IT’S BEEN A memorable year for Irish rugby, both for the provinces and the national side.
Connacht’s Pro12 triumph and Ireland’s win over New Zealand were the obvious high points while the sudden death of Munster legend Anthony Foley left a devastating impact on rugby followers in Ireland and beyond.
Here’s a collection of some of the images that best captured Irish rugby in 2016.
Jack Carty Conversion Against London Wasps
Jack Carty scores a last-minute conversion against London Wasps at the Sportsground. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
After previously losing out to the Wasps in the away fixture, Connacht were looking for redemption in the Sportsground earlier this month.
It was an emotional moment that demonstrated the extent of Foley’s legacy throughout the rugby world.
Garry Ringrose Throwing Similar Shapes To Brian O’Driscoll
Garry Ringrose scores a try to help Ireland to a Test win over Australia in the Aviva Stadium. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
When Garry Ringrose lunged over the whitewash to score his first senior international try against Australia, one thought came to everyone’s mind.
The little drop of the shoulder, the dinking run and the pace — all characteristics shared by one Brian O’Driscoll.
A star is born.
Simon Zebo Touches Heaven
New Zealand's Aaron Cruden watches on as Simon Zebo takes possession. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Ireland’s momentous victory over the All Blacks in Chicago produced some stunning images that will endure forever.
One moment in the game that encapsulated Ireland’s hunger for the win was Simon Zebo’s leap just before the hour mark. With the scoreboard reading Ireland 33-22 New Zealand, Conor Murray went for a box-kick.
And while it hung in the air, Zebo charged down the field where All Blacks star Aaron Cruden was waiting to gather possession.
Ireland's Tadhg Furlong has enjoyed a superb 2016. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
The win over New Zealand in Chicago wasn’t repeated when the sides met again for the rematch in the Aviva Stadium.
But Tadhg Furlong’s performance gave us some comfort on an otherwise disappointing day for the Irish team. One sequence in the first half saw him barge through the New Zealand cover and absorb tackles with impressive strength, proving that he can survive and thrive among the best in the world.
Jamie Heaslip Try Of The Year
Jamie Heaslip touches down against Italy during the Six Nations. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
What turned out to be the try of the year was a move that started inside Ireland’s territory. Conor Murray releases the ball and a succession of passes result in Leinster’s Jamie Heaslip ploughing over the line to help Ireland defeat Italy in the Six Nations.
Connacht Make It To Dream Land
Connacht's John Muldoon lifts the Guinness Pro 12 trophy. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
It was a fairytale season for Connacht, which yielded a first-ever Pro12 title. Given how far behind Pat Lam’s side seemed compared to the other provinces over the years, it really was an astonishing achievement.
The Number 8 Tribute
Ireland assemble into a number 8 in memory of Anthony Foley ahead of their Test against New Zealand. INPHO / Billy Stickland
INPHO / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland
Ireland paid a touching tribute to Anthony Foley ahead of their clash against New Zealand in Chicago by forming into the figure eight during the Haka.
In truth, defeating the All Blacks began when they laid down a marker in front of the Haka.
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In pics: 9 significant moments from the Irish rugby year
IT’S BEEN A memorable year for Irish rugby, both for the provinces and the national side.
Connacht’s Pro12 triumph and Ireland’s win over New Zealand were the obvious high points while the sudden death of Munster legend Anthony Foley left a devastating impact on rugby followers in Ireland and beyond.
Here’s a collection of some of the images that best captured Irish rugby in 2016.
Jack Carty Conversion Against London Wasps
After previously losing out to the Wasps in the away fixture, Connacht were looking for redemption in the Sportsground earlier this month.
Jack Carty had shipped a lot of criticism over his place-kicking, and after a last-minute try, he found himself standing over a conversion that would seal a two-point win and put them in contention for a place in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Despite the difficult angle, he prevailed under the pressure.
Munster Stand Up And Fight For Axel
After the loss of their manager and Ireland legend Anthony Foley, Munster lined out to face Glasgow Warriors in Thomand Park.
They produced a relentless display that was reminiscent of the Heineken Cup-winning Munster teams of earlier years.
At the end of the win, the Munster players converged in a circle and roared out their anthem ‘Stand Up And Fight’ with Axel’s sons Tony and Dan.
Maori All Blacks Pay Tribute To Anthony Foley
Ahead of Munster’s clash against the Maori All Blacks, the visiting team presented a jersey in honour of Anthony Foley, which they handed to Foley’s sons.
It was an emotional moment that demonstrated the extent of Foley’s legacy throughout the rugby world.
Garry Ringrose Throwing Similar Shapes To Brian O’Driscoll
When Garry Ringrose lunged over the whitewash to score his first senior international try against Australia, one thought came to everyone’s mind.
The little drop of the shoulder, the dinking run and the pace — all characteristics shared by one Brian O’Driscoll.
A star is born.
Simon Zebo Touches Heaven
Ireland’s momentous victory over the All Blacks in Chicago produced some stunning images that will endure forever.
One moment in the game that encapsulated Ireland’s hunger for the win was Simon Zebo’s leap just before the hour mark. With the scoreboard reading Ireland 33-22 New Zealand, Conor Murray went for a box-kick.
And while it hung in the air, Zebo charged down the field where All Blacks star Aaron Cruden was waiting to gather possession.
But Zebo’s desire trumped Cruden’s hesitation and the Munster man timed his jump perfectly to win the ball convincingly.
Tadhg Furlong Takes It To The All Blacks
The win over New Zealand in Chicago wasn’t repeated when the sides met again for the rematch in the Aviva Stadium.
But Tadhg Furlong’s performance gave us some comfort on an otherwise disappointing day for the Irish team. One sequence in the first half saw him barge through the New Zealand cover and absorb tackles with impressive strength, proving that he can survive and thrive among the best in the world.
Jamie Heaslip Try Of The Year
What turned out to be the try of the year was a move that started inside Ireland’s territory. Conor Murray releases the ball and a succession of passes result in Leinster’s Jamie Heaslip ploughing over the line to help Ireland defeat Italy in the Six Nations.
Connacht Make It To Dream Land
It was a fairytale season for Connacht, which yielded a first-ever Pro12 title. Given how far behind Pat Lam’s side seemed compared to the other provinces over the years, it really was an astonishing achievement.
The Number 8 Tribute
Ireland paid a touching tribute to Anthony Foley ahead of their clash against New Zealand in Chicago by forming into the figure eight during the Haka.
In truth, defeating the All Blacks began when they laid down a marker in front of the Haka.
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