Cardiff - Wales - 2004

The first away match in the world cup 2006 qualifiers for Norn Iron was in England’s 2nd largest city, Cardiff. The match was against Wales and was played in the Millennium stadium. The trip began in Dublin airport, so off we set, flying out to Bristol airport for a jolly boys outing. Our arses were hardly in the seats before we touched down in Bristol. From there it was a train journey onto Cardiff and for some of us ‘turf diggers’ it was our first experience on a train.

We got to Cardiff and set-up base camp in our temporary HQ, Cardiff university campus, where we were a happy bunch as we discovered a large contingent of fellow ‘green and white army’ troops staying in close proximity to our compound.

Bags dropped into the room, bottle of bucker sunk and off we trekked into the city centre in search of a temporary local and of course an establishment which offered high class welsh ladies dancing artistically to music.

Our chosen local became ‘The Prince of Wales’ which in truth was a great find as it is the Cardiff branch of that drinking franchise we all know and love ‘Weatherspoons’. By the time we bounced in, there were all ready plenty of GAWA troops there and the singing was in full flow.

Next day was match day and with sore heads and throats off we trotted back to the local. Many pints were had while we enjoyed plenty of banter with some of the sheep shaggers. The local was completely decked out with banners and flags from all parts of ‘the wee 6’. This set us up nicely for the most important part of the day, the match.

The Millennium stadium is a great sporting arena and well positioned in Cardiff city centre (take note IFA). And to be honest it is too good for Wales but doesn’t hold a candle to the fortress that is Windsor.

In short the match was fantastic and the night out after was messy. We all made it safely back home to Ulster, feeling a little worse for ware but we all agreed it was a great first outing for the newly formed ‘Buckfast Loyal’ and laid the foundation for many great trips to come.