A period of reflection is now required

“Four more years ......” Those immortal words whispered into New Zealand scrum-half Justin Marshall’s ear by his Wallaby counterpart George Gregan when Australia beat the All Blacks in the 2003 Rugby World Cup semi-final came flooding into my mind at the final whistle in Cardiff yesterday.
A period of reflection is now required
Mon, 19 Oct, 2015 - 01:00
donal%20lenihan%20colour
Donal Lenihan
A rugby player, coach and manager during a glittering career with Munster, Ireland and the Lions and now a definitive voice in Irish rugby analysis and commentary.

At least New Zealand were striving to make it to another decider that day back in Sydney. For Ireland the quest for a first semi-final remains agonsingly beyond our reach again.

Six quarter-final appearances. Six defeats. Four more years of waiting, hoping and dreaming.

You have reached your article limit. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Unlimited access starts here.

Try from only €0.25 a day.

Cancel anytime

More in this section

Republic of Ireland Men Training Session Tommy Martin: Why League of Ireland players have freedom to speak loudest in game of political football
Shane O'Donnell and Diarmaid Byrnes 3/5/2026 Jack Anderson: Why concussion means we all need to get our head in the game 
Cork v Kerry - Munster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final S Kieran Shannon: Provincial football titles have never carried so little value
Sports ColumnistsVideoRWC15RWC 2015Place: ZealandPlace: CardiffPlace: SydneyPlace: WellingtonPlace: South AfricaPlace: AustraliaPlace: New ZealandPlace: ArgentinaPerson: Justin MarshallPerson: George GreganPerson: Michael LynaghPerson: LynaghPerson: Joe SchmidtPerson: Paul O’ConnellPerson: Peter O’MahonyPerson: Johnny SextonPerson: Sean O’BrienPerson: Matias MoroniPerson: Marcelo BoschPerson: Tomas LavaniniPerson: Pablo MateraPerson: Luke FitzgeraldPerson: Tommy BowePerson: Jordi MurphyPerson: LavininiPerson: MateraPerson: GuidoEvent: 2003 Rugby World Cup semi-finalEvent: World Cup quarterEvent: Rugby ChampionshipOrganisation: AustraliaOrganisation: All BlacksOrganisation: IrelandOrganisation: WalesOrganisation: ArgentinaOrganisation: NamibiaOrganisation: TongaOrganisation: GeorgiaOrganisation: Pumas
<p>ALL IN: International trekkers pass through a glacier at the Mount Everest base camp, Nepal. Pic: AP Photo/Tashi Sherpa, file</p>

Colin Sheridan: How Everest turned from the world’s tallest mountain into peak posturing

READ NOW

Sport

Newsletter

Sign up to our daily sports bulletin, delivered straight to your inbox at 5pm. Subscribers also receive an exclusive email from our sports desk editors every Friday evening looking forward to the weekend's sporting action.

Latest

IE Logo

Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

Start Exploring

Sport

Newsletter

Sign up to our daily sports bulletin, delivered straight to your inbox at 5pm. Subscribers also receive an exclusive email from our sports desk editors every Friday evening looking forward to the weekend's sporting action.

Anthony Daly
Anthony Daly

At the heart of the GAA

Most Read

Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited