The Rugby World Cup 2015 is in full swing and Ireland’s solid start has everyone dreaming that there may be some truly memorable days ahead over the next few weeks. To celebrate this we’ve teamed up with MasterCard to look at the 44 craziest days in the history of Irish rugby. How many do you remember?
1. Stephen Ferris. Will Genia. Rag Doll (2011)
The game that proved Ireland could physically mix it with a southern hemisphere giant for 80 minutes at a Rugby World Cup will always be remembered for Ferris abusing the Wallaby scrum-half.
2. Mick ‘the Kick’ Kiernan delivers a Triple Crown (1985)
Hopes for a second Triple Crown in four years appeared to be fading until Donal Lenihan’s charge into the English defence set the Lansdowne man up for a famous late drop goal to beat England at Lansdowne Road.
3. The proud day politics were put to the side (2007)
The first visit of an England team to GAA headquarters was eagerly anticipated, with many wondering what sort of reception our guests would receive at Croke Park. They needn’t have worried, as God Save The Queen was impeccably observed, before the Irish crowd and players responded with a goosebump-inducing rendition of Amhran na bhFiann. With so much adrenalin in the stadium it’s a wonder we only put the 43 points on them. We’ve got tears in our eyes just watching this back.
4. Keith Wood spoils England’s Slam (2001)
As pre-planned lineout moves go, this was poetry in motion. Anthony Foley’s pop pass allowed skipper Wood hit the ball at pace and Neil Back didn’t stand a chance of stopping him.
5. Jack Kyle and the Grand Slam (1948)
They stood alone for 61 years, an incredible drought that, to quote the great man himself: “We began to think that maybe we were quite good.”
6. Facing down the haka (1989)
Challenging the haka was unheard of before Willie Anderson stunned the rugby world by leading Ireland right into the faces of the All Blacks during their traditional war cry.
7. O’Driscoll announces his arrival (1999)
A first victory in Paris for 28 years, and the first against France anywhere since 1983, all thanks to the precocious talents of a 21-year-old Dubliner less than a year removed from his international debut.
8. Horgan stretches for the line (2006)
Ireland’s remarkable dominance over England during the middle of the Noughties continued, but only just. The visitors to Twickenham trailed entering the game’s final moments but Horgan, who had already scored Ireland’s opening try, used every inch of his 6ft 4in frame to touch the ball down.
9. Gordon Hamilton leaves Campese in his dust (1991)
The Ulster flanker carved his name in Irish rugby lore with one of the great World Cup tries. Hamilton surges into the frame like a freight train and leaves the Australian back three, including the mighty David Campese, grasping at thin air. The score sparked incredible scenes in the corner as the stadium was allowed to dream of a mighty victory, only for Michael Lynagh to break Irish hearts just minutes later.
10. A day of madness ends with a second Six Nations title (2015)
Three games. 221 points. 27 tries.
Chances are we’ll never see the like of the final day of games in this year’s Six Nations again – with points difference the key to the title, Ireland needed first to secure a 21-point margin of victory over Scotland to surpass Wales’ earlier efforts against Italy, then nervously wait as England took on France at Twickenham needing a 27-point winning margin of their own. As the clock ticked down, Irish fans were allowed back into Murrayfield to watch the denouement of the championship, as England fell agonisingly short and Paul O’Connell lifted the trophy on the floodlit pitch.
11. Debutant Mike Gibson sparkles at Twickenham (1964)
A game famous for the ‘Criss Cross’ try, a move which he began, Gibson, then playing at out-half, kicked off one of the great international careers by inspiring Ireland to their first win at English HQ since Jack Kyle’s Grand Slammers 16 years earlier.
12. Provincial rivals smash world record at Croke Park (2009)
Munster were a massive force in European rugby, Leinster the coming men. The growing rivalry between the provinces meant that when they were paired in the Heineken Cup semi-finals for the second time in four seasons, the obvious venue for the tie was Croke Park. Leinster ran out convincing victors to signal the dawn of their run of European dominance, but the real winner was Irish rugby, as the 82,208 fans set a world record for attendance at a club rugby game.
13. O’Driscoll leaves it late to snatch draw on his 100th cap (2009)
The man must have been writing his own scripts. Ireland trailed the Wallabies by seven but were pounding away at the try line when Tommy Bowe was agonisingly held up. From the resulting scrum, however, O’Driscoll sprinted under the posts to snatch a deserved draw at the death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ3CmBnvFA0
14. Breaking a Cardiff hoodoo in style (1985)
Another trip back to the Triple Crown season, where Ireland went into the Dragons’ den of the Arms Park having not won there in 18 years. Keith Crossan finished off a move that showed off the slick handling of the Irish backs to complete a 21-9 triumph.
15. Taking the World Cup winners down a peg (2004)
Clive Woodward’s all-conquering England team were heavy favourites to extend their 22-match winning run at Twickenham, but Girvan Dempsey’s try and the boot of Ronan O’Gara handed the chastened men in white a first defeat as world champions.
16. Ireland’s women complete the Grand Slam (2013)
Ireland’s women weren’t messing around when it came to winning their first Six Nations title, vanquishing all before them to add a Grand Slam title for good measure.
17. All Black heartbreak (2013)
108 years and 27 matches. Victory over New Zealand remains the white whale of Irish rugby, and never did we come closer than at the Aviva Stadium two years ago. Racing into a 19-0 lead after the first quarter, Ireland asked more questions than any other side managed of the All Blacks, who were seeking the first 100 per cent season in professional era. But New Zealand pegged the hosts back bit by bit, until the Irish rearguard finally wilted on the final play of the game and Ryan Crotty, and a retaken conversion by Aaron Cruden, gave the Kiwis a 24-22 victory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSfsPis-so0
18. Gary Halpin gives the All Blacks the business (1995)
At the dawn of professional rugby, Ireland were well known as a 60-minute outfit at best, but what a 60-minutes they could be. Ferocious starts were the trademark of the side in the mid-to-late 90s, and Gary Halpin epitomised the have-a-go attitude when he scored the opening try against New Zealand at the World Cup and gave the opposition a famous middle-finger salute.
19: Ollie Campbell’s record day ends 33-year drought (1982)
The imperious Campbell kicked a then Irish record 21 points to beat Scotland and claim Ireland’s first Triple Crown since 1949.
20. Campbell carves up Wales (1982)
Before beating Scotland with his boot, the out-half did for Wales with his legs and his brain. Receiving the ball behind the scrum, for most there would have been little on, but Campbell chose the blind side and left the Welsh defence in tatters as he created a try for Moss Finn.
21. Drico goes out on a high (2014)
Brian O’Driscoll’s final match in a green jersey came in city where he first signalled his star quality, as Ireland held off a late French charge to win the Six Nations title.
22. Blood, sweat but no tears (2015)
Ireland needed another massive defensive effort to see off Les Bleus in Dublin, 18-11. Johnny Sexton’s collision with French behemoth Mathieu Bastareaud epitomised the physicality on show.
23. Miracle comeback falls short (2006)
Trailing by 40 points after 56 minutes, Ireland were on track for a historic drubbing in Paris. But four tries in 13 minutes gave Ireland hope and despite not finishing off a stunning comeback the performance epitomised the spirit in the Ireland camp.
24. Noel Mannion busts a gut (1989)
An early instance of the now common refrain that Irish rugby players benefit from their GAA backgrounds here, as narrator George Hook cites Noel Mannion’s Gaelic football past to hail the number eight’s ball skills in gathering a Welsh kick, before he charged down the touchline to score.
25. Ireland’s women make history
An Irish team finally emerged victorious against New Zealand, and it was at a World Cup too. Fiona Coghlan, Niamh Briggs, Alison Miller and company knocked off the four-times world champions in a pool match in France 2014.
26. O’Driscoll introduces himself to the southern hemisphere (2001)
Ireland’s centre tyro was already a huge star on this side of the globe, but he made the big hitters down under take notice with a fantastic Lions tour of Australia, the highlight of which came during a mesmerising performance in the first test at the Gabba.
27. “Drop at goal. Grand Slam at stake. He’s got it!!!” (2009)
This Irish team were ready. We all knew it. We’d known it for a few years. But could they finally get over the hump and claim the Grand Slam that they had been threatening to for several seasons? A date in Cardiff with rivals Wales went right to the death, with even Ronan O’Gara’s momentous drop goal not the final moment of drama, as Stephen Jones’s penalty effort dropped short to end Ireland’s 61-year wait for a second slam.
28. Carter drops Ireland to defeat (2012)
Another near-miss against New Zealand, this time on enemy soil. With the scores level at 19-19 in the Second Test, Johnny Sexton saw a long penalty effort fall short and Dan Carter popped up with a last-minute drop goal to burst Ireland’s bubble. The game took a physical and emotional toll on the tourists, who slumped to a 60-0 trouncing the following week in Hamilton.
29. Ireland end southern hemisphere hoodoo (2002)
It has been 23 years since Ireland had tasted victory against a team from south of the equator, but Eddie O’Sullivan’s men were developing into a top-class outfit and beating the defending world champions was yet another step on the ladder to world rugby respectability. Ireland made the best of horrible conditions and Ronan O’Gara kicked beautifully to hit all six of his attempts at goal in an 18-9 success.
30. The people of Connacht front up to save their province (2003)
With the threat of disbandment hanging over their heads, a 2,000-strong group of Connacht players, fans and friends marched to the offices of the IRFU in Dublin to hand in a petition protesting the union’s plans.
31. Woody lurks on the wing to complete a quartet of World Cup tries (1999)
The hooker already had a hat-trick of close range finishes in the bag but Woody wouldn’t have been Woody without wanting the cherry on top.
32: Simon Geoghegan goes for the corner (1994)
There wasn’t much to cheer during some lean times for Ireland, but when Simon Geoghegan got the ball there was always the chance of something special. His try against England was just that, as he skinned Tony Underwood to score in the corner.
33. Shane Horgan ensures the GAA isn’t forgotten as rugby takes over Croker (2007)
It was fitting, on a momentous day in which the GAA played a huge part, that one of the great skills of Gaelic football should make an appearance, with former Meath minor Shane Horgan showing some exemplary fielding to touch down in the corner.
34. O’Driscoll claims caps record (2014)
The great man’s final match on home soil was nothing short of a celebration. O’Driscoll toyed with the Italians, creating three tries while showing off his full range of skills as Ireland ran out 46-7 winners. A packed Aviva Stadium stayed on to pay homage to the legend as he surpassed George Gregan’s Test record on his 140th cap.
35. When rugby became a political football (1981)
Engaging with the apartheid regime in South Africa had become an increasingly unpopular position to take, so when the IRFU agreed to tour there in 1981, it was little surprise that the decision reverberated around Leinster House. Even taoiseach Charlie Haughey, never one to miss an opportunity for some good PR, got in on the act, urging the IRFU to reconsider, but the union pressed ahead and were unlucky not to pick up a win on the two-test tour.
36. Quinny makes his final contribution count (2003)
After the nightmare of Lens in 1999, Ireland went into the 2003 World Cup seeking revenge on Argentina, with Alan Quinlan’s try the difference as Eddie O’Sullivan’s men advanced to the quarter-finals. For Quinlan, though, the moment was bittersweet, as the Munster man would play no further part in the tournament thanks to a shoulder injury suffered while scoring the try.
37. Munster beat the All Blacks (1978)
The visit of New Zealand to Thomond Park in 1978 has become the stuff of fable. Munster became the first, and still only, Irish men’s side to triumph against the All Blacks, an achievement that continues to be immortalised on stage and screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyNWKsuchaU
38. Rog catches out the Springboks (2004)
The Munster fly-half’s quick thinking put Ireland on the path to their first win over the Springboks in nearly 40 years. The South Africans cried foul when O’Gara seized the moment and dived over the line from a quick penalty after skipper John Smit was asked to talk to his players. O’Gara ended up collecting all of Ireland’s points in a 17-12 win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4EgoHtQE_s&feature=youtu.be
39. The Battle of Pretoria (1998)
‘There was blood everywhere; guys were laid out on the dressing floor after. It was a war-zone.’ That was the recollection of Springbok press man Alex Broun following a violent encounter on Ireland’s tour of South Africa. Bad blood had been simmering throughout the tour and the sides let it all out in a torrent of kicks, punches and general mayhem.
40. Lansdowne Road hails English defiance in the face of terror threat (1973)
With IRA death threats hanging over them, several England players chose not to travel for their Five Nations clash in Dublin, but those that did received the most rousing of welcomes from the Lansdowne Road faithful, who gave the men in white an ovation that lasted a full five minutes.
41. The indomitable, unbeatable Lions and Willie John’s ’99’ call (1974)
The ’74 Lions had a distinctly Irish flavour, coached by Syd Millar, led by Willie John McBride and featuring seven other Irish players. They remain the only unbeaten Lions side, winning 21 of their 22 matches, and contributed to the mythology of the tours with McBride’s famous ’99’ call against Eastern Province.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU-c4YyEVMY
42. Points mean prizes for Ireland’s women (2015)
Much like this year’s men’s title, the women’s Six Nations was to be decided on points difference, with Ireland knowing a victory of greater than 27 points in their final game against Scotland would hand them the trophy for the second time in three years. Niamh Briggs kicked things off with a try inside five minutes and from there it was pain sailing for Tom Tierney’s side as they racked up a 73-3 margin.
43. Going back-to-back against the southern hemisphere (2006)
Having already demonstrated they could claim the odd scalp of Australia or South Africa, Ireland proved they were not just good for one-off triumphs by knocking off the Wallabies and the Springboks on successive weekends in the autumn series. After putting four tries on the Boks in a 32-15 victory, Ireland turned in an even more impressive performance against the Aussies, with Denis Hickie’s jinking try the highlight of a 21-6 win.
44. Ireland’s Sydney scalp (1967)
Having already beaten the Wallabies earlier that year at Lansdowne Road, Ireland, again sparked by the brilliance of Mike Gibson, did a double over their hosts with an 11-5 victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and in doing so became the first team from the northern hemisphere to defeat southern opposition on their own soil.
MasterCard is turning the world oval for Rugby World Cup 2015. For your chance to win tickets to one of the matches please visit pricelessIreland.ie
