Ulster v Glasgow blog my first time at kingspan

MY TRIP TO SEE ULSTER PLAY GLASGOW

This is my ticket to the Ulster Rugby vs Glasgow Warriors game
 

                                                 

We went through the turnstyle and went into this place where people are selling food and drinks for the supportors.

There was a big crowd and I was a little uncomfortable as it made me feel a bit weird.

We then went into the Ulster store and I got a ball signed by Michael Allen a guy from Belfast who has represented Ireland at u19 level who I saw outside on the other side is the ball that he signed 

 

I had to get in line to get a photo taken with Luke Marshal who was taking photos with fans and small children. / He has played for Ireland playing in the Autumn Internationals and the 6 nations. The man from Ballymena had shown that he had the potential to go far in this game and have photos. I got a small ball from the store. I was impressed in how much quality stuff there was in the store.

I was very impressed by how much things  were in the store and what I could get in the store.

Here is a picture with me and Rosie trying to promote  mencap in a strong positive light

Here is something that I thought looked very funny before we came into the ground. It is the big feet for the Mencap Big Step Forward fund raising they are doing jointly with Ulster Rugby. Everyone was asked to wear different coloured shoes and socks.

This is a clock that was noticed as we entered the ground. 

This is an image that some people should understand in this day and age. There is a plaque dedicated to the first world war it is on the memorial stand.

We then went to our seats which were in the centre of the pitch in the family stand. There were a lot of families at the game and there was a nice relaxed atmosphere to the match and I liked it as I was able to talk to a fan at the start of the second half and he made a joke about being paid money for me interviewing him for my blog.

Having a capacity stadium is always a great thing when it comes to watching sport as it gives a home team a natural advantage and this stadium was full to the complete capacity before the game started.

One of the things that for me sometimes make a match is the mascot and the music that seems to come out to help get the fans behind ulster in as big way I got a photo with him before we left. I liked the songs and the band got the crowd singing it added to the match in a way I would not have thought possible. One song  they liked was stand up for the ulster men.

As the match started everything was fine and the game was very close so close you would be certain who exactly would win. First was a Russell Penalty on 7 when this happened there was a picture of Guinness pro 12 on screen and the crowd went completely silent which I think added to the pressure this happened with every penalty. Ulster  equalised Humphries on 10 with a penalty  and then Ulster were able to lead for the first time on 14 minutes  The first thing that happened that annoyed me was when the score was 6-3 to Ulster sometime during the first half and the Ulster man clearly won the ball. The penalty was given to Glasgow but when I saw it on the replay I was pretty much annoyed as it was clear that the Ulster man won the ball. So I was confused. Glasgow scored  a penalty this kick and made it 6-6. And was as close as Glasgow got. Ulster did manage to get a penalty before half time and led this match that had more to come from it in the second half. I got very excited when Ulster took control of the match at the end of the half leading 15-6 as I felt that they did deserve it and they did look like they were getting better and better.

This is a photo of me with some of the other Mencap Ambassadors at half time.

The second half was definitely a lot more favourable to Ulster as The disallowed try from Ulster from a good Humphries kick and going onto the line as Payne grounded the ball  at least that is how the video ref saw I but there could have been a try a lot earlier as this could have went either way as it was so close between the Ulster after and Glasgow defender. It made me ask the questions to why the Ulster scrum was becoming so slow. We were able to see on the replay but you did. At this stage I felt that I would be disappointed if Ulster had lost especially as in the second half every time Ulster made a run I got excited within that half second.

There looked to be something serious wrong with Andrew Trimble as the play seemed to stop for a long time as the medics tried to get whatever he needed as it looked to be quite serious at the time.And we all hope he is fit and well  

When Gilroy scored a try of the Marchall pass it was the first time that I thought that they could win this match and I began to get a little bit excited as it was a try and when I go to a rugby match that is what I want to see a lot of tries scored by players.

When Tommy Bowe scored from a Euan Murray pass inside his own area and running a lot of distance to sore the try.  In my opinion his try try that is when I was certain that that the game was over and Ulster had won.

Final score Ulster 29-9 Glasgow. Glasgow did not score in the second half.

One of the things that was important to Ulster and how the crowd go is the mascot who I was able to get a photo with and I feel that this can be a very important part of having a team playing at home. He did help the crowd get very loud  at times

Getting out of the stadium was quite easy. I was able to talk on the way home and was back for 9pm and I had chips.

At the end of the match I was able to get a photo of the Guinness pro 12 and its logo behind me this works as a good shot. 

This is another photo at the end of the game showing the Glasgow warm down a thing that players need to do in order to make sure they do not get any further injuries.

Would I do it again if I had the opportunity. I think that I would. I have got to give credit for how they bring you into the stadium  selling things and if there were less in the crowd I think I would like the Ulster shop.

The way that they have made the stadium bigger has not stopped the family atmosphere that they have in their family stands brilliant