Ireland’s ability to completely disrupt the Welsh lineout proved pivotal to our triumph, writes LIAM TOLAND

‘Remember the bouncing ball that went Tommy Bowe’s way against Scotland . . . Well, it bounced again, this time the result of video analysis (Maith an buachaill Mervyn Murphy) and Ronan O’Gara’s precision. When it bounced Bowe was once again at its pitch.

“I’M IN tears. Really I am bawling crying here. . .” said my brother Niall in the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. The fact he had no ticket when departing Ireland and managed to gain access to both the stadium and the pre-match BBC build-up in Cardiff’s clubhouse didn’t surprise me; the fact he was crying did! He wasn’t the only one. Mark, a mate from Belfast, texted me: “First time I have cried after a game of rugby. Wonderful . . . EXHAUSTING!”

Sport is cruel and it was never more so on Saturday as the pendulum for disaster swung towards Wales and then Ireland. Remember the bouncing ball that went Tommy Bowe’s way against Scotland that stifled Chris Paterson’s certain run to the line. Well, it bounced again, this time the result of video analysis (Maith an buachaill Mervyn Murphy) and Ronan O’Gara’s precision. But when it bounced Bowe was once again at its pitch. What a score and what timing.

This was truly an all-Ireland victory where players drawn from throughout the island were instrumental in victory. It’s no coincidence that the three critical scores were contributed by a Leinster man, an Ulster man and finally a Munster man. That Tommy Bowe straddles the border in Monaghan, is a darling of Ulster and plies his trade in the Ospreys makes for wonderful symmetry. Not to mention Belfast-born President of Ireland Mary McAleese handing over the trophy flanked by Prince William of Wales. Sixty-one years of waiting has changed a lot in our little island.

Is it important to figure out why Ireland won? Probably not. Did they deserve to? Absolutely. But did Wales deserve to lose? Hardly. In GAA parlance a draw would have been the fairest result. But then the old GAA dictum comes to mind “you have to lose one before you win one”. Well this Ireland team have lost their fair share and all those experiences helped bring them out on top yesterday.

Wales were six points up at half time, despite Ireland’s field position and were looking threatening. It’s hard to know what effect Andy Powell’s absence may have had, but, as expected, O’Gara’s channel was targeted.

The Irish stepped up for each other, covered each other, all seeming to know each other’s weakness and all happy to shoulder the responsibility. Some months back an error from an Irish player drew derision. But now immediate cover up was instinctive, ‘Brothers in Arms’. If Powell’s absence was important Lee Byrne’s departure was key. Something about Gavin Henson gives me the willies and to have him as the last line of defence is very, very unnerving.

As the game ebbed and flowed I once again drifted to the ‘speech of inches’. Both sets of players battled for every square inch available on the pitch.

Both teams laid out their different styles very early. Before the game I felt that Ireland’s four, five and six were the key differences between winning and losing. But that would be far too simplistic in a game that swung in everyone’s favour. The Welsh second rows, Ian Gough and Alun Wyn Jones were physically immense where their tackle count was both high and ferocious. Gough’s fourth minute hit on Jerry Flannery was a serious statement of intent. But their lineout!

Wales had 22 lineouts to Ireland’s ten. Similar to corner kicks in soccer this is an indicator of strength. Wales’s enormous penalty advantage of 15-5 gave them the platform of attacking lineouts. One wonders what might have transpired if John Hayes, Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan and co hadn’t stolen six clear Welsh lineouts and messed up the remainder of them.

As each time Wales spurned a chance to get their game going my mind drifted to Warren Gatland. What the hell was he doing all week when his lineout required such major surgery? Hot air Warren! Remember he’s a hooker with 140 appearances for Waikato and 17 for the All Blacks. Did the failing Welsh lineout cost them the match? Well no other aspect of their game was so prone to Irish influence. A little more focus in South Africa I hope.

Ironically it was their appalling lineout that provided all but one of their scores. With the exception of Stephen Jones’s drop goal, the Welsh points arrived from penalties at the lineout. Bizarrely these penalties were awarded on the shambolic Welsh put in. But credit must go to all, first to the Irish who bounced back after half-time to steal the march and then to the Welsh who clawed their way back. And finally to both outhalves, Stephen Jones and Ronan O’Gara.

I recall the Chicago Bulls and their six-time winning NBA championships. On three of those finals with seconds remaining on the clock and with the world watching and waiting it was Michael Jordan who stepped forward. He did so with the opposition clearly expecting it but they couldn’t prevent it. At six foot and 13 stone, O’Gara is no Michael Jordan, but, with all the pressure on his shoulders he delivered, braver than ever.

Once again the breakdown has provided an enthralling sideshow. And once again the man in the middle has provided a very different opinion. Both sides were allowed to drift offside, but particularly on the fringes. Countless times defending players inched their way unfettered by Wayne Barnes. As the pace and intensity of the international game increases the laws must be kept as simple as possible. I hope the IRB address the obvious imbalance between referees.

Finally, as a 13-year-old I recall the passion and pride of the 1985 Triple Crown-winning team. I remember the lineout from Ciaran Fitzgerald to Brian Spillane and subsequent run by Donal Lenihan deep into English territory. I remember the famous drop goal from Cork man Michael Kiernan to clinch the title. But I also remember the 1987 RWC where, to a 15-year-old, winning the cup was the obvious next step.

But it wasn’t to be. They were tough times in the 80s, much like now. My great hope is that we can kick on. Our lineout is outstanding, our defence likewise but we need our scrum to survive obvious retirements and, of course, there’s the ever evolving need for ‘continuity, counterattack and competition for places’. It’s great to be Irish.