By Gary Watton
April 12 2013
After the highs of 1982 and 1983, an ageing Irish pack were now a spent force and intent on emulating the whitewashes of 1977 and 1981. Yep, 1984 was a tournament where the Oirish were thoroughly-deserved recipients of the dreaded wooden spoon. An era was coming to an end, and later in the year big Mick Doyle would be entrusted with the responsibility of a coaching a new squad of players who could rise above the mediocrity of 1984. This tournament has more fond memories for Scotland as the tartan warriors helped themselves to their first clean sweep since before the Second World War.
FRANCE 25 IRELAND 12; 21st January; at Parc des Princes
15 MacNeill
14 Ringland
13 Irwin
12 Moroney
11 Crossan
10 Campbell [4 penalties]
9 McGrath
8 Duggan
7 O'Driscoll
6 Slattery
5 Lenihan
4 Keane
3 McLoughlin
2 Fitzgerald (c)
1 Orr
Fly half Jean-Patrick Lescarboura kicked seventeen points for the French. France had only led 10-9 at half time.
IRELAND 9 WALES 18; 4th February; at Lansdowne Road
15 MacNeill
14 Ringland
13 Irwin
12 Moroney
11 Crossan
10 Campbell [3 penalties]
9 McGrath
8 Duggan
7 O'Driscoll
6 Duncan
5 Lenihan
4 Keane
3 McCoy
2 Fitzgerald (c)
1 Orr
The centre Rob Ackerman recorded the only try of the match to help Wales win in Dublin for the first time since 1978.
ENGLAND 12 IRELAND 9; 18th February; at Twickenham
15 MacNeill
14 Ringland
13 Kiernan
12 Finn
11 Crossan
10 Ward [3 penalties]
9 Doyle
8 Duggan (c)
7 O'Driscoll
6 Duncan
5 Lenihan
4 Keane
3 Fitzgerald
2 Harbison
1 Orr
A Les Cusworth drop goal separated two poor teams. Ciaran Fitzgerald was gone, while Des Fitzgerald made his debut.
IRELAND 9 SCOTLAND 32; 3rd March; at Lansdowne Road
15 Murphy [penalty, conversion]
14 Ringland
13 Kiernan [TRY]
12 Finn
11 Crossan
10 Ward
9 Doyle
8 Duggan (c)
7 McGrath
6 O'Driscoll
5 Lenihan
4 Keane
3 Fitzgerald
2 Harbison
1 Orr
Triple-Crown chasing Scotland led 22-0 at half time. Ireland's first half performance was quite shambolic.
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