The Rugby Thread

And the thing is, I dont necessarily buy into the 'greatest achievement' mantra for Grand Slams. I agree with you. Olympic medals have been won by some of Ireland's finest athletes over the decades Getting to the Women's Hockey World Cup Final in 2018 was a fantastic achievement, given how savagely hard it is. Ken Doherty's World Snooker Championship was joyous. Katie Taylor's pro-career was been fantastic. O'Leary's penalty is etched in everybody's mind who saw it.

Even in football we have had some wonderful recent achievements. The Women's World Cup qualification. The Under 16s and Under 18s winning European titles in 1998, Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk breaking into the group stages of the Europa League, as HB mentioned, the four points of Germany to qualify for Euro 2016, and Robbie Brady's goal. The reality is, achievement in football didnt stop after Big Jack left the job. The difference is, the Men's National Team have been the flagship team, and for the past 6 years have become so run down that our ability to stake a claim for major tournaments is tenuous, at best. Couple that with the governance issues that have dogged the sport, it is no wonder that Irish football isn't enjoying the praise it once was. 

Well then perhaps the FAI could up their game in terms of making the most of what was a great result, which propelled us to the Euros. That wasn't just any other result, like you said it was a victory over the World Champions, which concurrently capitalised on Scotland losing in Georgia. 

The NZ result was a holy grail because Ireland had not beaten the AB's before at Senior Level. It was a major block, and had a habit of wrecking results that were 'in the bag' such as the 2013 defeat.

Yet here you are, commenting on it. Strange, isn’t it?

I have an interest in rugby, and you claim you dont, yet you’re interested enough to comment here.

Eh no, that’s called debate.

I never told you to stop commenting.

25 years ago the rugby team was getting wooden spoons and miles off every other nation. IRFU built a grassroots system, schools, colleges, academies, clubs in every town in the country, players could develop, and get an education at the same time,  in Ireland. 

30 years later we've 4 professional teams, where the best of Irish players can play in front of decent crowds every Friday night. The clubs are regular in the last 8 of European Cups. National team obviously flying. We've lads not having to leave Ireland and take up granny rules elsewhere (Ben Healy the most recent going to Scotland).

What I wouldn't give for half that in 25 years from the FAI.