Paddys Night meets Super Saturday

13th Mar 2007

Super Saturday
Finbarr Barry

One man's misfortune is another man's opportunity and we in Cork are delighted that the Cork count on the Irish rugby team has increased again as Limerick's Paul O'Connell makes way for the towering presence of Mick O'Driscoll at second row for Saturday's Six-Nations dog fight in Rome.

Heavy and large: Mick will do the trick

He links up with Donnacha O'Callaghan at second row, solidifying the Rebel presence on the team - one third of the Irish starting fifteen are now Corkonians.

Waiting in the wings while the two O'C's occupy those second row positions can't be much fun. How often has he togged out, taped bandages around his head and thighs, laced up his boots bar tight and warmed up with his peers only to return to the dressing room with his kit as clean as it was when he put it on? Too many.

Such is Mick's ability that despite his lack of game time, he is considered by his fellow county man and Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan to be superior to all his first team rivals in Ulster, Leinster, Connaught and elsewhere. That's some endorsement.

Although he will tow the line and "feel sympathy" for his injured team mate, Mick must be dancing jigs and reels at the thought of finally getting a starting place on a team that is poised to pick up the Six Nations title on St. Patrick's Day.

The Italians will see the loss of O'Connell as a major boost but they have no idea what his replacement is capable of. The towering 6' 5" giant is a reliable line-out ball winner and should Ireland decide to pin the Italians to the corners via the boot of O'Gara, Mick will be a sure bet for Ireland to win quality ball.

Early signs in 2003: Mick takes the direct approach to disrupting Neath's rolling maul.

To second that, his menace at ruck time will be crucial to Ireland's hopes as they set about neutralising the infamous Italian threat up front. With such a hectic schedule of bruising encounters who knows if Paul O'Connell would have been able to keep his energy levels up sufficiently to deal with an Italian pack growing in confidence?

This is an ideal time to bring in fresh giants with buckets of enthusiasm and PROC backs Mick to smash the Italian mafia and bring the six nations title home to Cork.

SUPER SATURDAY
The very odd situation of revelling in the crucifixion of England in Croke Park one minute and then cheering them on against the French two weeks later makes a partial mockery of sporting rivalries but the French defeat was perhaps, a subtle reward from the Gods for the dignified welcome bestowed on the Queen's men when they ran out on the GAA's Hallowed Ground.

Wining the Triple Crown in a nerve racking manner didn't inspire thoughts of Paddy's Day Mania but a few scores from an English out half with an Irish name suddenly sent sent Leeside into a frenzy. Ireland now need to beat Italy by four more points than France beat Scotland and the championship is theirs.

Leeme lone I can shhhtand by meself lah

A "normal" Patrick's Weekend often brings solemn warnings from the authorities about "knowing the one that's one too many" and boisterous boozy behaviour. Like the build up to Munster's historic Heineken Cup Final win last year the simmering excitement of Ireland being in such a good position to claim the Six Nations title should have the authorities on red alert as the big day coincides with what is traditionally the booziest day of the year.

Anybody who witnessed the post-2am scenes around the city centre in the early hours following Ireland's hammering of England would have great concern for what may lie ahead on Saturday night whether Ireland win, lose or draw:

Lone bleary eyed 'wans' huddled in shop doorways pressing ketchup soaked chips against their faces in the hope a modest percentage of their purchase might reach their intended destination; lightly shirted scobes sleep-standing in the middle Oliver Plunkett Street - head down, eyes firmly shut, hands wedged in pockets - completely oblivious to the irate taxi driver's horn inches away; a hoard of hysterical beours holding up a sobbing friend with a suspiciously coloured liquid sliding down the front of her half torn jacket as she screams blue murder at the broken heel of a brand new sandal.

We're backing Mick O'Driscoll and his Cork comrades to make sure the Italians are sleeping with the fishes come full time on Saturday. But be double dog wide: the battle doesn't end for you until you're tucked up in bed that night.

The Paddys Night zombies will be out in force so take lessons from Cork's rugby stars: keep a resolute defence, stay well hydrated, don't get involved in late night rucks and avoid unnecessary penalties and unforced errors. And victory will be ours!