What It Said In the Papers

“Yet overall it was a wet greasy, rainy and bitterly cold encounter overseen by a fussy referee who seemed to prefer to parlay with his linesmen rather than allow any flow.” – Derek Foley, The Star.

“Hardly a match for the purists but the nine point winning margin did not flatter Ireland. One thing it did prove – there is life beyond Keith Wood. Shane Byrne won the man of the match performance with a near perfect performance.” – Barry Coughlan, The Irish Examiner.

“Coach Eddie O’Sullivan is absolutely correct when he claims that he and his management team are putting together a squad of serious depth.” – Charlie Mulqueen, The Irish Examiner.

“The dour but convincing 16-7 defeat of the visiting Pumas brings the total of consecutive triumphs to six and if that number is made up primarily of lame ducks, it also happens to include the world champions and now Argentina, the team that Ireland could never beat.” – Tom English, The Sunday Times.

“Eddie O’Sullivan’s side has come of age. The coach now has the results to back up his philosophy and will feel confident in the months ahead that he is heading in the right direction.” – Liam Heagney, Ireland on Sunday.

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Maybe it was the water that had Argentina all at sea – but a number of impressive Irish performances had just as much to do with it.” – Roy Curtis, The Sunday World.

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Against a Puma pack that had given Australia a real drilling Ireland’s forwards answered any doubts about their fortitude or technical ability.” – Peter O’Reilly, The Sunday Tribune.

“They (Irish pack) drew a line in the – submerged – sand when they shunted the Pumas off their first put in and for all Augustin Pichot’s blinkered comments about the Pumas dominating the scrums, thereafter scrimmaged cutely.” – Gerry Thornley, The Irish Times.

“Ireland gained an important psychological advantage over Argentina on Saturday thanks to their forward’s superiority at the set-pieces.” – Brendan Fanning, The Sunday Independent.

“It may not have been a classic – in fact it was an old-fashioned slugfest in dire conditions that barely registered on the entertainment scale – but the fact remains that when Ireland line up for their opening Six Nations against Scotland in February, they will be attempting to register a record seventh consecutive victory.” – Brendan Gallagher, The Daily Telegraph.