Scottish League Cup Final with the Italian Bhoys!
I found myself in Naples on the day of the Scottish League Cup Final, and not a proper Irish or Scottish pub to be found. After scouring the internet, and interrogating a few locals, I determined that all neighborhood televisions would be tuned to the Napoli Reggina game and I’d be more likely to find a proper American cheeseburger than a pub tuned to Scottish football. I didn’t like the odds.
A quick visit to The North American Federation of Celtic Supporters Clubs website, which also has links to other supporters clubs worldwide, led me to Finnegan Irish Pub in Rome, home of the Celtic Supporters Club (CSC) known as “The Italian Bhoys”. Determined to watch the game, and even more determined to watch it surrounded by over zealous Scots dawning the infamous green hoops, I found my way to the train station in Naples, and headed off to Rome. Once there my trusty Blackberry Storm with built in maps guided me through the streets of Rome to the unassuming little Irish pub, tucked away in the center of the city.
Inside, I was pleased to find Michael Burns, president of “The Italian Bhoys”, pub proprietor, and accomplished Irish songster. A few patrons wearing the Hoops were already having a pint and talking about the upcoming match. There were a mix of Scots, Irish, Welsh, and Brits in the pub (and one “yank” if you count yours truly). A good number were there to watch some supposedly interesting Rugby match, but the Scots and Irish were there to support the “Bhoys”. By game time, a good 30 or so Celtic supporters had filled the back room, all eyes affixed to the two televisions covering the match up against arch rivals, the Rangers.
Much of the first half was rather uneventful as both teams settled into their game. About 2 minutes before the break, Rangers’ forward Kyle Lafferty’s powerful attempt on goal was pushed over the crossbar by leaping Celtic keeper Artur Boruc who found himself in full stretch. Instantly, the Italian Bhoys let out a gasp and quickly broke into “The Holy Goalie” song. As a long time goalkeeper, I had a special appreciation for the song. Forgive the poor video, but I was laughing way too heartily to record a proper video. **VIDEO COMING SOON**
Regular play ended with neither team finding the back of the net. I headed out front to the bar to grab another pint. Before I had returned, cheers erupted from the back room. Early in extra time, Irishman Darren O’Dea headed in a free kick from Celtic’s set play specialist Nakamura (affectionately called “Naka” by the Celtic fans). Fellow Irishman Aiden McGeady solidified the victory with a late penalty kick after being taken down by Ranger Kirk Broadfoot.
In the end, “The Hoops” lifted the league cup with their 2 – 0 victory over the Rangers, and the pub broke out in song once again:
Celtic, Celtic that’s the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league.
Perhaps the best part of watching the game with true Celtic fans, was the constant singing, chants, and cheers, that I could almost comprehend through the thick Scottish accents. They also seemed quite impressed that a “yank” came all the way from Naples to watch the game with them. All in all, it was a fantastic evening, and I met some extraordinary folks. They were die-hard Celtic fans, what else would one expect?
After leaving Finnegan’s and heading back to the station, in the hopes of finding a train home to Naples, I realized that I had skipped dinner. I happened upon another so called Irish pub along my route, and stopped in for a bite. The pub, which shall remain nameless, was rather large, and full of patrons. I was quickly seated and given an assortment of menus that I never even bothered to open, after all I was in an Irish pub… who needs a menu? The waiter finally appeared and I salivated as I requested my pub staple “fish ‘n’ chips”. “Sorry, no have”, the waiter replied in his broken English, and then pointed me to the pizza menu. Needless to say, I didn’t stay for dinner. Pizza in a supposedly “Irish” pub? Why on Earth would I go to an Irsih pub for Pizza in Italy???? For the record, and as far as I can tell, Finnegan Irish Pub is the ONLY true Irish pub in Roma. Look them up when you’re in town, even if you just stop in for a pint, a pack of crisps, and a bit of craic.
I made it back “home” to the Hotel Mediterraneo in Naples shortly after 10:30pm. A successful trip and a great outcome for the Bhoys. I hope to run into my new friends again the next time I find myself in Rome.
Hail Hail!
- Michael Dogan