Those of us that have followed their exploits over the past decade will always remember the images of Fiona Coughlan, Lynne Cantwell and their teammates saluting the Irish fans after their World Cup semi-final exit in 2014.
Having stunned then world champions New Zealand and topped their pool, there was genuine hope that Ireland could go all the way. The team was made up of many of the women that had clinched Grand Slam glory in 2013.
They were close to glory but ran into a superb England team that would go on to take the title. They arrived in Dublin Airport, two days after that final four loss, not as all-conquering but definitely as heroes. Living breathing inspirations to the next generation.
Compare that to the glum affair at Belfast’s Kingspan Stadium, on August 26. Having missed out on the semis, Ireland then lost to Australia and Wales to finish 8th from the 12-team tournament.
Players such as Marie-Louise Reilly and Alison Miller had fought and performed until the very end but, as Eddie O’Sullivan had pointed out, the Irish game-plan was stilted and the hosts looked undersized and off the pace.
We caught up with Leinster and Ireland lock Sophie Spence, at Tullow RFC, and discovered what must be one of the saddest aspects of Ireland’s failure at WRWC 2017. Spence gave herself a few weeks before she looked back on the tournament but it was easy to tell that it will rankle for months, and years, ahead.
“I don’t think I can finish on that performance. The manner of our performances has been something that has made me keep going for a little bit longer. I hadn’t in my career lost to Wales until that point so that was something that was extremely disappointing. So was the tournament itself.
“We didn’t perform, which was unfortunate and very disappointing. It’s something that… I’ve got to keep going, I think.”
While Spence is not retiring on that flat note, three senior players – Reilly, Nora Stapleton and Ailis Egan – have turned out for Ireland for the final time. The lack of fanfare or any night out to acknowledge all the years of effort they put in for the Irish cause is such an absolute shame.
Hard to say goodbye but Saturday's game wasn't just my 50th cap but also my final cap. Thanks for the incredible support over the years. 🍀💚 pic.twitter.com/smfTkCIJlZ
— Nora Stapleton (@NoraStapleton) August 29, 2017
Spence said:
“There have been no farewells yet. We obviously had the final night of the tournament, when all of the teams were out together. A few of us went out the next night in Dublin but we haven’t been back together. Everyone went their separate ways.
“It would be good to get everyone back together and see everyone again.”
Five weeks on from their final defeat, the Ireland 2017 World Cup squad have yet to meet up and give a fitting send-off to some legends of the game in this country. We are far removed from the achievements of 2013 and 2014 – even the 2016 Six Nations win – but it is an awful pity that this team felt so distraught at their performance that they just parted ways so abruptly.
The likes of Reilly, Stapleton and Egan may have moved on but Spence is not going anywhere yet and points to the likes of Nicole Cronin and Cliodhna Murphy as two players that Ireland will look to in the coming years.
As for criticism, Spence does not mind if it stings, as long as it is fair.
“As the game grows, we are getting more and more exposed to the media and getting more coverage, and you don’t want someone saying you’ve been brilliant when you’ve been diabolical. But, look, I wouldn’t be listening to the media about my own performance.
“I’d be looking and analysing my own game and seeing where I can get better.”
Spence was joined by Robbie Henshaw, Sean O’Brien, Rob Kearney – and fans Roisin Kinch & Will O’Toole – to help announce the renewal of Bank of Ireland’s sponsorship deal with Leinster Rugby.
