The last day of the championships and we are playing the Norwegians.

They are a cute bunch these guys are and I’m not just talking about the beautiful women they had in their group. There we were sitting at our table on Saturday night having our dinner and minding our own business when a big round of beers arrived down from the bar. Who sent them down? Yep, the Norwegians, trying to get us tipsy before the big match. Putting a beer in front of our lads is like a red rag to a bull and they tasted great, thanks Norway. Sadly for them, their plan didn’t work and we won our first game of a major championships by beating Norway by 41 goals to 31. Boy was that a great feeling and now we’re on a winning streak and unbeaten, sure who knows what the future will bring.

We rushed back to the shalley to get washed and changed for the night of celebration, watched the first half of the Ireland-England Grand Slam decider from Landsdowne Road before rushing back to the arena to get settled down to watch the final between the GB lads and the Belgians. We had to go back to support Great Britain because they have given us so much support and help since we started off six years ago. It was a great final with a great atmosphere in the arena. Needless to say the home team had loads of support but we let ourselves be heard too and Jenny, we haven’t forgotten the promise you made us after the match. Jenny is the GB masseure and a great one at that and because we supported them in the final she promised the Irish squad a free massage the next time she sees us. Looking forward to that, ain’t we Jim!!

The celebrations that night were good. Stephen Hickey picked up his player of the match award for his 12 goals in the Norway match although I’d say that it was a close call between Steve and Garret, who scored 18 times in that game. The Rocket picked up a lovely shield for his efforts. The drink was free for the night but the steak was red raw. We still ate it though, well most of us did. Watching some of our guys going through their moves on the dance floor had me wishing that if only they could move as quick on the court then … It was a late night, one that finished in the Finnish chalet with Philip and Yukka the Big F…..ella trying to sing a song. It’s just as well that we had our fair share of wine and beers inside us, to dull the pain of listening to that performance not to mention the memory of it.

Some of the lads headed back earlier than I did because Catherina Lynch, Alan's mammy, changed roles and ditched the Nurse's uniform that she was using in her role as our medical officer for her "Kiss the Cook" apron that she packed and she dished up a fry for us all. I had to take the scenic route back to the shalley via the carpark so by the time I got back the kitchen was shut, the fry was in the bin and all were in bed. Thanks a bunch Philip "Where am I" Gibson, next time you can stay in the carpark