Ireland v England: Six of the Best
The one match on the rugby calendar that is sure to fire the imagination of Irish fans has produced some special moments over the years. Here, GAVIN CUMMISKEYtakes a look back at six famous Irish tries
Shane HorganSaturday, March 18th, 2006
England 24 Ireland 28:Probably the greatest ever Irish team try. Three minutes remaining, trailing 24-21 at Twickenham and stuck in their own 22, Ronan O’Gara attacked the blindside, instinctively chipping the first white line. The bounce beat inexperienced fullback Tom Voyce and was gobbled up by Brian O’Driscoll who sent Shane Horgan away. Openside Lewis Moody caught Horgan five metres short but O’Gara, remarkably, secured possession on the ground. Peter Stringer passed to O’Driscoll, attacking left but immediately switched play back to the short side after a quick recycle (by Jerry Flannery), the scrumhalf threw a perfect skip pass that saw Horgan’s height and strength fend off Moody to get over in the corner.
Simon Geoghegan
Saturday, February 19th, 1994
England 12 Ireland 13:Seemingly Ireland's only backline move of the 1990s, it worked perfectly and Eric Elwood's touchline conversion secured a one-point victory, beating England for the second season running and first time at Twickenham in 12 years. Peter Clohessy sucked in a few heavies, Michael Bradley fed Elwood - decoy runs by Maurice Field and Conor O'Shea fixed the English midfield - as Richard Wallace came off his wing to present Ireland's best player with a one-on-one against the slower Underwood brother (Tony). John Callard despairing tackle couldn't deny the London solicitor a famous try.
Shane Horgan
Saturday, March 18th, 2007
Ireland 43 England 13:That man again with possibly the most iconic Irish try: some Gaelic football high fielding from a Meath man in Croke Park that John McDermott would have been proud of. Beautifully weighted kick-pass by O’Gara saw Horgan soar over Josh Lewsey to end any chance of England staying in the contest.
Kevin Flynn
Saturday, February 12th, 1972
England 12 Ireland 16:A tumultuous era, the burning of the British embassy perhaps denied Ireland their second Grand Slam. Victory in Paris was followed by Kevin Flynn’s great try at Twickenham. The Wanderers centre called the move on himself, believing he could beat the great David Duckham on the outside. He did. However, the championship was never completed as Scotland and Wales refused to travel to Dublin.
Gerry McLoughlin
Saturday, February 6th, 1982
England 15 Ireland 16:Long seen as the boot and bollock stereotypical Irish try, allowing other nations to snicker at such antiquated rugby, but that doesn’t do justice to the brilliant offloading of Ollie Campbell, Fergus Slattery and Willie Duggan before the big Shannon prop was shunted over by Moss Keane and Phil Orr among others. The Triple Crown followed this 16-15 victory in Twickenham.
Mick Galwey
Saturday, March 20th, 1993
Ireland 17 England 3:The birth of a man called Gallimh. England stuffed, 17-3, at Lansdowne Road with Galway scoring the try everyone remembers. Check out the woman, carrying her heavy handbag, running on to congratulate the Kerry man. It was his sister.
