‘I could never forget it. I loved every single minute’

AND so it ends. Planning permitting, the wrecking balls will demolish Lansdowne Road this year, paving the way for an historic Six Nations championship at Croke Park next year.

Jonner O’Brien was one of many who will store away the programme of Saturday’s match and say a fond farewell to the passing of another Dublin landmark, and another era.

“I’ve been working at Lansdowne Road for about 25 years. I started out as a steward on a gate onto the terraces and about 15 or 20 years ago I was asked to do this entrance - and I’ve been here ever since.”