Grand Slam job done, now the Irish Women must plan for Rio, writes Sarah Lennon…
Grand Slam. Has a nice ring to it doesn't it? The Irish women secured a tense and hard fought victory against Italy and with it the Grand Slam to add to the 6 Nations Championship that was secured last weekend.
There were some similarities to the men's senior team's Grand Slam in 2009, firstly the rarity of the achievement ,for the men it was the 2nd in 60 years, for the women it was the first ever, secondly both titles were secured on hostile, away soil that had been made to feel like home through sensational away support and finally, although both teams had assuredly already secured the title, the Grand Slam was so finely poised as to be at risk of being snatched away at the death.
The conditions in Parabiago, Milan left a lot to be desired and the match itself wasn't a classic, perhaps a pity as it was the first televised match on Irish television. Ordinarily the Irish women play excellent rugby, but a combination of the conditions and the sheer commitment of the excellent Italian team meant that there was very little space for the Irish to get their usual running game going. Instead the Irish women adopted a kicking game, but in the conditions the ball was not running to touch and the Italian women fielded and countered excellently. The leniency of the referee at the breakdown was also a factor as Italy were penalised for multiple infringements and no yellow card shown until one second-half infringement too many!
So, although far from a classic, nobody can deny that the match was laden with tension. I remember thinking that I was more nervous watching this match than I was in 2009. The Irish women themselves seemed nervous too at the outset as they took the pitch following an emotionally delivered 'Ireland's Call', no doubt the enormity of the occasion was on their minds and although they dominated territory for most of the match, the narrowest of three point leads through two Niamh Briggs penalties was all that separated the team in the final stages. The lack of a match clock was of little assistance to the television audience as the clock went past 80 until the referee uttered two of the sweetest words in the English language (when you're winning) - 'last play'. Even then, collective breaths were held until the ball was securely in touch.
Lets make no bones about it, this was an amazing achievement for the Irish women. Naysayers will point to the understrength English team as they preferred to prepare for upcoming 7s tournaments. England are the perennial champions of this tournament and it is not good for any competition to have a team with such dominance over so many years. The English team may not have been made up of first choice through this tournament, but they still needed defeating, and to secure a Grand Slam with three away games constitutes a fantastic achievement.
One side-effect of the success, perhaps coupled with the abysmal showing from the men's team in the corresponding tournament is the visibility and coverage of the women's game is at an all time high. RTE covering the match was a massive occurrence and this should be acknowledged, however they have yet to cover a home 6 Nations game on TV and here's hoping that the home games next season are scheduled onto live television at at the outset of the tournament.
Speaking at their homecoming, Niamh Briggs said it was beyond 'their wildest dreams' but the Irish women dared to dream, and that Grand Slam dream became a reality. It doesn't end here however, women's rugby is a sport on the up.
The women's team is on the Road to Rio 2016 and a 7s squad, expected to contain a number of the Grand Slam team, heads to Hong Kong and Guangzhou with qualification for the Olympic Games the aim. The IRFU announced a million Euro investment package on the occasion of the 'Girls in Green' homecoming in what is a sign that the sport is finally being taken seriously. Success breeds success and on this evidence, the only way is up!
Sarah Lennon (@sarahlennon08) is passionate about all things rugby. A Leinster Season Ticket holder since the Donnybrook days, a supporter of the Irish teams home and abroad and can regularly be seen cheering on Junior Rugby at Stillorgan RFC (a labour of love). As well as spectating, she dabbles in playing a bit and is a member of Old Belvedere RFC and fully paid up member of the front row union.
