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International Rules Tour
Ireland 2004
by AST Tour Member, Bill O'Neill
Fun, exciting, enthralling, engrossing, and very, very beautiful. These are just a few words to describe our tour of Ireland to watch our favorite football players representing Australia in the “compromised rules” games against Ireland.
Australian Sports Tour’s Sam Harrison met an excited but tired group of travelers as we arrived in Dublin. Along with co-host Dermott Brereton we were escorted to our luxury coach where we met driver, John, who would also provide his insight into this lovely country.
The first week of our tour took us south of Dublin to take in places like Carlow, Cork, Kilkenny, Blarney Castle, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, The Cliffs of Moher, Tipperary, and Limerick, to name just a few.
The good thing about John and Sam was that they allowed us plenty of time to sightsee, take photos, shop and have lunch along the way. Each day the coach arrived at our destination with plenty of time to freshen up, have a shower, or go for a short walk before we re-grouped in the hotel bar for a wee pint of Guinness.
Each day Sam would post possible places we may like to eat dinner. He’d give us a few choices but the group were getting on so well that most of us would dine together so Sam would find out which places he could take us all.
There’s something about the pubs in Ireland. Both England and Ireland boast the friendliest atmosphere to have a drink. The pubs aren’t big which is good, and while the variety of drinks is plentiful, you can’t quite resist the Guinness. Along with a good range of food available what more could you want? On a cool night in Ireland how does a lovely Irish stew and a pint of Guinness sound for tea? After tea a few more pints, then for the younger members of our group onto the nightclubs for the night, for the rest of us back to the hotel where a nightcap cannot be resisted.The hotels we stayed in were first class. If you ever travel with AST you can be assured your accommodation is the first thing taken care of.
After a weeks travel it was back to Dublin for the football. This is where Dermott Brereton came into his own. He organized for us to watch the Australian team train on the day before the game. Coaches Gary Lyon and Gerard Healy made us most welcome, while Jimmy Stynes put us to good use by kicking the balls back after goal kicking practice (photo left). We all enjoyed this as it made us feel we were doing our bit.
That night AST put on a dinner and drinks for free while Dermott gave us insight into the game we were going to watch the next day. Sydney’s Jude Bolton came over to talk to us as well, which was great.
Now for the huge highlight - off to the footy. Croke Park in Dublin is one magnificent stadium to watch sport. It is breathtaking to sit in amongst a great crowd of people in a well built stadium. The Irish love their sport but on an International level they are even more passionate.
Unfortunately the Irish were way too good for Australia who struggled with their pace and skill with that strange shaped ball. Throw an Aussie football in there and see how they go. Australia lost the first game by heaps, but we improved immensely in the second game a week later. So in the final wash up we were not disgraced.
The second week saw us off to Northern Ireland. There was plenty to see on our way to Belfast where we stayed for two nights. A professional guide was used to show us around Belfast to illustrate the incredible history of this beautiful city. The political murals painted on walls with their striking messages are really something to see. (A bit scary actually.)
After Belfast it was time to move onto Londonderry but before we got there a huge highlight to take in is a place called the Giants Causeway which is a rock formation eroded away through time to form stepping stones and walls that looked man made. Mother nature at her best here.
More history awaited us in Londonderry for our two nights there. Another professional tour guide took us for a walk around the city to show us many sights and gave us an insight into the history of the upheaval that has plagued this city in its long history.
After Londonderry it was back to Dublin for the second match. Another free night of food and drink and more words from Dermott with special guest - Dipper (photo right), who came over to talk to us. These nights were huge highlights where we could keep our wallets in our rooms and just have a good time.
There were many highlights on this tour, but most of them only came about from such a great group of people. There was only a small number of people on this tour but everyone got on great. Due mainly to the wonderful organization of AST and our tour leader, Sam Harrison, who went out of his way to make sure everybody was well looked after. A big wrap also to Dermott Brereton who was always there for advice and took the young lads out once or twice. Our coach driver, John, was a big hit. His knowledge of Ireland and its history was outstanding, but, it is sport he excels in and he entertained us all with his banter and broad grins when we got back to the bus after the two matches. There was a wide variety of people on this tour and if you’ll let me I’ll highlight a few characters, not in any particular order.
First of all we had the "Fab-4": four lovely people from Pakenham. Len and Val May, who being seasoned travelers themselves talked their friends Roly and Shirley into joining them. All four were inseparable except on the very last day when Len gave them all the slip and nicked off on a tour of the Jameson Distillery. And boy didn’t he enjoy it, especially when we were all asked to become taste testers.
Bill and Sue O’Neill were on their second big AST tour after going to the Ashes Tour in 2001. They thought "why not?" when this tour came up. They both agreed this trip was better, mainly because of the countryside but the people as well. Bill became popular after insulting someone in Dublin for loitering and was later invited to this man’s pub in Belfast – we will all remember our night at the Hatfield House – another example of the fabulous hospitality the people of Ireland show visitors.
Paul and Bernadette were quite the pair on this trip but Paul was always on hand to help Johnny load and unload the bus and if a semi-trailer was stuck in the narrow streets he was only too happy to give him advice on how to get out (I’m sure the truck driver appreciated that.)
Yvonne and Barb were two ladies out for a good time but the reaction their husbands gave at the airport when they were leaving I’m not sure who had a better time. I’m very sure the girls did. Barb didn’t mind a wee Guinness but on one night was seen ordering a jug of “sex on the beach.” (photo right) Yvonne wasn’t that bold in the drink department but she didn’t do too badly in the shopping department.
Frank and Heath Shannon were our father-son combination on this trip. Frank spent too much time worrying about Heater to enjoy himself. He had nothing to worry about as Heater was always in good company, what with Dermie and Co keeping an eye on him, what could happen? I must admit though the night young Heath spent wandering the streets of Belfast looking for some action on his own I think I’d worry too. Rumour has it young Heater lost his virginity this particular night!
There were six men on their own on this trip and they all agreed that the match-ups were spot-on. All pairings got along swimmingly. Ron and Alan were a good team. Ron got to have a few games of golf - one in Killarney and one in Derry. He enjoyed the one in Derry so much he took the taxi straight back to the course after it dropped us off back at the hotel. (Rumour has it he may have left his wallet in the golf bag!) Alan saved his highlight for one of our last nights when Robert Dipierdomenico (Dipper) came to talk to us on the eve of Australia’s second and final game against Ireland – well unfortunately for Dipper he sat himself in a corner next to Alan who bombarded him with questions and suggestions on how Australia can improve. Poor Dipper.
Adam and Tim were also a good pair. Tim knew he was in for a good two weeks when even before we got on the plane to leave Melbourne he bumped into Dermott Brereton who invited him into the Qantas club for a quickie. Adam was never seen without one of two things in his hands – his camera or a drink. Only Adam took more pictures than Sue, but Adam was busy taking orders for pictures from those who didn’t take that many photos.
And that leaves Dave and Mick. What can we say about Dave and Mick? What a pairing. How these two managed to get on the bus every morning after the nights they put in is beyond me. Dave had a wonderful trip but by the end of it I’m sure his liver was thankful. Mick had a mixed holiday, while on the bus he couldn’t take a trick playing cards with Dermie but it was on the golf course he excelled. He played golf in Belfast with Sam, Bill and Adam with a hire set. He continued to hit the ball out of sight with a driver he wanted to take home with him.
That just about does it but I have to mention the Sunday Footy Show holiday winners - Anne and Kerry from Cobram. Boy were they glad they entered the competition. Anne won the prize but her husband couldn’t go due to a previous engagement (Bathurst), so she took her daughter Kerry. They had a ball although it was advised not to go for a walk with them as their sense of direction is not so good! Poor Kerry who like Sue got a cold earlier in the trip and then later got a bit homesick, but they both had a wonderful trip.
Once again AST excelled themselves in the holiday business. Being a veteran now with AST I cannot recommend them highly enough. So anyone thinking of an overseas trip with a bit of sport as well, then Australian Sports Tours are the people who can help. Whether on your own or with a partner they know the business. We are looking forward to our next trip.
Thanks AST!
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