Murray Kinsella reports from Murrayfield
A BIZARRE, WONDERFUL evening for Paul O’Connell and his Ireland team is only really getting started if the celebrations at Murrayfield are anything to judge by.
You could forgive the 35-year-old lock for being physically and emotionally shattered at this stage, having delivered a phenomenal performance in Ireland’s win over Scotland, before living every moment of England’s barely-believable clash with France.
Yet there sits one of the most-loved Limerick men of them all, still bursting with enthusiasm and energy after a day of rugby that will never be forgotten.
O’Connell was forced to watch through his fingers as France quick-tapped a penalty metres form their own line with time up in Twickenham, before Rory Kockott won Irish hearts by slamming the ball into touch and confirming the title for Joe Schmidt’s side.
“I couldn’t believe they took the quick tap, but then they’re not playing for us, they wanted to score a try,” said O’Connell this evening at Murrayfield. “That’s what we were saying at times, we were wondering if they’d kick a penalty.
They’d no reason to kick the penalty for themselves! It’s the most strangest, bizarre way to win a trophy. You don’t win many of them, but when you do in a situation like that and with a crowd like that, it was incredible.”
The scenes at Murrayfield following the result from England were memorable, thousands of Irish fans having remained in the stadium hoping to watch O’Connell lift the Six Nations trophy.
They got their wish.
“When you’re sitting there at the table with a few of the lads with a beer in front of you watching on the TV, you’re like a supporter,” said O’Connell of taking in England’s game.
“You’re completely powerless as to influencing the result, and it’s just such a bizarre day, even the crowd afterwards and the music – it was like Robbie Henshaw’s 21st birthday there with the ’80s hits coming out!
“It was just an incredible day, it’s a lot better craic than last year anyway!”
The chat over O’Connell’s Ireland future remains unresolved, with the lock contracted by the IRFU until the summer of 2016, but having previously hinted that he may hang up his boots at international level after this year’s World Cup.
As ever, O’Connell was unwilling to confirm his intentions after what may have been his final Six Nations game, stating that he still doesn’t know himself.
“It is a strange position, but I have to be sensible as well. I genuinely haven’t given an answer because I don’t have an answer myself.
If it does finish here, it’s a great way to finish. Brian [O'Driscoll] got it last year as well, but even if it doesn’t finish, it’s a great achievement to have.”
O’Connell credited Stuart Lancaster’s England for pushing Ireland all the way again this year, particularly in that helter-skelter tie at Twickenham today. The English will remain worthy opponents in the coming years, O’Connell is sure.
The legendary lock also pointed to a spectacular final day for the Six Nations as a whole.
“Yeah, it was probably the performance of the championship out of [England] in fairness,” said O’Connell. “It’ll give them a lot of confidence heading into the summer internationals and heading into the World Cup.
“I thought they were incredible, kind of threw caution to the wind, took a lot of quick taps and quick lineouts. I thought France were unbelievable as well and scored some great tries. It’s a great advertisement for the Six Nations.
“If only we all had so much to play for every weekend! It already is an unbelievable tournament, but I think this weekend has been brilliant for it.”
