Young starlets soak up Croker roar

EVERYTHING was in place; lights on, stands packed, an expectant crowd buzzing with anticipation.

Already this was a massive occasion with the first visit of the All Blacks to Croke Park. And given Ireland’s recent results against them — three narrow losses — history beckoned for a first win against the rugby world superpower.

Down on the pitch, shoulder to shoulder with their team-mates in green as they got set to face the Haka, two youngsters soaked it up.