Come On You Irish!
This past Sunday Colin and I went to see the London Irish vs the London Wasps in the Guinness Premiership Rugby Union match. The Irish were at home and were trying to get the record back for the largest crowd ever to see a league rugby union match. There were 22,600+ at the game for a new record. Colin and I sat at the second to the top row of the stadium but the view was great.
Outside of the stadium before the match was a concert by an Irish band from London. Much Guinness flowed before and during the game. Unlike soccer games where the home and away fans are separated the Wasps fans were intermingled with the Irish fans.
The Irish had the vast majority of the action in first half but only came away with a 10-3 lead at the break. The Irish took a late 16-13 lead and could've stretched it with another try but the potential score tried for a spectacular dive but lost control of the ball out of bounds. The Wasps took the ball and fought furiously but the Irish held on for the win. A better version of the events can be found here.
After the whistle blew the Irish team walked around the field and applauded the fans while the fans sang "The Fields of Athenry," the theme song for both the London Irish and also the Celtic Football team (Glasgow). Both teams have strong Irish and Catholic connections in the their past.