IRELAND GRANDSLAM CHAMPIONS 2009!!!

[for dog and ulcer]

What's the big fuss, the Padster gave away the pen knowing that Jones didn't have the distance, and when it dropped short it was game over, genius.

Yes that's how I saw it too and I was never once nervous throughout the game.

Didn't see who Paddy replaced though?

[Mad Dod]

What's the big fuss, the Padster gave away the pen knowing that Jones didn't have the distance, and when it dropped short it was game over, genius.

Yes that's how I saw it too and I was never once nervous throughout the game.

Didn't see who Paddy replaced though?

Paddy replaced Fitzy I think...

[FNMilk]

That was fantastic. Nerves were totally wrecked. Hollywood scriptwriters would've rejected that finish as too far fetched.

The last penalty:
One of today's papers reports that the pen was against Rory Best but the ref definitely indicates 'a use of hands' ie Paddy Wallace.

That being the case could our more astute members explain that to me? Paddy was on his feet, why was he not allowed to wrestle for / grab / knock back the ball?

[goodaine]

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!! GRAND SLAM WINNERS 2009

What a nail biting fantastic match - I thought I was gonna be sick during it with nerves. Bad luck Stephen with his finger but imagine being part of that winning team - I'm sure all the guys are on cloud nine today ..... I was in Donegal for it & don't think anyone slept last night ..... again ............ WOOHOO

[mikerob]

Feel sorry for Ferris being injured so early in the game. While Leamy played well, I think Ferris offers more in terms of brute physicality and yesterday's game would have been the perfect stage. Hope it doesn't affect his chances for the Lions tour as some other players will still have a chance to make their case in the HEC.

While Tom Court only got a few minutes, when he was lining up for Pertemps Bees against teams like Esher or playing AIL, I wonder what he would have said if you'd told him he'd be collecting a 6 nations winning medal for a grand slam!

[FatherDameo]

The mind boggles at what might have happened to paddy if that penalty had 5 more yards in it. What the hell was he thninking. But anyway no one is going to remember that in 61 years so i suppose we will forgive him.
Absolutely delighted for BOD and POC, think they deserved a grandslam as they are truely world class. Also very pleased for tommy bowe, his progression has been rapid and is now a real quality international winger. We should be proud and ironically a little bit thankful to the ospreys for that.
Think we can all eat a bit of humble pie on here including myself over what was said about a few of DK selections at the start of the 6 nations particulary regarding stringer and darcy. Proved many people wrong. DK has it, not sure was it is but he has it, his record as a coach is up there with anyone in the world.
Think a key feature of the ireland team as been how well the youth has mixed in and provided a certain amount of freshness. Heaslip, ferris fitzgerald, kearney, bowe all played consistently well throughout the tournament to complment our more seasoned performers superbly.
Delighted for irish supporters and provides real momentum for irish players - going into lions tour and for other guys coming into squad for summer tour. Excellent platform to build. It will also hopefully filter down to ulster.
The irish shirt is fashionable again. As ROG said himself straight after the game "For the past ten years ive been a munsterman, this year ive been an irishman". Swallow that one non munster supporting irish fans

PS paddy was on his feet but ruck was formed therefore penalty

[_hodge_]

While Tom Court only got a few minutes, when he was lining up for Pertemps Bees against teams like Esher or playing AIL, I wonder what he would have said if you'd told him he'd be collecting a 6 nations winning medal for a grand slam!

Lol, and he barely bot his boots dirty!!...good on him, and the lads.

[aarons]

The irish shirt is fashionable again. As ROG said himself straight after the game "For the past ten years ive been a munsterman, this year ive been an irishman". Swallow that one non munster supporting irish fans

i have to say i thought that was an outrageous thing for O'Gara to say. honest, but outrageous.

[Cap'n Grumpy]

The last penalty:
One of today's papers reports that the pen was against Rory Best but the ref definitely indicates 'a use of hands' ie Paddy Wallace.

That being the case could our more astute members explain that to me? Paddy was on his feet, why was he not allowed to wrestle for / grab / knock back the ball?

At the time, the ref clearly indicated that it was for playing the ball on the ground which made me think it was against whoever was lying on the floor (?D O'C?) not Paddy, but the reaction of the players, INCLUDING Paddy leads me to believe it WAS against HIM. Although he was on his feet, if the ref had called 'ruck', that might explain it????

At no time in the second half, did I get nervous. Even when Jones put them in the lead, I KNEW we'd go down the other end, set up field position and slot over the DG!!!! (Just like 2003?????)

When I saw Jones lining up the last penalty, I knew we had it. I might have been worried if Henson had taken it - he has the range, it would have been down to him having the accuracy.

[mid ulster maestro]

Grin still firmly in place and I think I may have to have surgery to get it fixed. What a result! ROG was saying after the game that at times his heart rate was over 200 so mistakes like his sliced touch kick can occur. My blood pressure was up there with him during those last five minutes. A fantastic climax to a fantastic match. Now that's one of them out of the way so the next thing I want to see before I meet my maker, is Ireland beating the All Blacks.
Mum

[Article]

Barnes was a total homer and only reffed one side..we played most of the rugby, scored two tries and only for Barnes would have been out of site....great night, I must confess to being tearfully incapacitated with emotion and some beverages !!!!COngrats to entire team, Kidney and the backroom guys, they have made my year.

[ulstergal09]

GRAND SLAM WINNERS 2009!!!!!!!!!!

It sounds so good!!

What an amazing match to watch – I laughed, cheered and cried yesterday – everyone was in good spirits, although I do seriously think I have lost 10 years off my life due to nerves/excitement/etc.
A HUGE congratulations to the entire team (backroom staff, management, etc.) – they’ve made many, MANY people happy!! I do feel incredibly sorry for Ferris though, to go off with an injury so early, but I’m sure he is over the moon, along with the others! I look forward to hearing the response Stephen, Rory, Paddy and Tom get back at Ravers!

Apologies for my rambling, but I’m still ever-so-slightly worse for wear today!

[Snipe Watson]

Barnes was a total homer and only reffed one side..we played most of the rugby, scored two tries and only for Barnes would have been out of site

Do not agree at all.

[fuzzylogic]

Aye but you would Gerry, we dont care anymore!

[Cap'n Grumpy]

Barnes was a total homer and only reffed one side..we played most of the rugby, scored two tries and only for Barnes would have been out of site

Do not agree at all.

I commented at the time that there were a few decisions I disagreed with, but at least we were discussing the rugby and not the referee - maybe there were a few occasions when he might have pinged Wales, but can anyone honestly say that any of the Irish penalties were undeserved? One or two I thoght strange at the time, but on replay, I was forced to agree.

Everyone will always disagree with some decisions of even the best referees, but I think some of the comments being made around here about Mr Barnes are from some who were either wearing green tinted glasses or looking through the bottom of one glass too many.