Sport Archives - Page 8 of 19 - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Taylor, Travis and Sports Vegas

11th February 202411th February 2024 funtime65

They used to come for the boxing now Neon City is box office for all sports as we all tune in to watch Taylor, Travis and Sports Vegas.

For Swifties everywhere tonight’s match-up is all about their favourite girl and her beau Mr Kelce.

Who they’ll tell you has a very tight end.

Vegas, in many ways is the natural location for the Super Bowl.

Even if it is hosting the world’s biggest annual showpiece for the first time.

Because Vegas brings showbiz and sport together like nowhere else.

Push Cassidy

And how we love to take in both on our travels.

Which our friends at Cassidy Travel know only too well.

CT run a range of American sports offers with gridiron fans already over enjoying the 49ers and Chiefs in Vegas.

Now knowing too that each of us have our own gridiron team and favourite destinations they have us covered there.

With packages to New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vegas, Chicago and Tennessee.

Patriots Games

All with their own merits while our own favourites New England are there too.

With the likes of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Miami, Dallas and Seattle.

And old new friends in Pittsburgh who honoured us with our very own Steelers ‘terrible towel’.

In Irish green rather than Steelers yellow… for their visit to the recent Meet the Media travel get-together in Dublin.

Big shots

But for the day that’s in it and because we left our own sporting mark on Neon City.

At Topgolf range shooting towards the skyline…

And then firing at Chucky targets at Machine Guns Vegas.

The big shots, of course, this weekend are on the gridiron.

With Taylor, Travis and Sports Vegas.

Countries, Europe, Sport

England here for der beer in Gelsenkirchen

3rd December 20233rd December 2023 funtime65

Three Lions fans will be in their element, with England here for der beer in Gelsenkirchen at Euro 24.

Engerlund will kick off their procession to becoming European champions at the Veltins-Arena against Serbia on June 16.

Oh, didn’t you know? They’ve already decided that ‘Football is coming home.’

Despite their old enmities, Ruhrland, the football heartland of Germany should be Nirvana for England supporters.

With Schalke 04’s ground a drinking arena masquerading as a football operation.

The Royal Blue Army may have surrendered their Bundesliga tenure at the end of last season.

But they remain the toast of German football for its Veltins beer which is piped five miles into the ground.

Toast of Ruhrland

Schalke have 15 bars/restaurants and 35 food and drink kiosks.

With the beer, and you’ll be drinking the Veltins of course coming in at €3.60 for half a litre.

With a surcharge for your cup which you then return.

Although from the looks of it on the day we visit a lot of the beer ends up on the floor.

With the soles of our shoes sticking to the stone.

With all that beer swirling around you might feel like you’re seeing things.

Like the very pitch being slid into the ground.

Munich boxfest

But that’s exactly what happens.

With Schalke maximising the space by using the ground for multi-entertainment outside match day.

Now we had hoped that our own wee Scotland would be placed here.

But instead we’re going to Munich, Cologne and Stuttgart.

Although there might be a barring order still in place from me from the Eighties.

You’re barred

When I returned lubricated from a Bayern game and tried to split up a fight between the football supporting girlfriends of two German lads.

Never a good idea, the next thing I knew I was in an ambulance to get my nose repositioned.

Before hailing a taxi and relying on the driver to work out the campsite I was staying in.

America, Countries, Sport

The home Rangers are on top of the baseball world

3rd November 2023 funtime65

They’ll be breaking out the Shiner Bock beer down Arlington, Texas way… the home Rangers are on top of the baseball world.

And for the first time too as the Texas Rangers, who play their games in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth conurbation, at last emerged.

From the two-time winning Houston Astros‘ shadow.

To win their first world series with a romp against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

And most importantly keep the World Series in Texas.

The South Rises

Now, those of who see Texas as a football state would be right.

With the storied Dallas Cowboys having lifted the SuperBowl five times… never mind the religion that is college football.

But there has been a geographical switch in American sport in recent years.

With Southern states challenging and bursting down the door of northern dominance in baseball and ice hockey.

The Lone State back-to-back World Series victories come after Atlanta Braves beat the Astros in another all-southern showdown.

Ice one

And heck when the South rises again in ice hockey when there’s never any ice in the sunny states then you know that the world is turning on its axis.

Texas’s own Dallas Stars have been recent Stanley Cup finalists while Tampa Bay Lightning have made three of the last four finals.

And Florida Panthers got to this year’s final only to be beaten by the Vegas Golden Knights, a snub to the north with Sin City being deep in the West.

Which only leaves basketball as the outlier with the San Antonio Spurs who went through their tricks for us this summer in Alamo City..

The Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks carrying the hoop dreams of the state.

The Homer Star State

All of which tour around the world of Texan sport drives home how games are central to the Texan experience.

So that when you get out there take in a game, any game.

Get down to Arlington where the home Rangers are on top of the baseball world.

Watch the rodeo or have a go yourself.

America, Countries, Sport

120 years of the Boston team party

14th October 202314th October 2023 funtime65

Our Beantown pals never knowingly underplay themselves and why should they as this week we celebrate 120 years of the Boston team party.

In the beginning they were known as the Boston Americans which was what they called themselves in 1903 when they won the first World Series .

Against the National League winners Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-3 in a nine-game series.

The pride of the American League (ours, at least) Boston run through the history of the diamond game.

Taking on the Red Sox mantle in 1908 during the stewardship of John I. Taylor on account of their red stockings it has marked them out in the years since.

As has their Fenway Park ground which they moved into in 1912 and which is the oldest in baseball.

While its 37ft Green Wall is storied in baseball since the days when George ‘Babe’ Ruth kept clearing it from 310ft away in home plate in the 19teens.

The Curse of the Bambino

Ruth, of course, looms large in the Boston story with even non-sports fans aware of the ‘Curse of the Bambino’.

When Boston failed to add to their roll of five World Series wins after they had traded the Babe to the New York Yankees in 1920.

The curse was broken in Massachusetts not by magic but by good play.

Now because we love these sporting curses and check out ‘the Curse of Billy Penn’s peak’ we bring you a Bostonian contribution.

When a “reverse curve” road sign over the Storrow Drive was graffitied to read “Reverse The Curse.

Officials left it in place until the Sox won in 2004 World Series.

And it was edited to read ‘Reversed Curse’ in celebration.

Fenway for fans

The best way to immerse yourself in Boston Red Sox culture (other baseball teams are available) is a tour of Fenway Park.

Where, of course, you can see them show off their nine World Series triumphs.

Their most recent in 2018.

This year, alas, the Red Sox will not be making it ten.

As the winners will come from..

The holders, Houston Astros, the Texas Rangers, the Arizona Diamondbacks or the Philadelphia Phillies.

We don’t know of the Sox having brought down any curses on themselves through trading a hero.

Although Roger Clemens who we cheered on at Fenway in our summer in Boston in the Eighties only won his two World Series at those damned Yankees.

He had been at the Toronto Blue Jays but just saying.

Now even though our Red Sox won’t be there this year we’ll expect it to be referenced over this year’s games.

120 years of the Boston Team Party.

And, of course, our friends at Ireland’s national airline carrier Aer Lingus fly to Irish Boston with pre-clearance from €199.69.

America, Countries, Sport

The Anaheim Duck starts here

10th October 202310th October 2023 funtime65

And see what we’ve done here getting our skates on for the start of the NHL season, and recognising that the Anaheim Duck starts here.

Not that we’re showing any favouritism here but when you’ve been given a uniform and taken to the ice (well boards) then it swings it.

As does the tough sell and steely glaze of Wild Wing countered we’re glad to say by the Duckies, our name for the lovely cheerleaders.

This being the 30th anniversary season of the Anaheim Ducks there’s a special for those lucky enough to call this South Californian town their home.

Or are passing through as hundreds of thousands of us do and we hope to be doing again next year.

Money off your bill

Well, there’s a close to 25% saving off current box office pricing in select locations via this special link.

Plus three giveaways slated for the night.

While great seats are available starting at ¢22.

Now eider admit that I’m a sucker for a quacking good duck-related pitch.

And, of course, nobody does ducks better than Disney.

High and Mighty

The Anaheim Ducks, for anyone who doesn’t already know (and if so, why not) are inspired by the movie The Mighty Ducks.

And whisper it, the plot was centred not on Anaheim, but on the twin cities of Minneapolis and St Paul’s.

And the Mighty Ducks’ rivalry with the Chicago Black Hawks.

For those of you who know about powerplays and cross-checking.

You’ll know that the Minnepolis Mild and the Anaheim Ducks are newbies in the NHL.

The original six big North American teams are, of course, our other faves The Boston Bruins.

And the Detroit Red Wings, the New York Rangers, those Chicago Black Hawks.

And the Canadian giants the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.

Taming the Hurricanes

Now, the spectacle of an NHL game is one I’ve yet to taste, an admission for one who covered the game in England back in the day.

Wild Wing though will tell you I have the moves.

And I came close to getting to watch the Bruins last time up in Boston.

Any visit to the States should come with at least an effort to take in one of the Big Four sports…

And on Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Honda Center.

And I’ll leave the last word here to renowned wit Rodney Dangerfield who wrote: ‘I went to a fight the other night and an ice hockey match broke out.”

Countries, Sport

Kissimmee’s QuarterBrit Challenge in London

2nd October 2023 funtime65

Those American Football marketeers know how to get us on side with their Kissimmee’s QuarterBrit Challenge in London.

It’s that time of the year again when the Gridiron Army touch down in old London town and everyone goes all-American for a while.

And we’re rootin tootin too for our Floridian friends who are over to cheer on their Jacksonville Jaguars who faced off against the Atlanta Falcons at the weekend.

Before playing the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, with the Baltimore Ravens tackling the Tennessee Titans the following Saturday.

And so you’ve seen the quarterbacks and wide receivers and reckon you could do it.

And my own footie friend is up to speed with the game and that you can throw the ball forward after the Aer Lingus biennial game in Dublin back in the day would be up for a touchdown.

With the National Football League and sponsors Experience Kissimmee, the Vacation Home Capital of the World, inviting us to try out for ourselves.

And attempt the Broad Jump and Vertical Jump, Wide Receiver, and Field Goal Kick activities against the backdrop of Battersea Station.

Mascot magic

The Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings will also have fan activations and photo opportunities at the venue.

Cheerleader and mascot performances from teams playing in the 2023 NFL London Games will also take place.

Jaxson de Ville, the Floridian jag, Freddie Falcon, for Atlanta, Billy Buffalo, Tennessee raccoon T-Rac.

And the Baltimore Ravens’ Poe, named after the Marylander Edgar Allan Poe and his poem of that name.

Just the ticket

‘NFL Experience London’ is non-ticketed and free to attend,

And open to all ages and will open at 10am on Saturday and close at 6pm.

An NFL Flag football mini-field will give fans the chance to experience the non-contact format of the game.

For men and women and all ages and abilities.

NFL merchandise and vintage NFL memorabilia from all 32 NFL teams will be available to buy.

Plus a New Era cap personalisation station and vending machine.

With a Fanatics container shop that will dispense NFL product.

Smash helmets

And giant NFL helmets representing all 32 NFL teams.

Plus a bespoke 2023 NFL London Games helmet, will be on display.

On The Coaling Jetty on the Thames in front of the Power Station for photo opportunities.

A Madden NFL 24 gaming station will be available for fans to play.

While Scottish artist and designer Craig Black will be creating bespoke artwork.

Utilising his unique dripping paint technique on American footballs in partnership with Wilson Sporting Goods.

I am Legend

Running back: And all the teams get a look in

NFL legends and pundits will join the NFL Experience London event.

Along with NFL DJs who will bring the soundtracks of the day to life, with visitors having the chance to win various NFL prizes.

To find out more and to take part in activations fans can download NFL OnePass available from the App Store or Google Play Store.

For more information visit here or follow NFL UK on Twitter and Instagram.

So get your gridiron vibe on for Kissimmee’s QuarterBrit Challenge in London

Countries, Europe, Ireland, Sport

Aer Lingus go Le Cork Sportif

30th September 202330th September 2023 funtime65

France is steering itself for a Munster invasion as Aer Lingus go Le Cork Sportif for the Rugby World Cup.

It’s a well-worn route for rugby’s southern heartland.

But with Ireland making strides en route to a final in Paris on October 28 Aer Lingus is making it its mission to get everyone out to France.

And that means bulking up the flights to France from Munster airports, Cork and Shannon.

And so Aer Lingus has re-established the connection between Shannon and Paris after an absence of 12 years, operating twice weekly.

Ya Corker

Take it as Red: But Munster fans turn green.

Now, of course, there is no shortage of Irish pubs in Paris.

But if you like a reminder of your own region when you’re away how about this one?

The Cork & Cavan on 70 Quai de Jemappes on the edge of Canal St Martin is described as the quaintest Irish cafe/bar/pub.

And we’re advised that you are a 50-minute Metro ride from Republique to Stade de France.

And what’s more it’ll cost you just €2.10 which gives you more to spend on your Guinness or a cheeky French red.

Two-way rue

The Aer Lingus Cork to Paris route will operate to October 30.

Of course there are some who don’t like egg (or in France that’s be oeuf) chasing.

And they’re probably looking for somewhere peaceful to escape to.

And Aer Lingus is hoping the Shannon-Paris route will increase inbound traffic to the west of Ireland.

Now that that will provide travellers with a gateway to the region’s landscapes, waterways and culture.

Of course we’re hoping the Gauls will all be heading for their own airports with their tails between their jambes.

After, of course, Ireland have eliminated them from the competition.

And see the Munster invasion coming the other way as Aer Lingus go Le Cork Sportif.

Countries, Oceania, Sport

Let’s have Samoa sports war dances

29th September 202329th September 2023 funtime65

Haka do, do, do, and while the New Zealand haka is always a highlight of the Rugby World Cup we say let’s have Samoa sports war dances.

And not just because our friends from the Samoa Tourist Board have kept us up to speed on the back of the ANTOR tourist board awards this week.

Which modesty forbids me saying I was nominated in.

But because the world has been fixed on the other war dances at the RWC in France.

Rock and Samoa roll

The Samoan stomp is, of course, no haka, it’s a Manu Siva Tau.

But then if you’re a Dwayne Johnson fan you’ll know that already from his films.

When The Rock performed a war dance in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, the set of which you’ll see at Warner Bros in LA.

No, this is the Manu Siva Tau which rugby fans will remember was first showcased at the 1991 World Cup.

To replace the Ma’ulu’ulu Moa, which was a slower dance and said to be less intimidating than the Samoan call to arms.

Now these war dances naturally come across more impressively in their own language.

But they all have familiar themes… ‘Ready for the war’ and ‘make way and move aside.’

Beautiful Samoa

Now as a way of introduction to the South Seas the rugby teams and their war dances are a distinctive calling card.

The Beautiful Samoa website does the rest panning across the islands for you with a range of enticing sale deals.

Their flights and accommodation packages run out on October 2 so if you’ve been holding off on your long haul…

Then chew over the sample Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa from five nights $2,599pp.

Coconuts Beach boasts panoramic views out over a turquoise lagoon.

And there are activities galore on offer such as village and island tours.

And scuba diving, surfing, snorkelling and kayaking and beaches of course.

The deal includes return flights flying Air New Zealand from Auckland to Apia.

While we can tease you with a five-nighter from Auckland in a tree-house suite.

From $2959 per adult share twin, extra night from $349 each. To travel on November 8.

Fiji and me

Now we don’t always have to head out to the South Seas although we most certainly would.

And we got a taste first hand when the Fijians came out to Dublin a couple of years back.

And they got Dancing Dad up to embarrass himself.

Now it wasn’t a Cibi, the war cry they have been demonstrating since way back in 1939, but my moves were frightening enough.

For those of you who want to impress your friends when they begin the Cibi there’s a lot in there about uplfiting trees.

Do, do, do the Tonga

A lot more imposing than the Med party dance, the Conga, this Tonga war dance is the most recent of all.

But it comes by royal assent, penned by King Tama Tu’i Taufa’ahau Tupou IV in 1994.

To commemorate a successful tour of New Zealand that year.

The Tongans are big into their Sea Eagles (who knew?) and famished unfurl they warn ‘the foreigner and sojourner beware’.

Haka can

Of course no summation of the war dances you’ve been seeing at the RWC would be complete without the Haka.

And none of us knew then back in the day when we went to our first Scotland v New Zealand game at Murrayfield what it meant.

Although it didn’t put off the bould Timmy from running onto the pitch to do it with the mighty All Blacks and get ejected.

The ‘Ka Mate’ dates back even before the game to the 1820s.

When it was performed by the rangatira, or chief, and now by a muscley rugby player.

The story goes that Tama-nui-te-ra, the sun god, and Mrs Sun God Hine-Raumati who embodies summer had a son, or sun, called Tane-rore.

And he would dance for his mum and caused the air to quiver, the movement that is said to form the haka.

We assume he is the ‘hairy man’ of the Ka Mate who ‘summons the sun and makes it shine.’

Now with the Samoans drawing their latest World Cup adventure to a close against England we’ll enjoy the Manu Suva Tau for the last time.

Until of course the next time so we can say let’s have Samoa sports war dances.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Sport

Qatar va voom

19th September 202319th September 2023 funtime65

For most of us football’s winter World Cup was our introduction to this Gulf state so if that whetted your appetite why not Qatar va voom out for the motor racing?

The desert, where you can drive without checking for speed cameras and it’s camel humps rather than speed bumps.

Qatar Airways Holidays are offering a package for the petrolheads’ festival from October 5-14.

Including the golden ticket of the Grand Prix on October 8.

The Geneva International Motor Show – Qatar which boasts extended test drives to automotive activities in the desert and Expo 23.

And all for €2,121 for three nights from October 5-8 for two at the Al Liwan Suites.

Classics fan

Now it won’t have escaped your notice that this is Geneva in Qatar and Experience and the most influential motor show is premiering outside Switzerland for the first time.

Where you’ll get to witness 32 of the world’s most renowned marquees showcasing a ground-breaking array of new cars.

And classic automobiles… the classics.

Running from 2pm-10pm daily and 10am-10pm on Saturday.

The exquisite display also highlights the automotive jewels from the Qatar Auto Museum, the Gulf Qatari Classic Cars Association, and Qatari & Arabian private collections.

Off riad

Of course as much as we love to look at the swankiest cars even better is to get behind the wheel.

And in Qatar that means off road, or off riad as we like to call it.

What GIMS Qatar calls where the desert meets the sea.

From 7 October you can sign up for the authentic and luxurious festival camp at Sealine.

Camel of you: This is not my first camel rodeo

And its abundance of exciting and indulging pursuits.

That’s exclusive car display, offroad circuit driving, sand boarding, camel riding, dune buggies, stunt shows and live performances.

So if you’re a petrolhead then you’ll want to Qatar va voom out to the Gulf state for a car-azy old trip.

Countries, Europe, Sport

Funky Finns my latest hobby horse

15th September 202315th September 2023 funtime65

Now the beauty of what we do here is getting to share our experiences, and I’ve been won over to Suomi with funky Finns my latest hobby horse.

Maybe it’s living in a land of a thousand lakes or being surrounded by 75% forests with all the sport that that offers.

Or that it’s the home of the sauna and Santa, and his reindeer live here too.

But mostly it’s because they are up for the craic (whatever that is in Finnish).

And have some of the weirdest competitions going.

Strumthing else

I’d been steered to Suomi by my old columnist Mal Rodgers who flagged up the extravaganza that is the World Air Guitar Championships.

If only I’d known about that when I was channeling my inner Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townshend as a teen heavy rock fan.

They’ve been strumming the air since 1966.

And champion and hall of famer Nanami ‘Seven Seas’ Nagura and the competition will return to Oulu next year from August 21-23.

While, of course, if you’ve done your dates and have been keeping up with Suomi, or Finland.

Then you’ll know Oulu is the European Capital of Culture in its 60th year in 2026.

Everyone needs a hobby

But I found the Hobby Horse Championships all on my own.

Which is run over ten classes.

And I can’t help thinking Arthur and his knights in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

But there is also showjumping and the gamut of equestrian events.

Finnish fun doesn’t stop there, of course.

Suomi swamp football

And what else would our friends try as an alternative soccer than swamp (or Suomi) football in Hyrynsalmi, in its 25th year.

Pastimes come in many guises.

And who knew that you could make a sport out of mobile throwing (well, maybe Naomi Campbell).

Wife is life

Or wife carrying, the world championship for which take place in Sonkajarvi every June.

The wife can be carried piggyback, fireman’s carry.

Or Estonian-style (the wife hangs upside-down with her legs around the husband’s shoulders, holding onto his waist).

And what’s best about this wacky contest is the prize.

All of which is determined by the weight of the man’s female teammate and is paid in beer.

So saddle up… funky Finns my latest hobby can be yours too.