04.09Day 6 and Lions Slip Past St. Mary’s 1-0
Earlier today, the Lions edged past St. Mary’s College 1-0 in their final match on Irish soil. I’ve seen prettier soccer, but the result was well-earned. The boys just ground out the victory against a very good team that made its way to the all-Ireland semifinal only to lose to the CBS Limerick team that we played last week. Click here to visit the Match Reports and read the game summary.
We’re back in Limerick, and the boys are in their rooms watching the Manchester United Champion’s League match. Tomorrow, we’re headed down to the Ring of Kerry, a tourist trail in County Kerry in southwestern Ireland. The route covers the 170 km circular road, starting from Killarney, heading around the Iveragh Peninsula and passing through Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville.
Here’s the link to the pics from Day 6 of our adventure: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48179703@N00/sets/72157604461534211/
Galway was certainly a highlight, so far. A coastal, college town with a shopping district not unlike our own Universal Studios (I think this is where they got the idea). Be prepared for the barrage of “clatter” or “cladaugh” rings. That’s the one with the heart and depending on which way you wear it means whether you’re spoken for or not; Irish sweatshirts and Gaelic crosses. Sort of Puyallup Fair meets the Roman Catholic Church. The country side is comprised of rolling hills and lush green grass, separated into small farms 5 to 50 acres by stone fences. The fences are so complete and plentiful that there was not enough rock on the land to create the fences so they had to bring it in from other areas. Every few miles or so, there appears to be refurbished 200+ year old residence or remnants of one. The larger castles were always built on hills (higher points of land, not exactly the top of 29th street or McCarver); where, they could keep an eye on the approaching enemy and each other’s castles (sort of the original block watch).
Enough with the history and topography; your boys are awesome! They will come home from this experience a closer knit group of lads and a firm understanding why the the Irish have been ruled by the Brits for so long. They will appreciate garbage cans (ask them) you, their school and their country. It’s been a joy to watch them interract and help/torment each other. Joe’s blue and white army represented your families, our school and our country very well, so far. We’ve been told that the weather we’ve experienced is the best they’ve had in months. I would have hated to live in this area before we got here. There has been a spot of sunshine every day. We’ve somehow found a way to avoid that for our games, however. The weather we’ve experienced is similar to the Puget Sound….at the latitude of Whistler. Why couldn’t Joey be from Brazil…enough for now, I must attend to my sick web master/roommate, and the 2nd match is coming up, Barcelona and Schalke. Good night, from Limerick. jg
April 9th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
You are a real trooper for reporting daily to us Charlie. It is apparent that the boys are a little weary and the weather is cold. I think it would be nice if someone could take a picture of Charlie (maybe in front of an Irish landmark or with one of those friendly Irish dogs) to document he was really in Ireland!
April 9th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
FYI (just in case nobody check out the All Ireland Final):
CBS Sexton Street Limerick won again.
They beat Salesian College Celbridge by 2 to 1.
So, we did beat a two time All Ireland Champion team. Not bad for us Yanks.
Stan
April 10th, 2008 at 12:32 am