What’s done is done.
What’s won is won – a memory that cannot be taken away.
And what’s lost is lost and gone forever.
We may never fully be at peace with some of the decisions in Dublin that allowed the All Blacks to exact revenge on Ireland. New Zealand might well be investigated for 11 – that’s right, 11 – incidents from that game with the Irish but they won it and they left Lansdowne Road with the pride in store and they left their hosts there to complain about this, that and the other.
Ireland might never, ever have a better chance of beating the All Blacks back-to-back and no citing or retrospective punishment is going to change that.
Around the country, the nation still seethes with the injustice of it all.
The try that should never have been.
The dive and wrap around tackle… on Simon Zebo’s neck.
The shoulder straight to Robbie Henshaw’s jaw.
And CJ Stander’s crown.
And don’t forget Kieran Read coming in from the side of the Irish scrum just to deliberately stop them crossing the line – just because. Penalty was given… nothing else.
But, whilst the rest of the island tell their tales of woe and hardships, they’re just getting on with it out in Carton House.
It’s like it never happened. It’s like they’re looking ahead, nothing else. That’s a little easier with news that Peter O’Mahony and Ultan Dillane are back in training with Keith Earls, whilst CJ Stander and Rob Kearney are expected to be ready for Australia too.
Ultan Dillane and Peter O’Mahony are back fit.
And Simon Zebo is delighted about it.
Keith Earls is fit.
And Simon Zebo is delighted about it.
CJ Stander and Rob Kearney are on track to play against the Wallabies on Saturday.
And Simon Zebo is delighted about it.
Conor Murray’s just drinking coffee.
Joey Carbery and Luke McGrath already look part of the furniture.
Josh van der Flier looks relaxed.
Carbery is taking the piss too.
Joe Schmidt is sorting everyone out.
Everyone is busting their balls.
Keith Andrews is there.
And Simon Zebo is delighted about it.
Aaron Kernan joins Colm Parkinson on The GAA Hour to explain the work he’s doing for the Club Players Association. Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue talks Slaughtneil and a Dublin club advertising for hurlers gets a sore touch. Subscribe here on iTunes.
