Many of you reading this will come from countries that have won the Rugby World Cup. I can’t imagine the feeling, the ecstasy and pure joy it must bring to a nation.
I’ve been watching Ireland since the days of Tony Ward and Ollie Campbell. It was an amateur sport back then. I don’t think that Ireland have won a World Cup of anything in team sports except for the Elephant Polo World Cup and the Pitch and Putt World Cup but I had to google that and maybe there are some junior World Cups but I don’t remember any.
The last time I wrote an article here about Ireland in the World Cup I was full of dreams and hope. But alas, the quarter finals knocked us out yet again. The curse of the quarters. This time we will have to be at our best to even make the quarters.
I have made some comments on other articles here that Ireland will win the World Cup but in truth and to be honest with you that is just a hope.
Hopes are funny little things. It hurts when they are dashed. Every time I have watched Ireland lose a quarter there has been hurt. As a sports fan you know that feeling.
But we still keep hoping. For what is there if there is no hope. I remember watching one of Ireland’s first games under Andy Farrell and thinking something new was afoot. The passing game. The patience. The flow. The skill. And then came the depth. I always thought we lacked depth. But on that day hope woke again with a bit of a yawn.
When you get burnt you tend to stay away from fire. When you get hurt you may tend to stay away from hope. You hope not to get hurt again though.
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
But like my love of a pint of the black stuff I can’t seem to get rid of it. It follows me everywhere (the hope – not the pint!) It pervades my thinking. It’s with me as I type these words, as I watch my young son playing this beautiful game, as I volunteer at my local club, as I shut my eyes at night and dream of what might be.
Maybe hope never dies. If Ireland crashes out of this cup, it will pain us Irish once again. We are a nation that knows pain. You just have to read our history to understand that on many levels. But we won’t moan about it. We get knocked down but we get up again.
I love this game. I’m watching every match. Getting up in the wee hours of the morning, getting strange looks from my wee puppies as I put the kettle on for a coffee. Then, the thrills, the spills, the smaller nations punching up, every man playing for his national pride, the nail biting and the heart beating.
We all love this game because it connects us. I love your articles and comments whether you be a Roar Rookie like me or an expert. And if your team wins or does better than expected then I will bask in your glory too.
The luck of the Irish hasn’t been there in our previous endeavours in these finals. Yet this year I like the look of the Irish.
Can Ireland win the World Cup? They can. Will they win the World Cup? I can only hope.
“Hope and Memory have one daughter and her name is Art, and she has built her dwelling far from the desperate field where men hang out their garments upon forked boughs to be banners of battle. O beloved daughter of Hope and Memory, be with me for a while.” – WB Yeats
MattTheContrarian
Roar Rookie
What a game.
IrelandsCall
Roar Rookie
And hope goes on...although it is now turning into belief! :rugby: :stoked:
IrelandsCall
Roar Rookie
I'd like to point out that Ireland are the underdogs with the bookies "16 hours ago — South Africa v Ireland Betting Odds ... South Africa are the favourites going into this game at odds of 4/5 to win. and take control of Pool B." I'd like to see the odds on a draw. And like you Matt, may the best team win and may it be beautiful rugby to watch! Slainte!
MattTheContrarian
Roar Rookie
I came for the headline full of Boksuperiority, expecting more Irish big talk. I stand corrected. This resonates really well with me, as I do my bit at grassroots and dream again of a green day in October. You know what though? Everyone can agree that Ireland has been unlucky at RWC time. Everyone can agree that they deservedly are the #1 side on the planet. But.. with the top cede so too comes the loss of the underdog tag (see NZ 2010 - 2019), and its just so good supporting the underdog. I'm never happier than when the Boks are underdogs against everyone. Maybe thats why I'm excited about Sundays fixture. May the best team win, they'll both be in green (kinda)
IrelandsCall
Roar Rookie
If we get to the World Cup final in 2027 I'll meet you there!!! :stoked: "but man I am loving the journey too, to dream. "Not the feckless dreams of youth, but the mature tingle of anticipation of what really can be." You should write a few articles mate for The Roar with that beautiful writing style of yours! Cheers mate! ☘️
Quinny
Roar Rookie
I feel you brother ☘️ my rugby journey started in the 1990’s when as an Irishman in London the occasional Irish rugby upset of an English Grand Slam chariot was the only opportunity we had to stick it to some condescending pricks we had to live with (and Keith Woods, oh Keith Woods!). At the same time flatsharing with Aussies, I started to see what winning cultures were like ???? We have that now in Ireland, yes I want and believe in a World Cup victory, but man I am loving the journey too, to dream. Not the feckless dreams of youth, but the mature tingle of anticipation of what really can be. Should we fail, again, it’ll hurt, but man I know I will have enjoyed the ride and simply start the next dream cycle, to Ireland winning a World Cup in my adopted home in 2027 (sorry mates ;)
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
World Test cricket final - we beat India. Held in Southampton because of COVID - there's a hotel at the ground.
IrelandsCall
Roar Rookie
Can't wait JN! May the best team win in a thriller! :rugby:
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Although obviously I support South Africa , a part of me wouldn't mind at all seeing Ireland win the cup . Next week is going to be a proper contest however .A mini final of sorts . Mouthwatering ....
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Yes. Really looking forward to the SA game ! Not looking forward to the WB v Fiji game though....well, in a way I am for the rugby, and will certainly applaud whoever wins, but fear Fiji may just too powerful for this WB team.
IrelandsCall
Roar Rookie
:football: reference or something else?
IrelandsCall
Roar Rookie
Thanks JD. It would be bittersweet! :laughing:
IrelandsCall
Roar Rookie
The hurts real Patrick! If you are tarred and feathered, I'll send you a case of Guinness to make up for it! :stoked:
IrelandsCall
Roar Rookie
Thanks mzilikazi for the kind comments.. Some lovely memories there for you. Coaching that team to win the Ulster schools cup must have been brilliant! South Africa Next week? Mouth watering!
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Ireland's Call, great to see you writing again. Wonderful article. Thanks :happy: "I’ve been watching Ireland since the days of Tony Ward and Ollie Campbell." I can actually only just remember the days of Jackie Kyle, and my parents sitting by the radio. First TV came into our house in 1963, so that was my first sighting of an Irish team. Like you, IC, I love this game, and though I now live in Australia and love them, my love forIreland never dies. Nor does the hope, allied to belief, that my team can win. Never will win though, that can bring bad luck. "My team" has ranged from a mini rugby side right up to a team that won the Ulster Schools Cup. All this as a coach. I never played above what was then called junior level back in the old days.. At this moment, Ireland are my team, and I, like you am full of hope. But I know that luck needs to there to win this RWC in France. And often a team makes it's luck to a great extent. This Irish team is formidable. Jez, they are ranked No 1 in the world atm. I just hope and pray this Irish team both has and makes enough luck to go all the way.
IrelandsCall
Roar Rookie
Thanks FM! To see the joy when Portugal got their try! To see the joy when any of the other nations score! Yes, there will be tears of sorrow and joy! The Yin and Yang of life! May it never end!
Favourable Matchups
Roar Rookie
Really enjoyed this read, I think the beautiful thing about the world cup is the hope everyone carries in, from the Irish fans dreaming of the cup, to Portuguese fans hoping against Wales.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Enjoyed that one! Ireland everyone’s second favourite team… except some bitter English!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
We’ll always have Southampton! :laughing:
IrelandsCall
Roar Rookie
Thanks Broken! Those jerseys must be awesome to have!