Ireland see off awful Poms
28 Feb 2009
Ireland extended their lead at the top of the Six Nations log with a 14-13 win over a dreadful England at Croke Park.
In an absolutely shocking game of rugby, it was England’s ill discipline and lack of temperament that gave an equally poor Ireland the victory.
England scored a late try through Delon Armitage and had it not been for two yellow cards and countless penalties the result could have been very different, but in the end it was the eight points from skipper Brian O’Driscoll that was the difference between the two sides.
Ireland dictated most of the play enjoying the bulk of the possession. Ronan O’Gara missed an early opportunity to put his side in front when his penalty went just past the left hand upright. With 20 minutes gone the hosts had yet another opportunity to open the scoring, but this time O’Gara pushed his penalty attempt wide.
In the battle at the breakdown it was England who had the upper hand early on and despite all their possession, Ireland struggled to get any quality go-forward ball. Eventually, though, the men in green went in front when O’Gara finally found his range in the 29th minute.
With just over a minute left in the opening stanza, England had an opportunity to get some points on the scoreboard when they were awarded a penalty by referee Craig Joubert and Toby Flood made no mistake leveling the score.
O’Gara had an early opportunity in the second half to give his side the lead again when James Haskell was blown up for playing the ball off his feet, but the Irish pivot’s attempt struck the upright. A few minutes later, though, his skipper Brian O’Driscoll put the Irish in front with a well struck drop goal.
Phil Vickery was later sent to the bin for going off his feet at the ruck after Joubert had warned England on numerous occasions. Ireland took advantage of their extra man immediately when O’Driscoll forced his way over the line for the first try of the game.
The woeful O’Gara’s poor form continued as he missed the conversion and Ireland led 11-6 with just over a quarter of the game left.
England had a good opportunity to score when replacement Mathew Tait made a brilliant linebreak but failed to see Riki Flutey to his left and the chance went begging.
With Vickery ready to come on, England were awarded a penalty and fullback Armitage slotted it with ease to cut Ireland’s lead to just five points.
But just as England looked to be getting themselves back in the game, indiscipline cost them yet again as replacement scrumhalf Danny Care became the second England player to be sent to the bin much to the disgust of head coach Martin Johnson.
With time almost up Andy Goode put Armitage through with a lovely grubber and the fullback finished off the well worked attack. Goode added the conversion to make it a one point game. But despite the close scoreline the game was anything but a thriller and both sides should be embarrassed by the performance they provided in front of a packed Croke Park.
26 Comments
28 Feb 2009, 18:16 pm
Go Ireland! 21-17.
28 Feb 2009, 18:57 pm
Go Ireland.
Sorry Carol have to support Ireland here. For my mate Irish.
Irish hope you watching the game. Good luck to your team.
28 Feb 2009, 19:56 pm
Puma, I understand entirely, Irish will be touched
COME ON ENGLAND – PUSH THEM!!!
28 Feb 2009, 19:56 pm
#1 CANADIAN BOK: NO,NO, NO !
28 Feb 2009, 20:23 pm
God I just sat through one shocking game of rugby Italy vs scotland hoping I would get to see a decent game and its worse!! Brian Moore just mentioned entertainment value zero and I have to agree. I cant get over the shocking standard of back play dont worry south africa if this is the standard of rugby that makes up the lions team you might as well play your under 12s. Hey hopefully they prove me wrong in the second half and the ball might go more than one phase without a kick.
28 Feb 2009, 21:10 pm
Surely all over now. England would have to kick 3 penalties
28 Feb 2009, 21:16 pm
Wow keo, you guys are so brilliant1 i can totally see the live score now! hint, mind the sarcasm
28 Feb 2009, 21:18 pm
Keo.co.za brings you live scoring from the Six Nations clash at Croke Park. ahhhh only problem, where is the live score?????????
28 Feb 2009, 21:18 pm
ENGLAND ONCE AGAIN PLAY FOR 60 MIUTES OF THE GAM WITH 14 PLAYERS BUT STILL MANAGE TO LOSE BY ONLY 1 POINT ,makes u wonder really they are getting quite used to the whol 60minutes 14 playes thing
28 Feb 2009, 21:19 pm
Well done Ireland. Well done Irish to your team if you looking in mate.
28 Feb 2009, 21:29 pm
johnson’s gotta be getting hot under the collar, the french pack looked good against wales.
28 Feb 2009, 21:30 pm
#8 Lionsden_1vp:
top right corner. Keo now forces us to open the browser wider thus reducing your free screen space.
28 Feb 2009, 21:56 pm
#12 church – like chch but pronounceable:
lol! something like that
28 Feb 2009, 22:10 pm
Worst game of rugby I have seen for a long time, god some of these players should take a pay cut and come down to the southern hemishphere and pick up some basic rugby skills such as passing and catching and how to draw a man and then pass. However judging by this level of play these guys would struggle to make a Currie cup or NPC team. God i am guttered I wasted my afternoon sitting through this ****.
28 Feb 2009, 22:17 pm
shocking display of rugby. shocking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
28 Feb 2009, 22:59 pm
Worst display by a ref in ages.
Completely opted out of making a dicision to card an English player until it became ridiculous for him not to.
The game as a spectacle was long over by then and only open up when England were no longer able to cheat on the deck.
1 Mar 2009, 00:13 am
Lets see if the England management try and blame it on the saffa ref again!
This England side is really taking after their manager. Johnson was one of the dirtiest players of all time and he’s surely trying his team to follow in his footsteps.
Lets just remember who is in charge of the England team – Jonno was one of the dirtiest and most intimidating players in the game during his time – his sending offs are legendry. Remember, he missed his last ever game prior to retirement due to sitting out a ban for punching ( and breaking the jaw of his victim ) in his penultimate game…. remember, he single handedly lost the 2nd Lions test against the Aussies doing the same …. remember, he was one of the most sent off players in the Premiership.
Also Vickery is a walking yellow card. EVen in the premiership he tries everything in hos power to spoil it for the other team.
1 Mar 2009, 04:55 am
#17 mellowyellow: 0% of your post is accurate, waste of time even posting it.
1 Mar 2009, 04:56 am
#9 mbaxman93: yes, we’ll be quite the force when the IRB decides we can have 15 v 15 matches instead of 13/14 v 15
#11 cab: I think we’ll beat France again.
1 Mar 2009, 05:35 am
Oohh my Biggles … you lost to the Paddy’s ?
Not that I am one to talk … crusaders lost to the Canes at home, I am not sure that has happened before !
1 Mar 2009, 10:25 am
#19 Big Hit: it’s always mirror’s fault entirely if face is ugly, isn’ it?
1 Mar 2009, 10:28 am
#18 Big Hit: I remember typical Vickery when he tripped an US player not to let him go away with a potential score.
American, ffs!
1 Mar 2009, 11:22 am
#19 Big Hit:
Just stop the petty slight of hand, the niggle and basic cheating, and the yellows will cease.
Hearty congrates to the Bogg Leapers.
1 Mar 2009, 11:26 am
And is it not time the English Capt got a phuchin nose guard or something.
He’s ugly enough now………..if his nose takes any more punishment he will be giving small children nightmares.
1 Mar 2009, 11:28 am
Speaking of ugly……………….Hi Big Guy.
8)
1 Mar 2009, 18:21 pm
#18 Big Hit: At it again BIG *** – this time it is the IRB to blame for a dirty, useless england team – you wally!
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