Longford Leader's Ellen O'Brien: Memories from Scotland victory that will never be forgotten with the ‘Team of Us’

I was one of thousands of Irish fans who travelled to Paris for Ireland’s last pool game in the Rugby World Cup against Scotland. The streets of Paris were flooded with green jerseys on Saturday as fans were filled with anticipation before the game.

Ireland won with the final score being 36-14, the majority of the crowd were Irish fans and as the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted with a rendition of the song ‘Zombie’.

It was a special moment to witness and one that will probably never be forgotten by anyone who experienced it.

Irish fans made their presence known in Paris throughout the weekend but particularly on Saturday afternoon before the match. Hundreds of fans filled the street beside the Moulin Rouge, which created an electric atmosphere in the build up to the match.

Supporters sang the Fields of Athenry, kicked rugby balls, held up banners, got drivers of cars and buses to beep their horns and provided great entertainment to locals, some of whom including the French police also got involved in the festivities.

As we arrived at the Metro Station beside the stadium, we were met by crowds of Irish and Scottish fans walking towards Stade de France.

There was plenty of mingling within the crowd, as supporters stopped to take photos of themselves and others coming up to the stadium. Even some French fans stopped me and my mum to ask for a photo with them to show our different jerseys.

Inside the stadium we talked to two Scottish fans who were really looking forward to hearing the rendition of ‘Zombie’ at the end of the game. Once we were settled in our seats we took some more pictures and waited with anticipation for the start of the match.

Peter O'Mahony, who received his one hundredth cap on Saturday got a big reception from the crowd when he led the Irish team out.

Ireland fans were in the majority and made their voices heard during ‘Ireland’s Call’ and throughout the match. Ireland scored four tries in the first half, each was met by an eruption of cheers and applause.

There were plenty of chants of ‘Ireland’ and singing of the Fields of Athenry during breaks of play or when another try was scored to encourage and motivate the team.

When the final whistle blew, the team and the fans were delighted that Ireland would progress to the quarter finals.

When 'Zombie’ started to play the crowd immediately started to sing, it was amazing to see the sea of green jerseys celebrating together.

The celebrations continued outside the stadium with Irish and Scottish fans singing in the queue to the metro, on the metro a group broke out into a rendition of ‘Amhrán na bhFiann’. It was a very special weekend to participate in and created memories that will never be forgotten.

Irish fans now await the quarter final against New Zealand and hope that they can progress to the next stage of the competition.

* Ellen O’Brien is a BA with Journalism student at the University of Galway and she is presently on work placement with the Longford Leader

Longford pride as Keenan and Beirne star on world stage

Hugo Keenan and Tadhg Beirne, two key Irish players with Longford roots, have performed with distinction during the course of the Rugby World Cup campaign so far.

Both the full back and the back row forward are in the top 20 try scores with three tries apiece, while Keenan is also ranked in ninth position for the most runs.

Tadhg Beirne's dad is Gerry Beirne from Glen, Ardagh. Gerry went to school in Templemichael college and is now a Garda. He married Brenda Hyland, the former Rose of Tralee who inspired the Christy Moore song.

Gerry played under age county football and Tadgh's uncle Michael played rugby with Longford Rugby Club.

The other Longford link is full back Hugo Keenan. Hugo's grandfather is a Longford man and he still has uncles living in the county still.

Speaking to the Leader previously about the family connection Hugo said: “My uncles live in Tarmonbarry and Moydow. Everyone knows Keenans in Tarmonbarry and we have another family member involved in the hospitality trade in Moydow.”

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