The Bad Aul' Days...

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/exclusive-extract-from-donal-lenihans-autobiography-from-the-sash-to-the-fields-of-athenry-421566.html

It really is staggering how difficult things used to be. Such a unique, horrible, painful context.

For those of us that remember these days, although there are still rugby-specific issues and problems inherited from the Troubles, this kind of fear and tension seems a million miles away. Thankfully.

Very good read. Difficult and dark times, but the humour and the irony shines through - the Ireland squad singing the Sash in Dublin!

I vividly remember travelling to Dublin every year for an Ireland match or two (the highlight of which was always a McDonalds as there were none anywhere else) and wondering why my cousin and I couldn't bring back the nice green, white and gold flags that our Dad's had bought for us. My father was in the RUC at that time and it was considered risky for him to be travelling across the border for a rugby match. I've always joked that he and my uncle brought me and my cousin as human shields

Sounds like it might be an interesting read.

Pete330v2 wrote:I vividly remember travelling to Dublin every year for an Ireland match or two (the highlight of which was always a McDonalds as there were none anywhere else) and wondering why my cousin and I couldn't bring back the nice green, white and gold flags that our Dad's had bought for us. My father was in the RUC at that time and it was considered risky for him to be travelling across the border for a rugby match. I've always joked that he and my uncle brought me and my cousin as human shields

The good aul days!

Pete330v2 wrote:I vividly remember travelling to Dublin every year for an Ireland match or two (the highlight of which was always a McDonalds as there were none anywhere else) and wondering why my cousin and I couldn't bring back the nice green, white and gold flags that our Dad's had bought for us. My father was in the RUC at that time and it was considered risky for him to be travelling across the border for a rugby match. I've always joked that he and my uncle brought me and my cousin as human shields

It's green white and orange, ffs, how many times do we have to say this? Mind you, I have always had a quiet chuckle at the orange bonfire night pics. I'm sure the Ivory Coast is mystified as to why their national flag is being hung upside down on a very large pile of wooden pallets.

Compelling, real emotional stuff.  

Feck all, what do we do to each other?  For what?

Pot Hale wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:I vividly remember travelling to Dublin every year for an Ireland match or two (the highlight of which was always a McDonalds as there were none anywhere else) and wondering why my cousin and I couldn't bring back the nice green, white and gold flags that our Dad's had bought for us. My father was in the RUC at that time and it was considered risky for him to be travelling across the border for a rugby match. I've always joked that he and my uncle brought me and my cousin as human shields

It's green white and orange, ffs, how many times do we have to say this?   Mind you, I have always had a quiet chuckle at the orange bonfire night pics.  I'm sure the Ivory Coast is mystified as to why their national flag is being hung upside down on a very large pile of wooden pallets.

Sod of Hale, I say Gold, you say Orange but how do you explain the lovely bowl of sweet, juicy Golds I have on the kitchen table?

Pete330v2 wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:I vividly remember travelling to Dublin every year for an Ireland match or two (the highlight of which was always a McDonalds as there were none anywhere else) and wondering why my cousin and I couldn't bring back the nice green, white and gold flags that our Dad's had bought for us. My father was in the RUC at that time and it was considered risky for him to be travelling across the border for a rugby match. I've always joked that he and my uncle brought me and my cousin as human shields

It's green white and orange, ffs, how many times do we have to say this?   Mind you, I have always had a quiet chuckle at the orange bonfire night pics.  I'm sure the Ivory Coast is mystified as to why their national flag is being hung upside down on a very large pile of wooden pallets.

Sod of Hale, I say Gold, you say Orange but how do you explain the lovely bowl of sweet, juicy Golds I have on the kitchen table?

Irish Rugby was/is pretty special. There weren't many things that would have brought everyone on the island together as one in those days. It's beautiful and quite amazing that British Army soldiers and RUC officers could pull on the green shirt alongside avowed nationalists in the middle of a brutal civil conflict. A testament to the power of sport.

Pete330v2 wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:I vividly remember travelling to Dublin every year for an Ireland match or two (the highlight of which was always a McDonalds as there were none anywhere else) and wondering why my cousin and I couldn't bring back the nice green, white and gold flags that our Dad's had bought for us. My father was in the RUC at that time and it was considered risky for him to be travelling across the border for a rugby match. I've always joked that he and my uncle brought me and my cousin as human shields

It's green white and orange, ffs, how many times do we have to say this?   Mind you, I have always had a quiet chuckle at the orange bonfire night pics.  I'm sure the Ivory Coast is mystified as to why their national flag is being hung upside down on a very large pile of wooden pallets.

Sod of Hale, I say Gold, you say Orange but how do you explain the lovely bowl of sweet, juicy Golds I have on the kitchen table?

Exactly.   Although, my Belfast family tells me the same so I just ask them about the Gold Halls, Gold marches, and all the Goldmen in them, so eventually they buy me a pint to shut me up.  Works every time.  

Pot Hale wrote:Exactly.   Although, my Belfast family tells me the same so I just ask them about the Gold Halls, Gold marches, and all the Goldmen in them, so eventually they buy me a pint to shut me up.  Works every time.  

Ah, so that explains the song my granny used to sing, "It was gold but it was beautiful...."

Those idiots in Fort Knox - wait until someone tells them what they're guarding behind those bars.