It has been an incredible year.
Where to begin?
It has been a remarkable year for Irish rugby with many ups and downs. Although the year began with some disappointment regarding Ireland’s Six Nations campaign and the provinces performances in Europe, things really clicked into gear from the summer onwards.
Connacht’s fantastic march to the PRO12 title, Ireland’s first win against the Springboks on South African soil and the small matter of beating the All Blacks for the first time in our history – are just a few of the moments which stand out in 2016.
Here we take a look at some of the moments, both on and off the field, which shaped 2016.
CJ Stander’s try against Scotland
Although Ireland had a disappointing Six Nations by their own high standards. The final game against Scotland provided some much-needed positivity for Irish fans. One of the highlights of this game was CJ Stander’s try in the 26th minute.
The score was something which would be more accustomed to the NFL rather than the Six Nations but it was an incredible piece of athleticism which summed up the Munsterman’s determination and unwilling drive to succeed.
Connacht winning the Pro12 in Murrayfield
“It’s a moment that we’ve dreamed of as children…and big children.”
This quote from John Muldoon on the eve of their Pro12 final against Leinster sums up perfectly just how much Connacht’s remarkable journey meant to the players.
Niyi Adeolokan’s first half try set Connacht on their way to a historic victory but it was the build-up to this try which really encapsulated the skill, bravery and encouragement of off-the-cuff rugby which Pat Lam instilled to his players during that season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCiaz3NcIqM
Ireland beating South Africa
Although Ireland lost the summer series against South Africa, they recorded a first-ever victory over the Springboks on South African soil. Ireland will look back on that series wondering what could have been as the remaining Test matches were definitely there for the taking.
Nonetheless, Ireland’s victory over the Springboks set the platform for what was a successful November series due to the confidence they were able to take from winning a game such as this with only 14 men for the majority of the match, due to CJ Stander’s red card.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuQ5A7B40cQ
Munster fans singing outside of Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir
A lot has been documented on Anthony Foley’s death and the subsequent impact it has had on not only Munster but Irish Rugby as a whole. As news filtered through that Munster’s Champions Cup fixture against Racing 92 was postponed due to Foley’s tragic passing, Munster fans gathered outside the stadium to pay tribute to their fallen brother.
Les supporters du @Munsterrugby saluent la mémoire de Anthony Foley 2/2 pic.twitter.com/uZ4VrBilYo
— Racing 92 (@racing92) October 16, 2016
This moment captures everything that is good about the sport of rugby.
Munster’s emphatic victory over Glasgow Warriors
Initially, it was a surprise that Munster decided to go ahead with their Champions Cup fixture against Glasgow Warriors, just one week after Foley’s untimely passing.
How could the players and staff, who would have worked so closely with Foley over the years, prepare both physically and mentally for a vital rugby fixture against a good Glasgow side?
But the players decided that the best way to remember their friend and mentor was to put in a storming peformance that Axel himself would have been proud of.
What happened on that day in Thomond Park was truly remarkable. From the beautiful tributes before kick-off, to the atmosphere generated by the fans throughout the game and finally to the truly spine-tingling rendition of the Munster anthem, Stand Up and Fight, which took place after the final whistle with Foley’s two sons.
Ireland’s win over the All Blacks
This game had so many memorable moments that it is difficult to mention them all.
The first one came with how the Irish players lined up as they faced the haka.
The Irish played formed the figure eight in respect of the late, Anthony Foley, with Ireland’s Munster contingent at the forefront of the formation.
No doubt the players used the memory of the fallen legend in their incredible performance against the world’s best side.
Throughout the game, there were so many great moments which contributed to the historic victory that day but it was Robbie Henshaw’s try late in the second half which we have gone with here.
It was with this try, that it finally dawned on us that we were about to create history.
Centre Robbie Henshaw takes @IrishRugby to the brink of history.#IREvNZL https://t.co/tMhlWmBgfN
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 5, 2016
Jack Carty’s late conversion to seal dramatic win
Connacht were decimated by injuries as they entered this must-win Champions Cup tie against London Wasps at the Sportground.
The victory encapsulated the unwavering spirit which sums up Connacht Rugby.
In the dying moments of the game, debutant Naulia Dawai, touched down from a rolling maul to level the match at 18-18.
As silence descended on the Sportground, Carty stepped up to nail the conversion from the toughest of angles to send the sold-out crowd into raptures and ensured that Connacht will live to fight another day in Europe’s premier club competition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbUgVg1YZ4Q
An incredible year indeed.
