Ireland's Rugby World Cup win over Australia last night has a certain sentimental feeling to it - even if you are a Wallaby supporter you can agree with me on this.
Although the men from Europe might get the occasional win over a Six Nations country - France withstanding, sometimes England - traditionally they have a very poor record against the southern hemisphere powerhouses. New Zealand, South Africa and Australia trample all over Ireland in their end of season tours. In World Cups, the Irish have an even worse record.
Close loses are articulated by their press as positive outcomes - apparently mediocrity is cause to be celebrated. Of their 23-34 loss against New Zealand in 2006, the Guardian started with this warm fuzzy opening - "Ireland's latest near miss against southern hemisphere opposition will be both a rallying cry and warning..".
When they won the Six Nations in 2009 they toured the country as if it was the World Cup. It was their first tournament win in 61 years. http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/map_grand_slam_2009.php
The Irish players understand their rugby history too. Ronan O'Gara, who was key to their second half revival last night, told media he was proud to be Irish after their win against Australia. Taken as emotion perhaps, it does epitomize how seldom they beat the likes of the Wallabies or the Springboks. Ireland haven't beat New Zealand for more than 100 years.
Ireland's World Cup record reads as though they are a team of little kids competing against big kids, always winning the participation prize. Their best performance was a 18-19 loss to Australia in the 1991 tournament and were quarter-finalists in five of the seven events. Arguably their worst performance came in 2007. After narrowly winning against Georgia 14-10, they were crushed by Argentina 15-30 and knocked out in pool play.
Let's celebrate Ireland's victory as one for the underdog - and the World Cup in its literal sense.
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