One of the benefits of the Bus Pass is that it’s cheaper to go to the away games. In the Fathers and Sons vs. J5 held in snow and muck in January some fathers and their sons were Golden Oldies. That says a lot.
The more golden getting older group of ancient Tarf warriors continued on their international career during 2010/2011. A tournament in Lloret del Mar, Spain at the end of September was meant to be the highlight but it raised some questions: Most of our group, mainly 55 plus, had not put on boots or shorts in months and had no familiarity with the shape or touch of a rugby ball. We played three games. We got hammered in two but remembered skills and the sheer stubbornness that characterises so many Tarf players came into play in the last game against a younger and fitter French side. It got a little cantankerous. We drew, a moral victory to us. It was a great weekend, sun, good prices and a 24 hour bar where no one under 35 was allowed in. I joke you not. The man of the match awards were much sought after.
A post-mortem was held in Barcelona during a 7 hour Ryanair delay on the way back. Too old, too fat, too unfit were the more acceptable conclusions. Firm resolve was made to train and play more games. It was only the Heineken talking. Of course, the excuse of a hard winter, snow, closed pitches etc. were throttled out as reasons for doing nothing.
The second annual Fathers and Sons vs. J5 was held on a snowy cold January 5th. It was an excellent day. As usual an honourable draw was the result but the teams were fairly matched. A couple of U-21s and J1 sons complemented their decrepit fathers against the J5s.
In Spring this year we played two visiting French sides. The Parisian team, Les Angles, was a fair match for us. On a cold Friday in early February a good game was followed by an excellent night of food, drink and song. We may have lost the singing contest. We will go to them in Paris next February.
In mid March, Toulouse arrived to play. The real Toulouse side, containing 4/5 former Top 14 players. They gave no mercy, hammered us totally. The post match celebrations were muted but discussion went on long into the night. We won the singing.
The Clontarf Irregulars, having played on four continents for 18 years, are now struggling. Age and economics. Having the bus pass or the wherewithal to travel is alright but age is taking a toll. We now have Gold Shorted players who cannot be tackled atall atall. But Clontarf is not immune from the financial chaos in the world. We had hoped to visit Portugal but could not get a team. The Paris visit is on, but uncertain, while our long held desire to play in the Japanese World Oldies in 2012 remains an aspiration.
An active recruitment programme is underway. We need new blood literally and metaphorically. First game is due at the end of October, we have Italians in January and French in February.
