Eireannach go Bragh

The IRISH story at this tourny was mixed Injuries, stomach viruses and youngsters oh my. No excuses, but a strange set of circumstances produced a first year wrestler competing with very experienced graplers, a 215 wrestling up and beating the "big boys" and an unfortunate injury to a state champ giving a youngster the chance to step up a weight and impress everyone with his courage and tenacity. Overall there were many good matches to be seen. It was great competition. Our "beloved Irish" took their lumps and should become better wrestlers for it. MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR to all at Coach T it sure is entertaining Siocha'n leat (Peace be with you all)

Father Ryan brought JV & many of the freshman.The match was tied & won on the no. of pins. The coaches could have easily substituted one or two more experienced wrestlers for the freshman and won. He chose give the younger guys some time on the mat. This type of matches should be for those that need mat time. Ensworth due to their in ability to field a true varsity sqad will possibly win matches in this manner. They have an excellent program and some good young men. Keep an eye in the rear view mirror it may be interesting in 2 more years.

What's the skinny for the remainder of the team. I know it's only speculation until after wrestle-offs. An educated gues would be interesting to some of us who are not in daily contact with the team.

What weight is Mr. Marchetti planning to take the title?

UNCFAN, It's interesting that MBA should be discussing "academic" prowess and "dilution" when I know for a fact that since the big "E" has opened it's doors, MBA has suddenly started to accept students & student/atheletes that would have normally not been accepted. As Ensworth grows I think it will be interesting to see how this impacts the need for MBA to recruit outside their usual bounds. Sure JPII has had an impact. I think the greater impact in favor of FRHS is the new coach and the increase enthusiasm for the future by the students. Tough year ? Yes. Improvement? Absolutely! The BOLD prediction: Look for exponential improvement next year & a contender for the title in the next 2 to 3 years. Very athletic young men in this years freshman and sophmore group. With a hunger for wins and the scattered talent of the next years seniors the leadership base is there to help our new coach produce. Tiocfaidh 'ar la' "Our day will come"

Bateman is alive and well, as a junior, in the halls of Father Ryan, currently taking a break between football and wrestling. Looking forward to another shot at a state championship as are several other Irish.

Really, an old Irish proverb "Is minic a bhris be'al duine a shro'n" (translation) "Many a time a man's mouth broke his nose" be sure you can back it up. We'll see how McCallie fairs on the mat (with a view of the ceiling).

I can be silent no longer! Irish had another rough year no argument, BUT what I did see was improvment. With a tough and talented crop of sophmores (this years) coming of age and the starting group of this years juniors (watch for a couple of this years freshman to have impact) I think there will be some suprised faces next year. Coach Lussier made quite an impression on these young men and inspired a new found pride in many. "Retreat", NEVER we've taken our lumps and stood tall, the future holds great promise! There is an Irish proverb "Coimhe'ad fearg fhear na foighde" translation for you not a part of the an chlann "Beware of the anger of a patient man" Tiocfaidh 'ar la' (Our day will come) By the way can't wait till wrestling season

My humble evaluation of this years Irish will be summarized in two words YOUNG & STRONG Good leadership by some seniors and juniors but me thinks there will be several sophmores called on to carry the load. There are a couple of freshman that could step up on the mat. I would think this is a year to build on for domination in the next three years.

Even if Irish Dad should be less vocal (boggles the imagination) there are others who will pick up the banter and hopefully add to the lively discussions including this writer. Don't think anyone could take the place of ID, but I think there will always be someone to carry on the Irish nation tradition. Looking forward to great year. Tiocfaidh 'ar la' (Our day will come)

We are proud of a staff of coaches (Simpson, Miller, Shone and Peden) who take a group of boys and help to transform them into young men. Patient, inner strength and character are as much a part of what I see these boys learn as their wrestling techniques. Not all will learn these lessons but all are exposed. We are equally proud of ALL the wrestlers on this team varsity & jv each have worked hard and never quit. Each showing support for the other, the likes of which you will not see in other athletic activities. We are also proud of the parents, grandparents, ect. (even the really boisterous ones). The boys may not always hear are cheering but they always feel our hugs afterwards win or lose. This message may be directed towards the IRISH but I think in the end is for all of us who enjoy this sport. "Maireann croi eadrom i bhfad" A light heart lives longest Remeber that we should never take ourselves to seriously thumb WAR IRISH

WOW!!!! You guys are hardcore. Looking forward to mixing it up in the future. By the way, if anyone would like to discuss ummm wrestling. What do you think about the upcoming fresh/soph tourn. at FRHS. With the pressure of the regular season off could be some interesting matches. God Bless the Irish Irish proverb "Coim hiad fearg fhear na foighde" (Beware of the anger of a patient Man)

Irish Dad, I don't Know about being a gift or a blessing (could not quite grab the last word) but I do hope to add another voice of support to a great tradition. Hoping that you will hang around (at matches & on this site) long enough to see the Class of '07/'08 & '08/'09 run the table. "Thar's gold in them boys" if they all reach their potential. It has been interesting and entertaining to observe the banter that occurs at this site. Tiocfaidh ar la Our day will come

Definitly not an imitator, only a person who for the past two years has begun to enjoy watching a sport where not only strength but technique and heart are important. I do admire ID's unconditional love of the IRISH. Most these boys are transformed into young men in these sports that they participate. I did not use the word "play", because there is NO WAY what those boys do on the mat could be construed as "play". I wish to support a great athletic tradition as well as all who participate. By the way we could all use some class, especially an old "red neck" like me Slan go foill (Goodbye for now)

"IRISH FOREVER" A new voice to go with those who have gone before Tiocfaidh ar la (Our day will come)