The emerald pull, the captain’s breath, O’Connell’s state of grind…
How could you not be romantic about rugby?
Ireland’s victory, their sheer and utter dominance of the French, and their unrelenting bite in the face of adversity is a story that will be told for the ages.
It’s something to get poetic about and Dubliner, Daithi O’Connor, has done just that by penning a spine-tingling tribute to that inspiring night in Cardiff.
Autumn shade, the bustle
Fine light that meets the green,
No silence, game & ready
Grasping greatness in between
What’s possible not estimated
Expectations lusting means,
Contested moments made from many
Close-fisted crystal dreams
The emerald pull, the captains breath
O’Connell’s state of grind,
The flourished toe tap, the Kearneys carry
that curls their captors wide
No war, no scripted battle
A sporting stake that binds them all,
No pride in preparation
Just an answer to one call
Madigan marvels, the tears of man
Unwinged & soaring in,
The punt that powers in dynamic trance
It’s breathless, boiled & beckoning
Henderson, Healy, Robbie Henshaw
Intrusive movement batters blue,
Gorgeous gains from Jamie Heaslip
Manoeuvring madness in fortune due
Fallen bones but unbrittle souls
The tact in trusted seconds,
‘Why do we fall Joe?’
To get back up again
To the rumble of a million green bellows
Best & Toner, Ross & O’Brien
the calmness in the surge,
a force in turning over
A force in turning tides
Stern, steady & unabated
Upon the gaze of imploring eyes
O’Mahony, Earls & Johnny Sexton
Sounded down but upwardly remain,
The bandages unravel
Filing true our throne of games
Tommy Bowe & Murray low
Mapping masters of the mind,
The panache to place, to park by the post
The goal for glory unrefined
The doubtless stage of realisation
Dewy grass & squalid shirts,
A cup of gold may gather dust
But legend, legacy, lives & purpose
Recognition undisturbed
Thanks to Daithi O’Connor for sending this our way. If you have any pieces of content you’d like to share with us, hit us up onFacebook or Twitter or send us an email at editorial@SportsJOE.ie.
