Arrogant Ireland Must Eat Humble Pie After Humiliation In Dublin

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My father was a proud Ulsterman from Belfast and a staunch Ireland rugby fan.

As I grew up during the 70s and 80s, we watched Ireland countless times in the televised Five Nations and it was always the same story the men in green shirts were fast and furious in their endeavours but they lacked structure and finesse. It was always with hope and little optimism that we tuned in to watch the headless chickens lose. Again.

Neither of us would have predicted in our wildest dreams that one day Ireland would be Europes best team for a significant period, albeit between World Cups, and that their success would be underpinned by an impregnable game structure.

Ireland would no longer be have-a-go merchants who lost with a shrug of the shoulders and smiles on their dials as they headed off for a Guinness.