Let the mind games begin

THE post-mortems go on apace and if some people appear to be more concerned about President Mary McAleese’s red carpet than the disappointing outcome to Sunday’s Six Nations decider at Lansdowne Road, there has also been much debate as to whether Ronan O’Gara should have been brought into the Irish side sooner than the 23rd minute of the second half.

It is just one of the imponderables teasing the minds of the Irish management in the aftermath of their mauling by England.

Assistant coach Declan Kidney had plenty of time to think things over yesterday on his journey back to Cork, and as always had some interesting views on a variety of subjects affecting the outcome of the big game, including the wisest time to make substitutions.