By Gary Watton
February 20 2014
It is no exaggeration to state that Ireland have experienced a rollercoaster ride in the Five Nations and subsequent Six Nations. Whilst the national team has largely excelled in the enlarged Six Nations, the story of their Five Nations campaigns has been less glorious, as the first XV has contrived to produce an assortment of triumphs and whitewashes. Let's painfully recall the years when the men in green earned nul points from their four outings.
1920
IRELAND 11 England 14; 14th February
Scotland 19 IRELAND 0; 28th February
Wales 28 IRELAND 4; 13th March
IRELAND 7 France 15; 3rd April
After running England close in their opening tussle, Ireland were comprehensively beaten in their next three fixtures, back when a try was worth three points.
1960
England 8 IRELAND 5; 13th February
IRELAND 5 Scotland 6; 27th February
IRELAND 9 Wales 10; 12th March
France 23 IRELAND 6; 9th April
The Irish lost narrowly to the three home unions before they were scalped in their final fixture, finding Paris au printemps to be less than enjoyable.
1977
Wales 25 IRELAND 9; 15th January
IRELAND 0 England 4; 5th February
Scotland 21 IRELAND 18; 19th February
IRELAND 6 France 15; 19th March
Although they were not on the same level as France and Wales, Ireland will be disappointed not to have recorded a win against either England or Scotland.
1981
IRELAND 13 France 19; 7th February
Wales 9 IRELAND 8; 21st February
IRELAND 6 England 10; 7th March
Scotland 10 IRELAND 9; 21st March
Conceding less points in the championship than any other team, Ireland peculiarly ended bottom of the pile, as Campbell and Ward missed too many kicks.
1984
France 25 IRELAND 12; 21st January
IRELAND 9 Wales 18; 4th February
England 12 IRELAND 9; 18th February
IRELAND 9 Scotland 32; 3rd March
Only one try was scored in the final, crushing defeat. This campaign was an assignment too far for 'Dad's Army' as our ageing pack ran out of steam.
1986
France 29 IRELAND 9; 1st February
IRELAND 12 Wales 19; 15th February
England 25 IRELAND 20; 1st March
IRELAND 9 Scotland 10; 15th March
Ireland went from triple crown to whitewash in one year. They would deservedly have beaten Scotland but for a late missed penalty from Michael Kiernan.
1992
IRELAND 15 Wales 16; 18th January
England 38 IRELAND 9; 1st February
IRELAND 10 Scotland 18; 15th February
France 44 IRELAND 12; 21st March
Convincingly thumped on their two away trips, the most diplomatic explanation for this Ireland squad were that they were euphemistically "in transition".
1998
IRELAND 16 Scotland 17; 7th February
France 18 IRELAND 16; 7th March
IRELAND 21 Wales 30; 21st March
England 35 IRELAND 17; 4th April
Denis Hickie weighed in with three tries, a sign of good times ahead, and Keith Wood impressed, but Ireland still lacked enough quality to compete in Europe.
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