GERRY THORNLEY'Ssideways look at RWC 2011
Lads leave it to Leamy to answer Maoris' call
REFLECTING on his daunting role in leading the Irish response to the powhiri (Maori welcome) at the Skyline last Sunday, Denis Leamy admitted he had “no idea” why they decided on Christy Moore’s Ride On, written by Jimmy McCarthy.
“It was discussed before we left Dublin that we’d sing something. We had an idea on a song but we never got around to practicing. So when we arrived Drico just made a call that we’d sing that. Maybe we’ll change it up.” And why him? Paul (O’Connell) asked would I sing the first verse and then the lads would join in.”
Leamy, with his soft, melodic voice, did a fine job but admitted it was nerve-wracking. “Yeah, pretty nerve-wracking, alright, especially with some of the performances they’d given before, although I heard yesterday the Georgians are in town (Queenstown) and they had a semi-pro opera singer with them. I couldn’t stand up to that.”
Another powhiri awaits in New Plymouth today and asked if he would be leading the Irish response, Leamy said: “I hope not.”
O'Brien has Tullow army with him
SEÁN O’BRIEN reckons about 25 supporters from Tullow will be travelling out half-way through the group stages to support their local boy and the Ireland team. The Leinster flanker had a farewell dinner at his home town club before departure and said: “There’s a good few coming out and they’ll be over on the 20th.”
That would mean the Tullow army arriving in Rotarua for the penultimate pool game against Russia before moving down to Dunedin for the pool finale against Italy. Nor is that the extent of their visit. “They’ll stay ’till the end anyway, regardless.”
25,000 extra sheep on the menu for hungry fans
MAINTAINING the food theme (vegetarians move on now), New Zealand’s biggest meat company expects carnivorous rugby supporters to consume an extra 70,000 of its sheep, cattle and deer during the forthcoming tournament.
In advance of the 95,000-strong invasion from abroad, and not inclined to import Australian meat for the occasion, Silver Fern Farms has long since signed up 130 farms as well as enlisting a food service distributor, to help supply 138 restaurants with an additional 25,000 lambs, 11,000 cattle and 31,000 deer.
NZ$400 apple fine leaves hack feeling a little crabby
A WARNING for any would-be Irish supporters regarding New Zealand custom officials’ sensitivity toward any foodstuffs being brought in to this country. One hungry English journalist was given a couple of apples on the final leg of his journey into Auckland and, having quaffed one of them, put the other in his travelling bag.
Visiting media were issued with yellow badges for their bags to facilitate them during their time in NZ but it cut little ice for him. He was fined NZ$400 €238) on the spot!
