The quiet evolution which followed the nadir of 1998
Updated / Monday, 15 Feb 2021
12:56
RTÉ Sport Journalist It s all a case of could-have but that s not good enough, both for ourselves and the team management and the Irish public. It s demoralising. We could have a record of played three, won three, but in a year s time, all people are going to see is Ireland at the bottom of the table. They re not going to remember any performances.
David Corkery s words as reported by The London Independent throws the current expectations on the Irish rugby team into sharp relief when compared to its 90s predecessor.
49 - Reggie Corrigan - Leinster, Ireland (47 caps). Honours: Celtic League 2001.
Corrigan is one of those who had made the breakthrough during the difficult days of the 1990s and had a period out of the international picture before becoming the cornerstone of the Irish scrum around the 2003 World Cup.
A consistent performer who was rock solid at the set-piece, he captained Leinster to the Celtic League triumph in 2001 and retired in 2006.
48 - Shane Byrne - Leinster, Saracens, Ireland (41 caps). Honours: Celtic League 2001, Lions 2005 (4 Tests).
A late bloomer, Byrne had to bide his time until Keith Wood retired, but once he got his chance the Blackrock hooker made the most of it.
Honours: Six Nations 2014, 2015, Champions Cup 2011, 2012, Challenge Cup 2013, PRO14 2013, 2014 Almost from the moment he landed in Dublin after a successful spell at Harlequins, Corkman Ross became integral to the success of the national team and he delivered a consistent level of performances, while largely avoiding injury, between 2009 and 2016. As such, he effectively inherited the Ireland No 3 jersey from John Hayes and held it until it was time for Tadhg Furlong to take over. His rock-solid scrummaging was key to Leinster’s success too and, while he never claimed to be the most dynamic carrier or tackler in the game, he was rarely exposed and was always committed.
The out-half scored the winning points with a last-minute drop goal. By Garry Doyle Saturday 30 Jan 2021, 10:02 PM Jan 30th 2021, 10:02 PM 13,363 Views 37 Comments
JJ Hanrahan slots over the winning drop goal.
Image: Elena Barbini/INPHO
Image: Elena Barbini/INPHO
MUNSTER COACH JOHANN Van Graan heaped praise on JJ Hanrahan for holding his nerve in Italy tonight.
The Irish province scraped home, 18-16, against the Pro14’s weakest side, with Hanrahan settling affairs with the final kick of the game.
“We played against a very good side tonight,” said Van Graan in an interview with eir Sport. “We started the game really well, got some momentum and scored two good tries.
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Craig Casey is eager to earn his first Ireland cap. By Murray Kinsella Saturday 30 Jan 2021, 7:00 AM Jan 30th 2021, 7:00 AM 36,625 Views 4 Comments
Anthony Foley with Craig Casey in 2005.
Image: INPHO
Image: INPHO
FROM AS FAR back as he can remember, rugby has been an obsession for Craig Casey.
He started playing with his beloved Shannon RFC at the age of four, his first match coming against Richmond out on the back pitch in Coonagh, Limerick.
“There’s photos of me and I’m very small. Obviously, not a lot has changed,” said 21-year-old Casey with a smile yesterday as he spoke on a Microsoft Teams call from Ireland camp.