Saturday 24 September 2011

Sporting Heroes

Now that I am a blogger (well, after all, this is my third post!) I can’t let the opportunity pass to comment on the fantastic sporting events of last week.

On Saturday morning, Ireland had a historic victory over Australia in the Rugby World Cup. At half time the scores were 6-6 and we thought we were still in with a shot. But we completely dominated the second half and scored an additional 9 points while Australia scored nothing. Full time score: Ireland 15 Australia 6. What a fantastic victory. There was no doubt that the better team won on the day. And Tommy Bowe came oh so close to a phenomenal try right at the end which would have provided a fitting finish. As Brian O’Driscoll said after the game: “It was the performance we knew we had in us.”

Then on Sunday came the All Ireland Senior Football Final. Dublin hadn’t won for 16 years while Kerry had been taken the Sam Maguire in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2009. Dublin played well in the first half and finished it one point in front. Kerry were stronger in the second half and with 7 minutes remaining were in the lead with 1-10 to 0-9. I couldn’t see them doing it at that stage but they scored a goal and 2 points to Kerry’s single point to put the two sides level And in the 3rd minute of injury time, goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton scored a point from a free to leave the final score at Dublin 1-12 to Kerry’s 1-11! It is difficult to imagine a more exciting conclusion to a match and to a championship!

What a fantastic weekend for the sporting underdog!!