Ireland snatch victory to win the Triple Crown
With three minutes to go, Andy Robinson must have been relishing the prospect of reading Sunday's papers. Eddie O'Sullivan's management of a lacklustre Six Nations campaign would not have avoided criticism, especially considering the calls that have been made recently for his dismissal.
Shane Horgan's 78th minute try changed all that however. Now Robinson's tenure is surely set to end and Eddie O'Sullivan's reputation has achieved legendary status for winning two Triple Crowns in three years. Today's 28-24 victory makes it a triumvirate of wins over the English in the past three years, a feat that will take its place in Irish rugby history.
Unfortunately, Ireland typically started in the least convincing manner by allowing England to cross the line with only a minute on the clock. Were Ireland to face a rampant English side intent on proving their worth having been humiliated against the French a week earlier?
However brave Ireland were, it is impossible to say that Ireland were not a tad lucky to have taken the win. Horgan's first try should not have stood considering the fact that the ball had clipped the touchline just before he touched down. But combine this refereeing mistake with the amount of turnover ball won from English mistakes and you have always have a chance.
Despite the possibility of Ireland winning the Championship, France's last minute victory against Wales and a swirling wind in Twickenham conspired to prevent them from amassing a high score. It soon became clear that the Triple Crown became the new target in a tightly contested match. The lead swung back and forward but being starved of possession in the second half seriously hampered Ireland's chance of putting that chariot where the sun don't shine.
Andy Goode's 75th minute penalty put the English three points ahead after Ireland infringed at a ruck. Arguably Ireland's best player of the Six Nations, Shane Horgan took the ball three minutes later and just made the corner to claim a very famous Irish sporting win.
After the match, Brian O'Driscoll said it was a stepping stone for greater things. If this is true, it is necessary that the backline starts to perform the way we know it can. Next year, we may be celebrating a famous Grandslam victory for the first time in 58 years.
Published by Colm.
Shane Horgan's 78th minute try changed all that however. Now Robinson's tenure is surely set to end and Eddie O'Sullivan's reputation has achieved legendary status for winning two Triple Crowns in three years. Today's 28-24 victory makes it a triumvirate of wins over the English in the past three years, a feat that will take its place in Irish rugby history.
Unfortunately, Ireland typically started in the least convincing manner by allowing England to cross the line with only a minute on the clock. Were Ireland to face a rampant English side intent on proving their worth having been humiliated against the French a week earlier?
However brave Ireland were, it is impossible to say that Ireland were not a tad lucky to have taken the win. Horgan's first try should not have stood considering the fact that the ball had clipped the touchline just before he touched down. But combine this refereeing mistake with the amount of turnover ball won from English mistakes and you have always have a chance.
Despite the possibility of Ireland winning the Championship, France's last minute victory against Wales and a swirling wind in Twickenham conspired to prevent them from amassing a high score. It soon became clear that the Triple Crown became the new target in a tightly contested match. The lead swung back and forward but being starved of possession in the second half seriously hampered Ireland's chance of putting that chariot where the sun don't shine.
Andy Goode's 75th minute penalty put the English three points ahead after Ireland infringed at a ruck. Arguably Ireland's best player of the Six Nations, Shane Horgan took the ball three minutes later and just made the corner to claim a very famous Irish sporting win.
After the match, Brian O'Driscoll said it was a stepping stone for greater things. If this is true, it is necessary that the backline starts to perform the way we know it can. Next year, we may be celebrating a famous Grandslam victory for the first time in 58 years.
Published by Colm.
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