Boys became men. Men have become world-beaters.
It’s hard to explain just what Joe Schmidt’s Ireland are doing. It’s hard to describe it or put it into any words and it’s hard to say just how big these achievements are and what they could mean in the grand scheme of things.
2016 has been nothing short of special.
South Africa
New Zealand
Australia
Your boys took one hell of a beating.
Cape Town, June 2016
Chicago, November 2016
Dublin, November 2016
Schmidt has cemented himself as one of the all-time great coaches and he has renewed his commitment to Ireland by signing on for another World Cup. In the time from the disappointment across the water against Argentina, the country has reinvigorated itself something serious.
In that same space of time, new lads have reared their heads. Tadhg Furlong looks like he has been playing prop for his country for a decade. Josh van der Flier looks unstoppable. Garry Ringrose is being compared to Brian O’Driscoll and there’s no end of precocious talent in and around the side now.
That’s why the whole thing has been rejuvenated. That’s why the Springboks, the All Blacks and the Wallabies have all been toppled inside five mesmerising months.
South Africa 20-26 Ireland
New Zealand 29-40 Ireland
Ireland 27-24 Australia
Ireland have beaten the three big guns all in the one calendar year.
No-one but no-one has managed to beat South Africa, New Zealand and Australia in the one year since England in 2003.
England went on and won the World Cup.
For Ireland, the possibilities are endless.
Dick Clerkin makes his GAA Hour debut to talk about a wonderful career and argue passionately with Colm Parkinson over Sky Sports GAA. Subscribe here on iTunes.
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