OT A Trip to the Province Part 2 - For Fermain
By Darraghgirl
April 9 2014
There’s nowhere quite like Stansted Airport at 6.30am on a Saturday morning. (Well actually there is, Gatwick, Luton, Heathrow…but you know what I mean). Of course we’d forgotten this was the first day of the Easter holidays so security was teaming with parents and kids, none of whom seemed to know what a liquid was (mind, they have a point – I don’t think lipstick is a liquid).
Anyway, having eventually got through (with friend Mr Beef-farmer forgetting his knee bandage would set off the alarm so a visit to the Wild Cherry Room ensued for a bit of hands on) we grabbed a bacon roll and headed for the easyJet queue (thankfully the domestic gate was just round the corner).
Once on board we were treated to a flight over our village (Mr Beef-farmer was able to ascertain that his son wasn’t out with the sprayer as promised) then straight on across the Irish Sea for Aldegrove.
Our first encounter with an Ulsterman was in the taxi. While waiting for the barrier (which was stuck – “never happens here”) we embarked on a lively chat about the match. He was certain they would win.
Quick check-in at the Radisson Blu (lovely Irish girl, gave us our rooms at 10.30am, wished us well, they were going to win) then decked in tribal gear (as Mr DG likes to call it) we hit the town. First up St George’s Market. We spent a happy hour wandering round the stalls, eating a 3-course meal with all the freebie handouts, sampling the local cider (again free) and tea (! Yes I thought that one was odd) and wishing we could get fresh fish like that – the King Prawns were enormous! And they were definitely going to win!
Then off to St Ann’s Cathedral where a very helpful Verger told us that the spire (we loathed it but some don’t apparently) was attached to a button whereby the congregation could make it impale the priest if his sermon wasn’t up to the mark! He was also sure they would win. We took a minute to view the moving Titanic memorial – hundreds of crosses, crescents and Stars of David sewn onto a blue sea-like background, one for everyone who died – then it was off for a fat-boys lunch. (Well we did pop into a lovely little jeweller and Mr DG bought me a very pretty emerald ring for my birthday but that’s another story).
Mr DG had visited Belfast during the troubles and reminded us how different it was then. The city centre was in a cage. In those days you didn’t leave your hotel. Fortunately times change.
So on to James Street via the City Hall (where protestors waving the union Jack were out in force – but they were going to win). There we met other friends and sampled the local ales (all liked the Belfast) before engaging in a long and social lunch. The bar staff and the waiting staff were certain they were going to win. (“You might as well celebrate now because you won’t want to later”). Interesting liquid desserts;- Lemon Meringue Martini, Black Forest Martini – were sampled although I rather enjoyed my Baked Alaska.
So time to set out for Ravenhill. Having been advised that it was quicker to walk because of the traffic, we set off along the Ormeau Road. Surprisingly we seemed to be on our own – previous experience abroad suggests you don’t need to know where the ground is just follow the crowd – so where were all these 18,000 people? Mr DG suggested we were going the wrong way, he has no faith in my navigation skills. We passed what we think was the site of the Chip Shop Murders, crossed the river Lagan and turned left down Park Road where at last we met some Ulster supporters who confirmed we were heading in the right direction and that they were going to win. Once we reached Ravenhill Park there was no doubt. Many of the houses sported Ulster flags, red and white bunting and balloons. Enterprising Ulsterkids were selling cakes to passers-by. Our tickets let us in, (bit of a struggle with Mr DG who isn’t used to these things), we fought our way to the bar (where the bar staff were sure they were going to win) and took our seats in the Memorial Stand surrounded by other exiled Sarries and a quite a few “Out of town” supporters who seemed to be supporting the wrong team!
The atmosphere was of course great: hostile but not menacing, a home support confident they would win. The only place I have been which maybe tops it was Stade Marcel Michelin where the whole place shook! And regarding the song – we need something simple! Stand up for the Ulstermen works brilliantly so let’s not overcomplicate things. Most of us only have small brains and remembering more than one line is pushing it!
I won’t comment on the game - Jeremy has done an excellent job already – but just to make a few points.
1. It was a red card. The first match I ever went to saw a paralysing injury to Sale’s Andy Blyth. You don’t forget things like that and when a man goes down in that way my stomach churns. It was a dangerous tackle.
2. Ruan Pienaar was never fit and it suggests a level of desperation that Ulster needed their talisman on the field.
3. The injury to Duncan Taylor was a blessing in disguise because it brought Charlie on the pitch. At the time we were falling apart. Tempers were flaring and it was only a matter of time before Monsieur Garces showed a card to a Man in Black. Charlie’s years of experience and innate skills brought calm and organisation to the team.
4. Ashton is a class winger. He has scored 9 tries in this year’s Heineken Cup. Would the Sidewinder or the West Country Pixie have scored either of those? And I love the Ashsplash – it shows he’s enjoying life.
5. The last time I remember Faz kicking that badly was against Munster at Thomond Park. Could there be a link?
6. Those last 5 minutes were agony – reminiscent of the Aviva Final a few years ago. After so much indiscipline, how could we NOT give away a penalty? And well done Monsieur Garces for not being pressured.
7. Billy was fabulous.
We lingered at the ground for a celebratory pint (I was rather partial to the warm port). “You only won because of the red card” seemed to be the main theme. Maybe put you can only play what’s in front of you and that’s what we did.
We walked back to the Ormeau Road when the heavens opened and we hailed a taxi back to The Duke of York. I think we found the only guy in town who didn’t know what had happened (“who won then?”) Perhaps he can be forgiven, he was a Canadian. The Duke, historic pub where once the young Gerry Adams served behind the bar (and maybe more) was heaving. It might have the biggest selection of Irish Whiskey in town but Mrs Beef-Farmer and I were wilting and just wanted to put our feet up so we soon wandered back to the Radisson where the bar was full of happy Saracens so we shared a drink or 2 and retired to bed.
So Sunday was a trip to Titanic. We arrived early wearing our Sarries shirts and were greeted fondly but again the focus was on the red card. We really enjoyed the experience – a well put together exhibit with lots of interactivity. I had no idea that along with the 1,517 who died on her maiden voyage, another 250 died building her. Then Mr Beef-Farmer wanted his photo taken with Samson and Goliath. 
Then we set off for Mourne’s Fish Restaurant for lunch (No bookings but turn up at 1.00 and you’ll be fine”). Well maybe but there were around 20 Chinese students in front of us! Anyway we scrounged the final table and enjoyed a brilliant seafood lunch. Our waitress was delightful. Passionate about her team but happy to engage in length chats about the game. And she, and indeed everyone, wished us well in against Clermont. In the end she gave us a free cookbook because she’d enjoyed our company so much!
So back to the airport – this time with a Kiwi Cabbie who said he didn’t mind which side won! (And the barrier was stuck again – “it never happens”). EasyJet brought us home punctually but with their usual lack of panache. A good weekend, whatever the result we would have enjoyed it, but the win just made it special!
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2014:04:18:20:51:39 by Darraghgirl.
Roll on next year's champions cup thingy where we're bound to meet again!
Good luck in the Semi's.
fermain
Quote:Gryff
Great read DG can't believe you were one of the crowd when we got back to the Radisson you should wear a name tag lol
And we all appear to have been at the Titanic on Sunday - perhaps at the same time.
Gryff - did you Taxi ever turn up ?
Quote:WaldoQuote:Gryff
Great read DG can't believe you were one of the crowd when we got back to the Radisson you should wear a name tag lol
And we all appear to have been at the Titanic on Sunday - perhaps at the same time.
Gryff - did you Taxi ever turn up ?
Oh - BTW - DG you should have gone to the Duke of York before the game , they ran a free bus to the ground.
Quote:Glad to hear you enjoyed the trip and your comments are much appreciated by us as opposition fans.The atmosphere was of course great: hostile but not menacing, a home support confident they would win. The only place I have been which maybe tops it was Stade Marcel Michelin where the whole place shook! And regarding the song – we need something simple! Stand up for the Ulstermen works brilliantly so let’s not overcomplicate things. Most of us only have small brains and remembering more than one line is pushing it!
I have heard a wee rumour though that your CEO was less than impressed by us and our atmosphere, perhaps if he listened to some of his own fans thoughts he may get a few ideas on how to accomplish our atmosphere without any expensive gimmicks or over use of the PA system.
Look forward to you returning in the coming seasons and hope for a 15 v 15 match next time.
We didn't experience quite the same atmosphere at Allianz Park but the tension of the last 5 was just as unbearable.
I am pleased you enjoyed your visit and reading your experiences made me even more disappointed to have missed the trip. (And the celebrations afterwards).
Thanks again! Top marks!