Ireland v England rugby

I'm pretty much a one-sport guy, and that's basketball. I don't often watch other sports on television. Although I watch Irish soccer internationals, I am not a fan of soccer or rugby, and I seldom watch Gaelic football or hurling. But I've just watched Ireland play rugby against England in Croke Park. In England's first game in Croke Park, they lost to Ireland by their biggest margin ever. The final score was 43-13. Ireland played some very skilful rugby, including a GAA-like kick and catch for Ireland's third (I think) try. Ronan O'Gara didn't miss a kick at goal.

Stringer against France a few years ago

Before the game, there was a lot of focus on political issues surrounding Ireland's colonial history. In 1920, the British army killed 14 civilians in the very stadium where the game would be played (as al-Jazeera also reported). For decades, the Irish GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) have forbidden English sports (known as 'garrison games') from being played at Croke Park. This afternoon, as my friend Kealan noted on his blog, England's team and supporters sang God Save the Queen in Croker before the game, before going on to suffer a decisive defeat.

Croke Park

An interesting mix of sports, culture, and politics this afternoon at Croke Park, which I can actually see from the window of my house...