The Retreat from Rome

By around 8pm yesterday evening the final supporter carriers were touching down in Dublin, Cork and Shannon, disgorging the last weary remnants of the Irish support army back from Rome to their home sod.  They had an air of despondency about them.  Despite Ireland having won a Triple Crown and lost only one game, the commonest expressions were a shrug of the shoulders and  a “wasn’t great, was it?”

With it came the mature reflection that Ireland have flown high under Andy Farrell, but with an ageing cast it might be some time until they can reach those heights again.  Australia 2027 may be a couple of years too soon.  We live in hope.

England made short work of mashing Wales, and ensuring the Lions make up is likely to have a strong make up of yeomen.

France’s B pack struggled for a while against Scotland, only one score ahead after 50 minutes, but their A pack came on and juggernauted the wilting Scottish forwards, killing off the game in under 10 minutes.

One might wonder how we got to a position where nowadays more than half a team sit on the bench?  Substitutes were first introduced to international rugby in 1968 when 2 were allowed, and then “only when, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, the player is so injured that he should not continue playing in the match”.

Can we go back to that please?

Champion 2025

Easing into first place like an Ethiopian long distance runner is long term forecaster Midge McLernon, with a final score of a magnificent 151 points.

“I’m very emotional right now” said Midge when contacted by the F6NF.  “It has been a long held dream to win the F6NF.  I’ve come close before, but like wining a Grand Slam its very difficult to nail it.  Its all about the honour.  And the money”

Midge collects the €1,000 prizemoney for topping the table.

In second place comes Brian Williams.  “My best ever showing – gutted that I didn’t win it, but hey silver medal, I can live with that” said Williams live from his position on the Dublin Temperance League float in the Dublin Patrick’s Day parade.  “Sorry I have to go, we’re getting pelted with pineapples, shamrock cocktails and empty Zero.Zero cans.  It’s getting pretty hairy”

Bronze medal but no cigar goes to Johnnie Greene, on 142 points.  “Now I’ve worked out how it works I reckon I’m on for a tilt at the top spot next year” said Greene, from his private bowling green in South County Dublin.

Des Reynolds comes Highly Commended in 4th, for which he wins a rosette to wear whenever he goes out.

Commiserations to Jennifer Millman, who led long time, but backing Italy to hockey Ireland probably wasn’t the best strategy.  “I did win a prize though, didn’t I?” said a disconsolate Millman.  You did indeed Jennifer, our people will be talking to your people.

Well done to everyone else, wherever you ended up.

Points Make Prizes

Midge collects the top prize of €1,000, but also wining this week is John Cuppage, with the highest weekend score of just 29 points.

“Wow, those scores were all over the place” said Cuppage after a very disrupted weekend.  He wins the Dornan Engineering Top Person Award for best performance on the day.  A good week for Dornan Engineering, with their horses cleaning up at Cheltenham.

One of the highlights of the competition is the Ethos Engineering Wooden Spoon Award, for the lowest score in the competition.  This has to be strictly monitored, as deliberate attempts at wining it are not allowed, so the organisers are glad to announce that this year Linda McCann swooped cleanly in on the final weekend to take it with -620 points.

“I felt that this year the spirit was with me” said McCann from her retreat in the foothills of the Britas Sand Dunes.  “Having converted to Buddhism recently I have a new outlook on life, and believe it was karma.  May peace be with you”.

All prizes will be distributed this week, before we forget.

Top Team 2025

Worth €500, the 2025 team award goes to JJ Bowles.

“We were very worried” said spokesperson Simon Darcy.  “One of the younger members of the team had forgotten to put his minus sign into his Italy v Ireland forecast, which obviously could have blown it.  He asked me to plead with the organisers to intervene, but I said what sort of lesson would that teach him?  Thankfully we got away with it, but the beatings will continue.”

Pipped by only a point were Something About Mary and Team McNab.  There’s always next year lads.

Thank You

A huge thank you to all our sponsors for funding the prizemoney and donating to LauraLynn on your behalf, and to all of you for entering and donating once again.

We hope you’ve enjoyed it, I know we have.  Next year will be our 30th go at this, so look out for a special effort on our 30th – hopefully not our last.

Au revoir.