How Ireland won their three previous Grand Slams : PlanetRugby

With Andy Farrell’s brilliant outfit just one victory from becoming the fourth Ireland side to win the Grand Slam, we delve into their previous triumphs.

From their first in 1948 to their most recent in 2018, there are plenty of great memories for Irish supporters.

1948 – 6-3 victory over Wales

Ireland had never won the Five Nations title outright prior to the 1948 campaign. They had some – but limited – success in the Championship’s first guise when only them, England, Scotland and Wales competed, but they struggled following France’s arrival.

That all changed in 1948 as they became Grand Slam champions for the first time. All four matches were tense and tight, but Ireland showed tremendous resilience to come out on the right side of the scoreline each time.

The opening clash against Les Bleus certainly laid the platform for their landmark run as the Irishmen visited Paris and came away with an impressive 13-6 win. It wouldn’t get any easier with a trip to England, but they emerged 11-10 triumphant over their bitter rivals to the delight of their supporters who poured onto the pitch in celebration.

Two weeks later, Ireland kept Scotland scoreless in a 6-0 victory before the Welsh visited in their finale. The title had already been assured but the Grand Slam had so far eluded them. However, that was to change on March 13, 1948 at Ravenhill as they overcame their opponents 6-3 in Belfast.

Barney Mullan and Jack Daly scored the tries, with the latter stating following his effort that, “if Wales don’t score again, I will be cannonised after this!” But it was fly-half Jack Kyle who was the linchpin in the side.

A wonderful playmaker, it was Kyle’s superb pass which set up Mullan’s try and he would help Ireland to a period of domination in Europe as they also secured outright Five Nations titles a year later, in 1949, and in 1951.

However, it was the Grand Slam in 1948 which is etched in Irish fans’ memories, with Kyle saying in 2000: “I don’t think we realised quite the significance it had, and the significance it was going to have. It was the only Grand Slam Ireland won in the century and who would have ever believed that was possible?”

2009 – 17-15 victory over Wales

It had been 61 long years since their last Grand Slam when the 2009 campaign rolled around. For those who have only seen a competitive Irish side it was rarely like that pre-2000. The 1990s were particularly depressing for their supporters as they never finished above fourth in the old Five Nations, but the new Millennium signalled a new Ireland.

Dubbed the country’s ‘golden generation’, which included genuine greats Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell and Ronan O’Gara, among a few others, they became one of Europe’s leading teams. The Irishmen were often there or thereabouts, consistently challenging in the top half of the table, but they never actually won anything – well the main title at least.

The word ‘chokers’…