Friday, March 19, 2010
TOMMY BOWE is likely to shed a tear or two when the curtain comes down on Ireland’s tenure at Croke Park tomorrow evening sometime shortly before 7pm.
It will be an emotional time for the Monaghan man no matter what the outcome of Ireland’s challenge for another Triple Crown and a bold and brave outside-chance bid for the Six Nations title.
His memories of Croke Park go back a lot further than an appearance for Ireland against Scotland two years ago which helped kick-start his international rugby career.
He was a raw 15-year-old when he travelled down to Dublin to watch his sister play in a warm-up match at the venue prior to the Monaghan ladies playing in an All-Ireland football final.
He wasn’t sure if he would ever be back, but tomorrow he will take to the hallowed ground for the eleventh time, with the only sour memories a defeat by New Zealand and a draw to Australia.
Eight wins from ten for any Irish player of any era isn’t bad and he appreciates the goodies that have come his way.
"Yeah, it has been great; Croke Park has been good to us and we’re all very appreciative of the opportunity we have been given to play in one of the best stadiums in the world and in a ground where history is just simply spilling over.
"In many ways it has been an incredible journey. I’m sure there were those who thought that rugby would never be big enough to attract sell-out crowds, but the game has now gone into many more households throughout the country that would never have shown an interest before; there are people out there from different backgrounds who are seeking tickets to go to rugby games in Croke Park and from that point of view it is great," he added.
But the increased interest and Ireland’s improved performances over the last few years has also led to increased demands of the players.
"I suppose it’s fair to say there is more pressure on us but that’s a good thing. There can be a number of reasons why you want to win matches and it was certainly a motivating factor for Ireland when they first met England at Croke Park.
"Having lost the first game there to France, there is no way we now want to book-end our time there by losing to Scotland in the last game."
As part of a dynamic back division, Bowe has had his share of time in the limelight, not least when his powerful gallop broke England’s resistance and secured a victory for Ireland in Twickenham recently.
He will take some credit for that score but points out he had a lot of help in the build-up.
"It really was the perfect move, something we had rehearsed over and over, but you never know on the day whether it will come off or not.
"I’m not sure whether we (Ireland) are creating more chances these days, but I reckon we have become a lot more clinical and that’s particularly pleasing for guys like me."
Given where Scotland are coming from – the bottom of the table – it’s easy to see why fans throughout the country are predicting an easy win tomorrow, but Bowe cautioned firmly against inflated expectations.
"We certainly won’t be looking upon this as an easy fixture, you only have to look at how they played against England to figure they can cause plenty of trouble for us.
"At the start of the Six Nations, they were the one team I fancied could do well and cause a lot of damage. I haven’t changed my mind; you’ve got to take account of the influence from their coach Andy Robinson, at the performances of their teams in the Magners League and the fact that they play with such pride and passion always, home or away.
"They’re here with a mission to stop us winning a trophy and it’s up to us to play to our strengths and take our chances if we hope to win.
"You can be sure, however, we will go for broke. Whatever chance we have of winning the title, the winning of the Triple Crown is in our own hands and we see it as a prize very well worth winning."
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