A Day at the Matches

Went to see the Heineken Cup Quarter Final Rugby match in Lansdowne Road between Munster and Perpignon on Saturday. For the last couple of years I have heard about the fun that can be had on those rugby events, so I thought it was about time I’ll try and see what it’s all about.

Well, to cut to the chase: a completely disorganised mess is what it’s all about.

My ticket was for the East Terrace 3 section. When I arrived, the entrance was like an overbursting bottle neck with people pushing and shoving to get in. The gates to that section ended up closed and I was asked to move first to entrance ET2, then ET1, then to some seated area.

Needless to say anytime I arrived at those gates the orderlies knew nothing about those arrangements. There was no co-ordination or dialogue whatsoever between the people in charge, some of whom were quite obviously at the end of their tether and reaching a state of panic in front of the masses.

When I finally was allowed to enter the Terrace rude security personnel instructed us to move to other areas when no movement was effectively possible and people (including some obviously frightened young’uns with their dads) were already seriously squashed and unable to move anywhere.

A little bit of info about me: I am 6’4. I’m the guy who blocks other people’s views. I’m simply not used to not being able to watch what’s in front of me. Yet, after just a few minutes into the game I caught myself watching the action on the stadium screen as I couldn’t see a frigging thing otherwise. The only difference between my watching the match in a pub and in the stadium was that I was drenched and frozen from the rain and did not have a pint in my hand.

Needless to say I left just a quarter of an hour into the game. Initially I thought it was just me being overly critical, but most of my buddies – all hard core rugby fans – soon joined me after the first half. They all agreed that this was the worst it has ever been!

This really is a recipe for disaster: With gates being closed down in front of the spectators and quite obviously way more people on the grounds than should have been allowed in, a minor incident could have easily turned into a tragedy of giant proportions.

Well, Munster won 19:10 and will play Leinster in three weeks time in an all Irish semi-final. If last Saturday was Bedlam attending the next match will be a masochistic delight. Based on Leinster’s amazing performance against Toulouse, I’d say they will kick Munster’s arse. And if I watch it, I’ll do so from the comfort of a bar stool.