1. A Pitch Invasion every time Ireland scored a try in Lansdowne Road
It happened so rarely...
2. Wingers who don't get the ball for 80 minutes
Don't pass the ball to him. He's too good.
3. The Irish manager being a major figure
It wasn't just the coach back then. There was the manager. Where did Pa Whelan go to?
4. Only winning a game every second year in Cardiff
Wales were shite too
5. Trying to emulate Irish soccer in its use of the granny rule
Brian Smith, Chris Saverimutto, Matt Mostyn, Justin Bishop...
6. The Irish Times' Edmund Van Esbeck giving out about the Lions selection
Why did they pick Jeremy Guscott? Sure, isn't David Curtis back fit again.
7. One of the Murphys being involved
Either Noel or Gerry usually served in some capacity with the national side
8. Keith Wood going off injured
The sight of Wood limping off with his arm around the physio, having tried his utmost, and usually failed, to drag Ireland to victory was one of the indelible insights of the late 90s.
9. "He works as a solicitor in London"
England and France were "officially" amateur rugby teams. Ireland and Wales were actually amateur.
10. Getting absolutely slaughtered in the Parc des Princes
1992: France 44 - 12 Ireland,
1996: France 45 - 10 Ireland
In 1994, we only lost by 20 points though.
11. Winning one match a year (usually against Wales) and finishing no higher than second from bottom
We had a smashing year in 1993. Winning two Five Nations matches was a glorious moment. Still came 4th though.
12. Finding a way to lose to anyone really
1991: Namibia 15 - 6 Ireland
1996: Ireland 25 - 40 Samoa
1997: Ireland 29 - 37 Italy
1999: Ireland 24 - 28 Argentina (Argentina were still thought of as crap at that point)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFca7NOW7oM
13. "He played for the Exiles"
There were five provinces in Ireland from 1992/93 onwards. In fairness, the Exiles beat Connacht ever year in the inter-provincial championship
.
