A Yank's trip to Croke Park...

For those of you that care, I thought you might want to hear an outsider's experience. Thanks for all the advice that was given earlier when I asked questions about the game.

A couple of my friends and I came over for the Ireland - France match without tickets. We arrived on Wednesday and essentially asked anyone their thoughts on the game and the chances of getting tickets.

I am not telling you anything new, but there was great talk about the fact that this was going to be the first rugby game at Croke Park. Most of the Dubliners I met were of the mindset that they were not overly thrilled but better at Croke than elsewhere.

Also, everyone was telling me that a ticket would be impossible to get. With the history behind this event I was unfortunately starting to believe them. In the USA, there is always a ticket market, no matter the event including the Super Bowl.

So we left for the stadium and enjoyed the walk along the Liffey and enjoyed all the Irish and French flags being flown. Essentially from O'Connell Street and Liffey it was continuous moving mass of anticipated joy.

My thoughts walking to the stadium was that Ireland would start slow (as we say in the States, butterflies) behind how important this event was, but then eventually win out by coming together realizing the BOD would not be there and that they would have to do it themselves.

We walked down the street that leads to Gill's Pub. Needless to say, it was quite a shock to see the mass of folks out in the street drinking and singing. The first thing I really noticed was how many signs had the "Looking for a Spare ticket". My friend and I did not know whether the sign meant they were looking to pay face value or more. But there were tens and tens of these signs.

So we went into the pubs and started asking around. We found one guy willing to sell a premium ticket for 1000 euro. This was way out of my budget and then started getting depressed that it was not going to happen. We then walked back to the intersection and started observing and trying to figure out which pub to watch at.

Then we were sitting there and a gentlemen came up to the guy beside us and stated that he had a ticket to sell at price. It was in lower Cusack stand (305, Row S), Leinster Supporters section. The guy was telling about how much he paid for it. He was asking 500 euro. Nobody budged, and he went away. It was now nearing 2pm and he came back again and I asked him if he had the ticket. He said yes, and I told him I was willing to pay 250 euro for it. He said 300 and you have a deal. I bought it. This was what I budgeted for thanks to the advice of this board last month.

So with ticket in hand I start walking in on the Hogan Stand side, with worrying that I could have bought a fake ticket. But alas, got through the gate and stopped off for a pint at the Jurys to breathe in my good luck. That is when I met some of the saddest folks who bought tickets from a ticket place who did not show. There must have 5-6 guys who bought tickets who were promised, but when I left at 2:30 to get into the stadium, still no luck for them.

Finally got around to the Cusack side, and the lines/queu was not well organized, but the people were all polite and a good mood.

The stadium was very nice on the outside. When I entered into my section and saw the inside, I was very impressed. The angles, seats, were all top notch. You could tell alot of money went into the stadium.

The playing of the anthems is something that I will never forget. It is always great when people sing with such enthusiasm. There is something about two countries meeting on the sporting pitch that brings out the best.

I was suprised to be able to hear the France fans, but they were small but a vocal group. When things got going for Ireland it was terrific.

The first thing I want to say about the game, is that I am still in disbelief at the result 4 days later. The game itself I am not giong to rehash, but I am still disappointed in a few of the calls.

The horns that you kept hearing when the French kickers were lining up were coming from two teenagers in Section 305. At first people were admonishing them, then eventually when France was making noise when ROG was lining up it got worse.

The Irish try was magic. The gents around me were in disbelief with pass.

The bounce off the post on the try kick had me thinking this is Ireland's day.

The maul should have been the nail in the coffin. ROG kick had everyone around me cheering and clapping and believing.

And then the kick, and the bounce. Needless to say, the language was sh@!, f&ck, etc..until the try. Then silence.

Leaving the game, I have never heard 82k people be more quiet. We were walking and a gentlemen besides me summed it up, "Jesus, it's a funeral".

Went back to Gill's pub and had a few pints and lamented the day that was. The French were nice and the Irish folks I was talking to were drinking away their sorrows.

A sad but unforgettable day for me. It is something I will always carry with me.

Cheers to all that I might have met and did not know.

Hopefully, next time I see Ireland play, the verdict will be different

tcc