Ireland 17-14 New Zealand
So Ireland did it tonight by beating 4 time World Champions New Zealand by 17-14. For the first time in Irish rugby history a team has beaten New Zealand. This win will mean so much to so many people. The players have toiled from relative anonymity in the last 11 years since Philip Doyle took over as head coach. After tonight this squad will be in everyone’s minds and in years to come, people will say, “Where were you the day Ireland beat New Zealand. “ That is such a special thing to be able to say.
Yes this was a pool match at a World Cup, but this win will live long in the memory. They played with passion, hunger and desire and no less skill. This author was in the stands last March when they faced Italy in the Aviva and that was another special moment. Back to tonight’s game, all 23 players worked their socks off to gain this win.
From a really powerful effort up front, to a cohesive effort from the backs. Tania Rosser on her 50th cap was sublime pulling the strings alongside Nora Stapleton. Both Grace Davitt and Lynne Cantwell tackled their hearts out and Alison Miller and Ashleigh Baxter did likewise. Alison Miller finished off the move of the game that was started by Niamh Briggs from inside her own half. Niamh Briggs held her nerve to convert both tries from Heather O Brien and Miller. She also kicked the penalty to win the game 10 minutes from time. New Zealand for their part did well to take full advantage of the chances that presented themselves.
They led 8-7 at half time and you would have thought they would have kicked on but this Irish side did not read the script and kept calm to pull off this famous win. Now it is onto Kazakhstan on Saturday at 12pm to see can Ireland seal a place in the last 4 of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
I am not ashamed to say I shed a tear at the end of the game today, After that result in November 2013, I never thought I would see the day that an Irish team would beat New Zealand. But on August 5th 2014, the Irish Women wrote themselves into Irish sporting by beating New Zealand.
To all the squad, Philip Doyle and Gemma O Mahony and all the back room staff. I thank you for making tonight such a special memory. Go out next Saturday against Kazakhstan and put in the performance of your lives to secure your semi-final spot. Your place in Irish sporting history is assured so now go and put the icing on the cake and bring home that trophy.
From my own point of you, I would like to congratulate all the players and staff, in particular the ladies that have given of their time to speak to me over the last 2 years. To Niamh, Fiona, Siobhan and Marie Louise I thank you and good luck in the rest of the tournament.
By
Cian Mc Gibney
05/08/2014.
