President of Ireland Mary McAleese lays a wreath

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

For the 15 englishmen that were slaughtered there on saturday!!!

Ireland destroyed England in the 6 nations, at Croke Park, 43-13.

First time in Englands rugby history that they gave up more than 40 points.

SUCK IT ENGLAND, SUCK IT GOOOOOOOD!!!

On another positive note, the game and event went off without a hitch.

The last time the english were in Croke Park they opened fire and killed 14.

They were applauded when they took the field, and the national anthem wasn't booed.

There was no crowd trouble among the 82,000 that were there.

An unbelivable atmosphere (my friend was at it, and was offered 2000 euros for his ticket a couple of days before the game.

Fantastic day for the Irish

[mack 44]

I'll bite my tongue/keyboard and enjoy this brilliant chai tea I've been working on.

[Langenbrunner15 0]

Atta boy Irishmen!!

[bobbyorio 0]

Roll on the World Cup.

We've got to be third favourites on current form just behind France(2nd) and New Zealand in a league of their own(though they usually peak too early and end up not living up to their favourites tag)

As an aside it's worth mentioning that Cork Park is the 3rd largest stadium in the EU. Considering that its owned by an amateur organisation its an amazing stadium. I've been to several GAA matches there, the Millenium Stadium(Cardiff) and the San Siro(Milan and second largest stadium) and it definitely holds its own in such company.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Roll on the World Cup.

We've got to be third favourites on current form just behind France(2nd) and New Zealand in a league of their own(though they usually peak too early and end up not living up to their favourites tag)

As an aside it's worth mentioning that Cork Park is the 3rd largest stadium in the EU. Considering that its owned by an amateur organisation its an amazing stadium. I've been to several GAA matches there, the Millenium Stadium(Cardiff) and the San Siro(Milan and second largest stadium) and it definitely holds its own in such company.

It's Croke Park, not Cork. It is not an Amateur Organization, its a professional organization with Amateur athletes, which allows the GAA to do what they have done for years, horde money.

Croker is a unique stadium in that until very recently it was used exclusively for GAA only.

They then allowed a couple of concerts in the past few years, and when Landsdowne closed for renovations, the GAA realised they could make more money by allowing rugby and whatnot there.

I will guarantee this, if it had been Sean Kelly or Sean McCague still in charge instead of Nickey Brennan, there is no way they would have allowed the English to play there. Those are 2 hardcore feiners

[Oberon 0]

Didn't Notre Dame play Navy at Croke Park in 1996? I was in Dublin at the time, though not for the game. I don't think Dubliners were very excited about American college football. As I recall, people in the pub much preferred watching sheepherding.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Didn't Notre Dame play Navy at Croke Park in 1996? I was in Dublin at the time, though not for the game. I don't think Dubliners were very excited about American college football. As I recall, people in the pub much preferred watching sheepherding.

You know what, that does sound familiar. Back in 96, I was still at home in North west Ireland, so didn't give a damn about dublin or American Football.

But this does sound familiar to me, like I heard there was american football being played there.

Although honestly, I wouldn't have known if Notre Dame were pro or college at the time

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

Didn't Notre Dame play Navy at Croke Park in 1996? I was in Dublin at the time, though not for the game. I don't think Dubliners were very excited about American college football. As I recall, people in the pub much preferred watching sheepherding.

Yes they did and my friend who was a Middie at the time went across.

[Jason Harris 31]

You know what, that does sound familiar. Back in 96, I was still at home in North west Ireland, so didn't give a damn about dublin or American Football.

We know that you've become quite rabid on hockey since living in the states, but I'm curious what you think of American Football at this point.

[mack 44]

I remember most people I knew laughing at Notre Dame and I still don't get the fascination with them.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

You know what, that does sound familiar. Back in 96, I was still at home in North west Ireland, so didn't give a damn about dublin or American Football.

We know that you've become quite rabid on hockey since living in the states, but I'm curious what you think of American Football at this point.

I like it, not near as much as hockey. But I enjoy it. Channel 4 used to carry it back at home, but they never explained anything about it. So, coming from a football and Gaelic background, all these stops made no sense.

But now that I am over here, and I understand the game, its good to veg out on sunday with some beer and watch a few games.

Of course, being in the DC area, the skins suck equally as much as the caps, but with more coverage.

Hockey was a more natural progression. An irishman being interviewed on a radio station in new york was asked to describe Hurling. He said "It's like a cross between hockey and murder" so the game just has that sort of appeal to me, the physicality, speed and skill of the game. Of course, donegal suck at hurling, so I am starting to think I'm the bad luck charm in effect here

[bobbyorio 0]

Roll on the World Cup.

We've got to be third favourites on current form just behind France(2nd) and New Zealand in a league of their own(though they usually peak too early and end up not living up to their favourites tag)

As an aside it's worth mentioning that Cork Park is the 3rd largest stadium in the EU. Considering that its owned by an amateur organisation its an amazing stadium. I've been to several GAA matches there, the Millenium Stadium(Cardiff) and the San Siro(Milan and second largest stadium) and it definitely holds its own in such company.

It's Croke Park, not Cork. It is not an Amateur Organization, its a professional organization with Amateur athletes, which allows the GAA to do what they have done for years, horde money.

Croker is a unique stadium in that until very recently it was used exclusively for GAA only.

They then allowed a couple of concerts in the past few years, and when Landsdowne closed for renovations, the GAA realised they could make more money by allowing rugby and whatnot there.

I will guarantee this, if it had been Sean Kelly or Sean McCague still in charge instead of Nickey Brennan, there is no way they would have allowed the English to play there. Those are 2 hardcore feiners

My mistake. I'm from Cork and made a stupid typo. I've been to Croker as it's affectionately called more times than I can remember.

It must also be remembered that boxing(no less than Ali fought there) has been allowed at Croker and also lets not forget the Special Olympics. Foreign games were indeed banned but a long time ago it was agreed that foreign games would mean games with British origins. Hence the reason American Football, Boxing and the Special Olympics could use Croker.

I have to point out that the GAA is an amateur organisation with amateur members. I'm all for pay for play but just because the GAA has taken a professional approach does not mean the organisation is in fact professional.

No matter what president was in charge the stadium would have been opened up. The vast majority supported the move and I am from one of the few counties that did oppose it but as the mnajority wanted it opened up democracy ruled.

As for hording money all one has to do is go to any local GAA club and look at the standard of their facilities compared to those of soccer or rugby clubs. Most GAA clubs have excellent changing facilities, good pitches and most larger clubs have at least one pitch with floodlights. The money does in fact filter down through the organisation and the vast majority of people still living in Ireland are aware of this now more than ever.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

As for hording money all one has to do is go to any local GAA club and look at the standard of their facilities compared to those of soccer or rugby clubs. Most GAA clubs have excellent changing facilities, good pitches and most larger clubs have at least one pitch with floodlights. The money does in fact filter down through the organisation and the vast majority of people still living in Ireland are aware of this now more than ever.

It hasn't quite filtered to Donegal yet. St. Eunans have a good pitch, but an old crappy changing facilities and clubhouse.

And it was paid for locally too. I have some serious gripes with how the GAA run their show, but Cork has a solid hurling and football tradition, so are likely to recieve more money.

When the GAA gives money to ulster, Armagh and Tyrone are always first in line. Donegal has got the shaft more times than enough from the powers that be. Probably because they are still bitter that they beat the mighty Dublin in 92.

Nickey Brennan is making a six figure salary, most of the county managers are paid under the table, and have crazy "expense" accounts. The only ones not getting paid are the players.

Cork and Galway, the two best places in Ireland to go out (after Letterkenny of course)

Are you still in Cork, I have a friend in a band based there, called the Red Sea Pedestrians, they just got a record and distribution deal last year, so I figured they must be fairly well known in the area

[bobbyorio 0]

I am still in Cork(off to London in the Summer) but have not heard of the Red Sea Pedestrians. Music scene is prett vibrant here at the moment so lots of bands getting signed up but then finding it difficult to get past the local gig scene.

I was at the Donegal v Cork football quarter final last year and Donegal ahould have won but didnt take their chances in the 1st half.

You might be interested to know there is a new ice rink in Dundalk which is pretty good. Also there is an inline hockey league which has been going for a good number of years with a decent standard with clubs from Cork, Dublin, Killkenny and the North.

I have a classmate from school Ronan Curran that plays hurling for the Cork Seniors and has a few Allstars and know a few of the lads on the panel and it is only a matter of time before the players get more than expenses.

As an aside it's a shame to see that the intercounty duel player can no longer exist due to the demands on the player. The last big duel player Sean Og almost did the double but dont think it'll happen again sadly.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I was at the Donegal v Cork football quarter final last year and Donegal ahould have won but didnt take their chances in the 1st half.

With the one exception being 1992, that is the history of Donegal GAA summed up nicely in one sentence.

Same as my club team at home, St. Eunans, have no problems making it out of Donegal, but when they get to the ulster level against Crosmaglen or Timor, they can never take advantage of the chances they get

[Oberon 0]

Some wanker stole my beer in a hostel in Cork. I suppose I should just be glad I didn't get stabbed in the middle of the night.

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

Ha love the sig...I've often wondered about your username.

[Oberon 0]

Though I am a fan of Bell's, my username comes from my faithful hound Oberon, whose namesake is the character in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

[bobbyorio 0]

Some wanker stole my beer in a hostel in Cork. I suppose I should just be glad I didn't get stabbed in the middle of the night.

More likely to get stabbed in Limerick. Hence the reason it's known as'Stab City' ;)

As for beers being stolen in a hostel the key is to have it well hidden. Seen some pretty strange goings-on in hostel on my travels. One hostel in San Diego was just nuts altogether!

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Abra, Abrakebabra, where people reach out and stab ya

Limerick is a hole, too knackerish to even be called the armpit of Ireland (leave that to bray)