News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
Dublin 2015

Dublin 2015

Newark - ADMIN ONLY RUFC - WEB SITE27 Jan 2015 - 06:08
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.newarkrugby.com/ne

The schedule was tight

Dublin 2015 ‘The tour that didn’t tour, tour’

Written by Spencer checked by Lee Slack

So finally the day came and the Under 17’s arrived at Birmingham airport on Friday 23rd January for the Dublin ‘tour that didn’t tour, tour’ The travelling party donned there tour t shirts and Hoodies, negotiated passport control off for some ‘refreshments’. Ryan air with its massive legroom allowance and £9 cups of coffee was a pleasure as always! Landing in Dublin our trusty drivers - Denis and Petrov (D&P) were waiting with the fastest Minibuses in Dublin. In warp speed we were at the digs with about 20 minutes. Reminiscent or Sangatte refugee centre outside with smokers and litter, we negotiated the dining room with a group of Spaniards playing the mandolin singing Spanish resistant songs and drinking sangria we were off to the rooms which were surprising good – En suite and towels. Luxury!

The local nick was positioned out the back window so we were not far from the Garda if required. The adults settled the boys down and with baby monitors in each room the adults dropped into the hostelry next door. More tap room, than bar. The place hadn’t been decorated or reupholstered since 1926. The barman lined up the Guinness to settle and we relaxed into a nightcap!

The schedule was tight and alarms were going off from 7am. We were down for breakfast at first light to what definitely was a hostel style breakfast. Toast or toast straight out the bag or cornflakes or er cornflakes. The rabble assembled at the front door surrounded by a group of tourists smoking their lungs out- nice! Everywhere from the hotel was 3k or 1 hour. With Google maps in hand we marched across Dublin to the Aviva stadium. A little passing drill to keep our hands warm took place whilst we waited for Bernie, our trusty guide.

Bernie arrived and we were off through the press centre, Home changing rooms, small 4g training area, trophy room and the bathrooms which had been graced by legendary players like Bod and Paul O Connell over the years. Total Luxury and more like a spa than a changing room. Huge hot and cold tiled baths for the weary players to sooth aching muscles. Drop down to pitch side to sit on the Irish bench and then Up to level 5 for a fantastic view of the pitch.

Then on the nail D&P arrived to whisk us up to Skerries. The boys took the leather clad luxury bus with the adults stuck in the school mini bus. Arriving at the beautiful Skerries we were met by our contact, Mark, the Senior Youth coach. The Ref was delayed so their cup game was put back. We had an hour to kill and wandered down the coastline to find somewhere to eat. The boys sat outside with blankets and tucked into pre-match Panini’s. And then down to the ground. We knew Skerries colts were serious opposition as they were the previous years all Ireland champions . We watched there cup game against Derry and watched them despatch them with ease. Physical and direct they won at a canter. The game was over our boys nervously warmed up looking at the size of the Skerries boys. We were playing there ‘B side’ but when most of their A side hung around and we realised it was the full squad we were playing. We borrowed a few of their players to make the numbers up and we were off. The Skrerries boys playing for Newark relished the thought of playing against their own and Newark drew first blood with Connor bursting through the middle to score. The game then swung one way and the other with tries popping in from both sides. Haydon and Josh Latham were a constant headache for Skerries with Haydon tackling everything in sight. The game was played in a great spirit, brilliant banter with Connor and Josh Watts adding to the score. Skerries came out on top 9 tries to 7 or 8, it didn’t really matter to either side. Game over and then onto the upper terrace bar to watch the first team beat City of Derry followed by a 3rd team game. The hot whiskey, lemon and clove went down particular well with the breeze blowing off the sea. Thanks to all at Skerries for their efforts and getting the game on.

D&P then whisked us back to the digs at light speed, a quick change and then back into the fun busses and off to the Thai Karaoke bar for 7pm. A mezze of starters, lovely Thai curry, chat about the game and a few more refreshments and we were led down to the Karaoke room. For a shy retiring lot the lads were not backward in coming forward to get on the mike. Hayden Godfrey led us off after being named man of the match with a bit of Eminem. A couple of gate-crashes tried to join the party and were humanely ejected . All boys then took turns to murder a song and in fairness the microphone was in constant use for the whole 2 hours. Simon led the acoustic Hakka which was a memorable tour moment and then we were done. The boys seemed to enjoy flitting between the microphone and the hen party next door! Then back to the digs, tucked up and ready for the next day.

We woke on Sunday, a little tired and jaded and then off for another 3k - 1 hour romp to the Guinness factory. A lovely walk across the fair city to the Guinness factory gates, a quick photo and then inside to be met by Andy the tour guide who led us around the Guinness factory. A brilliant and informative tour led us up to the gravity bar where the adults tried another one to see if it was as good as the others. It was! Then down to floor 5 for lunch. Guinness stew followed by Guinness mousse served in a mini pint glass. A quick game of foot cricket in the streets for 45 minutes and were loaded into the mini bus and off to the airport.

We then settled in a restaurant and fed all the lads who were flagging by now and in DS and phone mode. A few of the boys spirits were lifted when a girls hockey team arrived and then the call for the plane. Onto Ryan Air for the flight home and onward journey back.

Many great memories for the boys on the tour. The parents had a great time and brilliant to see the the lads growing up and cementing friendships.

Thanks to Skerries and the parents that helped get this together and more importantly the lads.

A pleasure as always and sets us up for the rest of the season

Further reading