Fonte:
Irish Independent
Welcome England with an open heart, says McAleese
IRISH rugby fans have been urged to give the England team "a welcome to beat all welcomes" when they run out on to the Croke Park pitch for tomorrow's historic game.
The call came yesterday from President Mary McAleese during an hour-long "touchdown" at Harlequins rugby club in the Malone area of south Belfast. This is the only rugby complex in Ireland which shares its playing and social amenities with a Gaelic football club, a concept that brought ringing praise from Mrs McAleese.
Accompanied by her husband Dr Martin McAleese on a day-long series of engagements, the President was met at Harlequins by a mini-scrum of enthusiastic junior members from St Bridget's GAA club.
They included seven-year-old Phelim Lennon and his little sister Cara (5) as well as John Duffy (8) and Ryan Dillon aged seven.
Mrs McAleese said the concept of sportsmanship and all it entailed was "beautifully honoured" at Harlequins.
The world of sport, she said, had something in its everyday living to teach others about the benefits of working together.
"What you have done here is very special - to welcome your good neighbours, St Bridget's, to share the facilities and be part of the community of Harlequins. It is one of the loveliest examples of true sportsmanship," she said.
"Keep doing what you are doing - it is going to catch on," the President predicted.
Referring to another pitch, in this case a GAA ground "with rugby posts", the President said she hoped there would be a heartfelt welcome for the English team as the occasion demanded nothing else. Mrs McAleese said she was looking forward to fantastic game of rugby but regretted she had no spare tickets at all. Harlequins chairman Kelly Wilson said they were "honoured and flattered" to welcome Mrs McAleese and her husband to the club.
[Modificato da =Donegal= 23/02/2007 11.06]
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Good evening, there was already an injury, huh?
Giovanni Trapattoni, falling off his chair