Ruff Trip To Cardiff

It was our first trip to an away game and the gods were smiling down. The fog at Dublin Airport was no deterrent to the flight crew – who had tickets for the match (always a good incentive to make sure your plane takes off) and so we got underway with little or no delay.

Baby Broc had a bit of a “ruff” trip – having been smuggled on board in a bag, but everyone was relaxed and looking forward to a good trip.

Picked up at the airport and whisked into Cardiff and the excitement was starting to build. The Pilot and Co-pilot took a lift with us and arranged to come back out with us after the game. As they pointed out they had the key!

On to Mary Street and the march to the Millennium Stadium ticket office. A short scrum for tickets and then onwards and upwards. The weather was a good deal warmer than Dublin.

A few of us made our way to the Welsh Supporters Club Tent and were treated to entertainment from a Welsh Male Voice Choir, Colin Charvis and a warm welcome from the Welsh fans.

Then it was the time for the game. Once again the gods were smiling and the result was excatly what we hoped for. The stadium itself is amazing, as someone said it is a bit like walking up Henry Street and finding a great big stadium at the top.

The excitement didn’t stop with the win, as most of us piled into the Supporters Club tent again – and were warmly congratulated by the Welsh fans – who urged us to make sure we beat England. The Choir were in full flow again with renditions of The Fields just to make us feel at home.

We even manged to help a little “orphan” girl be re-united with her father after an absence of at least two hours.

Everyone made the airport in good order and we obeyed the cardinal rule – “No Man Left Behind” – despite one man’s best effort and the plane trying to take off early!

Thanks to everyone for making the trip a success.

For Pictorial Highlights See the Photo Gallery Section.