Immense pride - Women’s rugby team

Though Ireland’s dream of reaching the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup was shattered by England, the team can take immense pride from their achievement.

On their way to an unprecedented semi-final spot, they made history by defeating New Zealand, a feat never before achieved by any senior Irish team, male or female. Their accomplishment in breaking the Kiwi dominance is worth celebrating.

Unfortunately, as often happens at international level, a team can inexplicably lose motivation and momentum, falling flat after reaching the dizzy heights of such a famous victory against all the odds. Sadly, that seems to have happened in the 40-7 blitz of the team’s dream of World Cup glory. In her bluntly honest assessment of the game, Ireland’s captain, Fiona Coghlan, conceded England were the better team on the day. To their enormous credit, as the members of this superb Irish team face what could be a potential disaster, such refreshing honesty and realism will temper their mettle, giving them the steely resolve to win at the highest level.