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Tom Tierney led the Irish women to the Six Nations title in his first season in charge. Colm O'Neill/INPHO

'After 11 years as a player and this is my seventh year as a coach - I'm used to pressure'

Tom Tierney was confident of achieving success with the Ireland women’s team.

THE IRELAND WOMEN’S team took to the field in Scotland yesterday knowing that a 27-point win would be enough for their second Six Nations title in three years. It wasn’t an impossible task against a poor Scottish side but coach Tom Tierney wasn’t taking anything for granted.

He prepared his team to expect an onslaught from the home side and while it didn’t materialise in the end, that pre-match attitude ensured that the Irish team didn’t get complacent.

“We prepared for the worst case scenario,” Tierney said.

“The girls were just focused on doing their job but we have to be honest, Scotland were very poor. We will take that any day. The excitement and worry the previous day with the men, we could have done without that and after 20 minutes we knew that as long as we kept it between the ditches we were going to win and win well.”

And win well they did, with the Ireland women recording a resounding 73-3 win to claim the title. Tierney was proud that his team ‘didn’t let the foot off the gas’ and while the maul was a potent weapon for his side, the mazy running of hat-trick hero Alison Miller was also a joy to watch.

This is Tierney’s first year in the job having replaced Philip Doyle after Ireland’s run to the World Cup semi-final last year. While the team has a nice blend of youth and experience, they were also hit by the retirements of Lynne Cantwell and Fiona Coghlan.

Ireland Women's Rugby Media Event Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

And when Doyle left, so did assistant coaches Peter Bracken and Greg McWilliams so there wasn’t as much continuity in place as Tierney might have liked. He admitted that it was a somewhat daunting role to undertake.

“After 11 years as a player and this is my seventh year as a coach – I’m used to pressure,” Tierney said.

“Sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it doesn’t go for you and thankfully it went for me yesterday. All the credit is due to the players. They have been really tuned into the work over the last three months and they should be very proud.”

The backdrop to the Irish women’s preparation was, of course, the Six Nations finale. Like Tierney’s side, Joe Schmidt’s men needed to beat Scotland by over 20 points and the Ireland men delivered in dramatic fashion.

Tierney said that rather than block out the rugby on Saturday, his side were encouraged by it.

“We were all concious of the matches,” Tierney said.

“We watched the first game and then had our training session and then watched the Ireland and England game. The girls just sat down and said ‘look at how many points all the teams put on them’ and if we can do the same and look after the defensive side of things, we are in with a great chance. 27 points is not insurmountable and it didn’t prove to be.”

One of Connacht’s most potent attacking threats is available for their big derby on Saturday

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8 Comments
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    Mute P O Leary.
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 2:42 PM

    weather looks miserable in Croker. that might be a slight advantage to Tyrone. they will be looking to slow the game down as much as possible and the weather will help. still think Kerry will win by 5 points.

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    Mute David G
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 2:51 PM

    If Tyrone win it will be the biggest shock in decades.

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    Mute Jack Strong
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 3:34 PM

    Donegal at 15/2 might disagree

    45
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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 2:40 PM

    This will be a GAA production of Beauty and the Beast.

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    Mute Ronan O'Healy
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 2:42 PM

    Kerry by 4

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    Mute Supernova
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 2:46 PM

    Tyrone by 2

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    Mute Tomás O'Loughlin
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 2:59 PM

    Goals :)

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    Mute Mike O'Sullivan
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 5:09 PM

    Good call Ronan, spot on.

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    Mute Tom Forde
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:51 PM

    love the irony of the Tyrone fans booing Kerry’s possession game…

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    Mute Jordan Hunt
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 7:36 PM

    Ah here leave it ouuuuut

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    Mute Irishoversea
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 2:34 PM

    I wonder will many Rangers fans stay tuned into SkySports5 and be watching this game..

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 2:39 PM

    Huh, “Amanda”?

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    Mute Karabekian Rabo
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 2:56 PM

    That’s nearly as childish as the comment above it..

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    Mute Karabekian Rabo
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 3:01 PM

    Amanda’s comment that is..

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 3:04 PM

    that’s just silly amanda.

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    Mute P O Leary.
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 3:26 PM

    for Fu*k sake. Will somebody at the 42 get rid of people who put up stupid comments like the one seen above.

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    Mute N O hUallaigh
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 5:15 PM

    free speech? sticks and stones..

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    Mute whereisspace
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:29 PM

    Jeez Brolly talks some nonsense. Practically creaming his pants that Tyrone are a point down. Wonder if he’s giving the half time teamtalk to Tyrone through video link. Hasn’t given Kerry any credit for being 1 point up in an entertaining game.

    Neutral by the way:-).

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    Mute Dermot Treacy
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:54 PM

    Martin Kearney absolutely up Tyrone arse commentating

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    Mute Supernova
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 2:37 PM

    Cmon Tyrone

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    Mute M N
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 2:53 PM

    up the Kingdom

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    Mute Ciarán Mullin
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 3:07 PM

    C’mon Tir Eoghain

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    Mute Chuck Eastwood
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:06 PM

    pretty good skill level is brutal conditions. shame to see Kavanagh in the refs ear every two mins. Mon and play the game, shaping up to be a good one

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    Mute Malvolio32
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:16 PM

    Donnaghy at least as bad…

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    Mute Chuck Eastwood
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:30 PM

    Not from what the cameras are showing. Before you even start I support neither team but jaysus I hate that kinda moaning from either side. Tyrone by 2

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 3:22 PM

    that oul ejit won’t talk to Rte for telling the truth.

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    Mute Michael Latimer
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 3:37 PM

    Up the Dubs ….

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    Mute Sunshine on a rainy
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:00 PM

    F(ck the Jackeens!

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    Mute john mclarnon
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:55 PM

    That was not a penalty

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    Mute Paul Mallon
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:08 PM

    Tyrone are normally very good in tight games, interesting 2nf half to come

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    Mute Very fond of
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 3:04 PM

    Kerry to win by about 10 pts – Tyrone have no chance.

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    Mute Randy Rarely
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 3:56 PM

    don’t know about that now. good game so far

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    Mute Very fond of
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:03 PM

    Yep good game and Tyrone doing better than I thought … but they have had a few bad wides and missed 2 clear goals – they will pay for those in the 2nd half

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    Mute Kieran M Foley
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 5:13 PM

    Jesus, Brolly is a bitter little man. Can’t give credit to Kerry only moaning about decisions given against Tyrone

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    Mute Freebetcitydcom Mike
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 2:47 PM

    Under 29.5 points is 5 to 2 at bet365 in the Kerry Tyrone match. Ground has to be ringing and joD bounces the ball too much in the wet. Ground has to be ringing, tyrone out to suffocate.

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    Mute Malvolio32
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 3:08 PM

    Croker park pitch stands up well to wet weather though?

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    Mute Maurice Dancer
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 5:07 PM

    That is a good result for Gaelic Football

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    Mute gary kelly
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 3:38 PM

    Coybib

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    Mute Fear Uisce
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 5:08 PM

    ref just copped out on that call

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    Mute Fear Uisce
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:49 PM

    well the gaa will be happy ref just given them the match

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    Mute P O Leary.
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 5:07 PM

    I’m not sure they were handed the game but the ref favored Kerry all day.

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    Mute Shanahan
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:56 PM

    The Sunday Game “Black Card Territory”

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:51 PM

    harsh blackcard for McNamee.

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 3:44 PM

    fantastic off the cuff play by Tyrone for all of the first 2 minutes.

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    Mute Paul Mallon
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 3:47 PM

    Outrageous free by Morgan. Great game so far, both teams playing good football.

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    Mute Aideen Thornton
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:00 PM

    Change the record Paul Dunne.

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    Mute P O Leary.
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:06 PM

    it was a top class score. not many players would be able to score from there.

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:07 PM

    don’t read my comments aideen

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    Mute Aideen Thornton
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:10 PM

    haha right. Like you give anyone a choice. I’ll close my eyes as I scroll through just incase you’ve posted shall I? We get it. You hate Ulster football. You don’t need to remind us 10 times a day, every day.

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    Mute Karabekian Rabo
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:13 PM

    Well said..

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:14 PM

    no if you that you won’t see any posts and that would be pointless, just skip a post I submit it’s what I do to yours unless you direct one at me.

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    Mute Aideen Thornton
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:15 PM

    You’re right, It’d be very pointless. A bit like your posts.

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    Mute Karabekian Rabo
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:17 PM

    Doesn’t look like he skipped over your last comment.. I think you touched a nerve. Very entertaining game so far..

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:27 PM

    don’t be silly now it was a direct response to me.

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