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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Grand Slam Ireland welcomed home | Grand Slam Ireland welcomed home |
| (about 18 hours later) | |
| Thousands of people have turned out to greet Ireland's rugby squad after their Six Nations win in which they clinched their first Grand Slam in 61 years. | Thousands of people have turned out to greet Ireland's rugby squad after their Six Nations win in which they clinched their first Grand Slam in 61 years. |
| The team, which completed a clean sweep after beating Wales 17-15, were given a rapturous welcome at the Mansion House in Dublin. | The team, which completed a clean sweep after beating Wales 17-15, were given a rapturous welcome at the Mansion House in Dublin. |
| Captain Brian O'Driscoll, who scored Ireland's first try, said it was a "fantastic feeling". | Captain Brian O'Driscoll, who scored Ireland's first try, said it was a "fantastic feeling". |
| "You're not as sore as you would have been if you had lost," he said. | "You're not as sore as you would have been if you had lost," he said. |
| Ronan O'Gara described the moments leading up to his dramatic late drop-goal which gave Ireland victory. | Ronan O'Gara described the moments leading up to his dramatic late drop-goal which gave Ireland victory. |
| "We have a strategy for drop goals, a pattern to play. I was keen to have a crack so I just got straight in front of the posts." | "We have a strategy for drop goals, a pattern to play. I was keen to have a crack so I just got straight in front of the posts." |
| Despite giving Ireland the lead with just a couple of minutes left, a penalty conceded by centre substitute Paddy Wallace gave Wales the chance to snatch a late win. | Despite giving Ireland the lead with just a couple of minutes left, a penalty conceded by centre substitute Paddy Wallace gave Wales the chance to snatch a late win. |
| "I was ready to kill Paddy," O'Gara joked to the crowds. | "I was ready to kill Paddy," O'Gara joked to the crowds. |
| Ireland's Donncha O'Callaghan is mobbed by fans at Dublin AirportWallace quickly replied: "I just felt the game lacked a bit of excitement." | Ireland's Donncha O'Callaghan is mobbed by fans at Dublin AirportWallace quickly replied: "I just felt the game lacked a bit of excitement." |
| He added: "I felt sheer relief that he missed." | He added: "I felt sheer relief that he missed." |
| Coach Declan Kidney paid tribute to his team and the supporters who followed the Grand Slam campaign over seven weeks. | Coach Declan Kidney paid tribute to his team and the supporters who followed the Grand Slam campaign over seven weeks. |
| Earlier, hundreds of fans greeted the team at Dublin airport. | Earlier, hundreds of fans greeted the team at Dublin airport. |
| Ulster players Rory Best and Stephen Ferris said they were "shell-shocked" at the crowds. | Ulster players Rory Best and Stephen Ferris said they were "shell-shocked" at the crowds. |
| "It's awesome isn't it," hooker Rory Best said. | "It's awesome isn't it," hooker Rory Best said. |
| "It's not properly sunk in yet, but it will soon." | "It's not properly sunk in yet, but it will soon." |
| Veteran scrum-half Peter Stringer, who set up Ireland's vital winning try against Scotland in the penultimate match, said it was "impossible to take in". | Veteran scrum-half Peter Stringer, who set up Ireland's vital winning try against Scotland in the penultimate match, said it was "impossible to take in". |
| "It's a credit to everyone who has turned out to welcome us home. It's something special, it really is." | "It's a credit to everyone who has turned out to welcome us home. It's something special, it really is." |
| SDLP Sports Spokesperson Pat Ramsey MLA has called on the Northern Ireland Sports Minister Gregory Campbell to hold a reception at Stormont for the team. | |
| He said: "The historical achievement by this Irish team must be recognised in Northern Ireland by the Assembly. | |
| "The team are fantastic ambassadors for sport and for our country and everyone throughout Ireland is extremely proud of them. | |
| "I will be writing to Minister Campbell today to request a Ministerial reception in their honour." | |
| Ireland's try-scoring winger Tommy Bowe entertains the thousands of people celebrating Ireland's Grand Slam win | Ireland's try-scoring winger Tommy Bowe entertains the thousands of people celebrating Ireland's Grand Slam win |