What They Said After The Ball Was Over
Reaction To Ireland’s defeat.
The final scoreline may have flattered England, but only marginally, for in truth we were demolished by a side infinitely superior in most facets of the game.
– Tony Ward, The Irish Independent.
The scoreboard was cruel on Ireland and didn’t truly tell the tale, but by the same token it was as well it didn’t go on another 10 minutes.
– Gerry Thornley, The Irish Times.
Nobody should dance on the grave of Irish rugby in spite of this rather humiliating scoreline….. and if some of the walking wounded are restored to full fitness and effectiveness, then the future can still be bright.
– Charlie Mulqueen, The Irish Examiner.
Heroic for an hour, but lost in the fugue of fatigue afterwards, Ireland ended up coming within four points of their record Six Nations defeat. Yet cruelly, it wasn’t at all as atrocious as that final scoreline might suggest.
– Derek Foley, The Star.
It was not that Ireland caved in with nary a fight, for they did not. It was a rousing contest, full of cut and thrust.
– Mick Cleary, The Daily Telegraph.
As an advert for competitive team sport, the whole day was hard to beat. Sometimes too much expectation throttles these sorts of occasions but for an hour at least this was as compelling, uncompromising and absorbing a game of Test rugby as England have played this season.
– Robert Kitson, The Guardian.
When it really mattered, Ireland got their tactics wrong. Make no mistake, England were by far the better team at Lansdowne Road and deserved to win but it is interesting to note, that they played as Ireland had done in their earlier championship matches.
– Former Ireland coach, Murray Kidd.
For Ireland, this is a big reality check. At home on a greasy pitch they are a force to reckon with, but on a dry pitch, in the conditions they will encounter in the World Cup, they didn’t cope well, for all their heart.
– French international Thomas Castaignede.
Final word to Edmund Van Esbeck writing in The Irish Independent. Of course we are disappointed, but there will be other great days for Irish rugby as the focus now switches to the Heineken European Cup. Let there be no despair for that would be a great injustice to this Ireland team and the joyous days and excitement they have given us.