Tommy Bowe Was On The Wing, We Had Dreams And Songs To Sing!
The Irish Rugby Supporters Club Twickenham Charter proved to be a great day out for all concerned, not least because of the result. 70 members and guests travelled with us to England as we stormed Twickenham and took the wheels of the chariot!
For our fourth Supporters Club charter and second trip to Twickenham, we had a mix of faces old and new on board.
We flew out of Dublin bang on time on Saturday morning with Aer Arann – our regular charter favourites. Captain Paul ‘Schumacher’ Cullen wasted no time and lived up to his name as we landed in Farnborough ahead of schedule.
Our celebrity status was on the up as we were met on the runway by our two buses. We were joined for the trip and the match by Claire and Michelle from Aer Arann who looked after us royally while we were in the air.
Twickenham is a wonderful stadium and the West Car Park proved a draw for many of the travelling party. Gourmet pies and a glass of Bollinger is a heady mix for us mere rugby mortals but it went down well all the same.
Then it was match time. We joined the throng of Ireland fans in the North Stand and prepared to roar on the lads.
The pre-match entertainment was good with the highlight being the fox who was circling the top tier. Last seen heading for the TV gantry on the West Stand, we were unable to confirm if he was being lined up as a replacement for Hooky on RTE!
Then it was game on. The phrase, ‘what game were you watching?’, is often bandied about in sporting circles and reviewing the stats and the highlights on TV later just can’t compare to the nail-biting, adrenalin (and Bolly) fuelled rush of being there when Ireland beat England.
Jonathan Sexton’s grubber and Tommy Bowe’s early try drew a chorus of ‘What about her eyes?’ amongst all the cheers.
Then we settled in as Ireland tackled England off the park. Keith Earls’ second half try was scored under our noses but still it didn’t settle the nerves.
John Hayes and Brian O’Driscoll left the pitch to a standing ovation from the Ireland faithful – two powerhouses of Irish rugby for the last 10 years and both thoroughly deserving of every accolade.
Then England and Jonny Wilkinson struck. The dreaded drop goal from Jonny! We kept the faith. Those of us who had been in Cardiff last year know that this is an Ireland team that will go the distance for their supporters.
Paul O’Connell soared, Tomas O’Leary shot around the lineout and Tommy Bowe came out of nowhere to crash through the English tackles and score. Cue the mayhem:
‘Low lie the fields of Athenry, where once we watched the small free birds fly.
Tommy Bowe was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing.
Not so lonely round the fields of Athenry!’
It was all over bar the shouting and boy did we shout. We left the Chariot on blocks and headed for the refreshment tent for tea and scones (ahem).
Then it was back on the bus, the short trip to Heathrow. A quick run through security and a short visit to the Tea and Scones shop in Heathrow and we were back on board the Aer Arann flyer bound for Dublin.
There were a few tired heads on board but everyone was pleased with another Supporters Club trip and another Ireland win!
Four trips, three wins – not a bad return for the Supporters Club Charter. A big thank you to everyone who travelled!
Don’t miss the next installment – sign up to the Supporters Club today.
Related Links –
Supporters Club night in Bob Fox’s with ROG, Wally and Tommy Bowe
Supporters Club night in Limerick with Fla, Donncha, Tommy and Fez