Go West!
By MH@Biorra
October 18 2008
A trip across the Irish sea to the "homeland" is always special. To go, among friends, to watch Irish play can be absolutely fantastic. When they play and win with a bonus point you simply have to be glad you were there. For those that weren't here's MH's account of the game.
October 18 2008
A trip across the Irish sea to the "homeland" is always special. To go, among friends, to watch Irish play can be absolutely fantastic. When they play and win with a bonus point you simply have to be glad you were there. For those that weren't here's MH's account of the game.
“Together. We will go our way.
Together. We will leave someday.
Together. Your hand in my hands.
Together. We will make our plans.
Together. We will fly so high.
Together. Tell all our friends goodbye.
Together. We will start life new.
Together. This is what we'll do.
Go West. Life is peaceful there.
Go West. In the open air.
Go West. Where the skies are blue.
Go West. This is what we're gonna do.
Go West, this is what we're gonna do, Go West”.
The trip to the new homeland started with a delayed flight on Thursday evening and eventually got back home at 1130 pm. Time for a natter, a few drinks with family and friends and then to bed.
Connacht start on the back of two handsome wins over Leinster and Dax. Equally, London Irish arrive on the back two handsome wins over Sale and Rovigo but a very disappointing show against Worcester.
The general view held in our household was that London Irish would win but it would be a hard fought match, with no quarter asked or given.
I’ll stick my neck out and say London Irish by 15 - 20 points. Realistic or foolhardy? By this time tomorrow I’ll know.
I am so looking forward to this match. Very disappointed that we aren’t in the Heineken Cup but being drawn in the same group in the Challenge Cup as Connacht has been great.
I’ll have leave others to provide the overview of the party in O'Connell's that lgwt@castlebar coordinated, sounded as though it would be a real good time, I hope so.
Up for breakfast and the teams announced in the Irish Independent were as follows: -
Connacht
F Carr; L Bibo, G Duffy, A Wynne, J Hearty; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris; M Swift, A Farley; R Ofisa, J O'Connor, J Muldoon (C).
Replacements: S Cronin, R Loughney, A Browne, C Rigney, K Campbell, A Dunne, D Riordan.
London Irish
D Armitage, T Ojo, E Seveali’I, S Mapusua, S Tagicakibau, P Hewat, P Hodgson, A Corbisiero, J Buckland, T Lea’aetoa, N Kennedy, B Casey (C), R Thorpe, S Armitage, C Hala’Ufia.
Replacements: C Dermody, D Paice, F Rautenbach, G Johnson, D Danaher, P Richards or T Parker, S Geraghty.
Some fine players in the Connacht side, none more so than their captain John Muldoon (who from all accounts is very close to a call into the Irish squad), I have read that Ian Keatley has been playing very well, Johnny O’Connor is very decent open side and finally, great to see former London Irish player Adrian Flavin in their starting line up (what a top man he is).
In my heart of hearts, I feel London Irish have way too much firepower in the backs; potentially the centre combination of Seilala Mapusua and Elvis Seveali’I will cause untold havoc. Let’s hope so.
On Friday evening, the four of us walked to the Sportsground from the city centre and at this stage I realised there was rain in the air, the sort of ‘Welcome to Galway’ type of weather.
We decided to stand right at the front of the covered stand on the half way line, so a good view, if not the perspective I’m used to at the Madejski. Plenty of folk in London Irish tops in the ground and a decent size crowd too.
No changes to the announced line ups for either side and shortly after 7.00 pm we are underway playing from left to right.
After about 7 minutes, the first of a number of kicks straight in to touch by Peter Hewat resulted in a scrum back. Don’t know what happened but a free kick was quickly taken by Paul Hodgson (who kicked and chased), seconds later the ball was released to Elvis Seveali’I who scored (Peter Hewat missed the conversation). 0 – 5.
After 13 minutes, my brief notes say ‘real pressure from Connacht’ and there seemed to be an obstruction on a Connacht player but play continued. Chris Hala’Ufia carried the ball forward strongly and shortly after Seilala Mapusua went over. (Peter Hewat added the conversation). 0 – 12.
17 mins and good play orchestrated by Ian Keatley resulted in Fionn Carr scoring for Connacht (Ian Keatley added the conversation). 7 – 12.
Peter Hewat (for the second time) kicked the ball dead. My thoughts during the remainder of the first half were that London Irish were the stronger and more physically dominant side but Connacht were extremely competitive.
On 38 minutes my notes read, ‘Peter Hewat’s kicking is awful’.
Half time summary was that London Irish look stronger and Connacht playing well by scrapping for everything. The weather in the first half was typical ‘West Ireland’.
Second half started with Clarke Dermody on for Alex Corbisiero. London Irish started very strongly with excellent yardage made by Steffon Armitage and from there the ball went wide to Topsy Ojo for a try (Peter Hewat added the conversation). 7 – 19.
51 minutes. A period of aerial ping pong followed by Ian Keatley scoring from a penalty. 10 – 19.
Around 54 minutes, substitutes David Paice and Fran Rautenbach entered the fray.
Good Connacht pressure saw Fionn Carr tackled in to touch just short of the try line. London Irish won the resulting line out and cleared the pressure. Connacht were trying for all they were worth with London Irish defending very well.
58 minutes and Declan Danaher replaced Richard Thorpe.
59 minutes and knock on by Peter Hewat, the Connacht fans saw it as deliberate, Monsieur Garces read it as being accidental, whatever, it disrupted the Connacht pressure on London Irish.
My notes read, ‘Peter Hewat’s usual composure is missing’ and ‘Connacht continuing to scrap for everything’.
64 minutes and Shane Geraghty replaced Elvis Seveali’I.
In between watching the game, writing notes and general enjoyment, I’d overlooked the great sound, rhythm and atmosphere provided by the drums and band behind the posts.
66 minutes and Peter Hewat added a penalty. 10 – 22.
67 minutes and Gary Johnson replaced Fran Rautenbach, so from now on it would be uncontested scrums.
Around 75 minutes had passed and London Irish were really pressing for a bonus point try. An excellent midfield pass from Shane Geraghty saw Topsy Ojo score in the right hand corner (Peter Hewat missed the conversation). 10 – 27.
10 – 27 is how it stayed.
London Irish played well and go home with ten points from the first two games. That’s the way to start this season’s European Challenge Cup campaign off.
Connacht very much played their part in this game and at times fully tested London Irish’s defence.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Sportsground and without doubt I will take in a few games there in the future. The four of us were made to feel very welcome by all those around us.
Finally at about 1130 pm (after a two hour drive), I had a couple of pints of Guinness in Kelly’s. A thoroughly enjoyable evening all round.
Many thanks to all at Connacht and London Irish.
I trust the ‘Craic’ in Galway was ‘mighty’ afterwards.
Together. We will leave someday.
Together. Your hand in my hands.
Together. We will make our plans.
Together. We will fly so high.
Together. Tell all our friends goodbye.
Together. We will start life new.
Together. This is what we'll do.
Go West. Life is peaceful there.
Go West. In the open air.
Go West. Where the skies are blue.
Go West. This is what we're gonna do.
Go West, this is what we're gonna do, Go West”.
The trip to the new homeland started with a delayed flight on Thursday evening and eventually got back home at 1130 pm. Time for a natter, a few drinks with family and friends and then to bed.
Connacht start on the back of two handsome wins over Leinster and Dax. Equally, London Irish arrive on the back two handsome wins over Sale and Rovigo but a very disappointing show against Worcester.
The general view held in our household was that London Irish would win but it would be a hard fought match, with no quarter asked or given.
I’ll stick my neck out and say London Irish by 15 - 20 points. Realistic or foolhardy? By this time tomorrow I’ll know.
I am so looking forward to this match. Very disappointed that we aren’t in the Heineken Cup but being drawn in the same group in the Challenge Cup as Connacht has been great.
I’ll have leave others to provide the overview of the party in O'Connell's that lgwt@castlebar coordinated, sounded as though it would be a real good time, I hope so.
Up for breakfast and the teams announced in the Irish Independent were as follows: -
Connacht
F Carr; L Bibo, G Duffy, A Wynne, J Hearty; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris; M Swift, A Farley; R Ofisa, J O'Connor, J Muldoon (C).
Replacements: S Cronin, R Loughney, A Browne, C Rigney, K Campbell, A Dunne, D Riordan.
London Irish
D Armitage, T Ojo, E Seveali’I, S Mapusua, S Tagicakibau, P Hewat, P Hodgson, A Corbisiero, J Buckland, T Lea’aetoa, N Kennedy, B Casey (C), R Thorpe, S Armitage, C Hala’Ufia.
Replacements: C Dermody, D Paice, F Rautenbach, G Johnson, D Danaher, P Richards or T Parker, S Geraghty.
Some fine players in the Connacht side, none more so than their captain John Muldoon (who from all accounts is very close to a call into the Irish squad), I have read that Ian Keatley has been playing very well, Johnny O’Connor is very decent open side and finally, great to see former London Irish player Adrian Flavin in their starting line up (what a top man he is).
In my heart of hearts, I feel London Irish have way too much firepower in the backs; potentially the centre combination of Seilala Mapusua and Elvis Seveali’I will cause untold havoc. Let’s hope so.
On Friday evening, the four of us walked to the Sportsground from the city centre and at this stage I realised there was rain in the air, the sort of ‘Welcome to Galway’ type of weather.
We decided to stand right at the front of the covered stand on the half way line, so a good view, if not the perspective I’m used to at the Madejski. Plenty of folk in London Irish tops in the ground and a decent size crowd too.
No changes to the announced line ups for either side and shortly after 7.00 pm we are underway playing from left to right.
After about 7 minutes, the first of a number of kicks straight in to touch by Peter Hewat resulted in a scrum back. Don’t know what happened but a free kick was quickly taken by Paul Hodgson (who kicked and chased), seconds later the ball was released to Elvis Seveali’I who scored (Peter Hewat missed the conversation). 0 – 5.
After 13 minutes, my brief notes say ‘real pressure from Connacht’ and there seemed to be an obstruction on a Connacht player but play continued. Chris Hala’Ufia carried the ball forward strongly and shortly after Seilala Mapusua went over. (Peter Hewat added the conversation). 0 – 12.
17 mins and good play orchestrated by Ian Keatley resulted in Fionn Carr scoring for Connacht (Ian Keatley added the conversation). 7 – 12.
Peter Hewat (for the second time) kicked the ball dead. My thoughts during the remainder of the first half were that London Irish were the stronger and more physically dominant side but Connacht were extremely competitive.
On 38 minutes my notes read, ‘Peter Hewat’s kicking is awful’.
Half time summary was that London Irish look stronger and Connacht playing well by scrapping for everything. The weather in the first half was typical ‘West Ireland’.
Second half started with Clarke Dermody on for Alex Corbisiero. London Irish started very strongly with excellent yardage made by Steffon Armitage and from there the ball went wide to Topsy Ojo for a try (Peter Hewat added the conversation). 7 – 19.
51 minutes. A period of aerial ping pong followed by Ian Keatley scoring from a penalty. 10 – 19.
Around 54 minutes, substitutes David Paice and Fran Rautenbach entered the fray.
Good Connacht pressure saw Fionn Carr tackled in to touch just short of the try line. London Irish won the resulting line out and cleared the pressure. Connacht were trying for all they were worth with London Irish defending very well.
58 minutes and Declan Danaher replaced Richard Thorpe.
59 minutes and knock on by Peter Hewat, the Connacht fans saw it as deliberate, Monsieur Garces read it as being accidental, whatever, it disrupted the Connacht pressure on London Irish.
My notes read, ‘Peter Hewat’s usual composure is missing’ and ‘Connacht continuing to scrap for everything’.
64 minutes and Shane Geraghty replaced Elvis Seveali’I.
In between watching the game, writing notes and general enjoyment, I’d overlooked the great sound, rhythm and atmosphere provided by the drums and band behind the posts.
66 minutes and Peter Hewat added a penalty. 10 – 22.
67 minutes and Gary Johnson replaced Fran Rautenbach, so from now on it would be uncontested scrums.
Around 75 minutes had passed and London Irish were really pressing for a bonus point try. An excellent midfield pass from Shane Geraghty saw Topsy Ojo score in the right hand corner (Peter Hewat missed the conversation). 10 – 27.
10 – 27 is how it stayed.
London Irish played well and go home with ten points from the first two games. That’s the way to start this season’s European Challenge Cup campaign off.
Connacht very much played their part in this game and at times fully tested London Irish’s defence.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Sportsground and without doubt I will take in a few games there in the future. The four of us were made to feel very welcome by all those around us.
Finally at about 1130 pm (after a two hour drive), I had a couple of pints of Guinness in Kelly’s. A thoroughly enjoyable evening all round.
Many thanks to all at Connacht and London Irish.
I trust the ‘Craic’ in Galway was ‘mighty’ afterwards.
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Posted by: The Craic www.londonirish.org (IP Logged)
Date: 18/10/2008 18:04
Go West!
Re: Go West!
Posted by: Jon_r43 (IP Logged)
Date: 18/10/2008 19:01
Thanks for this
Sounds like the game I listend to on the radio, maybe sI hould have waited for the report, listening when you can't see is horrible (Sorry Graham!)
Sounds like the game I listend to on the radio, maybe sI hould have waited for the report, listening when you can't see is horrible (Sorry Graham!)
Re: Go West!
Posted by: ascotintheantipodes (IP Logged)
Date: 19/10/2008 07:56
Good work MH
as always, we really appreciate these reports.
To the scribes who put in their time to report on all the other games .....my apologies for not acknowledging each of your efforts as I should.
as always, we really appreciate these reports.
To the scribes who put in their time to report on all the other games .....my apologies for not acknowledging each of your efforts as I should.
Re: Go West!
Posted by: MadMonk (IP Logged)
Date: 19/10/2008 17:37
If the antepenultimate paragraph (I had a couple of pints) is accurate I have to say it is entirely atypical
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:10:19:17:38:48 by MadMonk.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:10:19:17:38:48 by MadMonk.
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