Ireland’s international rugby wins have put a spring in our steps

What a start to spring. Ireland goes into the annals of international rugby history for all the right reasons.

Last Saturday week, across Europe, countries echoed the roars and cheers at the interlinked matches played on rugby fields in Rome, Edinburgh and London.

Ireland having to win wasn’t enough; they had to win by more than 21 points to nullify an earlier, huge win by Wales in Rome, and still hope their old sparring partners, England wouldn’t eclipse them against the French. It seemed an impossible task for Joe Schmidt’s warriors to achieve. After a dramatic performance, achieve it they did — giving Ireland back-to-back championship wins.

The real icing on the cake was that Niamh Briggs led Ireland’s women’s rugby team to a massive 73-3 win over Scotland. It crowned a most-memorable weekend, delivering an inconceivable men’s and women’s RBS 6 Nations double for Irish rugby.

Earlier in the month, our equine friends took the honours in Cheltenham. Trainer Willie Mullins’ first-day historic feat of successes left such an impact on bookmakers and punters, the Cotswolds are still reverberating!

Hopefully, this soft spring breeze of success will sweep across the country, causing adrenaline to rise and enkindle one and all with a new glow of optimism and positivity, which are the key to all progress.

James Gleeson,

Turtulla,

Thurles,

Co.Tipperary