O’Sullivan: four hurdles to jump to stay at races

GIVEN our penchant for horse racing, coach Eddie O’Sullivan’s warning yesterday that Ireland has four major hurdles to jump if they still want to be in Australia for Melbourne Cup week was a fitting analogy to begin a World Cup adventure.

Ireland are pooled with defending champions Australia and dangerous wild cards Argentina in the World Cup’s toughest group.

All three teams are in the world’s top seven, but one will miss out on a prized quarter-final berth.