Ireland’s bitter sweet campaign sours in the end

IN THE END, a season that delivered so much couldn’t provide the fitting finale. Saturday’s test against Australia proved a game too far for this group of players.

With 14 of the Irish side playing their third consecutive tour test, the physical demands of meeting New Zealand on consecutive Saturdays had taken their toll. Ireland were nothing if not brave. Their final defiant stand took place in the opening 10 minutes of the second half when they succeeded in turning an eight-point deficit into a four-point lead after two excellent tries from Ronan O’Gara and Neil Best.

The pity was that — having orchestrated and controlled the period after the restart to such devastating effect — Ireland lacked the composure to hold the lead for less than four minutes.