Tears And Joy At Croker

Ireland Beat The English In A Sold-Out Croke Park

By Denis O'Brien

It started with tears, it ended with ecstasy as Ireland put in a power packed showing to record one of the greatest ever victory's over the old enemy, England at Croke Park on Saturday last.

Tension rang high as the English rugby team walked calmly out on to Croker's green grass for the first time ever. It was history in the making, plain and simple. The team received a welcoming and respectful ovation at GAA headquarters. Then the Irish team expected to follow suit, delayed their arrival and the tension built. It seemed like an eternity before Ireland came out onto the field and the place erupted - The greeting was awe-inspiring!

To the national anthems and England's was first. 'God save the Queen' rang out for the first time in the stadium's gloried past; a past that had seen the darker days of oppression and bloodshed from an English hand but on this day, it wasn't about that, today it was about standing face to face as equals.

Amhran na bhFiann commenced and the greatest living version ever sung of the Irish anthem rang out throughout the magnificent arena. An 82,000 choir sang with all their heart. Hooker, Jerry Flanery's eyes spilled a tear as he belted out the words and the most hardened of hearts would have cried at the sight. Ireland's Call followed but while sung out strongly it was only a shadow of the real thing.

England were first to score with Johnny Wilkinson's converting a 3 pointer after Ireland strayed off side. Five minutes later, it was O'Gara's turn and he put the penalty between the posts. Tied game.

Ireland were beginning to dominate matters and were winning ball with ease. They looked completely fired-up and were running over the English. More and more frequently Ireland were winning every ruck and maul.

With Ireland continuing to press and in a good position 10 meters out, England's Danny Grewcock got himself sin-binned when impeding what looked line a certain try for Ireland.

Minutes later, Darcy gathered well near the ground and passed out to Dempsey who went over for a fine Irish try. O'Gara split the posts 13-3 Ireland.

Ireland now were flying. The Croker theatre was electric, the Fields of Athenry graced the area. The team was playing the best rugby this scribe had ever seen from a team wearing the green shirt.

With 7 minutes left in the half, it was all Ireland and soon the excellent #7 David Wallace bulldozed over for another try and O'Gara converted expertly, 23-3.

A brilliant display by Ireland in that first period where at times going forward they resembled the All Blacks as sure hands and forward power was a feature of their play. O'Gara increased the lead once more with another superb penalty - He could do no wrong!

England though were starting to improve in the back row and string a few passes together and a good move saw the excellent newcomer, Strettle dive for the corner and a badly needed try. Wilkinson converted, 26-13.

But soon after Ireland were threatening again and close to the English posts. O'Gara kicked a cross-field shot for Shane Horgan to gather in and the former GAA footballer fielded high over Lewsey and touched down for a superb try.

The Gods had intervened, the script could not have been written better on such an historic day with such a brilliant try.

Before the end, Ireland made the most of an interception when sub Isaac Boss ran back for a try under the posts, literally the icing on the cake.

It was a fantastic victory that will be hard to better in the future. They now stand a very good chance of winning the Triple Crown when meeting Scotland next, while France are likely to win the Six Nations outright.

Should Ireland play with the same power and skill like that again they will be a force come September in France for the World Cup.