When forty of Glossop Rugby Club's finest landed in Kinvara, it was inevitable that the Cuckoo Fleadh would be a little different this year. How Different could not be predicted until the tableaux unfolded, Beaux-like, before the gentile folk of THE traditional Irish music festival in the whole of Ireland.
Tales of phantom German fiddlers, the Madden sisters and Sexton's Guinness were temporarily overshadowed by a naked and stupefied rugby player, with flowers in his bottom hurtling towards the quay in a borrowed wheelchair, Jack Shaylor's nine, or was it ten? boiled eggs and half a bottle of port for breakfast, and of course the mysterious disappearance of Beachy, who later turned up with a smile on his face.
But Kinvara is like that, everyone has a smile on their face, and besides the boys wanted to make an impression. Sash had committed to memory a monologue about a young boy and a lion, the whole squad had rehearsed the singing of 'Frys Turkish Delight' every time someone dropped a metal tray and Roundy had obviously practised his extravagent ' head butt the pub wall ' act to some tune. For the latter performance, timing was of the essence, as you could only do it once, and Mr Round after downing a whole bottle of port, left an impression, not only on the wall, but on the entire population. Sean was belting out ' Whisky in the jar ' when Michael Forkan rushed in and said " The big fella, he's stone dead on the floor!". Thankfully Roundy came to, but he became a little less enthusiastic about his tour games for an hour or two.
Seeking solace in peaceful County Clare, Paul, Mike, Val and Mick entertained themselves with the by now traditional round of pitch and put at the stunning Doolin course. Brilliant sunshine and a less than sparkling running commentary by Mike and Paul led to an eventful four hours during which, apart from the amazing disapearing ball trick courtesy of Mike, Paul almost managed to dislocate his shoulder climbing over an electric fence after his ball!
Musically the boys enjoyed a great weekend with a fantastic gig on the Friday night in the Pier Head, a chaotic Saturday night in Sextons dodging assorted flying rugby players and a top gig on Sunday afternoon again at Sextons.
All in all a great weekend with plenty of great music, plenty of the black stuff, top food and the best company you could wish for, oh, and a few headaches!!. Here's to next year!
