First Weekend in Ireland Pt 2

What had started as a great weekend on Sunday morning ended as one of the BEST weekends ever by Sunday evening.

When one thinks of Hurling and its association to Irish culture, one probably assumes that your benevolent writer drank beer all day on Sunday, got sick, and passed out.

Not True.

Hurling is a field sport created in Ireland. It involves using a round wooden club called a hurley to move a ball downfield. The league is maintained by the Gaelic Athletic Association. Many people in Ireland call it the the fastest field sport in the world. It's fast. It's intense. It's awesome. On Sunday was the All-Ireland Hurling final--the Super Bowl of Irish Sports.

Flat Stanley and I were there, cheering with 82,000 of our closest friends.

In an incredible game, Kilkenny defeated Tipperary for its fourth consecutive title. Even though I was cheering for the underdog, it was hard to not appreciate the sheer joy and madness that emanated from Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

After the game had ended, Kilkenny fans fought off the Garda that was protecting the turf and rushed the field. Taking opportunity of their battles, and knowing full well that we only live once, Stanley and I also took to the field for the closing ceremony.

I was on the field frozen by the awesome spectacle of the stadium before I remembered to take some pictures of the event. Fortunately, Stan was in my pocket and was eager to snag a photo-opp on the turf.

So yep... That was my weekend. How was yours?

Tune in next time as your heroes face their biggest challenge yet: School.

Peace

Matt