Did I see you at the rugger?

Last Saturday I went to the rugby with my baby brother. I say baby but he's not exactly a baby anymore.

I mean when he was still wearing nappies he was a baby but now that he has graduated from college, got his own place and works in one of those big multinational corporations he's not exactly a baby. But we always call him that, we the family that is.

Anyway, I was at the rugby on Saturday, Ireland v Argentina in Croke Park.

The game was curious because it was so tense, both sides kind of hating each other because of the past series of games I suppose. A few fights broke out during the game which was good because there was sod all else happening at times on the field.

At half-time, or the interval as it used to be called when I went to the cinema as a lad, I went out to answer the call of nature.

There was a big long line queuing for hot Bushmills, and loads of people were knocking them back. Yes it was pretty cold come 4 o'clock on Saturday.

I was at the game with my brother's mates, 6 of them I think. Isn't it strange the way your brother or sister's friends often seem like weird people but your own friends seem totally sound, salt of the earth people.

So they were planning to go on the lash or to "skull the pints" into themselves. That was a prospect that did not entirely entice me.

One thing that is always abundantly distinct about going to watch an Ireland rugby match is that there is such a different atmosphere to say a football (soccer) international match. Not really why that is but you'd really feel it.

I do enjoy going to watch matches in Croke Park but always preferred Lansdowne Road as a venue. I guess that's the southsider in me. That won't change.

The game ended and I headed home along the river and back to pick up my car.

I was struck by how different the river banks are now to say 15 years ago when this whole area of the city was an almighty kip.

Now you look everywhere and it's stylised lighting and wine bars and the offices of law firms.

Funny thing today. Not one person asked me about the match. I must be now 100% anti-social.