Twenty one players, with coaches and Dads met in Cork Airport early on Good Friday morning for the trip to Paris.
Chantilly Chateau was the first stop on the tour, the lads enjoyed the magnificent architecture and quickly began a game of touch rugby to warm up for the evenings fixture.
Crepy Rugby was located on the outskirts of the town and the whole touring party were welcomed warmly by the President and club members.
The Kinsale lads settled quickly even though the temperature was minus 2 and we were playing under lights.
Kinsale were well ahead in all aspects of the game and were excellent in the set pieces and showed great determination and skill at the breakdown.
The local crowd were very loud in the beginning but as the second half was in full flow they were silenced by Kinsale who had three tries to nil.
The game was played in 20 minute sections and the final 20 had Kinsale Forwards playing with Crepy backs and vice versa.
Our French hosts couldn’t do enough for all present. Starters of Terrine and Pâté followed by Cassoulet (duck and duck sausage in beans , a huge Cheese board and desserts.
The French families put everyone up for the night and dropped us all to the train in the morning.
Off to Paris and the lads all enjoyed a sightseeing tour of the city. The tour court was held under the Eiffel Tower followed by a gourmet lunch in a lovely restaurant, and after off to Stade de France for the night fixture of Toulouse and Racing Metro.
The lads kept singing the Fields of Athenry when the other supporters were quiet and won smiles of approval from all. The sing song continued in the Metro afterwards and everyone enjoyed the rugby fraternity of the occasion.
6.30 am start and off to Charles de Gaulle to catch the flight home.
All home safe and sound! Much praise must go to Conor Cullen for organising this terrific tour.