The sun shone. A sea of blue flags mixed with speckles of green flags filled the stadium. The crowd chanted the infamous Molly Malone. A European Union flag in the midst of all the excitement.
The Heineken Cup final 2009 is a perfect example of how Europe is celebrated. This year saw Leinster take on Leicester in a stadium packed to capacity with screaming fans.
Brian from Munster bought his ticket for the final in the hope that Munster would be featuring in it. “I said I might as well go and support Leinster because they’re an Irish team and I think it’s important to support Ireland when you can. Obviously I couldn't bring myself to wear a Leinster jersey but I don’t think anyone can blame me for that after the semi-final.”
Patrick was in Murrayfield to support Leicester his home team. He said “I’m gutted we didn’t win but Leinster played a good game and were the best team on the day. I saw some young lads walking round with a European flag earlier and I thought that was a nice gesture as it kind of says we’re in it together even though we’re competing against each other today. Congratulations, you deserved it. It’s a great achievement to be at the top in Europe.”
Jonathan is a Welshman and when asked why he was attending a match between an Irish and an English team he said “We’re all European so in a way I suppose yeah I felt like I could go and shout for whatever team I wanted. I don’t really know if I would be as aware of being European until I go to something like this. You would forget sometimes. Then feeling comfortable shouting for Leinster in a Heineken Cup final kind of reminds you.”
If this sense of unity expressed by these three men is a product of European integration, it serves as a reminder that while there will be challenges to face on our own, there will always be the support of 27 other countries. Withh Leinster winning the Heineken Cup this year, Munster winning it last year and in 2006 and Ulster coming out on top in 1999, Ireland is not only a part of Europe but at the forefront. While you cannot choose your own players for your rugby team, you can choose your own MEP.
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