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Dunedin - by Neil
My overriding memory of Dunedin is that we had a lot of fun here. The atmosphere all weekend was beyond electric. It was up there with the best games that I have ever been too. (And for those of you that know me, I have been to a lot of matches over the years in some of the best stadium in the world, so this is really saying something!). With the taste of reaching the quarter finals on the Irish fans lips, along with the realisation for many that this would be their last hurrah before going home, meant everyone was in full spirits and, of course, full of spirits. The Irish team played with gusto and after a dogged first half where a war of attrition between the opposing packs ensued, the Irish stepped up a gear in the second half. The Italians couldn't live with the pace and guile of the Irish backline. The fans, half taken aback by the efficiency of the performance (all Irish teams are renowned for just doing enough to win games, even when they should run out comfortable victors), were in full voice and sung their hearts out. It was like Shane MacGowan had woken from one of his slumbers to remember a whole back catalogue of songs that had previously appeared forgotten on his previous outings. We still had the hits like "Irelands's call" and "The Fields of Athenry" but suddenly "A Team of Tommy Bowe's", "Sally Maclennane" and "On the One Road" were belted out from the terraces. It was the greatest Irish concert since Van played The Point in '76!
With an impressive win under our belts and people suddenly believing we could reach the final, we danced and sang the night away!
PS. A special mention has to go to the guy with the lucky potato and the guy who looked like the incredible hulk - mean and green! They helped to make our night.
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