By Gary Watton
April 27 2013
After hitting the heights of 2009, Ireland were slowly climbing away from the summit of European rugby. In 2011 however, the men in green were ultimately denied a triple crown by a dreadful refereeing decision in Cardiff which permitted the try of Mike Phillips, even though had the referee consulted the TV judge, the try's illegality would have been revealed. Stirred by this sense of injustice, a Jonny Sexton-inspired Ireland did rally the following week to deny England a grand slam in Dublin. Perhaps this was the national team's party trick to prevent England claiming a grand slam on their excursion in Dublin!
ITALY 11 IRELAND 13; 5th February; in Rome
15 Fitzgerald
14 McFadden
13 O'Driscoll (c) [TRY]
12 D'Arcy
11 Earls
10 Sexton [penalty, conversion]
9 O'Leary
8 O'Brien
7 Wallace
6 Leamy
5 O'Connell
4 O'Callaghan
3 Ross
2 Best
1 Healy
A very late drop goal from the replacement Ronan O'Gara nullified full back Luke McClean's 74th minute unconverted try.
IRELAND 22 FRANCE 25; 13th February; at Lansdowne Road
15 Fitzgerald
14 McFadden [TRY]
13 O'Driscoll (c)
12 D'Arcy
11 Earls
10 Sexton [penalty, conversion]
9 O'Leary [TRY]
8 Heaslip [TRY]
7 Wallace
6 O'Brien
5 O'Connell
4 O'Callaghan
3 Ross
2 Best
1 Healy
Five penalties from Morgan Parra punished Ireland's infringements. The hosts actually won the try count three-one.
SCOTLAND 18 IRELAND 21; 27th February; at Murrayfield
15 Fitzgerald
14 Bowe
13 O'Driscoll (c)
12 D'Arcy
11 Earls
10 O'Gara [TRY, 3 conversions]
9 Reddan [TRY]
8 Heaslip [TRY]
7 Wallace
6 O'Brien
5 O'Connell
4 O'Callaghan
3 Ross
2 Best
1 Healy
Five Scottish penalties and a Dan Parks drop goal almost thwarted an away win. Ireland had led 21-9 after 55 minutes.
WALES 19 IRELAND 13; 12th March; at the Millennium Stadium
15 Fitzgerald
14 Bowe
13 O'Driscoll (c) [TRY]
12 D'Arcy
11 Earls
10 O'Gara [2 penalties, conversion]
9 Reddan
8 Heaslip
7 Wallace
6 O'Brien
5 O'Connell
4 O'Callaghan
3 Ross
2 Best
1 Healy
O'Driscoll recorded a try inside the first three minutes, but Ireland completely failed to build upon their 13-9 interval lead.
IRELAND 24 ENGLAND 8; 19th March; at Lansdowne Road
15 Earls
14 Bowe [TRY]
13 O'Driscoll (c) [TRY]
12 D'Arcy
11 Trimble
10 Sexton [4 penalties, conversion]
9 Reddan
8 Heaslip
7 Wallace
6 O'Brien
5 O'Connell
4 O'Callaghan
3 Ross
2 Best
1 Healy
A rampaging Ireland led 24-3 after fifty minutes before hooker Steve Thompson recorded a consolation unconverted try.
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