Ferris: Croker hype affected the players

STEPHEN FERRIS believes the pre-match hype got to Ireland as they attempted to win the Triple Crown in their last game at Croke Park.

While the defeat was a disappointing way to end their three-year stay at the headquarters of the GAA, the Lions and Ulster flanker insists the squad can learn from the defeat.

He said: “There was a lot of hype coming into this game. It was a massive day for us and the whole of Ireland but perhaps sometimes you need to distance yourselves from that.