1. You respect international stars who show up to support their old school/to see what the fuss is about
(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
3. And the lows of defeat
4. You’ve spotted many a future international star over the years
(Cian Healy of Belvedere is tackled by Blackrock’s Ian Madigan)
(Leo Cullen pictured in his schools rugby days)
5. You’ve watched all the YouTube videos
6. You always make sure to get dressed up for the occasion
7. You’re a big fan of this documentary
8. You still look back at past encounters
9. You sometimes let emotions get the better of you on the big occasion
10. The fact that you left the school years ago doesn’t stop you from continuing to turn up for every match
11. Being part of the manic try celebrations was fun and painful in equal measure
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
Credit: Alan Clarke/Ross O’Carroll-Kelly
13. You’ve cheered your mascot on in a mock fight against the other team’s mascot
14. You know all the words to your school anthem
15. You’ve dreamt several times about lifting the cup yourself and making your mum proud
A version of this piece was originally published on 14 March, 2014