OLDEST IRISH AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN USA, ESTABLISHED IN 1928
Category: Archive

Grand result

February 17, 2011

By Staff Reporter

In terms of a time lapse, the men in green were not quite up there with the Chicago Cubs, or indeed the Boston Red Sox before that team’s recent triumphs. But six decades and a year is a long span, though one that only made the eventual triumph all the sweeter.
The manner in which victory was clinched in the dying moments of the game followed the apparent losing of it. A Welsh drop goal had put the home side ahead by a point, but it was matched soon afterwards by Ireland’s Ronan O’Gara. A last gasp Welsh penalty kick fell short and that was it.
Winning the grand slam might only involved winning five games, in this case against Wales, England, Scotland, France and Italy; but given the nature of modern rugby it is difficult to say the least to string together five consecutive wins, which must be secured on both home and away turf.
This year, interestingly, Ireland played three of their five games away from home with just two of them, the games against France and England, being at Croke Park.
Add to this the fact that Ireland’s pool of players is smaller than their opponents, particularly England and France, and you get an idea of the measure of the result that was finally nailed down in Cardiff.
So well done Ireland, though let’s hope that we don’t have to wait another six decades for a six nations repeat.

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