JOE takes a look back on the moments that stood out in what was ultimately, a disappointing season for the Irish international rugby team.
2010 wasn’t the most memorable year for Irish rugby by any stretch of the imagination, certainly when compared to the year before when Declan Kidney’s side claimed a memorable Grand Slam triumph and were unbeaten throughout the calendar year.
Scotland ruined our hopes of a fifth Triple Crown in seven seasons, while the southern hemisphere teams showed us during the summer tour and the November internationals that we have a long way to go to before we can be confident of going head to head against them and coming out on top.
Five wins and eight defeats sums up the disappointment endured by Declan Kidney and company, but there were some stand out moments, although admittedly, not all of them for the right reasons.
1. Jerry Flannery’s kicking of Alexis Pallison against France
Jerry Flannery is not a dirty player by any stretch of the imagination, but had he kicked a rugby ball as hard as he kicked Alexis Pallison against France in the Six Nations clash in Paris, it would have flown high over the stands of the Stade de France. Flannery’s intervention was entirely unnecessary and it was a mystery how he managed to stay on the field.
He didn’t escape the attention of the citing commissioner, however and was handed down a six week suspension, which remained in place despite an appeal. Following the suspension, Flannery’s season was ravaged by injuries and he remains on the sidelines after a short-lived comeback in October.
2. Brian O’Driscoll wins his 100th cap
The best Irish player of his generation and arguably, the best of all time made his 100th appearance for his country in the Six Nations defeat of Wales in March. The roar that erupted around Croke Park when O’Driscoll emerged ahead of his teammates was deafening and a fitting tribute to a man who has distinguished himself in an Irish jersey in the last decade and become one of the world’s very best players in the process.
Special mention must also go to John ‘The Bull’ Hayes, who made his 100th appearance for his country a game earlier than O’Driscoll against England and became the first Irish player to reach 100 caps in the process. Ronan O’Gara also became a centurion when coming on as a substitute against South Africa in November.
Ahead of O’Driscoll’s 100th cap against Wales earlier this year, RTE marked the occasion with a special video featuring tributes from Denis Hickie, Matt Williams, Warren Gatland and Tony Ward as well as studio contributions from pundits George Hook, Brent Pope and Conor O’Shea (see below).
3. Paul O’Connell’s injury
When Paul O’Connell got injured in Ireland’s final Six Nations game against Scotland, it was thought that it was only a minor groin injury that would only take a matter of weeks to heal. Nine months later and O’Connell hasn’t featured for Ireland. He has only appeared twice as a substitute for Munster, the second of which was in the infamous clash against the Ospreys earlier this month, when he caught Jonathan Thomas with a swinging elbow and earned himself a four week ban in the process.
The reason for O’Connell’s lengthy absence was an extremely complicated injury, which included an infection in his pubic bone which knocked him for six and caused him to lose quite an amount of weight. His absence from the summer tour and the November internationals was keenly felt and it will be great to see him chomping at the bit on his return to the green jersey early next year.
4. Jamie Heaslip’s red card
In the last couple of years, Heaslip has established himself as arguably the most complete number eight in Europe and his performances in 2010 backed up such an assertion. Perhaps his most standout moment in 2010, however, was a moment of madness against New Zealand in New Plymouth when he took umbrage against Richie McCaw infringing at the breakdown (not like him) as Ireland attempted to batter their way over the try line after a shocking start.
Heaslip blatantly kneed McCaw in the head not once, but twice and left Wayne Barnes with no choice but to issue him with a red card. It was a blot on what has otherwise been an outstanding year for the Leinster man.
5. Brian O’Driscoll’s pick up against New Zealand
The Irish captain has produced a number of outstanding pieces of skill throughout his Irish career and his try against New Zealand in November was one to add to the highlights reel. After an attempted Rob Kearney pass to Jamie Heaslip ended up on the turf, O’Driscoll executed an amazing one handed pick up with his weak hand without breaking stride, a magnificent piece of improvisation by a magnificent player.
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