ireland 19 england 13

**exile** · 23/02/2005, 2:02 PM

irish team named

Ireland team: G Murphy (Leicester); G Dempsey (Leinster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), S Horgan (Leinster), D Hickie (Leinster); R O'Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster); R Corrigan (Leinster), S Byrne (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli), J O'Connor (Wasps), A Foley (Munster).

Replacements: F Sheahan (Munster), M Horan (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), E Miller (Leinster), G Easterby (Leinster), D Humphreys (Ulster), K Maggs (Ulster).

and i got my ticket

**beautifulrock** · 23/02/2005, 2:23 PM

As expected, good to see BOD back. Am worried about the potential English backlash and how we will deal with the favourite tags. First 10 will be vital, please let Steve Thompson throw a "wrong un" at the first line out with Paul O C then picking it out of the air and we drive them back ten yards.

Well that how i see it anyway

**drinkfeckarse** · 23/02/2005, 3:21 PM

Shows how strong the game is at home at the moment with the fact only 2 of the squad ply their trade outwith the country

It's going to be a tough match but I'm confident we'll do it and follow up from last years win.

**drinkfeckarse** · 23/02/2005, 3:24 PM

eh make that 3 of the squad

confused Leicester with Leinster

**Aberdonian Stu** · 23/02/2005, 3:38 PM

Not having Flash alongside BOD could prove costly. Am a big fan of Shaggy and he does a job in the centre but he's more useful on the wing. Used to be of the opposite view and was annoyed for years at his being wasted on the wing but he works really well outside the Flash-BOD partnership. Also am not pushed about Girv on the wing, he's a full back and if Eddie's going to play him that's where he should be. Murphy, while far more effective at full back than out wide, can at least play up to international standard on the wing.

Am very worried about this game, almost more so than the French (who should theoretically be harder to beat). It'll take three mammoth performances in four weeks if we're going to win the slam and I wasn't impressed with either of our performances so far.

**pete** · 23/02/2005, 9:07 PM

Ireland needed either O'Driscoll or D'Arcy to be fit.

I expect irish forwards to win it for Ireland. English forwards very poor against France. O'Gara to kick a good few penalties. English midfield of Noon & Barkley lightweigh & should get irish backrow to run straight at them.

btw i'm looking to swop 1 stand for 2 terrace tickets for France game if anyone interested.

**IsMiseSean** · 23/02/2005, 10:20 PM

I suppose no one has a spare ticket?

**Pauro 76** · 24/02/2005, 10:16 AM

Should be a great occasion... gonig to be working in a bar in Kingston-upon-Thames for the big game wearing my Ireland (footy) shirt, just for the banter! Pray for me....

**Green Tribe** · 26/02/2005, 5:58 PM

well, the france v wales game was exciting ,, france could have stole it at the last minute, but wales deserved to win and beat les bleus. i was hoping for a draw, would help ireland

anyway, i am off to say my prayers for ireland tomorrow

hope we win, we deserve it

**pete** · 27/02/2005, 6:56 PM

Good win by Ireland. Good try & excellent defense to hold out.

I had O'Gara at 7/1 for MOTM so good day all round. Should wipe out football loses, maybe stick to rugby betting in future...

With D'Arcy back for France game Irealnd will be much better as Horgan was poor in midfield.

Wales v Ireland looks like winner takes all showdown now.

**aberharp** · 27/02/2005, 7:16 PM

great result for us

**Aberdonian Stu** · 27/02/2005, 7:44 PM

And it was a UCD graduate who got the try

Good work by BOD and the guys, I reckon Shaggy will be more comfortable back on the wing next time out, was caught out twice by Robinson when you should have creamed him. Johnny O'Connor was excellent, I thought he should have MOM instead of ROG.

**Green Tribe** · 27/02/2005, 8:27 PM

have not been able to stop smiling. what a nerve-racking game though, everyone was crapping themselves in the pub at times especially me. was glad the 80 mins were complete.nice wee dummy by mr murphy, cracker! and brian and his wee fairy fancy try, it was so funny, try of the tournament i think(unbiased of course) i am so proud of the boys. way-hey............... roll on les bleus!!!!!!!!

**onenilgameover** · 27/02/2005, 9:58 PM

The ref should have been MOTM...and they dont wanna use video in football? Still happy days!

**SÓC** · 27/02/2005, 10:10 PM

I'd be worried (and was worried today) about Dempsey on the wing and Horgan at centre. Dempsey

If D'Arcy cant play against France I'd bring Maggs in at centre and move Horgan onto the wing where he is best and really opens up the cross field kick as a tatic for O'Gara to use. Maggs have never ever let us down.

Dempesy is a good fullback but a poor winger, we have plenty of other decent wingers who dont get a chance. People like Duffy, Payne, A. Horgan and Kelly as soon as he's back fit

**Éanna** · 27/02/2005, 10:19 PM

I think my heartbeat has just about returned to normal. We were a bit lucky, but who cares. Think of it as some payback for Neil Back's cheating against Munster

**lopez** · 27/02/2005, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by Éanna

I think my heartbeat has just about returned to normal. We were a bit lucky, but who cares. Think of it as some payback for Neil Back's cheating against Munster

I've had a dose of 'flu for the past three days and was looking to be puking up again towards the end. Glad when it was over. O'Gara missing those kicks and drop goal really f*cked me. Agreed, we were 'lucky' but their try was totally illegal (BBC news tonight slagging off 'complaining England').

**tricky_colour** · 28/02/2005, 1:39 AM

England's first try was the result of some disgraceful cheating, I think
the ref made up for it when he called that English try offside, it looked
about 10 or more yards onside to me.

I don't think the ref was going to let a bunch of cheats win, fair play
to him, I think he even blew full-time before 80 minutes was up

England played well second half though, I don't we would ever get the
ball of them at times, but the defense was solid.

A very tense affair.

I notice Roy Keane was at the match, a bit unusual to see him at an
Irish international

Maybe his dog was sick!!

**Aberdonian Stu** · 28/02/2005, 8:18 AM

Well to be honest I'm not a big fan of the prospect of Shaun Payne ever plays for Ireland. Nothing to do with nationality(originally South African, but hello Andy Ward and Rob Henderson!), I just think he isn't good enough. James Norton is a prospoect but isn't ready yet.

**joeSoap** · 28/02/2005, 9:02 AM

Originally Posted by Aberdonian Stu

Well to be honest I'm not a big fan of the prospect of Shaun Payne ever plays for Ireland. Nothing to do with nationality(originally South African, but hello Andy Ward and Rob Henderson!), I just think he isn't good enough. James Norton is a prospoect but isn't ready yet.

Andy Ward-New Zealand, Rob Henderson -England, Ronan O Gara- USA, Frankie Sheahan-Canada,Keith Gleeson- Australia, John Robbie-South Africa, Mike Mullins-New Zealand, Paul Burke-England, Kevin Maggs-England,Simon and Guy Easterby-England,Justin Bishop- England, Gary Halpin-England....

I'm sure theres loads more..