Tohill feared game was going to boil over

IRELAND manager Anthony Tohill feared yesterday’s second Test was going to descend into violence.

While delighted that his side won the series 2-0, the Derryman breathed a sigh of relief that none of his players picked up serious injuries following a dangerous third quarter.

Asked if he was convinced that the game proved there can be aggressiveness without becoming a bloodbath, Tohill responded: “It’s a very, very fine line. A very fine line.

“For a while I thought it was going to boil over. I’m relieved to get all my players off the pitch with no injuries.

“I was concerned at where that game was going and I’m just glad that it settled down and finished with no injuries.

“But it’s a fine line when you start asking for that type of aggression in a game of football because once you send players out there in the heat of the game you can’t say, ‘go so hard but don’t go that hard’.”

Tohill didn’t criticise the referees, even if his remonstrations on the sideline suggested he was frustrated with their officiating.

“I’m just not going to go there,” he responded when questioned about the officials: “We’ve had a comprehensive two series victory and we’re delighted with the way our players played and the way they stood up. They’ve been a pleasure to work with over the last couple of weeks and their execution was very good. I can’t give enough praise for the lads and what they’ve achieved here over the last couple of Friday nights.”

One of the decisions Tohill took umbrage with was vice-captain Ciarán McKeever’s yellow-card, which happened close to their sideline set-up. However, McKeever wasn’t surprised to be sent for a 10-minute spell in sin-bin.

“It’s not uncommon for Australian referees to give them everything that goes. I wasn’t surprised when I charged and the boy hit the deck to get a yellow card. You just have to get on with it.”

Tohill admitted enjoyed the experience at the helm but it hasn’t given him a taste for management back home.

“No, it’s best left to people who have more time in their life than I have. You get into these things and you do your best and I mean a year ago, two years ago people said that I shouldn’t have got the job. People said I had no right to get the job and questioned my appointment as manager. It was important for me personally to win but it’s all about players and I have no ego about the thing. It’s about these guys and players getting the chance to play for their country and winning. They won tonight and that’s what we’re proud of.”