...momentous year...
Down Minors won the All Ireland and one of my club mates got an All Ireland medal :)
I made an honest woman out of Mrs 5 Sams :-\
It was the year that everyone shit themselves about the Y2k bug and then just got pissed when nothing happened....
However the biggest thing that happened according to BBC 1 was that "Ulster" won the Rugby European Cup......deadly achievement alright....
There was a great documentary about this feat on the BBC tonight..really enjoyable it was...however I never saw one Ulster flag on display during that epic adventure...just Norn Ireland/OWC/Red Hand with a crown on top type flags >:( >:(
I'm sure Tommy Bowe is delighted to be an "Ulster man"
I danced.
Full-Back: Simon Mason
After 1999, Simon spent a number of seasons with Stade Francais and Benetton Treviso. He returned to the UK as a player coach with Orrell, and spent his last playing days at National North 3 side Caldy. Simon is now teaching at his old school, St Anselms Liverpool, and has become a director of rugby for Alsemians.
Winger: Andy Park
Being one of the younger 1999 players, Andy was the life and soul of the winning squad. He played rugby with Ulster until 2000, after which he continued to play for Belfast Harlequins. Andy now runs an advertising agency, INC Advertising..
Centre: Jan Cunningham
Jan played for Ulster until 2003, when he was released from contract, but continued to play for and captain Dungannon. He is now working as a solicitor with Millar McCall Wylie, specialising in employment law.
Centre: Jonathan Bell
Jonathan battled with a number of injuries and finally retired from professional rugby in 2005. He continued his studies, achieving a PGCE, and taught at Campbell College. Jonathan was appointed to the role of Elite Player Development Officer for Ulster Rugby in August 2008, and continues to coach for Dungannon RFC.
Winger: Sheldon Coulter
Sheldon played for Ulster until 2003, but continued to play club rugby for Belfast Harlequins, CIYMS and Portadown. He is now a financial advisor for Don Robinson Financial Services.
Out-Half: David Humphreys
David retired from Ulster Rugby last summer after battling with numerous injuries. However, having been a loyal Ulster player for over ten years, he remains very much part of the Ulster Rugby family since his appointment as Operations Director of Ulster Rugby in May 2008.
Scrum Half: Andy Matchett
After playing for Ulster, Andy continued to play locally for Belfast Harlequins. He now works in insurance, with Clerical Medical.
Prop: Justin Fitzpatrick
Justin still plays for Ulster, having left the province in 2002 to spend two seasons with Castres Olympique. He returned in 2005 and has won over 140 caps for Ulster in total. He has also won an ERC Elite award for making over 50 Heineken Cup appearances.
Hooker: Allen Clarke
After a major ankle injury, Allen left professional rugby and was appointed as Elite Player Development Manager with the Ulster Rugby Academy. In 2007 he became assistant coach to Mark McCall and after three seasons of rugby, he moved on to his current position as High Performance Manager for the IRFU.
Prop: Rab Irwin
Rab finished playing for Ulster soon after the 1999 victory and continued his trade as a self-employed builder. He continued to play rugby for C.I. and is now still playing for Ards RFC.
Second Row: Mark Blair
Mark played for Ulster until 2003 and then moved to French club Narbonne. After a number of successful seasons, he moved to Scottish side Borders, and finally retired from professional rugby soon after. Mark is still living in Scotland and works in the building trade.
Second Row: Gary Longwell
Gary became an established international player after the 1999 season, winning 26 caps for Ireland and 152 caps for Ulster in total. He retired in 2005 and was appointed as High Performance Manager for the Ulster Rugby Academy, based at the Sports Institute for Northern Ireland in Jordanstown.
Blindside Flanker: Stephen McKinty
As one of the few part-time rugby players in the 1999 squad, Stephen worked for FG Wilson during the triumphant season. Post Ulster Rugby, Stephen continued to play for Bangor RFC.
Openside Flanker: Andy Ward
Andy continued to be a major player in Ulster Rugby up until his retirement in 2005, when he then went on to coach and play for Belfast Harlequins. Andy currently runs his own gym, Andy Ward Leisure, and plays club rugby for Ballynahinch RFC.
Number 8: Tony McWhirter
Tony won 94 caps for Ulster and achieved numerous caps for the Ireland 'A' team. A dentist by profession, he continued his vocation throughout his rugby career. After a hand injury in 2004, Tony decided to hang up his boots and concentrate on his dentistry career full-time. Tony is still practising dentistry in Ballymoney, but coaches rugby part-time at Dalriada School.
Prop: Gary Leslie
Gary continued to play for Dungannon after his career ended with Ulster and has spent a term as Dungannon RFC's President. He is currently the representative for the club on the IRFU Branch Committee and continues to work for Moy Park.
Hooker: Richard Weir
After his professional rugby career, Richard continued to play for Belfast Harlequins and Cooke RFC. He is currently an officer with the Metropolitan Police in London.
Second Row: Stewart Duncan
After his success with Ulster, Stewart continued to play for Malone RFC until 2003. He currently works for a plumbing supplies company, Beggs and Partners, in Belfast.
Back Row: Derek Topping
Derek was one of the senior members of the 1999 squad and was a stalwart for Ballymena RFC, where he captained until injury forced him to retire from the game. He is now working as a medical rep.
Scrum Half: Stephen Bell
Stephen moved from Ulster to Bedford where he experienced a number of back injuries and was unable to continue his playing career. He moved from Bedford to Cambridge RFC as a player-coach before injury led to his retirement. Stephen is now working as a personal fitness trainer in Fitspace on the Boucher Road, Belfast.
Full-Back: Bryn Cunningham
Bryn finished his studies in Dublin before joining the 1999 squad as one of its youngest players. He has been a permanent fixture on the Ulster Rugby squad since then, winning over 140 caps for the province to date.
Full-Back: Stan McDowell
After his days with Ulster Rugby, Stan continued to play for Ballymena and CIYMS and took up coaching for CIYMS and Ards. Stan developed a career as an estate agent and now lives in Dublin.
;D ;D
Quote from: 5 Sams on March 11, 2009, 11:32:49 PM
...momentous year...
Down Minors won the All Ireland and one of my club mates got an All Ireland medal :)
I made an honest woman out of Mrs 5 Sams :-\
It was the year that everyone shit themselves about the Y2k bug and then just got pissed when nothing happened....
However the biggest thing that happened according to BBC 1 was that "Ulster" won the Rugby European Cup......deadly achievement alright....
There was a great documentary about this feat on the BBC tonight..really enjoyable it was...however I never saw one Ulster flag on display during that epic adventure...just Norn Ireland/OWC/Red Hand with a crown on top type flags >:( >:(
I'm sure Tommy Bowe is delighted to be an "Ulster man"
at least the eventually sut uo about it unlike another crowd of even smugger w**ker i dont care to mention
United won the champions league ;D
Quote from: 5 Sams on March 11, 2009, 11:32:49 PM
...momentous year...
Down Minors won the All Ireland and one of my club mates got an All Ireland medal :)
I made an honest woman out of Mrs 5 Sams :-\
It was the year that everyone shit themselves about the Y2k bug and then just got pissed when nothing happened....
However the biggest thing that happened according to BBC 1 was that "Ulster" won the Rugby European Cup......deadly achievement alright....
There was a great documentary about this feat on the BBC tonight..really enjoyable it was...however I never saw one Ulster flag on display during that epic adventure...just Norn Ireland/OWC/Red Hand with a crown on top type flags >:( >:(
I'm sure Tommy Bowe is delighted to be an "Ulster man"
Good post. Also, in this month's AgendaNI magazine, is a couple of pages about Ciaran Gourley. http://www.agendani.com/agendani_latest_issue.php (http://www.agendani.com/agendani_latest_issue.php) (You have to buy it to read about Ciaran.) Its good to see GAA being mentioned in such channels, even if the article is quite bland.
My club won their First ever Junior Championship
Quote from: new devil on March 12, 2009, 06:23:21 AM
United won the champions league ;D
And the premiership.. And the FA Cup.... ;D ;D
and........
(http://www.sportingvisions.com/imgdir/125510933/one-print-only.jpg)
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
1999 - The re-ermergence of Armagh.
I recall a debate with Sammy G(may have been on OWC & must have been a few years later) where he claimed he only saw a few NI 'flegs' and most were red & white checked ones. Shuuuuuure !!!!!
Quote from: bennydorano on March 12, 2009, 10:00:46 AM
1999 - The re-ermergence of Armagh.
I recall a debate with Sammy G(may have been on OWC & must have been a few years later) where he claimed he only saw a few NI 'flegs' and most were red & white checked ones. Shuuuuuure !!!!!
Didnt he also say that the dressing room at Ravenhill was festooned with said flegs
Armagh's absolute trouncing of Down was a power shift I never thought I would see. Down are still recovering from that.
It was also the year Armagh asserted their irrefutable dominance over Down by routing them in the Ulster Final , a hammering which sent Down effectively into oblivion from whence they are struggling profusely to emerge.
It also of course marked Armagh's return to the Croke Park big time which culminated ultimately to that glorious September day in 2002 ;D
It was only half Croke in those days or (Croke Park)/2
Great year for the u21s...
Quote from: noeldebrun on March 11, 2009, 11:41:33 PM
watched a bit of it, turned it off due to the complete smugness on display, that whole middle class rubbish that rugby and its fans seem to strive towards
Please elaborate, I find this comment fascinating.
Rod Hull fixed his aerial and Emu was no more.
Mayobridge minors comprehensively beat Down kingpins Burren to win their first senoir championship in 80 years ;D ;D ;D ;D :D
Quote from: bennydorano on March 12, 2009, 10:00:46 AM
1999 - The re-ermergence of Armagh.
I recall a debate with Sammy G(may have been on OWC & must have been a few years later) where he claimed he only saw a few NI 'flegs' and most were red & white checked ones. Shuuuuuure !!!!!
Don't forget that prior to the 1999 European games, Ulster played to crowds of a few thousand at most, and all the gear available to supporters now just didn't exist. The team plays in red and white so a large number of people did have the red and white NI flag. I'm sure some had a political motive for using this flag but it shouldn't be interpretated that everyone was making some sort of political statement.
These days at Ravenhill and at away games, you still get some red and white NI flags, but you also get red and yellow Ulster provincial flags, red and white checked flags and I've also seen the flags of Greenland, Yemen and the Japanese naval ensign (all of which are red and white...)
If Ulster make the knock-out stages of the HEC again, you can expect to see some NI flags, an assortment of others including the Ulster provincial flag and sponsors getting on the bandwagon with Ulster Rugby flags just as Leinster and Munster do.
Edit: the Maltese flag as well...
(http://dicksondigital.com/_autoWMpreviews_/ERC_081206_09_W.jpg)
A song by Prince got a lot of airplay, the name of the song escapes me just now........
Quote from: muppet on March 12, 2009, 12:03:35 PM
Quote from: noeldebrun on March 11, 2009, 11:41:33 PM
watched a bit of it, turned it off due to the complete smugness on display, that whole middle class rubbish that rugby and its fans seem to strive towards
Please elaborate, I find this comment fascinating.
Sports is for the working classes don't you know.
Van de Velde making a hash of the British Open.
Watching the '99 All Ireland Hurling Final between Kilkenny & Cork, seated in the Nally Stand directly behind a steel beam......... :'(
Quote from: EC Unique on March 12, 2009, 09:40:59 AM
Quote from: new devil on March 12, 2009, 06:23:21 AM
United won the champions league ;D
And the premiership.. And the FA Cup.... ;D ;D
Yea but that happens most years ;)
Cork won the hurling and Fox was there in Hogan Stand. Wet windy day and not a goal in minor or senior game which may be some kind of record. Looked it up there ...62,988 at game plus me made it 62,989. Not very memorable.
Quote from: longrunsthefox on March 12, 2009, 01:55:18 PM
Cork won the hurling and Fox was there in Hogan Stand. Wet windy day and not a goal in minor or senior game which may be some kind of record. Looked it up there ...62,988 at game plus me made it 62,989. Not very memorable.
Was that one of the years they got presented with the Liam Mc Carthy in the middle of the pitch, i remember peeking round the side of the steel beam to see that.
Quote from: Minder on March 12, 2009, 01:58:07 PM
Quote from: longrunsthefox on March 12, 2009, 01:55:18 PM
Cork won the hurling and Fox was there in Hogan Stand. Wet windy day and not a goal in minor or senior game which may be some kind of record. Looked it up there ...62,988 at game plus me made it 62,989. Not very memorable.
Was that one of the years they got presented with the Liam Mc Carthy in the middle of the pitch, i remember peeking round the side of the steel beam to see that.
I think your right
An abiding memory of 1999 was going to the Leinster football final and watching the Ulster final in a pub close to Croke Park before the game. Armagh hammered Down (I think). Anyway the big lounge was jammed with Dubs watching the charity shield and Man U with me and two mates and two others in other part watching the Gaelic football!
The Senior Hurling final was also the first ever final where no goal was scored. Terrible game, Cork winning 0-13 to 0-12, which also saw the reemergence of the big 3, and no other county have won an All-Ireland since.
Quote from: Galwaybhoy on March 12, 2009, 02:20:50 PM
The Senior Hurling final was also the first ever final where no goal was scored. Terrible game, Cork winning 0-13 to 0-12, which also saw the reemergence of the big 3, and no other county have won an All-Ireland since.
Aye I said that earlier and no goal in minor game either. Hope youse boys can break the big 3 this year.
Quote from: longrunsthefox on March 12, 2009, 02:24:45 PM
Quote from: Galwaybhoy on March 12, 2009, 02:20:50 PM
The Senior Hurling final was also the first ever final where no goal was scored. Terrible game, Cork winning 0-13 to 0-12, which also saw the reemergence of the big 3, and no other county have won an All-Ireland since.
Aye I said that earlier and no goal in minor game either. Hope youse boys can break the big 3 this year.
Sorry I some how missed that post you made stating that. I hope we can too Fox, but I wouldn't hold me breath! I don't think I have ever seen the confidence so low among Galway fans as it is at this moment! Waterford have been in the best position over the last few years to win that All-Ireland, but I fear their time may have now passed!
Quote from: noeldebrun on March 12, 2009, 02:52:31 PM
Quote from: muppet on March 12, 2009, 12:03:35 PM
Quote from: noeldebrun on March 11, 2009, 11:41:33 PM
watched a bit of it, turned it off due to the complete smugness on display, that whole middle class rubbish that rugby and its fans seem to strive towards
Please elaborate, I find this comment fascinating.
put it like this and correct me if i'm wrong would you ever find a rugby player from the divis flats or the shankill road playing for ulster
Never mind Rugby you probably wont have anyone from the Divis flats playing Gaa or any organised sport.