Precursor to the Day of the Broudjies

Gerry mooches into my mott in Paris 1978 while I'm back in Dublin studying for the final BComm exams. Eat your heart out sucker he said as he rang me from the Gare d'Lyon.

Little was he to know that the revenge would take a full four years to be delivered, on the infamous Day of the Broudjies in Amsterdam. More to follow in due course.



Job completed, he headed for the station - note the ever-present Roddie Wood in the background seeking to tempt him into a career in modelling (again).

Paris in the Springtime (3)

Paris in the Springtime (2)

Well actually it was in Amsterdam before we made that epic trip to Paris.

Paris in the Springtime

March 1982 - Ireland had won the Triple Crown and were seeking the Grand Slam in Paris. A motley crew of misfits and liggers, headed by the Dutch diaspora, headed to France for the final encounter. Gazing at this photograph, it's easy to gauge the kind of inspiration Slattery and Duggan got that eventful day as they gazed into the crowd and said "Come on boys, let's do it for the fans".

The history books will record forever a comprehensive French victory.