IT'S hard being a streaker. One minute you're the centre of attention, thousands of people squealing with delight. And then as quickly as your star burned bright, it fizzles out, and you quickly become a one-night
memory. I should say at the outset that I don't wish to encourage the
act. A streaker in the dying minutes of
the Rugby World Cup final would be about as appropriate as a drunk stand-up comedian at a funeral
wake.
It just wouldn't be right. But in the context of an early pool match, between Tonga and Canada, Connor Irwin's pitch invasion slotted perfectly into the night's entertainment on Wednesday.
Apparently, Connor's mates created a wee bit of a diversion on Wednesday, to allow him time to
jump the fences and take off.
Connor's streak was not recorded on television, but the crowd loved it.
Back home in Northern Ireland, he comes from a well-to-do family and his Dad's a dentist.
The 24-year-old apparently offered the excuse in court that he hadn't realised it was an
international match. I'm surprised the judge or registrar heard him, given his tongue must have been
firmly wedged in his cheek.
What did he think, that 17,000 people had turned up to a club match between Tonga and Canada
on a week night?
He's a property analyst from Ulster _ maybe he wanted to take a closer look at the pitch.
After creating one for a few minutes on Wednesday, Connor was offered diversion as he was a
first-time offender. Diversion is a scheme whereby, if a first-time offender admits an offence,
they are discharged without conviction. They also generally have to apologise and make a
donation to a charity.
Connor also spent a night in the police cells, hopefully wearing a little more than the
elephant trunk g-string and foam hand that he paraded in front of 17,000 fans.
As next Wednesday's match between Japan and Tonga approaches, expect another
sellout. Sadly, I don't think we'll see another streaker. The security guards will be
ready and waiting for the big tackle.
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