Footballers' heroics can inspire Irish for 'main event' against Springboks, says Farrell

Ireland’s last-gasp heroics in Budapest last Sunday have reverberated through Farrell’s Irish camp this week

Irish head coach Andy Farrell. Pic: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Andy Farrell believes the feelgood factor enveloping the nation’s footballers can inspire his Ireland rugby team against South Africa this Saturday with the backing of a sold-out Aviva Stadium crowd stoked for a Test match he described as “the main event”.

The Republic of Ireland’s last-gasp heroics in Budapest last Sunday to reach the World Cup play-off qualifying semi-final next March have reverberated through Farrell’s Irish camp this week and the head coach is sure the previous Thursday’s epic 2-0 win for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s team against Portugal at Aviva Stadium helped fuel Ireland’s record 46-19 victory over Australia at the same venue 48 hours later.