Photosales
niJobfinder
niCarfinder
Home Delivery
Propertynews
Ireland win the Grand Slam in showdown in Wales
Saturday, 21 March 2009
More pictures
Ireland were tonight crowned Grand Slam champions when Ronan O'Gara booted a late drop goal in an evening of high drama at the Millennium Stadium.
The game opened up as it headed into the final quarter and it was Ireland, with D'Arcy and O'Driscoll to the fore, who were coming out on top.
Wales desperately needed points but were struggling to escape from their own half and Jones' kicking seemed to be their only answer.
With 13 minutes left Henson stepped up to take a monster kick from inside his own half but the Ospreys centre had neither the length nor the accuracy.
Ireland were content to keep them pinned back with a constant aerial bombardment that kept the Welsh back three busy.
Time was running out but an electric run from Shane Williams brought the Millennium Stadium to its feet with wrecking ball Mike Phillips then almost bulldozing his way over.
Wales finished the attack with a drop goal by Jones but Ireland would not be denied the Grand Slam.
With two minutes remaining, an Irish surge was concluded when O'Gara landed his own drop goal.
Wales were given one last attempt to triumph but Jones sent a long-range penalty inches short of the uprights and Ireland were able to celebrate their first Grand Slam for 61 years.
Tries from man of the match Brian O'Driscoll and Tommy Bowe, both within six minutes after the interval, put Ireland on course for victory in a nerve-shredding contest.
But four penalties from the superb Jones kept defending champions Wales, who needed to win by a minimum of 13 points to retain their title, in touch as they sought to deny Ireland the clean sweep.
A delighted Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll said : "The amount of things going through the head during the week, permutations of what might be...It feels so good and to go down to that at the end, it would have broken my heart.
"I'm so proud of the boys, we took a lot of flak the last 18 months and to come back and win I'm so delighted."
Ireland trailed 6-0 at half-time and O'Driscoll revealed what coach Declan Kidney said to inspire the turnaround.
"He said we were still completely in it, we hadn't converted our pressure into points and we came out firing and got two quick tries," O'Driscoll told BBC1.
"We couldn't have asked for a more dramatic end than that, for Stephen to miss that penalty by a yard."
- Text Size
well done eire.thats the best answer to warren gatlands comments in build up to match
Posted by johnny cullen | 25.03.09, 02:04 GMT
Voyeur
Couldn't agree more. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone on this island could combine in soccer as we do in rugby, boxing and horse racing (incidently, the only sports that we seem to have any success at). Unfortunately this is unlikely to happen while people like mickey continually mix politics and sports to futher there own sectarian end. Every unionist I know has no problem with their own identity when it comes to supporting the Ireland team. .....congrats also to Bernard Dunne. What a weekend for Irish sport Mickey!..Don't you think?
Posted by mark | 23.03.09, 12:28 GMT
Voyeur "Next ... All Ireland soccer - to win the World Cup. Anyone agree? Surely it now makes sense."
hahaha, I wondered how long it would take to bring up this subject. I thought supporters of the de facto RoI rugby side might concentrate on enjoying their victory for a few weeks before trotting out this nonsense...deary me.
Posted by mickey | 23.03.09, 09:19 GMT
Next ... All Ireland soccer - to win the World Cup. Anyone agree? Surely it now makes sense.
I wonder if there will be a victory parade in Belfast city centre to celebrate the Grand Slam.
Posted by Voyeur | 22.03.09, 13:22 GMT
A wonderful day for Ireland and everyone on this island.
Posted by Seánóg | 22.03.09, 09:50 GMT
I quite vividly remember the 1948 "Grand Slam" but not many of the players' names. It would be interesting to see how the team was comprised. In those days the "Triple Crown" was the real trophy.
I listened to the match at a neighbour's house which had no electricity on what must have been one of the first ever portable radio sets. A very cumbersome thing and very heavy.
Posted by Alan Pittaway | 22.03.09, 08:02 GMT
Dear Sir,
Well done I reland both north and south. What a wonderful game and even more wonderful result for Ireland.
This message is from an ardent Welsh ( of Irish extraction) supporter. I have always held the view that rugby - not religion - will bring the two communities together. I speak as a practising R.C. who holds the greatest respect for the Protestant community, of whose number I have many lifelong friends.
Liam of Cardiff
Posted by liam | 21.03.09, 23:02 GMT
Yeeeeesss! Well done Ireland you deserve it!
Posted by JR | 21.03.09, 22:30 GMT
Wow, I was sitting on the edge of my chair, biting my fingernails, when the clock was ticking down. I went completely crazy after O'Gara's dropgoal!
Posted by BiggestIrelandFanEver! | 21.03.09, 21:52 GMT
A nervous last 2 minutes, but the squad have done Ireland proud. Well done to the fine young men in green.
Posted by RS | 21.03.09, 20:16 GMT
I have just wathced the game from here in Canada. I'm a displaced Ulster man and a lifelong (43 years) supporter ofthe Ireland Rugby team. I will be wearing my green with pride tonite.... Well done to all you guys for giving Jack Kyle something else to celebrate in his glorious years......
That match was the most heart rending thing I have ever seen, I'll have to have a wee Bushmills to calm down..... Enjoy your night guys..... You surely deserve it.... It's my Dad's birthday too, God rest him... I almost thought that I saw his hand on Jones's kick in the last minute to make it fall short.....
Posted by ricky mccleery | 21.03.09, 20:01 GMT
As an Ireland fan I'm just delighted but what a tough match. The boys in green like to make life interesting for their supporters. And what heart the Taffs show every time they take the field, a credit to their country...the spiritual home of Rugby.
This is what I love about the six nations tourney. On any given day any team can beat any other team. Even Italy is not a walkover anymore. This is what sport is about.
Posted by patrick | 21.03.09, 19:58 GMT
Well done Ireland, I never doubted you, I knew you would do it! Congratulations all!
Posted by Cynthia Herbert | 21.03.09, 19:52 GMT