A Grand Team

I wanted to write this report on Irelands six nations triumph before today but I’ve been exhausted. The easiest way for me to assess the campaign would be to print a long list of superlatives but this has been done to death. The win has been called monumental, dawn of a new era, inspirational, the players legends, immortals and so on.

Tommy bowe making Shane Williams look slow!

This win has been described as one of the greatest achievements in irish sport but let me be clear as far as I am concerned this is the greatest achievement by any irish team in modern times. We have had great victories in tournaments before, we have beaten superior teams before and we have tasted disappointment on many occasions. What made this six nations win different was that even though few would admit it until last week, we have been on for the grand slam since the day we beat France.

After that game it became clear that the ghosts of the rugby world cup and last years six nations had been exorcised and this is in no small part due to the arrival of Declan Kidney. The man himself brought no ego or pretence with his arrival. He promised nothing in his first few weeks in charge but behind closed doors he has worked tirelessly to bring a much-needed sense of unity to the team.

An ecstatic Declan Kidney

He also surrounded himself

with a world class coaching staff. He made sure the players bonded by rotating who they shared rooms with, they were given jobs within the squad, Donncha O’Callaghan for example is in charge of dishing out the fines for indiscipline. Apparently Brian O’Driscolls punishment for being late for training was to mention the word tomato in his press conference before the England game. Jaime Heaslip had to sing karaoke at the post match ball in front of the English team.

These reports were coming out from the Irish over the past few weeks and hearing them the impression I got was that these guys are enjoying themselves. This is a team that is stable that is willing to work hard for each other. There have never been any rumours of fighting or bad blood from the squad, which is exactly the way it should be.

The unity in this squad also comes from the fact that all but 2 of the team that played yesterday live in Ireland. They are all local guys who you see regularly in Limerick, Cork or Dublin. Guys like Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald and Denis Leamy have all played for their local Gaa teams, so all these guys who are now superstars of world rugby keep themselves remarkably well grounded. Is this they key to their success well that and some great talent.

This grand slam win was a tremendous team effort but I have to give special mention to the two leading men on the team. Paul O’Connell has been his usual immense self for the past 8 weeks. Against Wales I don’t ever remember him taking a step back it was constant forward momentum from Irelands talismanic battering ram. He’s a certain starter for the Lions tour to South Africa.

Brian O’Driscoll at the same time has found his old form. He has led by example throughout the campaign. Any question marks over his leadership credentials were answered by bruising performance against England that would have made most heavyweight boxers wince in agony. This coupled with his 4 tries and his impressive handling of the media should also cement his place as Lions Captain.

Everything has been said on the matter but I want to say it again. Ireland won the grand slam, it took them 61 years to do it again. We should enjoy this. it’s given the country a much needed boost but there is still more to come from this team.

Also I just realised I didn’t have to make this article so long all I had to write is; Ireland Grand Slam Champions 2009 and Thanks lads for a great six nations.