Rugby Day Dreams at the
Lansdowne Hotel
It was Mid-day Friday the 17th
of May 2013; I was sitting quietly in the cobbled resting area at the front of
the Lansdowne Hotel enjoying my break, birds whistled gently in the shrubbery
as they went about feeding their young, the soft leaves of summer whispered in
the light breeze that filled the Mid-Day air. I sipped on my Mid-Day coffee and
pondered upon the events that were about to unfold. Later that day Leinster
would face the mighty warriors of Stade Francais in the Amlin Challenge Cup, it
was almost overwhelming to be granted the opportunity to watch these Titans in
battle, but also, as so often happens, rub shoulders with the giants of
European rugby as they mingled in the Den Bar after the game.
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Now and on reflection of the
Amlin Challenge Cup 2013, it was a great game, and while Leinster (34) dominated
the score board compared to Stade Francais (13), both teams dominated all that
was good about the game of rugby, fantastic sportsmen, with Stade Fracais
bringing that very special French love of life to Dublin.
This was the first time the
Amlin Challenge Cup Final was played in Ireland, and it was fitting that two
great rugby nations stood shoulder to shoulder on the battle field of sporting
kings. While the native Kings of Leinster may have claimed the silver, the
royal French sportsmen and their tribe of glorious fans could celebrate with
their heads held high as they served their country well. Leinster will now
march forward to the Heineken Cup in 2014, but they will stand better prepared
due to their encounter with the mighty Stade Fracais. This Amlin Challenge Cup
Final 2013 has taught all of us, that the Spirit of rugby, is much more than
the winning and losing of a game.
Then I began to think about
what Saturday would bring, the Heineken Cup Final 2013 at our world famous
Aviva Stadium. As the birds continued to hop about and forage for food,
butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I contemplated the fact that on Saturday
18th May 2013 two of the greatest Rugby Teams in European and World
Rugby would step on to the manicured grounds of the Aviva. Toulon and Claremont
Auvergne are names that are revered in International Rugby, whatever the final
result of the Heineken Cup 2013; I knew in my heart that this would be a
momentous occasion.
As the Mid-Day sun slipped
behind a threatening cloud, I was awakened from my Day Dreaming by the sound of
“bonjour”, I instantly replied “bonjour”, and at times like this I was disappointed
with myself for not paying more attention during French lessons many years
earlier at school. This Frenchman clad in the tribal colours of Toulon was the
first of the clan chieftains to arrive at the Lansdowne, I had to quickly shake
myself and return to my duties so that these weary and hungry warriors of the
rugby nation could be sheltered, feed and watered. The arrival of the mighty French
turned darkness into light, as the clouds shifted and the sun beamed once again
across the Heineken promotional goals at the entrance to the Lansdowne Hotel.
As the day progressed and
the BBQ exhaled bellows of smoke the soft French tones filled the air,
politeness, courtesy and friendliness were the order of the evening with a side
order of BBQ meats, fresh salad and pints of black nectar. Our sponsors for the
evening, Heineken, were to be thanked for their fantastic efforts in promoting
the sport of kings and also for brewing that pint of great beer.
While Friday night at the
Lansdowne was the Warm-Up Session for the Heineken Cup on Saturday, Saturday
proved to be a festival of great sport and great sportsmanship. On reflection
now of that Heineken Cup Final 2013, it was such a fantastic occasion, tens of
thousands of International Rugby fans, cheering, Yes, for individual Teams and
players, but also cheering for one of the greatest sporting events in the
world. The sheer out-pouring of good sportsmanship both on and off the field is
an example to the world as to how things should be done and can be done.
In the end Clermont Auvergne
seen the silver slip from their grasp, but that did not hold them back from
congratulating Toulon the Champions, as both teams had served their country,
their fans and the game of rugby to the highest order. They had also paid a
great tribute to their host, Ireland, by bringing great sportsmen and world
class fans to an Island that always looks to France as an example of all that
is good about the game of rugby and international sportsmanship.
On Sunday afternoon the Den
Bar in the Lansdowne Hotel was still playing host to many French supporters as
they prepared for their journey home after a wonderful weekend of rugby, the
match post-mortem continued, the name Wilkinson punched the air, over gently supped
pints of black nectar and Heineken gold liquid, the mood was upbeat from the
moment they had said “bonjour” until it was time to say, “au revoir”, what a
pleasure it was to serve such wonderful people, I look forward to be awakened
once again by the soft tones of the French Clan.
The Lansdowne Hotel has been
home to Irish and International Rugby Fans and Legends for decades. The Den Bar
has been the Oasis in which many thirsts were quenched and the Druid's
Restaurant has insured that many tribes have been able to march on a full stomach
of fresh locally sourced produce. The Lansdowne Hotel is the perfect rugby hub
for games in the RDS and Aviva. Traditional Irish Music sessions beat out the
haunting sounds of Irish history and culture in our recreated thatched cottage
each Thursday night. The Lansdowne Hotel is a family affair that opens its arms
to all visitors with an honest Cead Mile Failte.