, it was a handball. But I’m not the ref. I played it, the ref allowed it. That’s a question you should ask him.”

Today in Ireland the mood is grim with calls to boycott French Fries, French Batons and even calls to outlaw French Kissing! It is safe to assume that Thierry Henry is not going on holiday in Ireland any time soon. My personal favourite is the reworking of the 1916 Declaration of Independence which a wag has put on the Facebook protest site “Hands up who think Ireland deserve the place in the 2010 World Cup.”


William Gallas bundles in France's extra-time winner in the World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland at the Stade de France in Paris last night

“IRISHMEN AND IRISHWOMEN: In the name of God and of the dead generations from which she receives her old tradition of nationhood, Ireland, through us, summons her children to her flag and strikes for A REPLAY.

Having organised and trained her boys in green, she has stood tall in the face of disappointment and injustice , through the support of the Irish nation home and abroad, through her hope and hard work, carried forth by the supporters, young and old, having patiently perfected her discipline, even learnt to take penalties, having resolutely waited for the right moment to reveal itself, she last night seized that moment, and, supported by her exiled children in America and by gallant allies in Europe, but relying in the first on her own strength, she struck in full confidence of victory. Two men sought to bring down a nation: one by means of trickery and deceit; the other, to pander blindly in the face of world powers.


The Hand of the French

We declare the right of the people of Ireland to compete in the 2010 World Cup, and to continue with the unfettered control of Irish destinies, to be victorious and undefeatable. The long usurpation of that right, played out last night by the hands of Thierry Henry and the blind ref, can never be extinguished except by the destruction of the Irish people, we demand the right to justice and a replay at the very least.


Le Grenouille - The legs of the French

In every generation the Irish people have asserted their right to national freedom, justice and victory; six times during the last three hundred years they have asserted it to arms, last night we exerted it peacefully and proudly on a pitch in Paris. Now, we must face the second hand of God, the powers of FIFA and their colonial friends. Standing on our fundamental right to justice, and again asserting it peacefully in the face of the world, we hereby proclaim the Irish Republic the deserved and righteous qualifier for South Africa, and we pledge our lives and the lives of our fellow countrymen and women to the cause of her victory, of the realisation of her long held dream, and of her exaltation among the nations of World Cup 2010.”


The French players celebrate William Gallas' extra-time goal

The French Goal Should Not Stand... Ireland Deserve to be in the 2010 World Cup

Contact FIFA via this link...

http://www.fifa.com/contact/form.html

And join the protest group on Facebook;

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hands-up-who-think-Ireland-deserve-the-place-in-the-2010-World-Cup/181240290833#/pages/Hands-up-who-think-Ireland-deserve-the-place-in-the-2010-World-Cup/181240290833?v=wall

“Hands up who think Ireland deserve the place in the 2010 World Cup.”

It didn’t have to be like this you know, once Ireland and France were allies united against the common enemy;

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2008/03/years-of-french.html

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose!

The Hand of the French

Le French Hand job! Merde!

Feelings are running high in Ireland after the country failed to qualify for World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The only topic of discussion in Ireland today is the French Hand job! Merde!! Ireland suffered the cruelest of World Cup exits as France went through with a goal with a goal which should have been disallowed for handball. Thierry Henry clearly handled before playing the ball for William Gallas to score the equaliser which saw France win the play-off 2-1 on aggregate at Stade de France, Paris. In fact Henry handled the ball twice, which would have been a foul in Volleyball let alone Soccer!



Thierry Henry admitted that he had intentionally handled the ball to set up William Gallas’s decisive goal against Ireland in Wednesday night's World Cup play-off in Paris. With cries of “cheat” ringing in his ears from furious Irish fans, the Barcelona and former Arsenal forward emerged from the dressing room to say: “I will be honest, it was a handball. But I’m not the ref. I played it, the ref allowed it. That’s a question you should ask him.”

Today in Ireland the mood is grim with calls to boycott French Fries, French Batons and even calls to outlaw French Kissing! It is safe to assume that Thierry Henry is not going on holiday in Ireland any time soon. My personal favourite is the reworking of the 1916 Declaration of Independence which a wag has put on the Facebook protest site “Hands up who think Ireland deserve the place in the 2010 World Cup.”


William Gallas bundles in France's extra-time winner in the World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland at the Stade de France in Paris last night

“IRISHMEN AND IRISHWOMEN: In the name of God and of the dead generations from which she receives her old tradition of nationhood, Ireland, through us, summons her children to her flag and strikes for A REPLAY.

Having organised and trained her boys in green, she has stood tall in the face of disappointment and injustice , through the support of the Irish nation home and abroad, through her hope and hard work, carried forth by the supporters, young and old, having patiently perfected her discipline, even learnt to take penalties, having resolutely waited for the right moment to reveal itself, she last night seized that moment, and, supported by her exiled children in America and by gallant allies in Europe, but relying in the first on her own strength, she struck in full confidence of victory. Two men sought to bring down a nation: one by means of trickery and deceit; the other, to pander blindly in the face of world powers.


The Hand of the French

We declare the right of the people of Ireland to compete in the 2010 World Cup, and to continue with the unfettered control of Irish destinies, to be victorious and undefeatable. The long usurpation of that right, played out last night by the hands of Thierry Henry and the blind ref, can never be extinguished except by the destruction of the Irish people, we demand the right to justice and a replay at the very least.


Le Grenouille - The legs of the French

In every generation the Irish people have asserted their right to national freedom, justice and victory; six times during the last three hundred years they have asserted it to arms, last night we exerted it peacefully and proudly on a pitch in Paris. Now, we must face the second hand of God, the powers of FIFA and their colonial friends. Standing on our fundamental right to justice, and again asserting it peacefully in the face of the world, we hereby proclaim the Irish Republic the deserved and righteous qualifier for South Africa, and we pledge our lives and the lives of our fellow countrymen and women to the cause of her victory, of the realisation of her long held dream, and of her exaltation among the nations of World Cup 2010.”


The French players celebrate William Gallas' extra-time goal

The French Goal Should Not Stand... Ireland Deserve to be in the 2010 World Cup

Contact FIFA via this link...

http://www.fifa.com/contact/form.html

And join the protest group on Facebook;

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hands-up-who-think-Ireland-deserve-the-place-in-the-2010-World-Cup/181240290833#/pages/Hands-up-who-think-Ireland-deserve-the-place-in-the-2010-World-Cup/181240290833?v=wall

“Hands up who think Ireland deserve the place in the 2010 World Cup.”

It didn’t have to be like this you know, once Ireland and France were allies united against the common enemy;

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2008/03/years-of-french.html

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose!