Permanent link All PostsRiding back to the hotel Saturday night in the shuttle, a big bus holding about 60 people. Nearly all of the passengers were British and Irish, just a scattering of Americans. It was a noisy, jovial crowd and within minutes they burst into song. Singing, laughing, waving the GB&I flags. The women first, singing lustily, then the men joined in. It’s a Long Way to Tipperrary, Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag, Sweet Molly Malone, and of course When Irish Eyes are Smiling. A host of Irish supporters, here because of the beloved GB&I captain, Mary McKenna, who is Irish to the bone, and three Irish players. The passengers bellow out the songs, even She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain. I feel as if I’m on a World War II troop ship as we hurtle happily through the night.