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15 signs you're a hardcore schools rugby fan

With this years competitions already in full swing, we pay tribute to the supporters who follow their young counterparts avidly.

1. You respect international stars who show up to support their old school/to see what the fuss is about

Leo A'Auva, Isaac Boss, Brendan Macken and Quinn Roux enjoy the game Colm O'Neill / INPHO Colm O'Neill / INPHO / INPHO

(Leinster players (L-R) Leo A’Auva, Isaac Boss, Brendan Macken and Quinn Roux enjoy last year’s Blackrock-Newbridge game)

2. You’ve experienced the highs of winning

Patrick Staff and Tommy Walsh celebrate at the final whistle James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

3. And the lows of defeat

Peter Meyler dejected after the game

4. You’ve spotted many a future international star over the years

Cian Healy of Belvedere is tackled ©INPHO ©INPHO

(Cian Healy of Belvedere is tackled by Blackrock’s Ian Madigan)

Leo Cullen 1995 Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

(Leo Cullen pictured in his schools rugby days)

5. You’ve watched all the YouTube videos

Ronan Breslin / YouTube

6. You always make sure to get dressed up for the occasion

Gordon Quigley and Paul Bermingham James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Fr Chiedza is surrounded by fans before the game Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

7. You’re a big fan of this documentary

onlyingod2008 / YouTube

8. You still look back at past encounters

Setanta Sports / YouTube

9. You sometimes let emotions get the better of you on the big occasion

A Gonzaga fan is escorted off the pitch Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

10. The fact that you left the school years ago doesn’t stop you from continuing to turn up for every match

Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

11. Being part of the manic try celebrations was fun and painful in equal measure

Belvedere fans celebrate Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

12. You know at least one player who was more talented than Brian O’Driscoll and would have been amazing had it not been for injuries

Rock

Credit: Alan Clarke/Ross O’Carroll-Kelly

13. You’ve cheered your mascot on in a mock fight against the other team’s mascot

Gonzaga and Kilkenny College mascots Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

14. You know all the words to your school anthem

Daragh Henry Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

15. You’ve dreamt several times about lifting the cup yourself and making your mum proud

Robert Hynes celebrates with his mother Anne Hynes after the presentation Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

A version of this piece was originally published on 14 March, 2014 

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Author
Paul Fennessy
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