Hard luck Tommy – Ye did us proud. Best of luck on Saturday.

Best of luck for Saturday Tommy

Your my man of the tournament.

x

Great game Lions. You did the institution proud. I spoke of fronting up previously and you did this and then some. A pity about the injuries resulting in uncontested scrums as it would have been interesting to see how these played out. All in all a brutal game but you have to commend the Springboks for pulling it out of the fire (praise distinctly lacking from the Lions). Test no. 3 is bound to be a cracker.

I agree if you read this tommy you and everyone on that tour should be very proud of how you performed on and off the pitch. I was in New Zealand 4 years ago and the change has been incredible.

Congratualtions

gutted for you obviously but ye can hold yer heads high in the fact that ye did wat was asked, almost. Ye owned the breakdown at the start an minced them in the scrum til their thuggery started to come through. shame the personnel wasnt there for ye. did u ever expect to be thrown in the centre durin a test?? Doubt it!!!

Fair play from cork city

Tommy,you shouldn’t be at all embarrassed,you still did yourselves proud even if you didn’t win (ie.compared to the last tour!)

You can be sure every fan here knows you played your hearts out in that match and we are so proud of you – sport can be a cruel mistress and a tough one too and you are carrying more than just physical wounds after that game I am sure.
But I for one will be still watching proudly next Saturday, knowing what a special bunch of players you guys are, it is not just about the scoreline but the way you have carried yourselves thoughout this tour and the amazing rugby you have shown the fans that also count – try and remember that and hold your head high because you are a truly talented player in our eyes.

Tommy,

I’m seriously proud to call myself a Lions supporter, you guys did all of us a great honour with your effort.

Keep up that good work and don’t lose heart. Sport can be tough, but the reward, the honour, is still there for the taking in the last test, even if it isn’t the series!

Thanks for doing so much so far, and we’re all rooting for you to the last!

Congrats to all of the Lions players but also my commiseration as to what they were involved in. I watched the game and it has left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Having grown up playing rugby Ireland from 5 years up to 22 years and then continuing in the US to 35 years, I have always loved the game. But when one witnesses the amount of injuries being doled out – 5 players off to the hospital with broken bones, concussion etc and see eye-gouging along with the associated coach saying its part of the game – you have to question where does the sport end and the brutality engage. It left me questioning whether my kids may be better playing a sport as physical but easier regulated for foul play such as gaelic football. The game on Saturday was reminiscent of when the hurlers did not wear hemets and the common scene of blood streaming down faces. Rugby has to step up the rules regarding illegal physicality be it punches or gouging or it risks the possbility of losing both future players as well as future spectators.

Chin up.

WE STILL LOVE YA!!!!

xoxox

The Lions did us all proud and we were unlucky with injuries but such is rugby and sport…

It’s been a fantastic tour to watch, defeats aside but much kudos to all the Lions on tour – they really put themselves and bodies on the line.

Hope your elbow is better than mine (broke mine two weeks ago… it’s tough typing in a cast!)!

Chin up – when life gives you lemons – make lemonade – there’s much to be learnt and gained from this!

Be strong and play hard and fair – best of luck for the next one – do it for the pride! We’re all behind you!!

Hey Tommy,
I really enjoy the blog. I could not believe how punctual your posts have been, fair dues.

I am not sure I ever saw a team play so well, give so much and not come through with the win. I guess you don’t reach the highest level unless you are ultra competitive, so my sentiments may be scant consolation:o)

To be honest man the lions squad did something that was tremendous, watching you all taking part, the commitment was inspiring. You said “we all really felt there was something special within this team” there is man, there is, it’s very clear, win or lose. Bravo

It was a great contest one you deserved to win, however, there is more to life than winning, and all you guys did us proud.

what can i say that has not been said before. you all played so well and gave it your all – i am so proud of you all. i hope that everyone makes a recovery so that you can go out there next Saturday and show them that games can be won without resorting to the type of play that the South Africans dished out in a cruel and unmerciful way.

Sport can be cruel as you know, all you can do is learn from the experience pick youeself up and carry on. We all know you have that ability and become a better player, you have done us proud do not forget that.Go and give it your best shot on saturday be proud and brave.

Hi Tommy
I found it incredibly upsetting to watch that match, so I can’t even begin to imagine how you and the boys feel.
You did us very proud though as a team on the day, but more importantly as a squad over the course of the tour.
The fact that we didn’t lose a match outside of the tests and that we were within a score at the final whistle in the tests, and more importantly the spirit, passion and camaraderie evident within the squad from your blog and other reports, proves that the Lions have an important place in rugby and should never be got rid of.
Sport can be very cruel, and while this loss was probably the most difficult defeat any of the team have had to endure, it does not diminish what you have achieved in becoming a Lion.
As an aside to yourself, I am also confident that there are another two tours in you. Not to mention many years in the green jersey. You were the player of the tournament and proved yourself to be truely world class.
See you in Australia Tommy

Nick

So tough that defeat – was a brilliant match though – exactly why Lions rugby is the pinnacle ala a World Cup Final. Such games nearly always come down to degrees of error or genius and so for every missed tackle ROG, or even mis-timed tackle you made in their last try, there is a wonderful conversion or try-scoring break made by ye. Thomas, you can hold your head up though as you had a great tour – but try to finish on an even greater high Saturday now please!
All the best for the future, enjoyed the blog immensely.

hard luck tommy… u played a blinder and hope d elbow is ok!!
good luck on saturday

Have enjoyed following the tour banter on here, gutting way to lose a test that you deserved to win. Although the series was lost, the lions I think have won in other ways. I know myself and several others who have been drawn back into supporting the lions after losing faith in ‘05, and we were shouting out lungs to failure as if you all had a thistle on your chest the last few weeks! Best of luck for saturday!

Cheer up everyone – the best team won!

Brutal, bullying, intimidation, not fair, wah wah etc etc etc – it’s test match rugby, you do what you have to do to WIN. (If the shoe was on the other foot you guys wouldn’t be complaining.)

Never mind, you’ll have another chance to beat us – in 12 years!!!

xx

you moderators are such sycophants you just wont post negative comments will you….you should be ashamed

Tommy this Lions tour have been brilliant and a pleasure to watch. I have looked forward to and enjoyed ALL the games. Such a pity that the Springboks had to WIN by fair means or foul…our injury count from last saturday a testament to that.
As a Munster and Irish supporter you have all given us something to be proud of and of course your rendition of “The Black Velvet Band” will be remembered long after the Lions Tour of South Africa. Keep up the blog and the pranks, roll on Australia see you there.

Burning your springbok shirt? SA hosts you with friendship and enthusiasm and you BBQ a top because of one disgracefull act? The lions were giving as good as they got (Sheridan’s actions etc). Well played lions though, sensational attitude and spirit but to brandish the Boks as cheats and thugs is as shamefull as any act on the field – dare i remind everyone of the 99 call you so fondly admire. Tough up and win or get on with preparing for revenge.

Tommy, can only imagine how disappointed all of ya are but just know that everyone is so so proud of ye. Ye did not disgrace yourselves, ye played very brave rugby and really showed yer physical side in the 2nd test. Hope Rog is ok, and knows he wasnt to blame. In my opinion, he looked spaced out of it and didnt know what was going on. He has done so much for Ireland and Munster i’m still 100% behind him.
Best of luck in the 3rd test…..remember…you are good enough.

Hi Tommy!

You were amazing on Saturday, as always!! That last penalty kick was heartbreaking to watch. The Lions WERE the better team and should have won. You have all played extremely well and everyone is so proud of you!
Best of Luck in the 3rd Test we are all behind you!

ps. Loving the blog! How did the two of you get your revenge on the bed stealers in the end!!

Hannah
XX

Hard luck Tommy! You all played really well (and have been playing out of your skin this season I may add). The Lions were just unlucky with the injuries sustained during the game. But thats sport eh!.. Tell ROG to keep his head up too.. he’s been the hero often enough for Munster and Ireland… You all did us proud… Now just win the last test for us eh!

Ooohhhh Tommy Tommy Tommy!!! You’re sooooooooooo amazing!!! Never seen so many girls comment on rugby Tommy!! You’ll be knee deep when you get back! Good luck Saturday!

Well done Tommy, player of the tour,1st on my team sheet every tyime. Have to reply to Alanf comments on ROG. You should look at the game again,you would see ROG tackle the SA 8 and get injured,no blood sub and he then had to tackle Sa centre who in other games has run over proven big hitters to do exactly what he did to the Lions on Sat. It was the uncontested scrums that killed us, plus our 10 missed touch with a penalty and they scored from it. I think that all the Lions Have done us proud and no player is to blame, maybe the management should look at the selection of the teams in both tests so far

Just a quick word in ROGs defence and I am not being negative to the lions but correct me if I am wrong here but there were 20 or so other men on the pitch during the 80 mins of the match….should never have come down to the last minute/kick. Should have been put away long before that.

Thanks alot Tommy, it’s been a hell of a season, and you all did more for us than we could ever ask, both in Green and Red (and I suppose Black. Are you sure you don’t want to swap that for another Red Jersey? I’ll buy ya two Pints if ya do). It’s not over yet, one more game, make us even prouder Tommy (if that’s possible)

Ron, Call 99 was to preempt the Springbok foul play and thuggery in ‘74. A way of getting in the digs first against a dirty team who intended on playing dirty. A successful tactic at the time.

Sorry guys and gals but ROG had a job to do and did not deliver.
He was not behind the door in pressing his case for inclusion in the test team and when he got it he blew the entire test series.
This may not be comfortable to read but this is how he will be remembered … The guy who lost the 2009 Test Series.

Boys and Girls sometimes it ’s hard to be honest with ourselves. Thruth is that RO’G set himself up for that fall. Always a bit of a know all, always ready with the smart remark he now has to live with the fact that his 15 seconds of mindless madness blew the whole Lions tour. That will forever be remembered as his contribution to the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour.