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Barcelona Bound!

Posted in Barcelona, Biographical, Maynooth, Rugby with tags , , on September 24, 2023 by telescoper

At long last I’m ready to go. In fact I’m in the lounge at Dublin Airport Terminal 2 with plenty of time before my flight to Barcelona to sample the freebies in the Aer Lingus Business Class lounge. I spent most of the morning packing and sorting things last-minute things out. As always on such occasions I’m certain that I’ve forgotten something but I’m sure I’ll survive.

On the way through the airport I had a chat with a very friendly chap at the Fast Track security channel, about last night’s epic rugby match between South Africa and Ireland. I was fairly confident beforehand that South Africa would prove too strong for Ireland, and that’s the way it looked for the first 15 minutes, but that turned out not to be the case at the end. It’s true that the Springboks had chances to win, missing four kicks, but if you don’t take your chances at this level you can’t complain that you don’t win as a result.

The second half wasn’t pretty to watch but was in its own way very compelling. Ireland looked to have nicked it at 13-8 with a few minutes to go, but they conceded a penalty that led to a line-out close to their own try line. The resulting South African maul gathered ominously and threatened to roll forward, but stern Irish defence somehow held it up and, with the clock past 80 minutes the move faltered. With the Springboks having failed to “use it” it was inevitable that they would “lose it”. The resulting scrum was awarded to Ireland but there was no time to take it and the game was over.

It was a tense affair between two excellent teams and, although it was a low-scoring game, a marvellous piece of sporting theatre (if not for faint hearts). Watching that match was quite a way to spend my last night in Ireland for a while…

Back to the present, it’s a grey afternoon in Dublin with squally showers blowing in. With lectures starting in Maynooth tomorrow, the nights drawing in, and rainy weather on the way, I can’t say I’m sorry to be departing!

Update: my light was on time and I got safely to the hotel in which I’ll be staying until I get a longer-term arrangement sorted out. It’s a nice place and my room is spacious and comfortable. I took a couple of pictures on the flight, the first showing an interesting sunset over the clouds south of Ireland and the second a clear view down over Barcelona as we made our approach.

I was in Row 1 so got out quickly when we landed and the airport wasn’t busy so the only delay was waiting for my checked luggage to arrive. I usually travel only with cabin baggage, but I’m staying a bit too long for that this time!

P.S. Miraculously, I don’t think I have forgotten anything important!

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The Women’s World Cup

Posted in Football with tags , , , on August 20, 2023 by telescoper

I couldn’t resist a short post wrapping up the 2023 Women’s Soccer World Cup after today’s victory by Spain over England. I don’t think there can be any arguments about the final: England are a good side and played pretty well, but Spain had the edge tactically and in terms of skill levels. They had a penalty saved and a shot by the excellent Paralluelo hit the post near the end of the first half. In short, the better team won.

Although Spain lost heavily to Japan in the Group stage, I think they were worthy winners of the competition overall playing some superb football on the way. The other team that I thought played particularly great football to watch was France. I felt sad when they lost on penalties to Australia in the quarter-finals, as France-England semi-final would have been a great match. I particularly admire Wendie Renard, who at 33 may have played in her last World Cup.

Although I didn’t see that many games because of the timing, I thought it was a very good competition. A particular thing struck me, that in the past there really haven’t been that many teams who had a realistic chance of winning, so many of the games were very one-sided. This time it was quite different, and there were many upsets. I never thought Germany, Canada, Italy and Brazil would fail to progress beyond the Group stage. Nor did I think USA would be out before the quarter-finals, losing on penalties to Sweden in the round of 16. I think this is an indication of a generally increase in quality and a positive sign for the women’s game.

I think a word is due for Ireland, who qualified for the finals this year for the very first time. They didn’t get beyond the group stage but in no way did they disgrace themselves. It was always going to be difficult for them to progress from a tough group with Australia, Canada and Nigeria. In the end they lost narrowly to the first two and drew with the latter. They’ll be back.

But the day belongs to Spain’s women, as does the trophy. Felicidades a Ellas!

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All-Ireland Hurling Final Day!

Posted in GAA with tags , , on July 23, 2023 by telescoper

Today’s the day! It’s the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final at Croke Park, between Kilkenny and Limerick (reigning champions). The weather isn’t as bad as forecast, but it’s still a bit wet. I’m hoping for a cracking match. The atmosphere in Ireland on this very special day is very much like it used to be for the FA Cup Final when I was a kid. Maynooth is closer to Kilkenny than Limerick but I saw more green shirts than black-and-amber in town this morning. I hope it’s a cracking match between two fierce rivals. In fact it’s a repeat of last year’s final.

Anyway, we’ve just had the throw-in. Updates later!

Half Time: Kilkenny 1-09 Limerick 0-09

It’s not a disappointment so far, in front of a crowd of 82,300. In the words of commentator Marty Morrissey “It’s a right old battle”. Kilkenny, giving it everything in a frantic, bruising match, are deservedly leading by 3 courtesy of a goal by Eoin Cody in the 10th minute. But Limerick are a strong, physical side can they get back into the game? Can Kilkenny keep up the intensity?

Full Time: Kilkenny 2-15 Limerick 0-30

So, after a dominant second-half display, Limerick win it comfortably, by 9 points. Kilkenny just couldn’t keep up the pressure on in the middle third of the pitch, allowing Limerick to rack up a big score with points from long range. For Kilkenny it was like a boxer fighting an opponent with a much longer reach. The longer the game went on the stronger Limerick got, and the more Kilkenny’s brave challenge faded.

That’s four in a row for Limerick, deserved Champions yet again!

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Watching the Hurling

Posted in Art, GAA with tags , , on July 13, 2023 by telescoper
Picture Credit: James Crombie of INPHO

No time for a proper post today, but I do have a gap in between meetings to share this wonderful picture of a little lad absorbed by the action at Croke Park during last weekend’s All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Final between Kilkenny and Clare (won by Kilkenny by 1-25 to 1-22, after a strong fightback by Clare). It’s a superb composition, with the little boy seemingly on his own but united with the others by their joint fascination with the game.

The All-Ireland Final (between Limerick and Kilkenny) is on Sunday 23rd July at 3.30pm. Whoever the kid is he might well be there; you can tell from the yellow and black stripes of his replica kit that he’s a Kilkenny supporter…

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Back to Maynooth

Posted in Biographical, Cardiff, GAA, Maynooth with tags , , , on July 8, 2023 by telescoper

I made it back to Maynooth from Cardiff last night after a relatively uneventful journey, although sitting next to a hen party on a RyanAir flight en route to Dublin wasn’t exactly the most peaceful experience and I was quite tired when I got home.

Among the many things that have changed over the last few years is how much quieter Cardiff Airport is. When I arrived there at about 6pm yesterday there were only two flights on the departure screen. One of them (a KLM flight to Amsterdam) was then cancelled, so all the intending passengers had to leave the departure lounge and collect their checked luggage. My flight was on time, however, and was very full.

In a previous pre-pandemic existence I spent half my time in Cardiff and half in Maynooth so had to cross the Irish Sea twice a week. The airline I used in those days, FlyBe, went bust just before the pandemic. RyanAir has taken the Cardiff-Dublin route, deploying a Boeing which is much bigger than the Embraer used by FlyBe, but there is only one flight a day. The other routes previously operated by FlyBe from Cardiff (e.g. to Edinburgh) no longer exist. Bristol is relatively easy to get to from Cardiff so I suppose people go that way nowadays if they have to fly.

A consequence of the small number of flights from Cardiff Airport is that the shuttle bus to Cardiff City Centre no longer runs. That was the method I used to get to and from the airport in my previous existence when I had to cross the Irish Sea twice a week. That no longer being available, I travelled to the airport by train and bus transfer. It’s a lot less convenient than the old bus, and a bit more expensive, but went off without any hitches.

Anyway, it’s nice to be home. I plan to spend the day chilling and watching the hurling semi-final between Limerick and Galway. UPDATE: Defending Champions Limerick beat Galway by 2-24 to 1-18 and thus get to the final yet again. The other semi-final, between Clare and Kilkenny, is tomorrow.

P.S. I forgot to mention that the good folk of Cardiff gave me a mug advertising CHART – Cardiff Hub for Astrophysics Research and Technology – which is new since my day.

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Premier League – Classification of Honours

Posted in Football with tags , on May 28, 2023 by telescoper

Now all the final results are in and validated the Board can now proceed to the classification of Honours for the 2022/23 Premier League.

As Chair, I will remind you of the regulations as we go through. Fortunately, this time matters are relatively straightforward.

Four candidates (Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United) have a final score greater than or equal to 70 will therefore be awarded First Class Honours. All four can look forward to further study next year; Manchester City win this year’s Prize for getting the top mark.

The next four candidates all have scores in the range 60-69 so they are all in the Upper Second Class, i.e. II.1, category – though in the case of Tottenham Hotspur, only just. Liverpool will be disappointed to have missed out on a First, but Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Actually will probably be satisfied.

Only two candidates are in the Lower Second Class (II.2) this year (Brentford and Fulham) while Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Wolverhanpton Wanderers and West Ham United all get clear Thirds, having marks in the range 40-49.

AFC Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Everton have all technically failed, but with marks in the range 35-39 they are “soft fails” and are allowed to pass by compensation. There being no extenuating circumstances, however, they do not qualify for Honours and must be content with being classified as “Ordinary”.

That leaves the three candidates at the bottom of the table – Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton – who are all “hard fails” so will have to terminate the course and consider their options while taking some time out.

I hope this clarifies the situation.

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The Grand Slam

Posted in Rugby with tags , , , , on March 18, 2023 by telescoper

Just time for a quick post to mark the occasion of the end of the 2023 Six Nations competition, Ireland’s victory over England in Dublin this evening making it a triumphant Grand Slam for the men in green. It wasn’t a great game, to be honest. I think the weight of expectation on the Irish players got to them a bit in the first half, and they made too many handling errors. Ireland also missed a couple of key players after the bruising game against Scotland last week. I half-wondered whether they might fall at the last fence. England couldn’t possibly have played as badly as they did against France last weekend, when they lost 53-10. I dread to think what the mood would have been like around town if Ireland hadn’t won.

In the end, though it was a relatively comfortable victory, with England’s only try, coming very late, was little more than a consolation and was quickly followed by a reply at the other end. In the closing stages The Fields of Athenry was ringing out around the stadium at Lansdowne Road, a celebration only marred by Johnny Sexton having to go off injured in his last-ever Six Nations match. What a career he has had!

Congratulations to Ireland on a magnificent achievement, thoroughly well deserved. This is an excellent team. Bring on the World Cup! (Though with home advantage, the excellent French side who came second in this year’s Six Nations, will be hard to beat.)

I remember Ireland doing the Grand Slam in 2009 by winning their last game against Wales in Cardiff. Judging by the celebrations after that, Dublin will be buzzing tonight, with relief as well as joy!

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Ireland v France in Dublin

Posted in Rugby with tags , , , on February 11, 2023 by telescoper

I forgot to mention in this morning’s post that I walked past the above bus on the way to last night’s concert. It is evidently the official transport of the French rugby team who played Ireland today in the Six Nations this afternoon. I didn’t spot any of the French players at the concert, although I did help a couple of friendly France supporters with directions en route.

As expected, it was a cracking match between two excellent teams, a real heavyweight contest, with no quarter asked and non given. But, in the end, Ireland ran out convincing winners by 32-19 despite the absence of a number of first choice players. It was a very impressive performance from Ireland and the best game of rugby I’ve seen for a very long time.

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R.I.P. David Duckham (1946-2023)

Posted in R.I.P., Rugby with tags , , , on January 11, 2023 by telescoper

I seem to be devoting a lot of this blog to R.I.P. posts these days but sadly I have to do it again because former England rugby union international David Duckham has passed away at the age of 76. With great poise and balance as well as a blistering turn of pace, Duckham was an oustanding player on the wing and his international career would have been even more memorable had he had better players around; the England team of the early 70s was rather weak, actually finishing bottom of the Five Nations in four of the seven years he played.

David Duckham was one of only three England players who made it into the Barbarians side that played New Zealand in Cardiff on 27th January 1973, a match many regard as the greatest game of rugby ever played. Can that really have been 50 years ago?

The Barbarians’ side on that day was packed with Welsh legends and the Welsh supporters after the game changed Duckham’s name from “David” to “Dai” because he was “good enough to be Welsh”. I regarded that great Welsh rugby team of the 70s in exactly the same light as the great Brazilian football team of the same period.

I remember commentator Cliff Morgan during that game describing Duckham as “a man who can really motor” and indeed he could. Here’s a short clip* of him in action:

http://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxFupDdxcSqxaLxHJfSJ244OKl2hDV9y7k

I’m not sure why New Zealand scrum-half Sid Going decided to kick after controlling the scrum so well with all the Barbarians pack committed and knowing that the ball would probably end up in the hands of JPR Williams, a man who could very quickly turn defence into attack. On this occasion, however, Duckham was already coming in off his wing, so JPR just slipped him the ball and off he went in thrilling fashion. That amazing dummy even fooled the cameraman who nearly let Duckham go out of shot as he scythed through the All Blacks until stopped by Sid Going. Brilliant stuff.

R.I.P. David Duckham (1946-2023)

*Not sure why it won’t embed properly but you’ll just have to click on the link!

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R.I.P. Pelé

Posted in Football, R.I.P. with tags , on December 29, 2022 by telescoper

The sad news broke tonight that Edson Arantes do Nascimento, best known to the world as Pelé, has passed away at the age of 82. It’s never easy to come to terms with the loss of a sporting legend, especially one who was a boyhood hero, and news of his death brought back a flood of childhood memories. I am old enough to remember watching the great Brazilian team of the 1970 World Cup finals that included the likes of Jairzinho, Rivellino, and Carlos Alberto, to name but three, which I think was the finest collection of players ever to grace a football field. It says something for the stature of Pelé that he stood out even among that remarkable side. As well as being outrageously skilful, Pelé had a great footballing brain, which manifested itself as a wonderful positional sense and great tactical awareness. Although by no means a tall man – he was 5ft 8 – he was also superb in the air.

After Argentina’s win in the recent World Cup in Qatar many people were quick to dub Lionel Messi the greatest footballer of all time. With no disrespect to Messi, I think the greatest player of all time is unquestionably Pelé, not least because he had far less protection from referees at the time than modern players do. Pelé may have played his football in a very different era, but his influence on the game was, and remains, incalculable. He was a legend.

R.I.P. Pelé (1940-2022)

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