Back home, bruised and unbeaten

THERE were no sweet chariots or high horses ferrying Ireland’s rugby conquerors yesterday.

If delayed flights and pressing family commitments weren’t enough to bring our Six Nations heroes down to earth with a bang, the sobering prospect of a first Triple Crown in almost 20 years was. That and the exhaustion after a tumultuous Saturday at Twickenham.

By the time the Irish players and management concluded formal post-match duties, the clock had turned into Sunday. “The lads were exhausted, they had taken a physical battering,” said coach Eddie O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan had no time to savour the defeat of the world champions in their own backyard. In his own backyard in Galway, his son, Barry, was being confirmed, necessitating a dash from Dublin Airport yesterday.

By mid-afternoon, the Limerick contingent of John Hayes, Paul O’Connell and Anthony Foley were stuck in London, after two attempts to fly home.

In Cork, Ronan O’Gara stressed: “It’s just important we strive for that level of consistency now. A lot of things can happen in a few weeks. Nobody could have predicted we would beat England. Italy are a tough, physical side and Scotland must have one really good game in them, so we’ll approach both games in a calm, rational manner and give them the respect they deserve.”

One man who hasn’t had a good week is champion flat jockey Kieren Fallon.

The Clare man was sharing the headlines with Ireland’s rugby stars yesterday following tabloid claims he told undercover journalists last week that Rye would beat his mount Ballinger Ridge.

The race caused a storm of controversy because the champion was caught and beaten a short head after easing down when well clear. The Ballinger Ridge investigation is now the Jockey Club’s “number one priority”, according to John Maxse, the Jockey Club public relations director.