Well the World Cup Final may have been a tight tense affair but the same cannot be said for the RWC final party in O'Connell's that evening. Owner Pat Lonergan made sure that rugby fans had a night to remember (if they could!) in the Official ICRSC Supporters Pub.

All through the competition the staff and customers had competed fiercely against one another in a fantasy mini-league ran through scrum.com. One lucky, or shrewd, team selector would be picking up the prize that night in a winner-take-all box off between the two front runners.

O'Connell's regular customers of hard core Connacht Rugby fans were invited to watch the match in the back room which had been sectioned off for that purpose. Laid out on the old AGA range was an array of top quality food with dishes such as Irish stew, Scottish smoked salmon, New Zealand lamb shanks, South African tiger prawns and a selection of French and Italian cheese and meats served to represent the participating nations. Reinforcing the international flavour were wines from Argentina, Australia, England, France, New Zealand and South Africa. All free of charge on this special night for O'Connell's patrons. Additionally champagne was flowing before the match as the two white shirted England fans were presented with their glasses prior to kick off - Pat stating that they may have little to celebrate after 80 minutes of rugby had elapsed!

By no means though was the fun restricted to the regular customers. All in attendance in O'Connell's were treated to free burgers and hot dogs fresh off the barbie in the rear beer garden. Chef Paddy estimating that he fed 80-100 hungry rugby followers. To round it all off those who felt peckish later on that evening were refilled with T-bone steaks done just the way you like them. Yours truly was too thirsty for his but collected it the following afternoon when popping in for the cure. Along with the steak Pat threw in the spicy meatballs and sausages that were left over. Having removed the need to go shopping for a couple of days we were free to while away the afternoon discussing what will have to go down as truly one of the great nights out of the year. Our fantasy league selections may have differed but on this we were all in agreement.

Oh, and the fantasy league must have been down to luck as this correspondent bagged the prizes. Not a bad auld evening at all.

See you all in O'Connell's after our home matches.

Enjoy O'Connell's Sensibly

lgwt@castlebar.

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