Irish Blog — Bombers test footing on new Aviva Stadium
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The L.V. Rogers Bombers are currently traveling the roads of Ireland on Rugby tour.
The team, which has been raising money to help offset the costs, left last week from Nelson.
LVR Vice Principal Frank Marisco, who is with the team on the tour along with coach Michael Joyce, is going to blog the tour for The Nelson Daily.
Monday, March 14, 2011.
The boys are up early and back to the Paramount Hotel for another full-on Irish breakfast – eggs, sausages, bacon, beans, fried tomato, and toast — just what they need to get the day going.
The sun is shining and everyone is in good spirits after yesterday’s win over Balbriggan. After a little shopping for rugby boots we jump on the bus and head to the new Aviva Stadium for a tour.
This is where the Irish National team will be playing England on Saturday in the last six nations game of the season.
Right now tickets are being scalped for 600 euros ($826.18 CDN).
The boys get to walk through the home team’s dressing room and walk out onto the field through the players entrance.
What a buzz thinking about the big names that passed through the tunnel.
After the tour it is into the souvenir shop where the kids start laying down the Euros for replica jerseys and other neat swag. Back on the bus and we’re off to the Paramont for soup, sandwhiches, and chips.
They guys are really liking the soups that are served with just about every meal. From lunch it is over to Trinity College for a tour of the Book of Kells.
I’m not sure if this will go over well but am somewhat surprised and really impressed in the interest shown in Irish history. They are also impressed with a girl’s team from Ontario who are here on a similar tour as ours.
Now it is back to the hostel and time to get ready for a practice. We take the bus a short way from town into a huge park where we find four rugby pitches side by side.
Off the bus and onto the field where coaches Joyce and Swan put them through their paces and it is dark. Back into town for a shower followed by the team dinner at La Pizza restaurant.
The boys are tired and get into bed fairly early.
Tomorrow we head to Galway.
