Three years when Ireland's hopes brunt brightly but briefly

1973  Five Nations Championship

Ireland 19, England 9

Scotland 19, Ireland 14

Wales 16, Ireland 12

Ireland 6, France 4

WALES AND Scotland refused to travel to Dublin the previous year because of The Troubles and 12 months later they proved a bugbear for Ireland again as the national side lost to their Celtic rivals in a season when they beat both England and France. Ireland opened their campaign by beating England 18-9 and hopes would have been high of a good run in the Five Nations Championship but that came to a crashing halt in their next match at Murrayfield when Scotland triumphed 19-14.

The Scots had not beaten Ireland since 1966 but, despite losing their captain Ian McLaughlan and trailing 14-12 with just five minutes remaining, they finished strongly with a try from wing Ian Forsyth and a second drop goal of the match from scrumhalf Doug Morgan. Ireland had tries from captain Tom Kiernan and Wallace McMaster with outhalf Barry McGann kicking two penalties. It was to be Kiernan’s last cap.

Ireland lost 16-12 to Wales in Cardiff before beating France 6-4 at Lansdowne Road. In beating the French, Ireland recorded a 12th win at Lansdowne Road in 14 matches over a five-year period in the Five Nations that included a draw. The only match they lost in Dublin in that period was to England in 1971. The championship would end up in a quintuple tie with each of the five teams winning two games apiece.

1975 Five Nations Championship

Ireland 12 England 9

Scotland 20 Ireland 13

Ireland 25 France 6

Wales 32 Ireland 4

ONCE AGAIN Ireland beat England and France but as in 1973 they succumbed to defeat on their travels to Murrayfield and the Arms Park, Cardiff. Mike Gibson provided the inspiration against the English at Lansdowne Road scoring a try but also providing a master-class in all facets of the game. Ireland’s other points came from outhalf Billy McCombe, who also scored a try and kicked two conversions.

Ireland travelled to Edinburgh but were more thoroughly beaten than the final scoreline suggests as Scottish fullback and place-kicker Andy Irvine had an off day with the boot. The sides scored two tries apiece, Billy Steele and Jim Renwick crossing for the home side while Ireland responded through Seamus Dennison and Tom Grace. Irvine kicked two penalties while Scottish halfbacks Doug Morgan and Ian McGeechan dropped goals. Billy McCombe added the rest of Ireland’s points with a conversion and a penalty.

For the second time in three years Ireland beat both England and France, the latter convincingly in the third round of matches, a victory notable for Irish captain Willie John McBride’s first try in his 62nd appearance. Ireland went into the final match against Wales in a position to win the championship but that honour went to their hosts who won with a brilliant display. The visitor’s only consolation came in the form of a try from number eight Willie Duggan. The game marked McBride’s final appearance for Ireland.

2001 Six Nations Championship

Italy 22 Ireland 41

Ireland 22 France 15

Scotland 32 Ireland 10

Wales 6 Ireland 36

Ireland 20 England 14

IT WAS the year of foot and mouth and probably the campaign that will rankle most with many of the team that will take the field at Murrayfield this evening. Ireland won their opening match against Italy at the Stadio Flaminio, the highlight of which was a hat-trick of tries for centre Rob Henderson. Ronan O’Gara and Shane Horgan crossed the Italian line. They then accounted for France at Lansdowne Road with Brian O’Driscoll grabbing the all-important try; O’Gara’s boot providing the rest of the points.

The outbreak of foot and mouth meant Ireland played their final three matches of that season’s tournament in the autumn, starting with the game against Scotland at Murrayfield. It was to prove an absolutely horrendous experience as the visitors shrivelled under the mantle of favouritism and were well and truly thumped by a rampant Scottish side.

The disappointment was made all the more acute when Ireland easily accounted for Wales in Cardiff and then denied England a grand slam with Keith Wood’s try pivotal to the final result. The Irish were left to rue what might have been had they turned up and performed in Murrayfield. It’s a salutary lesson and one that is likely to be heeded ahead of today’s game.

– JOHN O’SULLIVAN