The most important question was snuck in right at the end, right after Joe Schmidt set out his plans to beat France in the World Cup.
The Ireland rugby coach announced his matchday squad to take on Les Bleus, at the Millennium Stadium, on Sunday.
He discussed his clutch calls – Keith Earls at outside centre and Devin Toner for Iain Henderson – and laughed off French suggestions that Ireland are clear favourites to top their group.
However, with a call going out for final questions, an intrepid reporter posed what we all wanted to know: “Where you watching Ireland’s [Euro 2016 Qualifier] win over Germany last night.”
As a newly minted citizen of Ireland, you better believe Schmidt was watching.
“It was a super effort,” he replied.
“Shane Long’s touch and finish was exceptional. You have to take your hat off to that skill.”
Schmidt continued, “Martin O’Neill will have, already, turned the page and started to focus on Sunday [against Poland].
“It would be great to have a genuine Super Sunday of Irish sport.”
"We know there will be a wave coming at us… I know our centres have limitless courage" pic.twitter.com/A21HSuI8nJ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 9, 2015
Ireland’s match with Poland could assure automatic qualification for Euro 2016, hours after Ireland could top Pool D and set up a potential last eight World Cup tie with Argentina.
Schmidt said, “No doubt, the Irish fans [in Cardiff] will vacate the Millennium Stadium and find somewhere suitable to watch it [Ireland v Poland].”
