My god it was tense.
Ireland lead France 9-6 at the interval in Cardiff after 40 minutes which could only have been more tense if there was a giant asteroid bearing down on earth threatening to destroy us all. Don’t worry – you’re not the only one feeling this way. Here’s how the opening half played out on Twitter.
The mind games started before kick off as Paulie took the boys for a run in enemy territory.
Love the mind games from Paulie as Ireland's jog behind the posts causes an eruption in the Cardiff crowd! #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/3bdINKIOhb
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 11, 2015
As kick off arrived, Super Sunday was upon us and the noise was deafening.
The roof is closed but those two anthems nearly took it off. Freddie Michalak boots the ball deep and the tricolour derby is under way.
— Martyn Thomas (@MCThomasSport) October 11, 2015
With two turnovers in the first three minutes Peter O’Mahony was playing like a man possessed.
O'Mahony absolutely flying out the gate.
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) October 11, 2015
He wasn’t the only one.
Paul O' Connell looks so possessed I wouldn't be surprised to see his head rotating 360 degrees shortly. #IRLvFRA
— Colm Tobin (@colmtobin) October 11, 2015
The French missed two early kicks as Ireland rode their luck.
France miss another penalty, but miss, before Sean O'Brien sails out a beautiful clearing kick #RWC2015
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 11, 2015
Though Johnny Sexton didn’t need much luck as he put Ireland 3-0 ahead.
J10. #Nailed
— Adrian Barry (@WhosAdrianBarry) October 11, 2015
Scott Spedding’s second attempt sailed through the posts and the nerves were jangling again.
I swear I haven't been this nervous since the night before the Easter Rising. #IREvFRA
— Colm Tobin (@colmtobin) October 11, 2015
Another exchange of penalties bewteen Sexton and Spedding didn’t exactly ease the tension.
And neither did Picamoles’ huge hit on Sexton.
Sexton has taken a big hit. He was switched back to FB and is pacing the back-field. Poor clearing kick when the ball comes his way
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) October 11, 2015
And Ireland’s key man could take no further part.
Sexton is OFF #gulp
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 11, 2015
His replacement, Ian Madigan, didn’t need much time to settle, slotting over his first kick to make it 9-6.
Ian Madigan, this is your Shane Long moment #IRLFRA
— Niall McGarry (@MrNiallMcGarry) October 11, 2015
Keith Earls could have given Ireland a little breathing space but his handling let him down after Tommy Bowe ran a perfect line of a stunning set play move.
Should of finished that!! 😑
— Rob Timony (@RobTimony) October 11, 2015
Keith Earls BUTCHERED it! What a break by Tommy Bowe though… #RWC2015
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 11, 2015
Looking at the replay on the big screen, the covering #FRA winger seemed to put Earls off. #FRAvIRE
— Martyn Thomas (@MCThomasSport) October 11, 2015
But thankfully for Ireland Madigan was settling in nicely to his role as Ireland’s pivot.
https://twitter.com/ianprior/status/653245417048641536
Though the injury to Paul O’Connell right on the half time whistle left everyone fretting again.
Desperately sad sight of POC on stretcher cart off field. 2 Irish giants gone
— Mick Cleary (@MickClearyTel) October 11, 2015
It's like a scene in Platoon, bodies strewn everywhere after being chopped down in their prime. #IREvFRA
— Kevin Mc Gillicuddy (@KMcGillicuddy86) October 11, 2015
Besides losing two leaders and two of our most important players, things going ok…
— Second Captains (@SecondCaptains) October 11, 2015
Half time: Ireland 9 France 6.
