Back in the days of Bill McLaren, Cardiff Arms Park and regimental Saturday afternoon kick-offs, here are the ten classic traits of an Irish rugby fan who grew up in the 1990s.
1. You spent the early days in the 2000s believing it was only a matter of time before Ireland went shite again
We won three matches in the 2000 Six Nations. It really was 'pinch yourself' time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdtG3UAVSbs
2. World in Union by Kiri Te Kenawa
They haven't used it for some years now.
3. 'Sure we always win in Cardiff...'
The Welsh have an amazing ability to forget it but you remember a time when the worst Irish teams of all-time went to Cardiff and won. We were always more vulnerable to the whitewash in even years because there was no trip to Welsh capital.
4. Geoghegan love and this try
The only really good thing that happened that decade. This man retains a special place in your heart even now.
5. You recall a time when matches between Munster and Leinster were only watched by Edmund Van Esbeck and his dog
You, of course, would only catch the action in a thirty second report on Sports Stadium. So much for the days of the 'token Ulster player', the Nordies used to win the inter-provincial championship every year. Connacht, on the other hand, lost to pretty much everyone, including the Exiles.
6. You remember when the paper used to carry the name of the player's club in brackets when listing the Ireland team. And by club I mean club.
None of your Munster and Leinster...
7. You recall a time when every Irish try in the corner was greeted with an impromptu pitch invasion
What's rare...
8. The Parc des Princes = torture chamber
Even moral victories were usually out of reach - it was a tough watch seeing Ireland have their obvious limitations exposed so cruelly.
9. 'Speaking to the media today, the Ireland manager Pat Whelan said...'
Back in those days, the Ireland manager used to speak to the media and seemed to have a far more prominent role in team affairs. The division of labour was rather unclear, causing consternation between Noel and Gerry Murphy and much more spectacularly, Brian Ashton and Pa Whelan.
10. Alickadoo
It's a word that's gone out of fashion with rugby's surge in popularity but you know what it means. Essentially, the word describes the kind of hip-flask bearing, sheepskin-coat wearing professional who has been going to Ireland rugby matches since God was a boy.
