As a sporting enthusiast I am always enthralled by the many great sports rivalries there have been down through the years. Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier, Arnold Palmer vs. Jack Nicklaus, Celtics vs. Lakers aka (Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson), Manchester United vs. Liverpool to name a few.
In Ireland over the last 10 years or so one of the biggest and longest running rivalries, Leinster vs. Munster has been played out on the rugby field. On May 9th of this year 15 gladiators from the southern province, travelled north for a battle that would determine the high Kings of Irish rugby. Much like the Irish civil war of 1921, it was a nation divided. Husbands and wives, best friends, work colleagues and in some cases siblings chose their sides and set out their stall. On the battlefield of Croke Park, in front of a world record +80,000 attendance the Leinster men ran out victorious over their Munster kin.
In defeat for many it was a gut wrenching experience. They could take solace in the fact that they could return south with their brothers in arms and console themselves surrounded by people who felt and shared their pain. For those behind enemy lines the prospect of going to work the following Monday was too much to think about. For me it had a more staggering and profound meaning. I am at the beginning of my own personal Munster vs. Leinster battle. Like a rugby game, a Wedding has a day of destiny at the end of long road of preperation. This battle however will have been fought and won long before we take to the Field/Aisle.
Was this rugby match a sign of things to come? Am I doomed to defeat in all decisions location, suit colour, cake size, date, church, flowers, hotel, pictures etc etc AHHHHHHH.
Breath John.
Frankie says Relax.
Just remember the most important thing is that she said YES to getting married. Little does she know it, but you’ve already won.
So sit back, enjoy and let the battle commence.......
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2 comments:
John you are of course doomed to defeat in all future decisions of any sort but I think that the rivalry of male vs. female is a far greater (and older) a battle ground than leinster vs. munster.
And does it really bother you that you might lose out on your flower selection?
I never seen marriage described in such a way. Only a true sports fan could word it so nicely. But my thought are with you when Caroline reads this a beats the daylights out of you :)
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