Wrestling later, first... history

I'm accompanying my father-in-law to a University of Iowa wrestling match this afternoon. The 12-4 Hawkeyes host the 3-6 Michigan State Spartans.
Before leaving for that encounter, I am listening live online to Radio 5 Live Sports Extra as Ireland host France in a truly historic rugby union match... at Croke Park.
For decades, Dublin's Croke Park has been home to the Gaelic Athletic Association, a source of nationalist pride for Ireland.
It has always played host to sports such as Gaelic football and hurling -- NEVER to "British" sports such as rugby or association football. Until today.
The park itself is named after a 19th-century nationalist bishop and one of the stands is named for a Tipperary footballer shot dead on the pitch by British Black and Tans during Ireland's war of independence in 1920. Bitter politics and history swirl with sports when considering Croke Park's legacy.
So, the vote to rescind the ban on foreign sports at Croke during the reconstruction of Dublin's Lansdowne Road, the home of rugby union, is truly historic and possibly a sign of changing times -- a choice to forget politics and hatred for an afternoon of sports.
Ireland trail, 11-13, at halftime. The Irish try came from San Diego-born Munster star Ronan O'Gara. On the radio, the cheers were deafening -- the commentators had to yell to be heard. The, the crowd became utterly silent for the (failed, unfortunately) conversion try.
The second-half is about to kick off.
History in the making... at Croke Park!
POSTSCRIPT:
Ireland fell just short in their quest to defeat France in their Croke Park debut. O'Gara scored all of the Irish points, with his try and four penalties. Then Vincent Clerc broke Irish hearts with a late try. France won, 20-17.