The 18th march saw an immense celebration and competition at London Irish RFC in Sunbury, when the final of the six nation’s cup took place. The game was watched by many enthusiastic rugby fans, equally divided between England and Ireland.
The celebrations began early in the day with face painting and friendly games of touch rugby for all ages. There was fun for all down the family orientated club, with children running riot, attempting to copy the manoeuvres of their favourite players.
The groups of fans gathered with friends to watch the games, with a riff off taking place between ‘Irelands Call’ and ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’, proving highly entertaining. The game saw a score of 10-3 to Ireland at half time, causing great havoc amongst rivalling Irish and English supporters.
The game continued to bring great suspense in the club house, leading to an eventual victory to Ireland winning 13-9. The whole club erupted in song, even the England cheers turned into chants of ‘Ireland’s Call’.
One England supporter, Andy Scott, stated, ‘many of my close friends down this club are Irish, it’s great to see them celebrate today of a deserving win’. Another supporter, Pat Connelly, said that ‘nothing beats wiping the smug grins of off those English fans today’.
The day followed huge St. Patrick’s celebrations which took over the club for the entire weekend. The game was finished with live music and traditional Irish songs being shouted through the club in celebration. The atmosphere was inescapable and everyone who was involved with the event, even a member of the bar staff, Rebecca Charles, mentioned that she ‘hadn’t seen the club like this for a long while’.
The day was eventful for all and will not be forgotten in a hurry.
