THIS FELT LIKE Ireland opening their World Cup on home soil.
68,523 people flooded into the Millennium Stadium under a closed roof as Joe Schmidt’s team began with a comprehensive win over Canada, and the vast majority of them were clad in green.
Ireland supporter Sheryl Sloane from Bangor. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
It was quiet around Cardiff when we arrived on Wednesday evening, and Thursday was similarly low key. Yesterday, the influx began, but to wake up to Ireland jerseys covering the streets of the Welsh capital this morning was truly eye opening.
The layout of Cardiff lends itself well to supporters converging into one area. St. Mary’s Street filled up from the early hours of the morning, while Cardiff Arms Park was busy with bleary-eyed Irish supporters just off the red eyes in from Dublin or after a few warm-up pints the night before.
At one stage, myself and Church (Cian Healy) were in our room that overlooks Mill Lane and we looked out the window and said it was like a mini Paddy’s Day,” said Jamie Heaslip of his view this morning.
Impressive, but the invasion didn’t really hammer itself home until the sum total of the travelling party filtered into the Millennium Stadium. The capacity of the Cardiff Stadium has been reduced close to 71,000 for the World Cup we’re told, and Ireland’s supporters very nearly filled it.
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Ireland fans in Cardiff earlier today. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
“We knew we had a lot of support over and then when we were driving to the ground, I saw a handful of Canada jerseys and the rest was a sea of green,” said Heaslip. “When ‘Ireland’s Call’ played around the stadium, it was one of the loudest I’ve heard it.”
Many have a dislike of that anthem, but those under the roof apparently weren’t part of that group. Once Ireland got going, we even heard ‘Olé, Olé, Olé,’ a sure-fire sign that this is a World Cup and not a Six Nations.
Even the Mexican wave in the closing stages was more enthusiastic than ever.
“The bus drive to the ground was incredible,” said captain Paul O’Connell post-match. “It was incredible Irish support and I thought the atmosphere was incredible as well.
“That was one of the big things at the 2011 World Cup, what the Irish supporters created for us. The players love that and I think we really enjoyed the game today.”
The support in Cardiff was sensational. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Ireland would happily play all of their games in the Millennium Stadium, one senses, but the show will move on to Burton-on-Trent tomorrow.
Schmidt’s men will be based at St. George’s Park – the English FA’s state-of-the-art training facility – for the coming days. Next weekend sees them pitch up in London ahead of the Romania clash at Wembley on Sunday.
Another big crowd is expected for that second Pool D clash and Ireland will expect to build on the momentum garnered today against Canada, even though wholesale changes will be made to their XV.
Ireland will be back in Cardiff for what looks like being the pool decider against les Bleus on Sunday, 11 October, hoping that the force of another Irish invasion can provide the same motivation it did this afternoon.
For now, those who invested in the trip to watch Ireland take Canada apart will enjoy a few hard-earned celebrations.
Irish invasion makes Cardiff a home away from home for Schmidt's men
THIS FELT LIKE Ireland opening their World Cup on home soil.
68,523 people flooded into the Millennium Stadium under a closed roof as Joe Schmidt’s team began with a comprehensive win over Canada, and the vast majority of them were clad in green.
It was quiet around Cardiff when we arrived on Wednesday evening, and Thursday was similarly low key. Yesterday, the influx began, but to wake up to Ireland jerseys covering the streets of the Welsh capital this morning was truly eye opening.
The layout of Cardiff lends itself well to supporters converging into one area. St. Mary’s Street filled up from the early hours of the morning, while Cardiff Arms Park was busy with bleary-eyed Irish supporters just off the red eyes in from Dublin or after a few warm-up pints the night before.
Impressive, but the invasion didn’t really hammer itself home until the sum total of the travelling party filtered into the Millennium Stadium. The capacity of the Cardiff Stadium has been reduced close to 71,000 for the World Cup we’re told, and Ireland’s supporters very nearly filled it.
“We knew we had a lot of support over and then when we were driving to the ground, I saw a handful of Canada jerseys and the rest was a sea of green,” said Heaslip. “When ‘Ireland’s Call’ played around the stadium, it was one of the loudest I’ve heard it.”
Many have a dislike of that anthem, but those under the roof apparently weren’t part of that group. Once Ireland got going, we even heard ‘Olé, Olé, Olé,’ a sure-fire sign that this is a World Cup and not a Six Nations.
Even the Mexican wave in the closing stages was more enthusiastic than ever.
“The bus drive to the ground was incredible,” said captain Paul O’Connell post-match. “It was incredible Irish support and I thought the atmosphere was incredible as well.
“That was one of the big things at the 2011 World Cup, what the Irish supporters created for us. The players love that and I think we really enjoyed the game today.”
Ireland would happily play all of their games in the Millennium Stadium, one senses, but the show will move on to Burton-on-Trent tomorrow.
Schmidt’s men will be based at St. George’s Park – the English FA’s state-of-the-art training facility – for the coming days. Next weekend sees them pitch up in London ahead of the Romania clash at Wembley on Sunday.
Another big crowd is expected for that second Pool D clash and Ireland will expect to build on the momentum garnered today against Canada, even though wholesale changes will be made to their XV.
Ireland will be back in Cardiff for what looks like being the pool decider against les Bleus on Sunday, 11 October, hoping that the force of another Irish invasion can provide the same motivation it did this afternoon.
For now, those who invested in the trip to watch Ireland take Canada apart will enjoy a few hard-earned celebrations.
They might raise a glass to Japan too.
Henderson coming of age to underline Schmidt’s backing at World Cup
Johnny Sexton’s scorching run over the try-line shows he’s back to his best
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Green army Ireland Jamie Heaslip Mini Paddy's Day Paul O'Connell rwc 15 Support Canada