Late Late changes cheapen Ireland’s call

THE DECISION of the Irish management to ring the changes in the dying embers of Sunday’s game has angered many supporters who believe the honour of representing one’s country has been cheapened by what happened.

The game was in its 80th minute and long since over as a contest when Guy Easterby and David Humphreys were sent on in place of Peter Stringer and Brian O'Driscoll; stoppage time was being played when Simon Best and Victor Costello got the call to take over from Reggie Corrigan and Anthony Foley. What useful purpose was served by going down this road?

None of the four replacements could in any way have affected the eventual outcome which had long been decided nor could they have benefited in the area of big match experience or anything of that nature.