Chicago fire ignites magnificent Ireland
CHICAGO was a strange and unusual location for Ireland’s opening Autumn Series Test against New Zealand but as the sporting week unfolded in the ‘Windy City’, the choice of venue turned out to be just perfect.
The Chicago Cubs set the agenda earlier in the week with their first World Series win in 108 years, sparking off wild scenes of celebrations.
Later in the week the city’s desperate thirst to end losing streaks rubbed off on Ireland as Joe Schmidt’s side ended an 111-year wait for victory over the All Blacks.
I’ve always admired the world class ball handling skills of the rampaging New Zealanders but on this occasion Ireland beat the world champions at their own game.
We’ve often matched the Kiwis in the past. Often stood toe-to-toe with them giving as good as we got, but never for the full 80 minutes.
Last Saturday was different though. You could see the steely determination in the Irish team’s eyes even before kick-off.
The men in green faced down the Haka with their own figure of eight formation in memory of their fallen brother Anthony Foley.
This silent tribute to the recently deceased Munster Coach helped the side reach the perfect emotional pitch for the battle ahead. That positive mindset and mental strength drove the performance and helped maintain the energy and composure in the final quarter.
Ireland were full value for the 40-29 win but you were always waiting for the All Blacks to reel us in.
They did close the gap significantly in the third quarter but it was Ireland who kicked on at the end finishing the contest with great try from former Westmeath minor Rob Henshaw. It was a great week to be in Chicago!
The recently retired Paul O Connell could be seen afterwards celebrating in the crowd and I’m sure he would have loved to be out there on the pitch contributing to the victory.
He did, however, achieve another great ‘moment in the sun’ on a recent episode of the BBC’s long running sports quiz A Question of Sport. Appearing alongside ex-champion jockey Tony McCoy and team captain Phil Tufnell, O’Connell earned himself a standing ovation. €20 on Ireland and Austria to draw in Vienna on Saturday at 23/10
Tasked with guessing the sporting term from blank spaces on the screen, the Limerick man incredibly came up with the right answer – Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach – using just two letters as a clue. What a man. His talent knows no bounds. few well earned days off before attention switches to the conclusion of the Europa League group stages.
The two upcoming games against Alkmaar and Tel Aviv provide a wonderful opportunity for the club to progress to the knockout phase.
Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle have been rewarded for performances this season with inclusion in Martin O Neill’s squad for Saturdays World Cup Qualifier against Austria in Vienna.
Drogheda are back in the Premier Division after they staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Wexford Youths 3-2 on aggregate on a historic night at United Park.
Goals from Sean Brennan, Kevin Farragher and Sean Thornton put the Drogs in the driving seat, but it took a last-minute goal line clearance from Farragher to ensure top flight football returns to the banks of the Boyne in 2017.