Rugby Memories

rockman15

Whats your favourite game you have seen or been to and why?


for me it was the Ireland/ All Blacks game back in 97....my first international....there were people sitting on the edge of the field that day in Lansdowne.....amazing atmosphere not to mention the haka etc...had our asses handed to us that afternoon...

Imhof Tank

rockman15 wrote: »

Whats your favourite game you have seen or been to and why?


for me it was the Ireland/ All Blacks game back in 97....my first international....there were people sitting on the edge of the field that day in Lansdowne.....amazing atmosphere not to mention the haka etc...had our asses handed to us that afternoon...

I watched that NZ match in a pub in Brussells - it was the afternoon of the 2nd leg of the 1998 World Cup play off loss v. Belguim

As for enjoyable games Ive seen - on TV it would be either BOD's game in Paris or the first test for the Lions in Australia when BOD scored. Another memorable one would be the championship opener at Murrayfield in 1985. We had a new coach, a substantially new back line, and Hugo McNeill scored a running try practically straight from the kick off. We had been in the doldrums before that match as well and the style in which the win was achieved was unusual for us.

Rattlehead_ie

My 1st memory of rugby that really sticks with me was my 1st international game I was at, we were sitting on the side lines of lansdowne Road, literally at the try line, When Michael Lynagh for Australia crossed the line in the last 10 mins to beat Ireland in the Quarter Finals of the RWC. We had been leading by 3 points at the time, I think I was 6 and i /cried

il gatto

Watching Ireland beat England in Twickenham in 2004. I was sat in my one of my favourite pubs with my girlfriend and one of my best friends. The sun was streaming through the windows. I had a frosty pint and I couldn't believe what I was watching. When I lest the pub on that sunny Spring day, all seemed right with the world.
Also watching my school lose the cup yet again in the Sportsgrounds in Galway. It was a crap result, but the whole day sticks with me. Happy memories.

maddness

Sitting in a bar in the ski resort of Livigno in 2004 watching ireland beat the world champions in their own "Fortress". Pure Class. The resort was full of english too.

Mind you standing in the pissing rain in Cork watching Leinster beat Munster before Christmas was a great day out.

Crash

2006 HC semi Leinster vs. Munster, and drowning my sorrows while my girlfriend at the time, a munster girl, rubbed it in to the max.

Never said they had to be good rugby memories

2004 HC quarter final - first match when i started going to them a lot.

that 2000 Ba-ba's game - fantastic.

This year Barbarians vs. SA, definitely one I think will go down in my memory as just fantastic.

toomevara

One of the best, Ireland V England, 1985, Lansdowne, to win the triple crown....amazing...the day I became a rugby fanatic, lansdowne was fabulous that day....

Two of the worst, Campese's last minute try in the 91 world cup at Lansdowne, don't think I've ever felt an atmosphere like it at Landsdowne...total euphoria to funereal mourning in the space of a minute...and sitting in a bar in Camden watching ireland getting dumped out of the WC by Argentina in Lens in 1999....Feel sick just thinking about both those games....

Crash

Actually I remember that argentina game vividly - I was in the pub with my brother and dad to watch it, and felt sick by the end of it

toomevara

çrash_000 wrote: »

Actually I remember that argentina game vividly - I was in the pub with my brother and dad to watch it, and felt sick by the end of it

Jesus, I think I've got PTSD re: that game, oh the horror...of course being surrounded by hordes of English laughing at my pathetic entreaties to God, the baby Jesus and his mother mary to intervene didn't help....

madds

There are so many but here are some that spring to mind...

Intl - Simon Geoghegan's try against England in 1994. Irish rugby was not in a nice place at that particular time but this guy was a shining light.

Provincial - has to be Munster's win over Biarritz in 2006. What a day.

Club - Barnhall gaining promotion to AIL Div 4 and joining the senior ranks back in 1998. Things not going too well at the moment unfortunately.

Imhof Tank

madds wrote: »

Provincial - has to be Munster's win over Biarritz in 2006. What a day.
.

Yes, of course - that game was unique for the unbelievable tension - I wouldnt say it was enjoyable to watch exactly, but as an occasion I cant recall many more dramatic.

RuggieBear

think i cried when we lost to Argentina in 99.

Best memory was watching BOD score in the first Lions test in 2001.
Worst was losing to Oz in the Third test and getting nothing but bad natured abuse from the **** in the stands of Stadium Australia

toomevara

RuggieBear wrote: »

think i cried when we lost to Argentina in 99.

I know I did.....oh the horror.....

athtrasna

Wales v Ireland in Wembley in 1999 - one of Woody's finest days! The old Wembley actually made a great ground for rugby from a spectator's point of view. Fair play to the WRU for having the balls to relocate the national team to England when Cardiff Arms Park was being redeveloped!

gcgirl

Rattlehead_ie wrote: »

My 1st memory of rugby that really sticks with me was my 1st international game I was at, we were sitting on the side lines of lansdowne Road, literally at the try line, When Michael Lynagh for Australia crossed the line in the last 10 mins to beat Ireland in the Quarter Finals of the RWC. We had been leading by 3 points at the time, I think I was 6 and i /cried

same here 1991 world cup ! first time i ever looked at rugby!!

First international at Lansdowne V Romania 99 world cup Gordan D'Arcy's debut

EdgarAllenPoo

My favourites would probably be the Munster/Leinster Heineken semi-final from 06 and the final of that year along with Ireland v Australia from 06.

Super Sidious

Seems like an obvious one, but sitting in Croker for the England game last year, was the most intense feeling before kick off/anthems! Really made me realise how rugby is the best sport in the world, What a day!!!

Santa Claus

So many memories to choose from, it's hard to choose one....

Watching Ireland score 10 tries against Romania in 86 when I was 11.

Samoa in 88....my first drink (standing in the schoolboy section of the south terrace drinking peach schnapps from a hip flask an older lad from school brought).

Mick Galwey crossing the line (with tony underwood hanging off him) to score in Lasdowne in 93.

The 2nd test in SA in 97.

Being at the argentina game in Lens in 99......Not a good memory.

BODs hat trick against France in paris.

Having north terrace tickets for the All Blacks game in 05 and not being able to go because of the IRFU closing it after the fire underneath it :mad:


New Years Eve 06 for the last game in Lansdowne.

Probably my favourite memory though is meeting Willie John McBride at a cousins wedding about 10 years ago. I asked him for his autograph and by the end of the night there was about 40 lads standing around him as he told the story of the "99 call" on the 74 lions tour.

(it took me nearly an hour to write this as kept remembering games to add)

Wreck

Being at the game against Oz in the 1991 RWC is something I will never forget.

razorblunt

Was at the NZ Ireland match as well in 97, had them on the run as usual by half time (I remember Merhtens saying they thought they were going to lose).

chris85

Has to be Ireland Vs England in Landsdowne Road in 2001. The legend Keith Wood ws at his finest that day

Snickers Man

Maybe this is an inappropriate place to don the Golden Anorak, but I'm afraid some people have false memories. For example:

Imhof Tank wrote: »

Another memorable one would be the championship opener at Murrayfield in 1985. We had a new coach, a substantially new back line, and Hugo McNeill scored a running try practically straight from the kick off.

No he didn't. He nearly did but you get no points for nearly scoring a try.

and

Toomevara wrote:

Campese's last minute try in the 91 world cup at Lansdowne

It wasn't Campese. It was Lynagh. The bastard!

My own memorable moments would have to start back in 1973. Ireland v New Zealand. Ireland come back from seven points down in the last few minutes to score first a penalty and then a great kick and chase try by Tom Grace in the corner to level the scores.

I was standing on the Havelock Square terrace right behind the goal as Barry McGann, surely the fattest back ever to play for Ireland, lined up the conversion from the touchline and missed it by a whisker. We were that close to beating New Zealand for the first time ever. We haven't been as close since.

Mind you we gave them a good game in 2001. Fantastic atmosphere at Lansdowne Rd that day when it looked for a while as if we could take them.

Also thumping Wales 21-7 in 1980, first win over them for ten years.

Geoghegan's match in Twickenham in 1994. I was there for that.

O'Driscoll's match in Stade de France in 200. There for that one two.

But none could top the record-breaking victory over England in Croker last year. Magical occasion, magical result and some bloody good play too.

toomevara

Snickers Man wrote: »

It wasn't Campese. It was Lynagh. The bastard!

Yeah, I was wondering how long it'd take for someone to point it out....forgot to change it.

Still shows you how traumatic it was, Brain just though Aussie feckwit=Campese, not Gentleman Mike...how could he have.... the drongo...

Pinetree Boy

This must be a young board. Thought there would be some Munster fans mentioning 1978. Rematch scheduled for this year.

athtrasna

That 1978 match is like woodstock in folklore - at least 10 times as many people claim to have been there than actually were! Wish I had been though (although as a baby at that time I don't think I'd have noticed!)

Luckycharm

First international game I remember being at was Ireland v OZ 84 when Ella's ozzies beat us on their grandslam tour

Best international game I was at- Lions 1st test in Brisbane 2001 and BOD try nearly missed as was queing at the bar at half time

Other favs I have been too
Many V england 1993 after eng whopped Scotland mrs underwood was jumping on top of her seat, no greater pleasure then seeing Galway milling through Tony underwood, 2001 wood scored- stringer hand trip.

Ireland beating BOKs after white saying no irish players would make the team!!

Worst international - lots in 80s/90s remember Harlequeens coach debut for england he scored 2/3 tries they mullered us :mad:
Ireland being whopped by Western Samoa in a half empty lansdowne road and Tuigamala running riot

Best Provincial game- 14 man leinster showing backbone to beat Munster in Magners final

Best/Worst club game- Marys V Young Munster AIL final when it meant something, it had it all a full Lansdowne road will it ever be repeated for a club game - don't think so. Great close game too - Ger earls intercepting Nicky barry should have taken him down. Peno to win match for marys coming back off post

louthandproud

Provincial ; Munster v Saracens in Thomond 98-99ish. Last minute try and then a conversion from ROG out on the touchline to win by a point. Francois Pinar was superb for Saracens that day, probably the best performance I have ever witnessed from a loosing side player.

International: Has to be England in Croker last year, there have been a few good ones but for atmosphere, result, occasion it would be hard to beat( just a shame we lost to France in the previous Croke park game).

Snickers Man

Pinetree Boy wrote: »

This must be a young board. Thought there would be some Munster fans mentioning 1978. Rematch scheduled for this year.

Well I was around then. What event are you talking about?

Crash

Luckycharm wrote: »

Best Provincial game- 14 man leinster showing backbone to beat Munster in Magners final

Was that Holwell's last match? When Stringer diving got him sent off in his final match?

RuggieBear

çrash_000 wrote: »

Was that Holwell's last match? When Stringer diving got him sent off in his final match?

nope the 14 man match was when miller kicked foley between the legs in the celtic league final in 2001/2002 season.

Howalls last match was only a couple years back.

Luckycharm

çrash_000 wrote: »

Was that Holwell's last match? When Stringer diving got him sent off in his final match?

I could be wrong but I think Nathan spooner might have been the outhalf!

Crash

Oh I remember the previous one now, aye.

Het-Field

1995 Ireland v Wales 5 Nations. Brendan Mullin Try. Didnt get the wooden spoon that year !
Ireland v Fiji. My firt game ever

1997 Irelan v New Zealand. Freezing my nuts off on North Terrace. But Woodies trys were sensational !

1998 Ireland V France Paris. Almost beating the French at the first tade De France game

1999. Ulster V Colomiers. European Champs

2000 Irelan v Scotland. That was the epiphany day
Irelan v Italy. Running in 60 points first time ever in 5/6nations
Ireland v France. BOD Hattrick Obvious
Irelan v America. Record Score
Ireland v South Africa. Tyrone Howe's try

2001. Ireland v France. Waiting 7 minites on South Tce before BOD Try given
Ireland v England. Woody Try. Nice !

2002. Mary's Senior Cup win

2003. Alan Quinlan's try against Argentina in Adelaide

2004. Attending Lansdowne Road when Ireland won Triple Crown Soctland

2006.The PA in the RDS Exam hall announcing Munster had won heniken cup

2007. Ireland 43 England 13

MissHoneyBun

Watching Ireland beat England at Twickenham in the 2006 Six Nations from a pub in Cyprus -doesnt get much sweeter than that.. The fact that my boyfriend and I were the only Irish supporters amongst the Brits only added to the satisfaction -and of course the fact that the boys in green then won the Triple Crown and knocked England into fourth.
*Sigh...*:)

themont85

As has been said Ireland-NZ in 97 when Ireland were winning and as it was back then we'd be shagged after 60 mins and lose it.

I also have really bad memories of when Leinster played Perpingon in 03 and they completely blew it.

Shan75

Shannon v Young Munster in Munster Senior Cup Final early 1990's(can't remember exact year).Munsters thought it was all over until Shannon scored a try in the corner in injury team and John Pearse had to get the conversion from the touchline which he duly did.I almost felt sorry for the Munsters fans as they lost so many finals in a row and they just couldn't believe it.

Munster v Saracens in Thomond Park 2000.Another match with a very late try and a conversion needed.Although the ball probably was wide the linesmen signalled it went over.Fantastic atmosphere in the ground that day before the restrictions in the crowd size was enforced.

Ireland v England in 2001.The delayed Six Nations game because of Foot and Mouth was worth waiting for.England arrived believing they had the game won before it started so it was extra special beating them.They still won the championship but we didn't care as they were so shocked at being beaten you'd have thought they got the wooden spoon.Keith Wood with that try was fantastic and the fact Austin Healey was on the England losing team made it all the better.I remember being on the terrace and people shouting at England fans to "shove yer chariots up yer holes".Excellent.

louthandproud

Shan75 wrote: »

Munster v Saracens in Thomond Park 2000.Another match with a very late try and a conversion needed.Although the ball probably was wide the linesmen signalled it went over.Fantastic atmosphere in the ground that day before the restrictions in the crowd size was enforced.

The ball hit the upright and went over, no question about it. I agree it was a super game, Pinar was magnificent for Saracens. Atmosphere was incredible.

In the short 9 or 10 years I've been into rugby I'm happy to say I have some amazing memories.The best for me have to be

Winning in Stade de France in 2000 with BOD's hatrick,fantastic

Munster Vs. Leicester final back in 2002 (shame we didn't win but still a great day)

Munster getting the bonus point against Sale in 2006,absolutely epic

Munster Vs. Leinster that year too,such a beautiful day in every respect

The final that year too,what an amazing atmosphere,can't be beaten

And of course standing on the hill for the demolition of England last year 43-13

Rattlehead_ie

Oh another one and as a forward this will always hold a special place for me.

Munster v Sale 11 minutes into the game ROG kicks. Chabal catches and POC and rest of Munster drive him and the rest of the Sale front 8 back to their own 10 metre!

/FLEX
I dont know how to do youtube links but here you go

Munster v Sale

Diamondmaker

Luckycharm wrote: »

.


Best Provincial game- 14 man leinster showing backbone to beat Munster in Magners final
(

They had 13 at a time also !!

My fave memory is the 5 minutes after ROG kicked the penalty just before Clerc scored in Croker....I have a video clip of me and the excitement as I KNEW we were going to win the Grand Slam !! Those 5 odd minutes were the best! The rest of teh week THE WORST !!

2nd best was 2002 Landsdowne, Irl Vs Eng. Eng playing the last game of seaon for the GS and it was the 3rd season in a row they were in this situation, previously losing at the death to the Scots and Wales.

This time round Keith Wood was instrumental in beating them, class memories of the schoolboys stand jearing English fans as they left and best of all........

............Martin Johnosn receiving the Championship Trophy from El Pres with a massive scowl, like it was the wooden spoon ( cos they still actually won the 6N but lost the GS and the game on the day )

The next year they pulled it together, won the GS and then the world cup ! But then we beat them 1st game after RWC in Twickers...another great memory

This thread is fun !