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Irish sports icon rips into Johnny Sexton's 'we won' statement
Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton had good reason to be distraught after another disappointing Rugby World Cup quarter-final exit, again at the hands of New Zealand.
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While much fancied Ireland were confident this might finally be their year, especially after a narrow win over eventual champions South Africa in the pool stages, the All Blacks ultimately beat Sexton’s men 28-24 in a thrilling quarter-final, putting an end to the hopes of the travelling thousands and those starting to believe back home.
The 38-year-old fly-half has since hung up his boots and will be starting a career in the corporate world in January, taking up a full time position with the firm he was already involved with one day a week. He also has a management company which is reportedly doing extremely well.
So while many felt coaching or further involvement in the sport might be the case, Sexton has shelved that for now, instead leaving a parting statement for fans on instagram.
The statement wasn’t well received by Pat Spillane though. In his column in the Sunday World, the former Gaelic football legend said he’s a huge fan of Sexton, but called some of what he said “Gobbledygook”, saying it’s reflective of the attitude of Ireland rugby fans.
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“His sense of devastation after Ireland’s loss to New Zealand in the quarter-final of the World Cup was written all over his face as he walked off the field,” the column reads.
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“So, to say I was taken aback by his retirement statement would be the understatement of the month. He said that four years ago the Irish squad had sat down and spoke about what they wanted to achieve.
“‘Our main motivation and objective was to inspire the nation. I think we have achieved that. We lost, but we won,’ said the statement.
“What? We lost, but we won?
“This was the most un-Sexton quote ever. It is pure gobbledygook which might be normal coming from some PR guru, but not from a born winner.
“Christ, can you imagine Jack O’Connor and the Kerry players telling the Kerry fans “we lost, but we won” after being beaten by Dublin in the All-Ireland final? They would have been ran out of the county if they were foolish enough to make such a statement.
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“I suppose his statement reflects the stark difference between how Gaelic football (and hurling) is perceived in Ireland compared to rugby.
“The rugby fraternity appear to be happy with world rankings and wins in autumn Tests.
“‘We lost, but we won‘. Pull the other one. Ireland lost. Full stop.”
Knockout
11 - 12
Final
6 - 44
SF1
15 - 16
SF2
17 - 29
QF1
24 - 28
QF2
30 - 24
QF3
28 - 29
QF4
Creepy world rugby IRB telling barnes are confused about AB critical about TMO!
This 🤡 now telling kiwis criticism barnes?
They never criticism barnes world rugby destroy referees!
Barnes knows AB never talking against him!
Rugby fans knowing where 💩 are its guilty of this crap!
Worldwide rugby fans 🙈 and praying!
Japan and france was a circus of luck or great planing!
Not playing, planing its european rugby 💩🤷♂️?
Thankfully no one listens to Spillane who only has eyes for Kerry gaa !!! He's a bitter over excited AH who 90 % of Ireland loves to mock .
I totally got Johnny’s statement.
The high point of the WRC for me and many others was hearing the crowd sing “Zombie” after the SA game.
Was that evidence enough the crowd and the nation got behind their team?
I think so.
Was that mission accomplished?
I think so.
Ergo , they won.
Did Ireland lose in the quarters?
Yes.
Therefore they lost.
I am first and foremost a rugby fan (and then an England fan incidentally)
I have been overawed by the quality of Ireland and France in the last couple of 6 Nations and the World Cup.
Long may they bring their incredible game to future internationals.
(BTW to Wayne Barnes’ trolls: You should be ashamed of yourselves, threatening his family from behind a computer screen. Grow up or Shut up)
Look, I agree, but critically thinking, did they not already have them before the tournament, because they were thought of rightly as likely winners?
Put it into context constable Constable - it isnt difficult is it or are things just black and white for you - they won more than they lost I can tell you that much and if I was Ireland I wouldnt be freating so much over the loss The gsme has very clearly been hijacked by WR Sponsors bookies refs coaches and players The fix was in to give the Cup to SA - they should have lost to France England and NZ if it hadnt been for the refs and bunker yellow red - absolute disgrace - all sport that can be bet on is corrupt SA bought the win just as they did in 95 - all those involved need to do is have one player on board to intentionally go into a tackle with ball in hand at low speed minimium risk and give himself a head knock
That’s far fetched even for the comments section mate🤣
With all due respect Pat - GAA is a local sport (s) and wouldn’t have either the stress of international competition or the commitment of a professional sportsman to his chosen sport or National hopes and aspiration. Johnny Sexton had carried this responsibility for approx 18/19 yrs.
In short Pat - you are hardly in a position to criticise.
Spillane excelled at the number 1 sport in Ireland and won everything there was to win in the sport so he does indeed know a lot about winning Ray, with all due respect. While Sexton has had a great career he cannot gloss over the fact that the world cup was a major failure for Ireland and for him personally as talisman and captain, by claiming credit for the terrific Irish supporters. Particularly since Sexton was a professional sportman who was being paid handsomely by those same fans to deliver, unlike Spillane who performed consistently (and won) free of charge.
Lol.
Pat. You have taken that totally out of context. The full context was “‘Our main motivation and objective was to inspire the nation. I think we have achieved that. We lost, but we won,’. In other words, the team lost the world cup but won their main objective of inspiring the nation. If anybody is talking gobbledygook it’s you. Did you say it for the headline or just to stir?
NopeThe French were way more finesse in Attack.
The Irish were the best side the Springboks faced at RWC23.
What dribble. NZ beat them and beat them easily. I get why Sexton thinks losing is winning based on your post. A participation ribbon aint winning.
This might be correct, but France was right up there too.
Ah jaysus Pat… just cause nobody in GAA circles wants to hear your b****x, doent’t mean you have to turn on Johnny!!!
Rather than dance on either Sexton’s or Cane’s respect graves admire both for they gave their supporters “ a shout “ it's only sport.
Just a Gaelic dig by the looks. Shouldn’t be taken aback by that statement, it wasn’t about Johnny.
And you change anyway after your career. He’s got no perspective but to look back now.
Johnny in the corporate world though… that brings a smirk to my face actually. Hope he doesn’t go off at the wrong thing, something nothing, at least make it a worthy red card!
Geeezzz leave the guy alone! British media and ex pros brutal. Of course we get what he saying. Ireland had the best team they have ever had, the definitely won hearts home & away. They were really unlucky to be in such a competitive world cup… France and AB also just unlucky. This world cup could have gone to any of the four teams on any day. A lot to be proud of for Johnny and Ireland.
Yeah RPass comments in general are kinda bitchy and it’s looking like the articles are too. It’s all the Reality shows and Treasure Hunt/Survival shows. They all stab each other in the back and bitch and moan and people think that behaviour is okay and/or normal but it isn’t, it’s poor form.
I think it’s more just Sexton’s poor writing and communication in this one statement, rather than a poor attitude to winning.
Far more of a concern was the statements before the quarter final:
“When I was growing up you couldn’t even dream of Ireland winning a World Cup. Now we are making it a reality.”
He said that before even playing a quarter final!
That’s the sort of attitude they’ll need to sort out before the next World Cup.
Which part? Not getting ahead of yourself or not having enough belief?
I think the latter. Which is in line with the comments he made that they achieved their goal this time.