Murray Kinsella reports from Melbourne
WHILE TADHG FURLONG sometimes bulldozes his way to linebreaks, he doesn’t usually get the chance to burst into completely open field.
Running an excellent line off a superb Garry Ringrose pass in the first half of Ireland’s 26-21 win over the Wallabies in Melbourne, though, Furlong had the opportunity to do exactly that.
The Ireland tighthead could perhaps have done better in behind the defensive line and the passage will go down as a missed chance for Joe Schmidt’s side, but it was a thrilling moment for the thousands of Irish fans at AAMI Park.
It was also one part of a seriously impressive man-of-the-match performance by the 25-year-old, who continues to show why he is rated as being among the best front row players in world rugby.
Furlong carried powerfully against the Wallabies, barging through Nick Phipps’ tackle for Ireland’s crucial second try, and although he only had to make four tackles in defence, his work-rate was as high as ever.
The Irish scrum had a fine outing after the disappointment of conceding a key penalty late in the first Test and Furlong played a muscular role in that area, as well as with his usual strong lifting in the lineout.
“It must have been that spectacular dive to reach and get that try, I didn’t realise his arms were that long – he obviously wasn’t reaching into his pocket… but I thought he did incredibly well to reach out and score that try,” said Schmidt of Furlong’s man-of-the-match award.
“He scrummed well, his linebreak in the first-half – he got lonely, he was in so much space that he got a little bit confused but then he tried to throw this mountainous pass out to the edge which got intercepted.
“It’s not enough for Tadhg, he got it back then which was super play. Defensively, he worked really hard.
“He’s really deserving of that man-of-the-match award, there’s a few other guys like Pete [O'Mahony] beside me, Pete’s three turnovers were crucial and he’d a couple of really good ball carries, good lineout pressure that he provided.
“There’s James Ryan again, CJ Stander – that relentless energy that they bring to the side.
“There’s a host of guys that worked really hard tonight, but you have to. You just have to against a side of that calibre.”
It was a fine outing for Niall Scannell too, the Munster hooker having been handed a big opportunity in the number two shirt.
His set-piece work was strong and although he threw one loose offload to Wallabies captain Michael Hooper shortly before being replaced, he was otherwise excellent around the pitch and robust in contact.
“I thought our scrum was solid,” said Schmidt.”He’s probably our biggest scrummaging hooker and I thought he threw really well early on as well. It was a tough lineout for Rob Herring to come on and replace him, and he slightly underthrew that one close to the line and that was a frustration for us.
“But then for anyone who has had a good look at Rob’s game already, I thought his energy was huge. He got off the line and made tackles.
“So those two guys both did well I thought and to have Sean Cronin in reserve to potentially come into the reckoning next week is a real asset for us.
“I know we’ll look back at Niall’s game and he’ll look back at it, and we’ll try to forge a little bit of a pathway to progress a little bit further.”
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I’m going to bed now still not knowing what Dublin did wrong to lose this match. You can’t say the fire wasn’t in the belly because it was there.
Donegal won that match fair and square and toe to toe because their tactics were spot on and they were so clinical. I can’t say that I have ever witnessed a team that capitalised so much on the counter.
Well done Jim McGuinness and Donegal. It was a masterclass.
Happier today than I was at the 2012 final, that shows you how good a team dublin are and I have no doubt ye will be back at this stage next year.
Very graceful in defeat today so ye were, fans and players alike.
Dublin were Brillant! Dairmaid Connolly was in class of his own. A wonderful footballer, and in my mind Dublins Man of the Match!
Donegal were Fantastic! The entire team deserve Man of the Match! I am from Sligo a dedicated Sligo Rovers man, BUT Today’s game was sensational David Vs Goliath. I work in Letterkenny and am looking forward to the next 3 weeks of opinions, antidote’s and advises for Jim and his charges. Imagine a County with a population of 20people per sq.klm are contesting the Senior and Minor All Ireland Final. I have always said Donegal people ARE NOT ORDINARY! THEY ARE EXTRAORDINARY!!!!!!!
You might as well not mention who Dublin were playing today from all those “balanced” headlines.
O…. By the way it was Donegal. And they Hammered Dublin!!
I wouldn’t say hammer…. I’d say dublin would have beaten kerry by 7 or 8 in the final…. It was a masterclass from Donegal. But having said that this dublin team is immensely talented And will come back stronger next year.
Kerry would have beaten the Dubs by 7 or 8 I think. We were hopin ye’d hammer Donegal so ye would have come into the final untested. Kerry are battle hardened now with the young lads really fulfilling their potential. Donegal will be a different animal in the Final and will be very hard to beat. We won’t be so naive as to leave 2 defenders in our own half as Dublin did. Will be a very tight final.
Defences win All Ireland’s,forwards by how much,was very true today. Our defence,particularly our half back line was non existent,we were beaten all over the field,& on the line. Well done Donegal on a fantastic performance,best of luck in the final.
Some arms on stretch Armstrong in pic 11
Photo 15 with the two ladies is a fantastic shot, would love to get their take on the game!