The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the Virtual Rugby Pub - a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing pictures of Rhys Priestland, Cian Healy, or the special one of Charlize Theron and Gibbo above the bar!


So pull up a chair....what'll it be?



Old Pub: https://www.606v2.com/t18511p1000-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub#704500

Flip students, get a job!

Mind you it's the Llanwrtyd Beer Festival on the weekend. Heaven knows what crap I'll be responsible for.

WillyGilly wrote:Just destroyed an epic and I mean epic chicken fajita wrap. Sooo tasty. Genuinely unbelievable. And yes I have been out on the town as well. Hasn't affected my grammar or spelling though. Got ambushed tonight by a dodgy cocktail with large amounts of peachello in it. The wrap could be making another appearance in a few hours time.

That's a fantastic drunk post. We don't get them much in here anymore, unless Munsty is on the lash. Peachello though, sounds a bit... fruity?

Mick: maybe all the regs at the meet have to make at least one post during the meet??!!

Mickado wrote:

WillyGilly wrote:Just destroyed an epic and I mean epic chicken fajita wrap. Sooo tasty. Genuinely unbelievable. And yes I have been out on the town as well. Hasn't affected my grammar or spelling though. Got ambushed tonight by a dodgy cocktail with large amounts of peachello in it. The wrap could be making another appearance in a few hours time.

That's a fantastic drunk post. We don't get them much in here anymore, unless Munsty is on the lash. Peachello though, sounds a bit... fruity?

+1

prop_lyd wrote:Mick: maybe all the regs at the meet have to make at least one post during the meet??!!

Well since this place will be dead without you all then I think that's a sterling idea!

Haha English regz jokes on you all - Eddie O'Sullivan has announced his interest in the England job!!

Ah that would be funny!! Maytbe london irish players would get a look in?!

Aww mick, we'll all still be here in spirit, asleep in the corner with a headache!!

Dear Santa,

I know I’m always asking for loads of stuff but this Christmas all I want is this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polar-Bears-Get-Lonely-Intriguing/dp/1846681308

Kind regards,
Mick.

Dear Santa,

I know I’m always asking for loads of stuff but this Christmas all I want is this:

http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Toys-R-Us/Bikes-and-Rideons/Battery-Powered/6V-Doctor-Who-Dalek-RideOn(0090589)

Kind regards,
Adam

Dear Santa,

I know I’m always asking for loads of stuff but this Christmas all I want is this:

http://www-student.lboro.ac.uk/~lssb7/munster-trophy.jpg

Kind regards,
Staggy.

Hobo!

Just the man!

Where is that link to Amazon?

red_stag wrote:Haha English regz jokes on you all - Eddie O'Sullivan has announced his interest in the England job!!

Now, now Stag, I thought you were all cosmopolitan and grown up about the Anglo-Gael relations?

I am. I;m not all grown up when it comes to Eddie O'Sullivan - think England would be making a mistake.

Johnson or kingsley jones to go to usa then?!

MrsP wrote:Hobo!

Just the man!

Where is that link to Amazon?

Bear with us, we're still sorting out some technical stuff.

Morning all. please, end of season netball drinks last night made for a late one.

prop_lyd wrote:Mick: maybe all the regs at the meet have to make at least one post during the meet??!!

It's a pain using 606v2 on the mobile.

Bore da pawb / good morning all.

Lads have we just been hit with spam??? Kiwi get on it, check those posts from Mick Hobo and stag

Thanks Kiwi and Hobo!

I will await further instructions!

Just booked the Monday after the Big Meet weekend off work! That calls for one of these feckers:

Excellent Lucky!!! There will be drinks!

Adam D wrote:Dear Santa,

I know I’m always asking for loads of stuff but this Christmas all I want is this:

http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Toys-R-Us/Bikes-and-Rideons/Battery-Powered/6V-Doctor-Who-Dalek-RideOn(0090589)

Kind regards,
Adam

Actually, i want this instead...

Not long to wait now, Stag!

Thats true lucky.

I cannot wait for December. I've done a few late evenings getting our companys new website up and running so I've an extra few days holidays owed.

December is going to be epic. Dublin meet up 2nd-4th Dec. HEC Meet up 7th-12th. Visiting Munsty 13th-16th. HEC Weekend 17-18.

Then just a few days of work and off for Xmas.

That's some itinerary, Stag - make sure you're not skint by Christmas!

Off to Liverpool for rugby. Enjoy your day folks!

I've actually been very organised this christmas and got a few pressies out of my October paycheck which is most unlike me. But I knew I had my holidays coming up.

MBTGOG wrote:Off to Liverpool for rugby. Enjoy your day folks!

Good luck, Munsty

I never do much forward planning when it comes to Christmas presents, but it's my birthday next week so I can put any money I get towards those. Or just convert to a different religion to get out of it altogether.

MBTGOG wrote:Off to Liverpool for rugby. Enjoy your day folks!

Enjoy it.

Morning all. Not been in for a few days. All I wan't for Christmas is some more 'Tangerine Dream' on Saturday week.

http://www.dubairugby7s.com/news-and-media/news/2010/news-25.html

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCYQtwIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DVsORZshuaCc&ei=3s3MTv-lD8ih8QOZ-r34Dw&usg=AFQjCNEMVOzbw48eEXDDPnl0jEcQ5QCuOg

luckless_pedestrian wrote:I never do much forward planning when it comes to Christmas presents, but it's my birthday next week so I can put any money I get towards those. Or just convert to a different religion to get out of it altogether.

I never am usually but I had my birthday in October so had some extra cash. I knew there would be lean months ahead so got some presents for my goddaughter, my mother and my girlfriend. We're doing a Secret Santa at home so I only have to buy something proper for my mother and make a small charitable contribution to represent a present for my Dad, Brother and Sister (just a fiver on behalf of each of them). So everyone gets one nice present and a charity gets something out of it.

We're doing Secret Santa too, so instead of buying for three sisters I only need to get a present for one. Still don't have a clue what to get, though.

Make sure you get a locker that locks, Munsty - you need to watch those light-fingered Scousers...

Actually, I studied in Liverpool for a while. It's a great city and I'd love to go back some time.

Update on Tevor Hogans attempted trip to bring aid to Gaza



Trevor Hogan's mission to Gaza
'About 20 commandos in balaclavas came on board. They had assault rifles, knives, tasers, some of them had shotguns and they were out to intimidate us, breaking windows, shouting at us, telling us if we didn't go with them people would get hurt'
174
32


By Hugh Farrelly
Tuesday November 22 2011
THE MV Saoirse was surrounded. It was an intimidating show of force by the Israeli navy.
Giant, grey warships, with smaller gunships riding shotgun and then there were the Zodiacs -- inflatable boats, designed for speed and mobility -- which were buzzing around the Irish boat, packed with Israeli, balaclava-wearing commandos.
When the sun rose that morning, Trevor Hogan had been optimistic that the Saoirse's mission to bring aid (including rugby gear donated by Leinster and Munster) to the people of Gaza could succeed. On board were 14 Irish citizens including Hogan and, a mere 40 miles out from the port, they were hopeful of breaking the blockade.
That hope was extinguished when the warships appeared on the horizon and it quickly became apparent that the Israelis were in no mood for compromise.
"It was pretty tense," recalls Hogan. "They were shouting at us through megaphones and they started using water cannons to disable the boat. It was pretty scary, we went below but the water was streaming in on top of us, which was especially unsettling for me because I'm a poor swimmer.
"They took out the electrics in the wheelhouse with the cannons and a fire started. The captain came down, normally a calm guy and he was shouting: 'They are trying to sink us! They are trying to sink us!'"
THE CAUSE
Trevor Hogan won four caps for Ireland and enjoyed a distinguished career for Munster and Leinster before being forced to retire due to injury last season. It is just over a year since Hogan's last game and while he misses the day-to-day camaraderie of the dressing-room, there were never any fears of the Nenagh man finding ways to fill his time post-rugby.
Holding an honours degree in journalism, Hogan was always interested in life beyond the track-suited, cloistered existence of the professional rugby player and his passion for the Palestinian cause dates back to his adolescence.
"When I was a teenager I started really getting into history and Palestine always struck me as a tragedy. It seems that with every passing decade, every passing year they are more and more isolated. Being Irish is probably a key aspect of it, there are parallels with Ireland, given our colonial past and for Palestine it is even more of a challenge than the one this country faced.
"There are a million and half people under siege. The majority of the population rely on aid to survive. There is widespread unemployment. They can't import and export.
"They can't fish or farm their own territories and if they break the limits, they are shot at and taken to Israel. They can't leave, only certain people can leave if they have the right documents and it might take months. I was hoping to set up a rugby exchange but it is impossible. The quality of life is dire, it's been described by the Red Cross as a crisis of dignity."
Hogan's motivation in joining the Freedom Flotilla was a humanitarian one but he accepts politics is the only way to find a proper solution.
"It is a humanitarian issue but politicians can find an answer in the morning -- end the siege in Gaza. No-one here is anti-Israel, we are pro the Israeli people and the idea of Israel, it's just the policies of their government."
THE LOCK DOWN
The stated aim was to bring aid to Gaza but the ultimate purpose was to raise awareness -- the Freedom Flotilla always accepted the probability of being stopped by the Israelis. However, though they had steeled themselves mentally, the Irish were taken aback by the extent of the Israeli intimidation.
"About 20 commandos in balaclavas came on board, all you see is their eyes. They had assault rifles, knives, hand-guns, tasers, some of them had shotguns and they were out to intimidate us, breaking windows, shouting at us, telling us if we didn't go with them people would get hurt.
"We sat in a circle and kept saying we are staying together. You try and stay calm, but the adrenalin is going, like before a match only here was no outlet for it, and because I was a bigger guy they were squaring up to me, staring me down.
"This went on for hours. We had water but no food and when we had to go to the toilet there were two commandos pointing their rifles at you. Eventually, they realised we weren't going to move and brought the boat into the port of Ashdod.
"The Canadian boat with us went through the same process but unfortunately some of them were tasered and beaten to get them off the boat. A couple of our guys were put into shackles, one of them because he had a shaved head and they didn't like the look of him."
Intervention by the Irish consul helped calm the situation but there was no way of preventing incarceration.
"First, we were put through a series of searches, all our stuff was taken off us. Then it was individual interrogations and it was unsettling to see the hatred in their eyes. They didn't understand. 'What are you doing?' they kept asking. 'People in Gaza don't play rugby.' I tried to explain the people in Gaza are entitled to move around and play rugby if they want but I didn't want to come back too much -- it felt like it could spill over.
"We got to jail about 4.0am, exhausted, at that point looking forward to a cell. It was two to a cell, very basic, bunk beds, toilet, shower. The lights were on the whole time, you had no concept of time and they would try and wake you up through the night. You get meals through a slot in the door, one morning for breakfast it was two cucumbers, but we stored bread to get us through.
"There was an exercise yard, we were allowed out for half an hour twice a day the first day and we were out of contact from the Thursday to the Sunday afternoon, when we were allowed one three-minute phone call.
"It almost made it harder because it was back to the cell then. You try and keep the spirits up (we were slagging Chris Andrews that it was about time someone from Fianna Fail was locked up) but what really kept us going was knowing that what we were going through was only a fraction what the people in Gaza were going through.
"We were locked up for about six days, five there and another in a different detention centre before we went home."
THE RELEASE
Pressure from Ireland eventually told, but the release was disrupted and delayed before the Irish started arriving home.
"They kept trying to break us down right to the end but when we got into the airport and saw our families and the support that was there, it lifted us straight away. We had a tricolour that the commandos had tried to steal from the boat but we had got it back and that was a symbol to show we hadn't been defeated and were continuing to show solidarity with the people of Palestine."
THE AFTERMATH
A week and a half on, Hogan is back into his routine -- studying English and History in the first year of an Arts degree and coaching his home club of Nenagh in the All-Ireland League, where emigration is proving a huge challenge to building a squad.
Life has returned to normal but this only heightens his feelings for the people in Gaza.
"I am not trying to claim that we achieved huge success but it was a small show of solidarity and hopefully it will help highlight the issue now.
"I would be first in line for the next flotilla but hopefully there won't be a need for one. It's not about the flotilla, it's not about us, any of us. It is about the people of Gaza and the siege being lifted. I was lucky enough to have played for Ireland but I look back on this as one of the most important things I have done in my life. I feel so proud and privileged to have been involved, there are no negatives for me. It is about ordinary people standing up for ordinary people."

Well done that man.

I don't know how the Israelis get away with it Mick, it baffles me

hughie1986 wrote:Update on Tevor Hogans attempted trip to bring aid to Gaza



Trevor Hogan's mission to Gaza
'About 20 commandos in balaclavas came on board. They had assault rifles, knives, tasers, some of them had shotguns and they were out to intimidate us, breaking windows, shouting at us, telling us if we didn't go with them people would get hurt'

Sounds like an Ulster Rugby supporters HC Trip.

If there’s one thing I don’t think I’ll ever understand it’s international politics.

But I read about the conditions these people live in and you take the efforts of Hogan and his friends at face value, they really just seem to be doing a good thing.

Rava wrote:

hughie1986 wrote:Update on Tevor Hogans attempted trip to bring aid to Gaza



Trevor Hogan's mission to Gaza
'About 20 commandos in balaclavas came on board. They had assault rifles, knives, tasers, some of them had shotguns and they were out to intimidate us, breaking windows, shouting at us, telling us if we didn't go with them people would get hurt'

Sounds like an Ulster Rugby supporters HC Trip.

hughie1986 wrote:I don't know how the Israelis get away with it Mick, it baffles me

You're not alone there, Hughie.

Mickado wrote:If there’s one thing I don’t think I’ll ever understand it’s international politics.

But I read about the conditions these people live in and you take the efforts of Hogan and his friends at face value, they really just seem to be doing a good thing.

+ 1,000,000,000,000,000,000

[quote="hughie1986"]

Mickado wrote:If there’s one thing I don’t think I’ll ever understand it’s international politics.

But I read about the conditions these people live in and you take the efforts of Hogan and his friends at face value, they really just seem to be doing a good thing.

Agree entirely

I'd agree with that Mick.


And afternoon all, hope everyone's well.

Middle of the week already

My Bro text me last night to say they’re having a 2nd Bday party for my God daughter on Saturday, I told him I’d be there with bells on and he text me back saying “I just told her you’re coming over, she’s so excited she won’t go to sleep”. Have to say, I was having a terrible week so far, but that just made it all better.

To think, my very own brother would have to stay up late with a screaming child all because of me put such a smile on my face….

Afternoon all.

enjoyed reading back over your mornings activities. (I usually don't have the patience)

How's everyone today? Off go-karting after work. should be a bit of craic

Mickado wrote:My Bro text me last night to say they’re having a 2nd Bday party for my God daughter on Saturday, I told him I’d be there with bells on and he text me back saying “I just told her you’re coming over, she’s so excited she won’t go to sleep”. Have to say, I was having a terrible week so far, but that just made it all better.

To think, my very own brother would have to stay up late with a screaming child all because of me put such a smile on my face….

That's a lovely little story mick, kids are great

Brilliant Mick

Mickado wrote:My Bro text me last night to say they’re having a 2nd Bday party for my God daughter on Saturday, I told him I’d be there with bells on and he text me back saying “I just told her you’re coming over, she’s so excited she won’t go to sleep”. Have to say, I was having a terrible week so far, but that just made it all better.

To think, my very own brother would have to stay up late with a screaming child all because of me put such a smile on my face….

They really do bright up your day don't they mickado? My Godson is staying with us a few days. he is 2 and a half (born the day Ireland won the GS).

It is just so much easier getting out of bed knowing he is down there ready to play.

Although I was in the shower this morning and he bangs on the door saying: "hurry up mymy, I need to do a poo poo". So I just jumped out and put my dressing gown on to let him in.

Open the door and he has stripped down to nothing ha and asks me to lift him up.

So I put him on the toilet and he is like after about 30 seconds. "I am sorry mymy, false alarm".

Fixtures dates and venues for the lions tour will be announced in Monday afternoon.

hughie1986 wrote:Fixtures dates and venues for the lions tour will be announced in Monday afternoon.

Is it still on your radar to go?

ha micky that's a funny story!


oooh man, the Lions tour. I'd love to go on the next one. Best hurry up, get my arse into gear, and finally win the Lottery I guess.