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Blarney Army World Cup Update
Written by: Matthew FiskNov 8, 2008 1:12am
Woohoo, The Wolfhounds just keep on thumbing their noses at the critics and as members of the Blarney Army, we can honestly say that we were there from the very beginning. Last Wednesday’s 34-16 trouncing of Samoa was the greatest moment in Ireland rugby league history and it will be remembered by all rugby league followers for a long time to come. Interestingly, Ireland has never reached a semi final in any major sporting competition and it would be a massive boost for Irish rugby league if it were the Wolfhounds who finally put Ireland in the top-four. Now that the media is taking us seriously, there have been numerous articles written about the great support form the Army and coach Andy Kelly made special mention of us in his post match press conference. In our own little way we should be proud of what we have achieved. But, the job is not done and we need to beat Fiji if we are to return to Sydney on Sunday week to play the world champion Kangaroos in the semi final. It would be a much deserved reward for a great bunch of players and coaching staff (and fans) so let’s get out and support them on the Gold Coast this Monday @ 6.55pm (QLD time). TICKETS: We have arranged to have 3000 tickets set aside for the Blarney Army at Skilled Park. These tickets are $15 and include a free wig. These tickets can be purchased at the venue on gameday upon presentation of a voucher. Dominic Bond from the Blarney Army will be handing out vouchers on the Gold Coast from Saturday but we will have a printable form on our website by tomorrow (www.blarneyarmy.com.au) and will keep a supply on hand at the Holiday Inn, Surfers Paradise (and surrounding pubs) just in case. You will definitely need a flyer to take advantage of the deal so please plan ahead by jumping on our website and printing out a copy. Kick off is at 6.55pm local time. Our thanks go to Garry Farrar from Splash Marketing as well as David Nissan from the RLWC for believing and supporting our idea. The cheap tickets and green wigs are not easy to organise but these two gentlemen and their staff have looked after us at Parramatta and once again at the Gold Coast (at very short notice). Blarney Banter Ø Not everyone can make it to the Gold Coast on Monday night so if you wish to watch the game at a friendly venue, look no further than PJ O’Brien’s in Sydney (King St). Fergal from PJ O’Briens has been one of the true believers in the Blarney Army from day one. He has supported us and the team at every opportunity and it was good to see well over 50 people take advantage of the bus back to his pub last Wednesday. It truly is a great Irish pub and it is sure to be rocking on Monday night. Kick off will be 7.55pm in Sydney but get there a bit earlier to have dinner and a few drinks to settle pre-match nerves. Fergal will look after everyone with his famous food platters once the game kicks off. As usual, Guinness and Magners will be in high demand. Ø Celebrations at the team hotel in Parramatta last Wednesday were surprisingly subdued. A mixture of shock, exhaustion and the fact we play five days later saw the team enjoy a few quiet drinks then hit the sack about midnight. It was good to see the team has not forgotten their job is only half done. They were up and on the bus to the airport by 10am on Thursday and while they will miss their plush training surrounds of Mounties (www.mounties.com.au) they have settled back into things rather well on the Surfers Paradise strip. Ø It was good to see the family members of our stars travelling from far and wide to see the team play. Spotted on Wednesday night were Wayne Kerr’s friends and family, Stevie Gibbons’ mates from the Carlow Crusaders, Stuart Littler’s old man as well as hundreds of the Pat Richards and Damien Blanch families. Pat will be best man at his brother Kieran’s wedding on Saturday and as luck would have it they booked their honeymoon on the Gold Coast! Now that is fate. Ø From a personal point of view I was extremely impressed with our pack last Wednesday. Eamon O’Carroll, Gareth Haggerty, Ryan Tandy led from the front in superb fashion and they can take credit for wearing the Samoans down. It was also good to see Wayne Kerr impress in his World Cup debut. Our backrow were also extremely effective. If our forwards can perform in similar fashion on Monday night, it will give our nippy halves and outside backs much needed room to move. Ø The Army really has got some press over the past few weeks. It is amazing how everyone loves a winner but our strength is our numbers and we encourage new Army members to make the effort to get to the Gold Coast on Monday. Anyone at the two games will say the experience is second to none. The rugby league odds compiler from the TAB said it was the best atmosphere at a game he had ever seen live and he watches pretty much every game of league played each season. For the record, founding Blarney Army members Phil O’Sullivan, Dom Bond, John Stanton, Mark Hayes and even Matt Fisk will be at the ground to lend support as per usual. Kevin Kelly’s drumming was great last Monday and he will make an appearance at PJs. Ø Some of our friends from Penrith Gaels club are also making their way up to the Gold Coast and I imagine Tom and the rest of the club will be well and truly behind us from the comforts of their clubhouse. Ø While the wider press has been slow in jumping on our bandwagon, Australia’s best young female reporters have been Irish fans from day one. “Oh Errol” is building a cult following amongst genuine rugby league fans and their light hearted yet very knowledgeable look at rugby league has seen them signed up by MMM radio. Check them out at www.oherrol.com. They will be in the Army on Monday night. Ø I had a number of Ireland hoodies and 2007 replica jerseys for sale at discount prices. Rest assured those that contacted will receive a reply but due to numerous happenings in the Army I have been unable to reply as quickly as I would have liked. Apologies. Ø To all those that I haven’t thanked in this or previous emails, I do apologise. Your help and support has been outstanding over the past 10 months. Ø The Holiday Inn @ Surfers Paradise looks like the best bet for post match drinks on Monday night. See you there after our big win. There are rumours Dom Bond will be shouting the bar with his winnings from last Wednesday night but they are as yet unsubstantiated. Ni Neart go cur le cheile!
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