Magnificent Ireland step up to the mark

WHAT A privilege it was on Sunday to see Irish rugby finally grow up. That’s two big wins over two southern hemisphere sides but what was even more impressive, both wins were recorded as favourites.

How I’ve longed for the day when Irish teams would finally stand up and be counted. No more doffing the cap, no more choking, no more wishing we could go back to being underdogs, when we didn’t have to handle the pressure of expectation. Munster set the tone earlier this year with the Heineken Cup win, now this Irish team is following suit.

Credit to them for that. Credit also to coach Eddie O’Sullivan, a man criticised here many times. There’s a massive change in his demeanour in the past six months or so, a smiling face, a more relaxed attitude. Not before time. That’s the way we should be, now and always, in our relationship with sport.