Redemption never tasted so sweet

Ireland 24 England 8: Redemption at last. After a spluttering, maddening and disjointed campaign Ireland finally proved what we knew all along. That this is a team capable of playing at the highest level and its component parts came together as Ireland not only derailed England's chariot, but restored their own wavering self-belief.

While it makes the rest of the performances all the more frustrating - and there certainly was a huge sense of what might have been around the Aviva Stadium this evening – there are few sweeter ways to sign off a championship than getting one over on the old enemy.

That Martin Johnson’s side were denied a Grand Slam into the bargain simply makes it all the more satisfying, though a Welsh defeat in France this evening means they do claim the championship.

Whether the anticipated 20,000 or so English fans had infiltrated the home support is debateable but there were certainly enough to ensure their anthem got as lusty an airing as it ever had in the old Lansdowne Road. Thereafter, however, the visiting support had precious little to sing about.

Chasing a first clean sweep since 2003, England made a promising start as they collected their own kick-off and went hunting for a score. But that was about as good as it got for them in the opening 40 minutes and it would take over half an hour for them to actually trouble the scorers, Toby Flood knocking over a long range penalty.

In the interim, Ireland had stamped their authority all over an increasingly one-sided contest. That they had been kept to just the one try in that period was a wonder in itself as Ireland were a constant menace.

The self-belief of this side, and of Jonathan Sexton in particular, has constantly been called into question over the last six weeks. Restored to outhalf ahead of Ronan O’Gara, Sexton’s confidence has clearly returned and he managed the game beautifully. Not content to kick the leather off the ball, Sexton mixed it up, running quick penalties, getting his backline moving and finding the corners when appropriate.

Whereas Sexton has looked a haunted figure in previous matches, Flood has reigned supreme. On this occasion, however, it was his turn to suffer an attack of the jitters. Too many passes had gone astray before he fluffed a simple kick in front of the posts.

By that stage, Ireland weren’t quite out of sight but they were certainly moving towards the horizon, helped in no small part by the referring of Bryce Lawrence. Declan Kidney’s side have fallen foul of officials throughout this campaign, this evening they had a refereeing display they could get their heads around.

Lawrence policed the offside line diligently. Forced to adhere to the hindmost foot, the English defensive system was not nearly so effective and an early transgression in this area allowed Sexton to open the scoring on seven minutes.

Ireland went straight back on the attack when Flood failed to take the restart properly and England fell further behind after Chris Ashton was adjudged to have been guilty of a high tackle on the Ireland number 10 who knocked over the kick.

In a campaign defined by small margins Ireland were finally getting the rub of the green and were unfortunate not to score their first try when Tommy Bowe sent Brian O’Driscoll scampering over on 22 minutes. Keith Earls, a joy at fullback, and a rejuvenated Jamie Heaslip both played huge parts in the move but as the stadium celebrated, Lawrence had a brief chat with his touch judge who called a forward pass.

Again Ireland came forward and this time they would get the score their play warranted. Reeling from the constant onslaught, England coughed up yet another penalty but instead of going for goal, Sexton spotted the defence napping and took the quick tap. The ever-willing Bowe was on his shoulder to weave his way home from ten yards.

David Wallace was the next to go close, prising the ball away from Shontayne Hape and charging for the line. The backrow didn’t quite have the gas but when Foden threw the ball away, not only did he allow Sexton to tag on another three points but the scrumhalf saw yellow for his trouble.

As a contest, the match lasted just seven minutes into the second half as Ireland kept up their relentless pressure. And it was O’Driscoll who added the score, making it over in the corner after the English defence had again been stretched beyond breaking point. Sexton nailed the touchline conversion.

There was to be no way back for England. Ashton threatened briefly only to throw his pass to an Irish shirt and even Steve Thompson’s breakaway score was to prove a mere consolation.

Ireland have endured an uneasy homecoming and the new ground needed a night like this, when the venue feels like a cauldron. Kidney’s side have now delivered, and how.